Although Inov-8 shoes have always been designed for trail and hill runners some models have also proved popular with hillwalkers and backpackers. The now sadly discontinued Terrocs were my main walking shoes for five years.
As I hadn’t found an adequate replacement I was very interested when Inov-8 announced the launch of a new shoe this summer, the Race Ultra 290. As the name suggests, this shoe is aimed at ultra runners who might be out for days or even weeks at a time. Just like backpackers!
The Race Ultra looks more conventional than many Inov-8 shoes. The upper is made from mesh with reinforcing struts plus a rand round the sole. The soft padded tongue is gusseted in its lower half.
