Details
Brand
Inov-0
Heel To Toe Drop
4 mm
Breathability
6.7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Lightweight
Key Features
• Rubber nubs to grip rough surfaces• Stripped back to provide extra ventilation• Rock plate in midsole to improve stability• Seamless upper to prevent foot chafing• Bright colors and low-profile design• Slight heel drop
Upper
A stripped-back design was implemented in the upper portion of these shoes, functioning not entirely unlike the retractable hood of a convertible. The justification for this comparison is that in both cases, extra airflow is introduced while making a bold stylistic statement. The mesh fabric used for the upper’s construction is also highly ventilated, and the lack of any seams prevents foot irritation from rubbing against extra material. These key design decisions result in one of the most comfortable trail shoes on the market.
Midsole
The midsole of these shoes are made of a cushioned rubber material with a rock plate embedded for reinforcement. The cushion developed for this line of the Inov-8 Trailroc line was designed to be shock absorbent and energy efficient, in fact, the manufacturers boast that this iteration of their popular shoe line offers 10% more shock absorption and 25% greater energy return. The Fascia band rock plate emphasizes the arch, as the name implies, and contributes to the midsole absorption ability.
Outsole
Inov-8’s Trailroc 270 features an outsole designed to offer traction, comfort, and protection, all contained in a subtle but sleek design. For the purpose of navigating over uneven terrain, these shoes have several small studs spaced evenly along the majority of the outsole. These nubs are placed in such a way to avoid the accumulation of excess debris while still being close enough to provide an evenly distributed level of traction. In addition to traction, these nubs also work to absorb and evenly distribute pressure from repeated impact to the ground which can help to greatly reduce soreness or injury.
Breathability
Ventilation is the primary goal that went into the design and construction of the upper portion of these shoes, but that same mentality wasn’t applied to the rest of it. It’s true that the most important part of the shoe to offer breathability is the upper, but it can still feel a bit too warm wearing these shoes for a long time. It’s mostly because of the toe pad placed on the front, which sacrifices airflow for additional protection from sharp rocks or jutting roots. Fortunately, the backs of these shoes have been stripped down, offering some fresh air to your ankles and calves.
Comfort
These trail shoes were designed primarily for the purpose of facilitating a comfortable running experience, even over long distances and periods of time. The upper portion of these shoes, in addition to providing excellent ventilation, are made of a single piece of material, preventing any annoying seams from irritating the sides of your feet. In addition, the low-profile heel of these shoes offers a tight fit while still managing to avoid discomfort, excessive heat, or chafing. Keep in mind that there are some caveats to the comfort experienced in these shoes, such as the lack of flexibility due to the midsole’s rock plate. However, these are some of the comfiest trail shoes money can buy.
Style
TrailRoc 270’s are some of the most stylish trail shoes running can buy. They were designed by people who work a great deal with barefoot running equipment, which often polarizes people when it comes to their design. However, this is certainly not the case with these trail shoes, as they have the perfect marriage of design sensibilities: the functionality of cutting-edge barefoot shoes with the design of popular brand-name running footwear. If there was one negative thing to say about these shoes’ style, it’s that there are a disappointingly small amount of color choices. If you like green or red, you’ll be okay, but any other color is sadly unavailable.
Durability
There is one area in which these shoes are unfortunately prone to fraying, which is on the upper. The fabric overlay around the rim of the foot, near the toes, is prone to coming undone and detaching from the mesh portion of the upper. This is mostly a cosmetic injury, however, and doesn’t affect the overall functionality of the shoes. Other than this minor issue, no complaints have been levied regarding the durability of the Inov-8 TrailRoc 270’s. This is especially impressive since there were no protective seams added to the design in order to prevent them from rubbing against your foot and potentially causing skin irritation.
Protection
Naturally, these trail shoes are designed to offer a significant level of protection to your feet when running or walking on rough trails and steep inclines. Effort has also been made to provide your toes with extra protection, with the addition of their toe pad. One area that is left unprotected, however, is the backs of your feet. This is due to the stripped-back design, which may leave your ankles and Achilles tendon vulnerable to injury. If this is a serious concern for you, the best option is to choose a different set of trail shoes, but a compromise can be reached with some KT tape or wearing some high protective socks.
Responsiveness
Bucking the trend set by many other trail shoes, Inov-8 TrailRoc 270’s are much more responsive due to their lighter weight. This can only really be appreciated when used on the types of terrain they were designed for, however. If you were to use these shoes for anything other than a rough trail, the responsiveness would pale in comparison to running shoes better suited for those environments. That said, comparing these shoes to many of the other popular trail shoes available to customers will result in a faster response time with the TrailRoc 270’s.
Support
Unlike some others, these trail shoes feature a slight heel drop instead of the standard flat foot design. This drop is very subtle, with only a 4 mm difference between the heel height and the forefoot height. However, this extremely subtle height difference manages to provide a small degree of heel support for runners who may be predisposed to injury in that area. This is an excellent compromise, as it still allows for a decent level of the forefoot support that is necessary for trail running. For particularly sensitive runners, this support can be accentuated with additional orthotics such as a gel pad.
Terrain
The best terrain to run on with these shoes is the roughest you can find. Whether it’s a slippery muddy slope, a jagged rock path, an overgrown hiking trail, or the side of a mountain, these shoes are designed to handle your stride in stride. This is accomplished by the implementation of several small nubs on the outsole that grip onto difficult surfaces without getting clogged with dirt, as well as the protective midsole comprised of highly resistant rubber. An additional rock plate in the midsole will allow you to maintain a flat and efficient stride when traveling on trepidatious surfaces, guaranteed.
Price
In terms of athletic footwear, trail shoes are among the most expensive of the bunch. These shoes are certainly no exception, but this higher price tag isn’t undeserved. Based on the quality of construction and high functionality offered by the Inov-8 TrailRoc 270’s, the value factor in the purchase is high. That said, you could live with a cheaper pair of hiking boots if you’re a casual hiker or outdoorsman. The target demographic for these shoes is a dedicated trail runner, weekend warriors need not apply.
Drop
While most trail shoes offer no drop, the Inov-8 TrailRoc 270’s offer a very slight heel drop of 4 mm. This is presumably in order to provide a bit of extra cushion for your heel, which is a welcome addition to runners with sensitive heels. However, the change is still barely noticeable and support can be much better achieved with the addition of an orthotic heel insert. Still, it’s a noble effort, and runners who are adjusting to a flatter stride can ease into the concept by using these shoes as a midpoint.
Stability
Stability is maintained in these trail shoes with the implementation of a few key design choices. One is the aforementioned rubber nubs, a staple of trail shoe design which serves to provide stable footing over uneven terrain and inclement weather conditions. The other choice is the addition of a rock plate in the midsole, which sacrifices comfortable flexibility for the sake of maintaining an efficient stride when using these shoes on an incline. You may not have the softest ride when running with the 270’s, but you will be in full control the entire time, no matter what comes at you.
Flexibility
These shoes fall into the middle in terms of flexibility. As trail shoes, the design isn’t really focused on being flexible, with the primary focus being on foot protection and traction. However, these shoes are on the lighter side in regards to trail shoes, which means they offer some more give than the thicker, heavier models available on the market. You still shouldn’t expect the same level of bendiness as a standard pair of track shoes.
Traction
In order to ensure a solid foothold in rain or snow or sleet, trail shoes need to place a considerable emphasis on quality traction. TrailRoc 270’s accomplish this with the assistance of their rubber nubs placed in even spaces on the outsole. These nubs are the perfect distance from each other, close enough to ensure a solid grip, but far enough away to avoid becoming clogged with dirt or small rocks. What’s perhaps the most impressive thing about the level of traction on these shoes is that it is comparable to the level of traction on many other trail shoes but at a fraction of the total weight.
Bottom Line
It’s difficult to pin down exactly who would be best suited for these specific trail shoes. On one hand, the features that make is more breathable, stylish and low-profile might turn off individuals looking for a serious piece of outdoor running apparel. On the other hand, the high price tag, low flexibility, and lack of adequate traction on flatter surfaces make this unappealing for the casual track runner or cross trainer. The closest thing to an ideal demographic for the Inov-8 TrailRoc 270’s is an individual who wants to look good while running up a mountain and lives in an incredibly hot environment. If this applies to you, then these shoes are a must-buy!
