Inov8 - Oroc 280
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 24, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
8
1
"They also have the best sole material I’ve found for slippery mud and rocks."
"Absolutely love their shoes. ... One of my pairs is 5 years old and is in desperate need of repair but somehow still get me round semi mudi trails."
"First pair was fantastic, grip"
5
3
"Absolutely love their shoes. ... One of my pairs is 5 years old and is in desperate need of repair but somehow still get me round semi mudi trails."
"I had a pair of Inov8 years ago and they were indestructible"
"Inov8s are far more durable. ... My current pair of Inov8s have 700 miles on them and they’re still going."
3
1
"They had a good toe box and heal support ... First pair was fantastic, grip, fit, lacing."
"Even the older models I use have a lot of room for my toes."
"decently wide fitting"
4
0
"They had a good toe box and heal support ... First pair was fantastic, grip, fit, lacing."
"decently wide fitting"
"Even the older models I use have a lot of room for my toes."
5
1
"They also have the best sole material I’ve found for slippery mud and rocks."
"First pair was fantastic, grip"
"I ran Lofoten for a few months in autumn/winter and i'm from the UK and Inov8 are probably the best call here for ground conditions, both very similar."
Disliked most:
2
3
"The ones I’ve used fell apart before the sole showed any wear."
"i've had 2 pairs both fall apart in less than 400km on the same trails i run with the Decathlons ... i've worked with some athletes on FKT and races and their trainers fell apart quicker than we would have liked too."
"i've had 2 pairs both fall apart in less than 400km on the same trails i run with the Decathlons ... their trainers fell apart quicker than we would have liked too."
0
1
"hate the lack of energy return. ... Feel like I've got bricks on my feet after 50 miles!"
0
1
"They’re sizing isn’t very consistent though so worth trying in a shop if you can find them."
"They’re sizing isn’t very consistent though so worth trying in a shop if you can find them."
7sport 0.5Here’s my contribution. I haven’t done controlled tests like you did, but I run a lot of rocky vertical terrain and have put lots of miles in all these shoes. Trying to focus here on wet rock grip from the outsole and ignore other shoe attributes (fit, lock down, flexibility/stiffness, weight, cushion, etc) that also come into play with their overall ability to do the job on wet rock 5: VJ Maxx 1&2 VJ Spark Arcteryx Norvan VT (limited mileage) 4. Arcteryx Norvan SL 1, 2, &3 Salomon s/Lab Sense 7&8 Nnormal Kjeraq 3. La Sportiva Helios SR La Sportiva Vertical K & VK INOV-8 F-Lite 195 2. Whole bunch of older inov-8 x-talon and RocLite models NB minimus Salomon s/lab ultra 3 Salomon s/lab sense 7SG 1. Old Nike Terra kiger Salomon s/lab sense 1, 2, 3 For spiked shoes, I actually think they suffer quite a bit on rock because they don’t stick instantly like pure rubber soles. 4. VJ Devil 4 3. VJ bold race, VJ ice hero, INOV-8 ORoc 280
My favorites have been VJ Devil 4 and INOV-8 Oroc 280.
VJ Devil 4 Prior to these, inov-8 Oroc 280 were my go-to Been eyeing the VJ Ice Hero 2 since it’s pretty much a studded version of my Maxx2’s.
nobustomystop 0.0I got some ino8? I don't know how to spell them. They had a good toe box and heal support and before I destroyed them, I went back to the store to find they had been upgraded. I paid a lot for the upgrade to find they were awful. But if you find one you like buy several and use them on rotation
9Tecpatl 0.0I started noticing this a couple years ago and planned accordingly. For me I have huge feet and it's hard to find good shoes. For those in my situation and like a low drop and low rise, look into Inov-8. I've only bought these shoes since early '23 and I hope they never change.
Adventurous-Hyena-51 0.0Topo mtn racer has better grip. Inov8 has better grip also; Trailfly for hard trails and Mudfly for wet/mud.
Analog_As_Folk 0.0Inov8s are the answer.
Betweencloudshadows 0.0I’ve been wearing Inov-8s for 15+ years for trail and fell running and even moved to them for XC races when achilles injuries meant I could no longer wear spikes. Always done the job for me, reasonable value and regularly available with chunky discounts online.
Boogada42 0.0Inov-8 has a bunch of models in a wide size now. Even the older models I use have a lot of room for my toes. Durability is fine I think, compared to what I read about Altras.
I'd say yes (not having used the latest models personally though). I find mine very comfortable.
I can also confirm the durability of Inov-8s!
cebo2000 0.0Don’t know of any places that offer that kind of support but you could try inov8. They’re outsoles are supposed to be tough. The ones I’ve used fell apart before the sole showed any wear. They’re sizing isn’t very consistent though so worth trying in a shop if you can find them.
Cirque14505 0.0Topos never did it for me, they have a really high arch. Outside of Altra, I prefer inov8 for a more snug fit and wider toe box.
Critical_Studio_2327 0.0Loved my Peregrines but 3 pairs went holey in that same spot. I've narrow feet and size up, and no other make had done this - even with significantly more miles on them. I gave up and now use Inov8 and La Sportiva.
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