Sunday 29 March 2009

Innov8 Roclite 390 GTX

It's a difficult thing, finding boots that fit. Like many others, I have one "odd" foot. I think it's the left one but it could be the right. One of them's a bit out of kilter with the other at any rate. So I'm well used to playing around with the fit;adjusting laces, one sock or two and so on.

The 390's need very little in the way of adjustment and that's a minor miracle in itself. I've been wearing them at work over the last week and they've been fine. At times, I forgot I was wearing them and that's always a good sign.

Roclite 390

I've got high hopes for these over the coming months but I'll reserve judgement until I've put some serious miles on them. Anyway, Chris Townsend likes them so they can't be that bad :o)

9 comments:

Martin Rye said...

If I was looking for a pair mids for the winter? Such is my joy with other Inov-8 trail shoes I would get them. Bonus is they have the harder wearing compound on the sole and should last a while. Happy feet for you then :)

Joe Newton said...

After my very disappointing winter with the Keen Targhee II's that have now sprung a leak I'm looking at these 390s too. Keep us informed as to their performance!

Big Kev said...

@Martin: Happy feet indeed :o) I've still got a pair of 330's for summer, such as it is.

@Holdfast: Will do. Initial impressions are more than favourable. I'm hoping to put some decent mileage on them over the next couple of months so we'll see.

David A said...

For your information: I have just returned a pair of 390's to Inov-8 as both boots leaked after very little wear and were very hard to get dry again. Inov-8 said the GTX membrane in both boots had failed and agreed to replace them. At my request they have sent me Roclite 370 boots instead - they are very similar, but have no waterproof membrane to fail!!!!

Big Kev said...

Thanks for that David. It'll be interesting to see if it's a widespread thing. They were cheap so, if they do go, they'll get relegated to dog-walking duites :o)

PTC said...

I've dug mine out for spring as well, and they seem to fit me better than they did last year?!
According to sources the membrane has a predicted lifespan of three months of active use...

Grippy though, I was on the fence previously, but I've really warmed to them again.
If you want a laugh, get the Roclite 288's when they come out, it's a 290 with everything removed except the sole, the lace and the Gore-Tex.

Big Kev said...

"three months of active use..." Or several years of kind of active use in my case :o)

That's a bit pish tho' eh? I've got a pair of 8-9yr old Brasher Hillmaster GTX's sitting here that are still as waterproof as the day I bought them. Leather-lined tho' :o)

Joe Newton said...

David & ptc* comments along with my own disappointing experience this winter with my Keen Targhee II Mids are leaning me towards the Rocky Gore-Tex socks route this spring. Much cheaper to replace if they fail!

Big Kev said...

Aye, the Rocky's are gaining in popularity. I might get some. Nothing makes me miserable faster than cold, wet feet.