Discussion: Inov-8 212 for $80

Mountain Plus Outdoor Gear carries the Inov-8 x-talon 212 for $100 but if you use promocode INOV811 you get 20% off of any Inov-8 shoes. They listed my size as out of stock but let me add it to my cart and accepted payment so I assume at some point I will get the shoes.

Here is a link:
http://store.mpgear.com/search.aspx?find=inov8

Do any of the shoes they sell have (metal) studs?

None of the inov-8 shoes on their website do.

Guy, I think the only inov-8 shoes with metal dobbs are those in the O-Roc line. None for sale on that site.

I've been apprehensive about trying Inov-8 again after having my heels shredded by a pair of Mudclaws years ago, but I've been reading lately that this was a known issue that has been improved in the current offerings. How are the x-talons in the heel area?

Metal-dobbed running shoes sold through mainstream US-based retailers:

Inov-8: O-Roc 280, O-Roc 340, O-Roc 350
Salomon: Spikecross 3 CS
Icebug: anything with OLX or BUGrip

What's the word on XC spikes for orienteering? The winner in varsity boys at our first school league race last weekend ran in XC spikes.

The old Mudclaws had a stiff plastic heel that gave me problems. The xtalons and orocs have soft heels and give me no problems. Ymmv.

Tried XC shoes, but they had only a narrow protective band under the arch. I got stabbed in the arch a couple times and that was it. Also the mesh upper tore easily when snagged. They're size 10 and available.

I ordered a pair of X-talon 212 through Amazon last week for $88 (including delivery), which I thought was a good price. Received them today. Fancy boxes they have!

The winner in varsity boys at our first school league race last weekend ran in XC spikes.

If I am not mistaken, that was a "trails-only" O-race.

In such a case, I would think XC spikes would be fine. However, unless a lot of the events one attends has that restriction, it probably does not make sense to buy a pair just for orienteering.

That was a "trails-only" O-race.

Correct. But that doesn't mean that they won't work for more diverse orienteering situations. Sure, the uppers may not be as durable, but if they give you good grip and are available at a fraction of the cost of metal-dobbed orienteering shoes, then maybe they are a decent option.

re: XC spikes - heyU has done a lot of orienteering in XC spikes if I'm not mistaken (and he is/was darn good too). Certainly not trails only. Personally, I wouldn't survive.

re: heels in inov-8 - I've got x-talons and oroc 340's and they're the most comfortable things I've ever orienteered in. My heels have been shredded by many pairs of Jalas, VJ and Silva shoes in years gone by.

Cristina and fletch, thanks for the feedback on the x-talons and orocs. I am looking into them.

If you're after super comfy, well protected and don't mind the slightly heavier weight, the O-rocs are the way to go (I haven't tried the 280's but hear they are good too). If you want something lighter that really lets you feel the ground, x-talons are better. Also depends whether you want metal dobs or not (O-rocs have them, x-talons don't)

Good luck finding what suits.

After my experience with the Mudclaw 330, I’ll be quite happy with a shoe that allows me to actually finish a race. ;-) A big thing for me is good traction on slopes with lots of leaf fall. I always enjoyed the metal dobs on the VJ Integrator, but had occasional issues with lateral stability on hard ground. Loved the aggressive outsole on the Mudclaws, but had a terrible blistering issue. From your description, the O-rocs might be worth a try. Thanks again!

If you're going to Europe, a lot of places won't allow you to run in XC spikes. Dobs are permitted.