Inov-8 past experiences welcome......

jonathan curtoys wrote (see)

I've sent the Trailroc's back to the vendor and am awaiting their assesment on whether they deem it to be a manufacturer fault. I also sent a message of complaint to Inov_8. They replied saying the uppers were being modified in later models. Sounds to me like they know there's a problem, with these shoes at least.

Has the vendor responded yet? I had the European Marketing Manager try and get all high and mighty about how I was not prepared to accept their terms and conditions by returning to the store I purchased them from and that the vendor would have a better idea about damage, and oh yes, he was concluding the conversation!

What a load of b****x I told him, surely Inov-8 would be best placed to comment on the damage, not the vendor, and it was, in fact, the vendor who told me to take it to Inov-8. And we are talking about someone who sits down daily at the executive office and is saying they are not best placed to deal with the problem. Fair play to their returns team though, they dealt with it and replaced the trainers FOC, just wish some of that common sense and initiative worked its way up to the manager emailing me.

Don't let them get away with it. I have never had a pair of trainers do that. And certainly not so quickly. The Gore-tex has a lifetime warranty on their website, so if it rips due to poor manufacture, then what? So many people have suffered from this and the retailers have to replace the trainers free of charge due to the fault in the shoes. Thing is, big companies like this bank on people doing nothing and just buying more or going elsewhere. 

Just heard back from Wiggle. They have agreed that its a manufacturer's fault and have credited me! I am frankly amazed, but pleased. I can see that the later Inov 235, 245 & 255 shoes have a different kind of webbing on the upper.

Talking of poor performance, how does everyone get on with gore-tex socks? My last pair of Seal Skinz only lasted 6 months. The pair before lasted over 3 years.

jonathan curtoys wrote (see)

Just heard back from Wiggle. They have agreed that its a manufacturer's fault and have credited me! 

Good skills. All it takes is an email or two!

252s arrived as promised by Inov-8, but the same size as I had in the 195s is too tight, so going to try some on at the nearest Ellis Brigham and see what fits best.

My first and only pair of Inov8 are 312's. Great fit and do what I want of them. I have only 35 miles on them though.

It may be an old saying "but they really don't make stuff like they used to".

I had a very early Timberland shoe many years ago and had been made in the USA. Still have those shoes. Bought anothe pair made in SE Asia somewhere and the difference in quality is like chalk and cheese.

jonathan curtoys wrote (see)

Following my problem with the 245s I chose some 295s but was a bit concerned when they arrived about possible drainage issues as it doesn't look like there is anyway for water to get out. Does anyone have any experience with them?

I use the roclite 295s regularly. Not really noticed any problems with drainage but probably don't clear as quickly as some of the lighter mesh shoes. However the payoff is the more robust upper which stands up well to quite a lot of abuse. I tend to use a mudclaw when its really wet anyway....

I run in Bare grips and the upper in these gets ripped pretty quickly. It does not really bother me as they always get muddy and dirty, I didn't even notice until one day I ran in pouring rain and they got cleaned up nice and noticed then, usually really crusty with mud.