Inov-8 Bare Grip 200 - A review
Inov-8 have alway's been at the forefront of Fell Running since they started producing shoe's for that purpose in 2001, The Outdoor Warehouse have stocked Inov-8 since 2006 but have not sold the out and out minimalist shoe's until 2011. Not that the Outdoor Warehouse is new to fell running, David has been running the fells most of his adult life until a recent heart bypass stopped him, but he has plans again. I (Charlie) have been running in the fells for the last 10 years, so between David and myself we have a fair amount of knowledge to pool from.
Recently I got myself a pair of the new Inov-8 Bare Grip 200 ultralight fell running shoes. They are long awaited, feverently received by anyone with this healthy addiction & as grippy as the name suggests. The Bare Grip is the next step on from the MudClaw 272/333. So lets have a detailed look at their construction and how they perform. The Bare Grip 200 is as its name suggests, only weighing 200 grams per shoe, size 8 uk. Its grip is outstanding and they are designed around a totally minimalistic specification trying their best to replicate Barefoot running as much as possible. Why, well because barefoot running makes you run on your forefoot, giving the runner very good form, remember Zola Bud or any of the Kenyans in te Olympics back in the 80's? Most good fell runners should know this naturally, as we all run on our forefeet when moving fast and in a race situation. Inov-8 have produced a shoe with this ethos in mind completely. The Bare Grip 200 has no differential between the forefoot and heel, meaning no mid-sole, no cushioning, equalling NO lazy running. When used correctly, this gives the most positive feedback to the foot and the best transfer of energy from foot to ground you can get wearing a shoe. There is only the outsole and 3mm of footbed inside the shoe between you, the mud, rock, grass, heather, braken or what-ever other surface you maybe runnng on. Does this hurt your foot, well yes, occasionally, but the more you train/run in them, the better your style will become, but back to the shoe.The outsole is the grippest that Inov-8 have produced yet. When viewed from underneath you see it is a mixture of other Inov-8 sole units, combining the Mudclaw with the Mudrock and Roclite sole units, to my mind. They have aggressive cleats at the front for excellent grip ascending, litterally biting into the ground as you climb. The studs are more spaced than on the Mudclaw, but have a more pronounced cleat configuration around the outside including the heal, which again, litterally bites the ground as you descend... if you risk digging in your heels on steep descents.The outsole come up around the front of the shoe, to offer good protection to the toes, and the MetFlex is combined into the outsole to give a truely flexable forefoot. Torsionally they allow your foot all the movement it needs, giving you complete freedom, to allow your foot to work as it naturally should.There is a good amount of rubber around the in-step and just outside the heel, cradelling the heel and keeping it very stable.
The upper: Made of a very light nylon mesh, it offers little protection, but holds the foot like a glove. There is the Met Cradle running from the heel to above the meta-tarsel's, cradling the foot, as the name suggests. This give's the shoe alot of its structure and I have found it works very well. The upper of the shoe seems very similar to the old Roclite 285. There is a little more structure added by the black rubber (?) molded to the front of the shoe, keeping your foot ultra solid inside. The tounge is a new synthetic leather type material Inov-8 are using and it feels very comfortable. The lacing system, unlike the Mudclaw 272, comes straight down the foot, I was a little concerned about traversing when I saw this part of the design, but it still works well, although I do beleive they would not roll at all if the lacing was at a slight angle, like it is in the Mudclaw, as I do experience a little foot roll inside on steep ground. But then I will take a guess that Inov-8 have done this to keep the weight to a minimum. The heel cup is completely flexable, again allowing the foot total freedom.
The interior: Well, as usual Inov-8 have added a black nylon material to cover any seems and all of the meta-cradle. Again, very comfortable. Could I wear without socks, well maybe, but then I haven't tried yet. Have a go and let me know what you think? And for the underfoot protection/comfort, well Inov-8 have added their usual 3mm foot bed, but either for fit or extra comfort, you can add a 6mm, or take it out completely, the choice is yours. I found a good review of the Inov-8 Bare Grip 200 on YouTube, so thought I would include it here: Inov-8 Bare Grip 200 Review by I Run Far (a link to IRUNFAR's website)and here is a link to a short film of me testing out the Bare Grips in the Howgills The performance: What can't I say? Not much, because the performance is outstanding. What can I say, everything, as when it comes to grip I haven't run in a better shoe. I have been testing a pair of Bare Grips over the last 4 to 5 weeks, and have run in the Howgills a few times, getting used to how they flex and work with my feet on softer ground & then last weekend I ventured to to the Langdales and Kirkby Moor to have a go over rougher country with more exposed rock. They are litterally amazing, but you must run on your forefoot. Heel striking could render you in a serious position as if you catch a rock right on your hell bone you will be in a lot of pain, but saying that, most of us run on our forefoot when pushing hard on the fells. They traverse better than the Mudclaw & are positive on all but super rocky ground. You will naturally feel your stride shorten, and your cadence increase, but this is not a bad thing & if you allow yourself to relax fully & keep your hips lose, then your style will get better & your running performance will improve. Descents are just amazing, coming down the front of Blease Fell in the Howgills with JP Challinor, I found I could just motor, but did resort to heel striking, keeping a very good eye on where my feet were landing. I guess its like being out in your old faithful Walsh Extreme's, when you have run the EVA wedge to a flat piece of rubber. The fit around the foot is great, making them feel like part of your foot & when you hit an ascent you are just on fire, if your legs can keep up with you. So all in all I give them 9 out of 10. They lose one point for the fact that on steep traversing there is a little foot roll inside the shoe, but apart from that I think they are great.
Charlie
