Inov8 - Trailtalon (Standard)

In the market for a new shoe for the arc of attrition next month. Route has everything but likely a lot of mud to contend with so looking for grippy options. My safe bet is the inov8 trailtalon but it really offers no energy return when your legs get tired. Any ideas of any shoes that would be better suited? Wide ish toebox is preferable but perhaps not essential. The stack of the new Hoka mafate wouldn't work for me on that route I don't think with it being quite technical. Considering picking up the normal tomir 2. Any other shouts for shoes to look into? Note I've tried the topo mtn racer 4 and found the mid foot too wide. The Merrell agility peak 5 cut into my heels so absolutely wouldn't use those again Any input appreciated. Cheers

The trailtalons work for my feet but as I say I feel they lack energy return and I know I can run much better in other shoes which offer just a bit. I've got the trailtalon max and find them the same. I recently used the trailtalon on a mountain 100 where I dnf'd at mile 76. She's work well for me but I really struggle when my legs get tired. In comparison at an easier race in my bike ultra flys I was running sub 8 minute miles for the last 5k

Long story short I dnf'd the arc of attrition this past weekend 67 miles in. My legs and feet had nothing left to give. We had exceptionally tough conditions this year, I dnf'd the race last year too. Last year I used the trailtalon from inov8 and this year the max version. Better runners than me say they won't use big lugs because it wrecks their legs and I feel like this is why yet I was grateful to have the security of the grip out there. Only slipped a couple of times in horrendously waterlogged, boggy conditions My question, what shoe would you use in this instance? I absolutely need a new shoe for next time. I get issues with blisters, the Hoka mafate was the shoe I wanted to use but even with good taping gave me issues. I think 5-6mm lugs is probably the sweet spot really. As a shoe for easy trail I adore the fit and feel of the Nike ultrafly, the LA sportiva pro works for up to 50 too as long as I tape my feet well and really enjoy those. Any suggestions for a more appropriate mud shoe for the distance would be much appreciated. Tempted to try the nnormal tomir 2 but read mixed reviews about fit. Any input massively appreciated

Inov-8 Mud/Trailtalon depending on the length of the lugs you need. Topo MTN Racer 4

The problem is that the precision fit isn't precise - a massive step back given their intended use. All they had to do is to take the new rubber they have and slap it on the old xtalons and mudclaws, rather than fuck around with a formula that had worked excellently for almost 2 decades.

The obvious one is that they’ve replaced their fell shoes with a trail shoe that’s good in mud. It’s super sloppy on foot, no precision, high stack and delicate so it falls apart when you bash through heather or bracken. The roclite 275 has been replaced by the trailtalon. Again, it’s much higher stack and a baggy fit. It’s just not the same shoe. I’m not the only one - I’d say at least twice a month the topic of inov8 being in the bin comes up on the club run. Far fewer seen in races these days and those that are seen are often old mudclaws or xtalons. I’d rather race in walshes than mudtalons. I’m similar on being a long time repeat customer of theirs.. I’ve probably worn 8-10 pairs each of 212s and mudclaws down to slick. I can’t see myself buying another shoe of theirs unless something drastically changes. If they are forged in the fells (as they like to emphasise), they currently reside in Regents Park.

Hiya, (this is my 1st Reddit comment ever, and I'm talking running shoes, what's wrong with me!). Been a very good client of Inov8's for years (Mudtalons, Traiflys 270 1 and 2, Roclites 290, 275 1 and 2, 280 Ultra...), I'm also concerned. My favourite overall for my terrain (Irish hills and mountains) is the Roclite 275, I've bought the Trailtalons (standard), and find them terrible, heavy, tall, unstable. I was thinking giving a chance to the Trailtalon Speed, but have you tried it? How do they compare to the Roclites? Thanks!

I love Inov-8 the Trail Talons are great.

Long reply here but I understand this quite niche problem all too well. I have a bunion in the same place on left foot but actually have skinny midfoot so always struggle to get a lockdown in 'wide' shoes. The Inov8 Trailfly and their new range works well here. I'd actually go for the standard fit over wide as the toe box is already foot shaped. The width I think is in the midfoot. For example, I have a pair of precision fit Mudtalons and get a super snug midfoot lockdown but the toebox still lets my foot spread. The problem you actually have is that a lot of 'wide toe box' shoes still carry that super straight line on the inside of the foot which obviously doesn't work. Even the Prodigio Pro mentioned is quite accommodating but suffers from this to a degree as the bunion pushes the mesh out and can become uncomfortable by forcing your foot or all toes away to the side. Salomon shoes are quite bad for this, even though I suck it up and wear them as the midfoot just suits my feet. The Trailfy is the comfiest shoe I've worn in years, and I've even cleaned mine up and now wear them for walking around daily and the gym. They do a Trailtalon too if you need more softground grip, plus a road shoe. Edit to add: if anything like me, mine is just on the one foot so if I buy wide shoes, the other is super sloppy. This is why a better shape toe box works better than a wide fitting shoe in my opinion.

I used inov8 trail talon on my muddy 200

I've previously had Roclite 290s, and wanted another pair but they have been discontinued, I emailed them and they said the closest thing they did now was the TrailTalon - this has a much thicker sole and more drop, (and are twice the price I paid for my Roclites) but I bought them and I'm pretty happy with them, my only real complaint is the heel part of the shoe isn't tall enough, so it feels like I may lose a shoe in a bog (but haven't yet!) I've done just over 100 miles in them, so can't comment on durability yet...

The most important thing in a trail shoe, to me, is lug depth. I'm into fell running and just straight lining it off hills so often go out in shoes with 8mm lugs, but for trail running I'd go for a 5mm-6mm lug. As such an inov8 trailtalon could be worth a look imo. That said, most of my races are 5-10km so maybe a more comfortable ride would be preferred!

I used to rave about Inov8, especially for tackling the UK's winter mud. But ever since they rebranded, their shoes have been distinctly average. Nothing they produce is outstanding anymore, and while it's a minor point, they look really cheap now. I'm also convinced the sizing has changed. I get massive heel slip in the TrailTalon, even after trying different sizes and lacing techniques. To me, it seems like Inov8 no longer prioritises innovation or quality.