Inov-8 Roclite 315 GTX Trail Running Shoe Review

The standout feature of the shoe is the aggressive RocLite outsole that uses three sticky rubber compounds to increase grip and durability. The hardest, most durable rubber is on the heel, with a medium rubber up the center for increased traction and a softer rubber on the edges for grip and security with every stride. The lugs are large and highly effective on anything soft or loose, such as snow, sand and mud. The RocLite allowed me to cruise comfortable on snow trails and slippery roads without to much thought of losing traction. The outsole material is also quite sticky, so that traction is maintained on harder surfaces such as rock. The overall ride of the RocLite 315 is a bit on the stiff side, but this helps maintain energy efficiency on both soft ground and uphill climbs. One might think that the large outsole lugs would have a tendency to catch on trail obstacles, but this was never the case. The protection is excellent, as there is a meta-plate that sits between the outsole and midsole, providing enhanced shielding underfoot from roots and rocks.

RoLite Outsole – Superior Traction

Upper Comfort

The upper of the Roclite 315 has an external heel cage that wraps around the rear of the shoe and provides amazing support in the heel. Delivering this extra hold aids in foot stability and helps fatigue to maintain a better gait. Built around the natural anatomy of the foot, the AdapterWeb met-cradle adapts to the natural movement and swelling of the foot in motion which makes for a very comfortable feel. Security and fit were both excellent.

The added protection from the X-ProTec fabric and the Gore-Tex invisible fit makes this the only shoe that has ever kept my foot warm from the start of my subzero temperatures runs. With every other shoe that I have ever run in, when the temperature is below zero, my feet would get cold minutes into the run and usually take about a mile before they would warm up. Not so with the RocLite 315 GTX, they stayed warm and never got cold, this is just one of the reasons why this shoe has become my favorite winter running shoe. The Gore-Tex membrane in the RocLite is bonded directly to the upper, which eliminates any wrinkles and folds, so pressure points and blisters are nonexistent and the freedom of movement and flexibility is increased. The Inov-8 RocLite 315 GTX really is built to endure tough conditions, the upper, the toe box and the sole are all constructed to take a repeated beating and just keep asking for more.

Specifications

UPPER

• Invisifit Gore-Tex is bonded directly to the upper for waterproofing and a smoother fit.
• Kevlar Rip-Tek upper material provides ultimate durability while still providing ventilation.
• ADAPTERWEB Cradle is a synthetic webbing upper that supports the forefoot and provide a secure fit.
• X-LOCK System uses welded overlays to hold the heel securely in place.
• Toe Cap increases the upper’s durability and keeps toes safe from bruising on trails.
• Gusseted tongue is integrated to the upper to keep out debris.
• Gaiter Hooks on the shoe allows for easy and secure attachment of a gaiter to keep out debris.

MIDSOLE

• PowerFlow is a unique midsole compound that delivers increased shock absorption and energy return.
• Meta-Shank extends from the midfoot to the forefoot in a 5-finger fashion, for flexible underfoot impact protection.
• 2 Arrow Shoc-Zone provides moderate underfoot cushioning and an 8 mm heel-to-toe drop. This is inov-8’s medium level of cushioning on their 0-4 arrow scale.

OUTSOLE

• Roclite is a trail outsole built with a moderately aggressive lug pattern. It is intended for use on hard packed trails and mixed terrain.
• Tri-C Compound combines three different outsole rubbers for excellent grip and decreased wear.