inov-8 Shoes

inov-8 Shoc-Zone Cushioning

Depending on where you’re running off road and how much experience you have, you will need different levels of cushioning in your inov-8 running shoes. This is what Inov8 call their Shoc-Zone.

While beginners will tend to Heel Strike when they run, more experienced runners will Forefoot Strike. inov-8 shoes are designed to help you progress from your heel to your forefoot over time, teaching you a more efficient running style.

If you’re not sure which shoes feature which Shoc-Zone, look on the back of the heel for the number of arrows.

Designed for running on hard trails. These are recommended for newcomers to off road running who are used to heel striking when they run in cushioned running shoes. Also good as a comfortable everyday trainer.	Designed for the average trail runner to overcome a variety of terrains, the 3 Arrow Shoc-Zone is right for more people, most of the time and brings the foot strike closer to the midfoot from the heel, making it great for training runs. It’s also comfortable as an everyday trainer too.	Best suited for softer terrain. This Shoc-Zone is ideal in off road racing shoes where the forefoot is used for maximum propulsion. Once again there is less cushioning and the strike area is moved further forward from the midfoot towards the forefoot.	Minimal cushioning designed for elite runners with strong foot and calf muscles and an efficient ‘barefoot gait’ running style.
12mm Forefoot Midsole 24mm Heel Midsole 12mm Differential Maximum underfoot protection Heel Strike	9mm Forefoot Midsole 18mm Heel Midsole 9mm Differential Good underfoot protection Midfoot / Heel Strike	7mm Forefoot Midsole 13mm Heel Midsole 6mm Differential Low underfoot protection Midfoot / Forefoot Strike	6mm Forefoot Midsole 9mm Heel Midsole 3mm Differential Least underfoot protection Forefoot Strike

inov-8 Sole Technology

inov-8 shoes feature a number of different soles each designed to tackle a specific types of terrain.

inov-8 Rubber Sole Compounds

inov-8 soles are made from Sticky Rubber or Endurance Rubber to ensure greater grip or maximum longevity.

	Inov8 Sticky Rubber Soles With a 600 miles average off road lifespan, inov-8 Sticky Rubber soles were specially developed using rock climbing rubber technology to optimise grip in wet conditions. Sticky Rubber soles are naturally ‘sticky’ and a little bit softer, giving them that extra bit of traction and non-slip grip.
	Inov8 Endurance Rubber Soles Still stickier than other rubber soles, inov-8 Endurance Rubber soles have an average 1000 miles off road lifespan and have been designed for extra durability over the Sticky Rubber sole.

inov-8 Underfoot Protection

In the same way that inov-8 shoes features different grips and midsoles, they also have different types of shanks to protect the underside of the foot while allowing the forefoot to flex naturally.

Each of these has a number of ‘fingers’ designed to support the metatarsals of the foot while allowing for plenty of foot flexibility.

By supporting the metatarsals, the Meta-Shank helps to prevent Plantar Fasciitis – the inflammation of your plantar fascia tissue which stretches from your heel to your mid foot. It also supports the arch of your foot and also acts as a natural shock absorber.

All styles of inov-8 shoes feature a groove in the forefoot called the Meta-Flex that provides a natural flex point. You can clearly see a line on the sole which runs under the toes, allowing for a natural forefoot flex when running.

Meta-Shank Generation I

The first generation Meta-Shank is now only available in the Mudclaw and Mudroc shoes. This 3-finger polymer meta-shank is tougher than the other materials in the midsole and aligns behind the metatarsals for greater forefoot flexibility and control when contouring while retaining underfoot impact protection.

Meta-Shank Generation II

The Meta-Shank II is the current generation of inov-8 Meta-Shanks and features 5 polymer fingers for each individual metatarsal for superior underfoot support while providing plenty of impact protection and flexibility.

Terra-Shank

Made for maximum protection, the Terra-Shank is a single piece of dense polymer protecting the whole foot from the metatarsals down to the heel. The midsole provides extra torsional support while still allowing the forefoot to flex naturally.

Protect-Shank

Made for the inov-8 Oroc orienteering shoe, this is a redesign of the Meta-Shank Generation II featuring longer ‘fingers’ to protect the foot from the impact of the metal dobs built into the cleats of the Oroc outsole.

Inov8 Fabric and Fit

With technical performance at the heart of every pair of their shoes, Inov8 have dedicated much of their research and development to product a range of fits, fabrics and lacing systems designed to meet the specific needs of off road runners, walkers and athletes.

Achieving the Perfect Fit

To provide the perfect for your feet, inov-8 shoes come in 4 different lasts as well as whole and half sizes. You can also fine tune the fit of your shoes with 6mm or 3mm footbeds to increase or decrease the internal volume.

Performance Last

The inov-8 Performance last is designed to form a precise shape and fit around your foot to minimise movement. This will put your feet in complete control when contouring, ascending and descending, giving your shoes an competitive edge for racing on any terrain and all off trail activities.

Comfort Last

inov-8’s Comfort last offers a generous fitting for a more relaxed walk or run. invo-8 shoes with a Comfort last are ideal for training, long distance or casual comfort.

Anatomic Last

Designed to mimic your natural foot shape, inov-8’s Anatomic last flows around the contours of the feet for a comfortable and relaxing fit. Ideal for casual comfort or resting your feet after a hard race.

Women's Last

inov-8 created their Women’s last specifically for the female foot shape, featuring a narrower heel and less internal volume for a more natural fit and improved comfort on the trail.

Lacing and Uppers

inov-8 Upper Fabric

Every pair of inov-8 shoes features a light and highly breathable mesh fabric designed to allow your feet to breathe while the flex of the forefoot actively pumps any water through the fabric and out of the shoe. So when you’re running through streams the last thing you’ll have to worry about it carrying all that water with you!

Many inov-8 shoes also offer a wide range of extra features from double layered mesh to nylon scrim, TPU and Gore-Tex for added protection and increased durability without compromising weight or performance.

Met-Cradle

By wrapping around the midfoot, the inov-8 Met-Cradle hugs the midfoot behind the metatarsals when the laces are tightened for a more secure and supportive fit, providing a stable hold while allowing the forefoot to flex.

By locking the midfoot in place, this prevents your foot from slipping about inside the shoe and keeps your feet firmly in control when ascending, descending and contouring, while enabling you to run faster with greater confidence and comfort.

Polyurethane (TPU)

A protective Polyurethane laminate on the upper mesh which also provides TPU lacing support to help cradle the foot more evenly and minimise internal movement.

Nylon Webbing

Created for inov-8 shoes featuring a Comfort last, this traditional webbing system wraps the shoe around the foot when the laces are tightened for a secure, easy fit that doesn’t compromise breathability.

Ray-Wrap

inov-8’s unique off-centre lacing system which is anatomically aligned with the first metatarsal which runs up your foot from the big toe. By wrapping the shoe around the 1st Ray (first metatarsal) this provides an incredibly secure anatomical fit for improved performance.

Gore-Tex

The instantly recognised waterproof and breathable microporous membrane. Gore-Tex features in a number of Inov8 shoes from the Terroc to the Roclite.

At a glance, the Gore-Tex membrane offers:

• Durable waterproof protection
• Breathability
• Optimal comfort

Because inov-8 shoes are made from highly breathable mesh with as little stitching and gluing as possible, they’re perfectly able to maximise the breathability of the Gore-Tex membrane while utilising it to provide 100% waterproof protection.

Just remember that any water splashing over the uppers and inside the shoe will be wet!

Waterproof - Therefore Dry

The Gore-tex membrane is made up of 1.4 billion microscopic pores per square centimetre. Each of these is smaller than a molecule or water, so moisture from the outside can never get through the fabric and into your inov-8 running shoes.

• Fewer blisters from wet runs
• Reduced weight gain in wet conditions
• Warmer feet in cold, wet weather

Breathable - Therefore Dry

Each pore in the Gore-Tex membrane is 700 times larger than a water vapour molecule, which allows excess heat and moisture to escape, resulting in cool, dry comfort.

• Cooler feet in warm conditions
• Dry rather than sweat soaked feet
• Fewer blisters

Moisture can build up within a shoe, making your feet cold or clammy depending on the weather. But the breathability of Gore-Tex ensures a comfortable thermal environment to keep your feet working at peak performance.

Depending on the shoe construction and environment, the foot produces ¼ cup of water per day at rest and curing exercise, up to ½ cup. So breathability with waterproof protection is incredibly important.

Mens inov-8 | Womens inov-8
inov-8 Accessories | inov-8 F-Lite | inov-8 Mudlcaw | inov-8 Roclite | inov-8 Terroc | inov-8 X-Talon | inov-8 Recolite