Inov8 - Oroc Ultra 290
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Dec 15, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
320
84
"I've used them for 1500 miles of multi-day hiking with no issues!"
"I forgot I had my fenix on and did a mud run. Didn’t even phase my watch. Literally dragged it through the mud and it just kept going."
"I've put them through the washer and dryer."
29
1
"I have both and have done 50 milers in the Xodus without any issues at all."
"But Saucony fit my feet perfect."
"I managed to do R2R2R in these without ever really thinking about my feet (for whatever that n=1 is worth.)"
4
0
"Highlight for me is the way they drain"
"waterproof too (obviously to a certain extent)"
"they handle wet and drain fast"
36
5
"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."
"imo x talons are excellent at wet rock"
13
3
"They also have the best sole material I’ve found for slippery mud and rocks."
"the 6mm lugs really helping in the shitty clay mud of the Surrey and South Downs hills."
"imo x talons are excellent at wet rock"
Disliked most:
7
25
"one run and the glue on the rubber on the toes started peeling off ... I give it 3 runs before it is completely ripped off."
"they begin to fall apart after 200 miles. ... these shoes often don't last a year at the rate I use them. ... I put in a warranty claim regularly because these shoes often don't last a year at the rate I use them."
"total lack of durability ... delicate so it falls apart when you bash through heather or bracken ... aren nearly as durable. They fall apart after really quite limited heather bashing ... fall apart bashing through heather ... When the mudtalons fell apart after one run"
0
1
"hate the lack of energy return. ... Feel like I've got bricks on my feet after 50 miles!"
10
10
"So comfortable just the quality is sh*t. ... Toes rip so easily"
"But far too narrow. ... I’d get pain running on side hills from the tendons in my ankle resisting the torque because my forefoot wasn’t spread wide enough to give it support."
"But far too narrow. ... I’d get pain running on side hills from the tendons in my ankle resisting the torque because my forefoot wasn’t spread wide enough to give it support."
0
2
"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."
"I thought I'd like the inov8 but the La Sportiva fitted better because they are available in half sizes."
0
1
"my next pair tore my feet up"
I 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.
r/trailrunning • Why are so many trail shoes now high stack + high drop? ->Topo mtn racer has better grip. Inov8 has better grip also; Trailfly for hard trails and Mudfly for wet/mud.
r/trailrunning • What to choose as second shoes? ->I’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.
r/trailrunning • Looking for my first trail running shoes..help needed ->Consider Inov8 Oroc Ultras. They have spikes that will keep you on your feet as you cross icy wooden bridges, rocks and other slick spots before hitting snow uptop. Their toes are also not exaggerated so they should be fine for snow shoes assuming they don’t bang them up too much. They also work well in the Whites year round.
r/trailrunning • Winter trail runners ->Inov-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.
r/Ultralight • advice wanted on trail runners for hiking ->I'd say yes (not having used the latest models personally though). I find mine very comfortable.
r/Ultralight • advice wanted on trail runners for hiking ->I can also confirm the durability of Inov-8s!
r/Ultralight • Another discussion on shoes - please help ->Don’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.
r/trailrunning • Getting back to running after paralysis: check ✅ / Making my shoes last more than 3 months: not check ->VJ or Inov8 both are wider and VJ has the best rubber on the market
r/trailrunning • Nike ACG Ultrafly 2 ! ->You should give the Inov8 shoes a try. I remember the older Merrell Moab shoes to last pretty long for most people, though no idea on the quality of their current shoes. How much do you weigh?
r/Ultralight • More durable/longevity trail runner and hiking shoe options? ->Love the inov8 fit and grip - hate the lack of energy return. Feel like I've got bricks on my feet after 50 miles! Looking for an alternative, gonna be trying the Topo MTN racer for my next winter shoe
r/trailrunning • favorite technical trail running shoe? ->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.
r/trailrunning • Need advice: trail shoes for muddy ultra races ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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