inov8 Bare grip - Gear - Runner's World

Max's Mum

15/08/2012 at 13:39

am currently using merrell trail glove, but they do not have super grip when its really muddy. Was thinking of trying the Inov8 baregrip as an alternative in the trail barefoot shoe category due to a recent write up i read, but wondered if anyone has actually tried any and what your opinion was? lots of money to spend out if they dont suit a wide foot barefoot/minimalist runner

WiB

15/08/2012 at 16:24

MM - I have a pair, they are great shoes. Very comfortable and I have wide feet as well. I have not found a shoe that has superceeded it with regards to grip in muddy conditions. It is also a zero drop shoe with no midsole so should suit your minimalist/barefoot target.

Edited: 15/08/2012 at 16:25

Max's Mum

15/08/2012 at 16:28

thanks WIB! most helpful.

sean Oc 4

21/08/2012 at 12:08

Hi MM

I've been using these for almost a year now and they are absolutely fantastic IN THE RIGHT CONDITIONS. The trail surface is key though. If its soft underfoot, grassy, claggy, muddy, or on fells where comfort is second to grip these shoes are second to none. Don't expect to enjoy the road sections joking the trails though as you'll feel every lug of the very aggressive sole pressing through the sole.

I've actually found NB110's to be surprisingly good as an intermediate shoe, also better than expected in the clag.

I had to go a size up in the baregrips in comparison to my previous Inov8 shoes mind you so it may be worth popping to a shop.

sean Oc 4

21/08/2012 at 12:10

The previous post was sent from my phone; apologies for poor grammar and misspellings!

James Joy

22/08/2012 at 17:19

I use them and love them. They are brilliant in muddy conditions used them instead of my cross country spikes last session and at no stage did I miss the spikes.

I have used them on an off road marathons and an ultra marathon with a mix or surfaces (from ankle deep mud to tarmac) and didn't regret my shoe choice.

Max's Mum

29/08/2012 at 09:18

thanks guys, very helpful! i was thinking of getting them from wiggle anyway and they have a great returns policy, so should be able to change sizes if i get the wrong one.

i dont tend to run trails that have much in the way of tarmac sections so hopefully they wil lbe fine!

Richard A Thackeray

30/08/2012 at 10:58

I use Inov-8, but not those.

Just waiting for the new MudClaw 300's to become available, as my MC 330;s are jiggered

http://www.peteblandsports.co.uk/products/inov-8-mudclaw-300-aw12.htm?brand=1

sean Oc 4

05/12/2012 at 08:19

How did you get on with these? I've had less than 50 miles before the uppers fell apart due to the lack of robustness of the mesh material and the absasivness of the black covering.

James Joy

05/12/2012 at 08:34

I had that issue with a pair. Sent the photos to Inov-8 and they sent a replacement pair.

Neon Cockroach

07/12/2012 at 12:54

James Joy wrote (see)

I had that issue with a pair. Sent the photos to Inov-8 and they sent a replacement pair.

Really? The mesh on my Mudclaws are strting to fray where it joins the rand. Only 6 months old, so it's a shame as the soles are still perfect. Bought them from Amazon though for a good discount.

These are very comfortable shoesby the way for off-road running and can cope with short distances of harder surface.

James Joy

07/12/2012 at 17:32

Yes, just emailed them to ask if this was a know issue and sent them a link to some photos. They came back asked for a few details and sent a replacement pair.

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