Inov-8 is a running shoe company that is…well… very serious about running. They design products around the natural function of the human body’s biomechanics, in short, the body’s innate movement.
‘Barefoot running’ has become a recent phenomenon because the human foot is perfectly adapted to accommodate variations in ground orientation. The foot has a natural ability to change its mechanical characteristics from a flexible adaptive platform to a rigid propulsive lever. Companies who make footwear, specifically those specializing in running shoes, have grabbed hold of this concept, and have designed footwear to allow your foot to do a lot of the work without much padding or support. You’ve probably seen those shoes shaped like feet with actual shaped toes on the end. Fila, Terra Plana, and Vibram make their own proprietary models.
Well, Inov-8 takes it up a notch with their footwear. Their line works in synergy with the natural biomechanics of the body, allowing the foot to do what it does best. The inov-8 shoe protects the foot, providing you with a secure intimate fit that’s almost like running barefoot.
Their X-Talon 190 is one of their premier running models, and it’s a beast in a form factor that’s so light, it’s scary. It features a 3mm differential between the forefoot and heel and a 3mm foot bed. The X-Talon 190 makes sure that your foot remains closer to the ground, in a position that is stable, natural and optimized for the fastest off road running.
The X-Talon 190 is the next step towards barefoot running, with its 1 Arrow Shoc Zone for the lowest cushioning that you can get from an X-Talon shoe. This ensures that your foot remains closer to the ground, which gives you more stability and a natural foot position.
Inov-8’s are the lightest shoe the company makes, designed specifically for Cross-Country racing. The company says that they are a great alternative to spikes. The studded, sticky-rubber sole with studs grip the terrain with a vengeance. The tread pattern is innovative as well, making it nice for the trails.
If you want to call this a minimalist shoe, you can. That’s what the industry calls them. The X-Talon 190s get the highest marks in this category. As previously mentioned, what the 190s are also good for is trails, something that runners have had a hard time finding in a ‘barefoot’ shoe. They almost look like cleats, but feel worlds different. And the soft spikes are quite the departure from smooth-bottomed trail shoes cross-country-ers are used to, albeit super flexible. You can turn these things into a pretzel if you want, and they’ll bend back to their shape.
These suckers are snazzy too… a noticeable bright red. And they appear long and slender, although the shape of my foot is as about as traditional as you can get, and they fit like a glove.
Trying these out on a few terrains, I found that for the most part, they were great. Short runs and trails were exactly what this shoe was meant for. I literally could barely feel them on my feet. The weight of these things almost defy physics. On longer street runs, the shoes didn’t shine as much, but were certainly adequate for my needs. As far as traction, they gripped the ground like a vice, giving me much more control and spring than I’ve ever been used to. They drastically improved my performance, digging into the steep hills as well as the loose gravel like gangbusters.
The inov-8 X-Talon 190s have a lot going for them- light weight, flexible sole, and crazy-gripping traction They are easily the preferred trail running shoe, and I can see why. For those needing a little help with upping the anne in performance, I highly recommend the 190s. You can find them online at Amazon, Wiggle, Road Runner Sports and Zappos for around $115.
Check out the video review….
