[Closed] Runners - Inov8 Trailroc 245 summer alternative

La Sportiva do the Helios and the Bushido, they'd probably do what you want. Minimal rather than 0 drop, though. I've not tried either, although a mate has the Bushidos and rates them. The reviews seem good, and I'm a La Sportiva fan and use their shoes regularly.

I also like the look of the Altra Lone Peak, but they're not available in any of the local shops and I refuse to buy shoes online.

I've just got a pair of Inov8 race ultra 290's which are very nice, they feel super fast on hard gravel and well packed singletrack. I'll use them for racing and tempo sessions and keep my Salomon SpeedCross for distance work and recovery runs.

Bit higher off the ground but Montrail Rogues from Sportshoes are an absolute steal.

Trailrocs were my summer shoes! For what it's worth the 255 does have slightly more cushioning. The big problem I had with them was the rock plate in the sole, felt it really deadened the feel and probably contributes to them feeling harsh on really hard surfaces. If you look you can still get the old Terrafly 303's cheap, they're a really good hard pack shoe.

I would have recommended Roclite 315s - have used those a lot on pretty hard ground and they have decent cushioning. Sadly those seem to be discontinued, but the spec on Roclite 280 looks pretty similar (checking out the current catalogue everything seems to have got even lighter since I was involved with Inov-8 about 10 years ago).

I'm using Salomon Sense Mantra 2's as my spring/summer trail race shoe.
About 250g with a rock plate and enough cushioning for hard pack trails as well as loose stuff.
Not great for muddy mud or lots of road, but a good compromise and comfy enough for anything up to marathon distance.
The Mantra 3 is a little bit changed i believe, but not sure what they've done with it.
Sense Pro's are a little bit lighter and less cushioned but my mate smashed a 4:39 37 mile very hilly ultra win in them the other week so they must be pretty good!

I run in Salomon Sense Pros for hard packed trailed. Longest run to date is 67 miles without too much hassle.

I run in Salomon Sense Pros for hard packed trailed.

+1, use them for a mix of road and dirt and they seem fine.

Longest run to date is 67 miles without too much hassle.

-1 for this bit though!

Thanks for the advice, some good stuff to look at. I only paid £40 for my Trailroc's, not keen on paying too much more , I am from Yorkshire!

Those Montrail Rogues look interesting. Are they in the same league as inov8 though? I once bought some MoreMiles shoes that I wore once and binned !

Edit: Stever how do they size up against Inov8/Salomon?

Needle Sports have got Roclites on offer at £59. Could be worth a look.

Re: Montrails. Good point - go up 1/2 size. I'm always an 8 in Inov8, Asics and others, 8.5 for these.

They're a great summer shoe - treads fine but I was slipping around a bit in winter muck. I don't feel the rocks as much as Roclite 243s on landrover tracks, etc (other current summery shoe). I'm on about 500 miles and there's tons of life in the soles. The uppers are going because I didn't take my own advice about going up a 1/2 size.

Just been out for a run in my new Montrail Rogues

Very please with them so far! They feel no heavier than the Inov8's, are very comfy, but in a different way to the Inov8's.

The grip is fantastic, and the best thing is that my legs are feeling less battered than they were starting to feel in the Inov8's.

Downside - The quality isnt quite there of the Inov8's and I probably wouldnt pay £95 for them.

However for £30 they are a Bargain !

Excellent, good luck with them. Tempted by another pair at that price. I have too many shoes 🙂