Inov8 - X-Talon Ultra 260 V2

I maintain that it was a crime to replace the Mudclaw and Xtalon with that shoe. They replaced their fell shoes with a trail shoe that's good in mud. They're just shit at contouring and too fragile to bash through heather etc.

Get them while they are still around - their replacement is significantly worse.

Oh I use “shoe rotation” as a regular excuse to buy more shoes, but in the real world I have: - shoe for trails and ultras (Salomon Genesis currently) - shoe for technical and short trails (Hoka Zinal 2) - shoe for gravel / road to trail (Hoka Tecton X) - shoe for deep or thick mud (Inov8 X-Talon Ultra) - shoe for OCR racing (VJ Spark)

Soles on mine completely de-laminated after 250km and were unusable. Got a refund for them though and might have just been unlucky. Good grip and a bit of cushion whilst they worked though.

Going to try and stock up on as many pairs of G270 and X-Talon Ultras as possible before they all go. Not a fan of the new line of shoes at all. Where could I go for low drop, low stack and wide fit trail shoes? The VJ iRock+ look good but only 5.5mm lugs.

Mud and soft terrain - awesome grip. Roads and dirt - acceptable - no discomfort with the outsole. Rock - it gets slippery AF, wouldn’t recommend. Enough space for toes (not as narrow as precision fit stuff; my feet are wide and they fit in it well). Quite durable - didn’t manage to destroy them this far. 

I'm in two minds. Most people commenting have not even tried out any of their new shoes and just go by "I heard that they're now shit" My experience: Used to be a big fan of the Roclite 275, a little long and could've done with more toe box, but otherwise superb. Same for the Mudclaw, Xtalon 200 and Xtalon 260. The new TrailTalon feels a little clumsy, and a bit of heel rub. The Mudtalon was too high stack, not comfy and I had to stop using them.gril was great but rubbish otherwise.

For what it's worth; I called inov8 today and they said all of the old xtalon stock and roclites have been sent back to their office, and they have a limited number on the web outlet that you can order. I was a big fan of the x ultra 260, awfully tempted to buy a pair for old times sake, as they were a superb shoe.

So... I have a pair of VJ Maxx2 for normal local trails, it's already quite worn down so just a basic shoe. Then I have another pair of Maxx2 for technical trails on specific terrain. A pair of Brooka ghost for regular road miles, pair of brooks glycerin for easy road miles, pair of hyperion for road races or parkruns here in the UK. Pair of inov8 mudclaw for short muddy races (up to about 15mile) Pair of inov8 xtalon 260 v2 for longer all day winter mountain runs in UK, and a pair of xtalon 200 for short muddy races.

Got a very battered pair right here, just at the end of their life. I liked them, but that's no guarantee. They have a bigger toe box than most.

I like them but only use them when the trails are muddy in the winter , good grip in mud and some cushioning but not loads, wide toebox

I much prefer the new Mudtalon to these - have had both. The X-talon a pure soft ground shoe I think though. Wouldn't like to be caught on wet slabby rock. You can get a range of fits in the newer shoe too - precision, standard and wide which helps.

Would love to know how inov8 ranks here, imo x talons are excellent at wet rock

It's a bit strange but the shoe seems to move around my foot more when running. The actual grip of the lugs is great, but my foot moves around in the Mudtalons more, so they're not as stable. Very often I'll put my foot down and because of the instability my ankle or lower leg will twist or move awkwardly. I've never had that issue with a pair of fell running shoes before - the X-Talons were like a tight glove with minimal movement running. It's not much of an issue for training runs but I can't race in the Mudtalons.

The VJ XTRM2 are really good. Despite "only" having 6mm lugs, they've held up in the fells in winter for me. Haven't rated Inov8 for some time now, but did really like a pair of X Talons way back in 2018. Any other pair of Inov8 I've got since hasn't been right for one reason or another. Scott shoes are too wide fitting for me. They're OK, but lack the precise hold that you'd get with the other shoes you've listed. Better for longer distance stuff though.

I have the opposite problem! I find speedgoats very comfortable for road portions of off-road runs, even long road sections, and they're good on easy trail and wet rock, but I struggle with them on technical trail stuff as they're far too unstable and they're terrible in mud. (I do a lot of fell running, so my definition of 'technical' might be more extreme!) What I'm struggling with is finding something as comfortable as the speedgoats that handles technical trail, steep off-trail descents / 'light' fell running well, but is comfortable for long runs. I currently wear inov-8 x-talons for short fell races but need something for longer fell runs.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

I’ve gotten great longevity out of Inov8 trail runners. 800-ish Appalachian Trail miles on a pair.

Always always always Inov-8 shoes. Still love my Nathan running vest for hydration for longer trail runs.

I 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

Altras or topos....stable, but not sure they are "affordable". Agreed with others, no such thing as ankle support, but stability for sure. I had a pair of Saucony that felt great, but were ankle sprainers beyond a doubt. Running in Topos and Inov-8s now.