inov-8 255 Trainer
First Impressions
Based in the North Pennines of Great Britain, inov-8 has been passionately developing and delivering minimalist offroad running shoes since 2003. The company bases its design philosophy on a deep understanding of biomechanics which they showcase very well on the inov-8 website. They believe barefoot running provides substantial benefits and that the shoe should protect but not interfere with freedom of movement.
Earlier this year, inov-8 introduced a line of road running shoes to complement their extensive offroad line. There are six products in that line up. The 255 provides the most cushion making it the least minimalist and a nice shoe for a transition to this approach. In contrast, check out inov-8’s Evoskin just to see how far the company has taken minimalist running.
Features
Despite the minimalist approach, inov-8 packs the 255 with a ton of technology. The company has identified five distinct Shoc-Zones to describe running styles and shoe designs. The 255 addresses the “three arrow” zone which, according to the company is “ideal for a first step into the transition journey.” In layman’s terms, that means the 255 provides 9mm differential of heel vs. forefoot cushioning. The heel cushion is 21mm while the forefoot is 12mm. This is less than the Saucony Mirage (also reviewed) but still delivered sufficient padding to keep from pavement jarring in my training runs.
Under foot, the company employs their siped Road-X sole and Endurace rubber which I found to be surprisingly sticky on wet pavement and the loose gravel trails near my home. Also under foot, inov-8 adds grooves just below the metatarsals designed to help foot flex and a set of fascia bands that seem to “pre-roll” the shoe forward. The company believes this aid propulsion and reduces fatigue.
All in all, the inov-8 255 is a very technologically advanced package.
Fit
The 255 uses inov-8’s anatomical last which is based on the shape of the foot and curves slightly to follow that shape. It also has a very wide toe box to accommodate expansion during toe strike. This open toe box was very apparent from first wearing, the shoe felt almost too big. But that feeling quickly dissipated as I hit the road in the 255s.
For those that need additional padding, inov-8 has their own three or six millimeter insoles to help customize fit. Alternatively, you can go with something like my favorite Superfeet insoles.
Final Verdict
The inov-8 255s are impressive, well built and comfortable. They’re minimalist in design, but still provide enough cushion and construction to protect the heel and forefoot. I enjoyed my runs in the 255s and will continue to keep them in my rotation. If you’re in the market, definitely give them a try. They are a little hard to find but definitely worth looking for.