inov8 Roclite G 400 Pro V2 Review

INOV8 have taken on the challenge to revamp their Roclite series. Upping comfort and durability without compromising weight. To see if they succeeded, we visited their head office, talked through the changes, and hiked the footpaths under Helvellyn with them.

Aileen:

I tend to wear a UK4 in trainers but often size up to UK4.5 in boots – I tried on a UK4.5 in the Roclite Pro G 400 V2s and found them too big, so settled on a UK4, which is the same size I wear in my inov-8 trainers. I have normal to narrow feet, and they felt wide, especially in the forefoot. I initially felt nervous about the volume, but once I had swapped to walking socks and tied the laces properly, I was a little less concerned.

They were undoubtedly comfortable straight out of the box. After just an initial short stroll, I walked for around 3 hours in the Lake District wearing them and had no issues. In fact, had I not been conscious of this review, I would have forgotten they were there at all. I was initially most impressed with their trainer-like cushioning and feel, which is achieved without feeling like there is a compromise on stability.

The out-of-the-box comfort was comparable to something like Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2, which is similarly lightweight and has a trainer-like feel. However, the Roclite Pro G 400 V2 feel better for me in terms of stability and traction, and I feel more confident walking longer distances and over more technical terrain in the inov-8 boot.

One minor point is that I found the laces were fairly long (which could also be a result of my small foot size and narrower foot), and I’ve had to give them a little extra attention to stop them from getting caught and coming undone while walking. However, I haven’t struggled to get a decent fit from the start of each walk, with little adjustment needed.

Now we can all pretend it doesn’t matter to us what a walking boot looks like, but we all know it does at least a little. I really like their look; the boots manage to look rugged without looking clunky, and the colour options are understated but not boring.

Ross:

The experience of putting them on for the first time is more like putting on a running shoe than lacing up a boot. They were also much stiffer than I’d expected for the weight, which is very reassuring for someone who has prescribed orthotics. The construction looks really good, especially the outsole and the impressive looking grip, it's very different from any other boots I’ve owned.

I found getting a good fit really easy. I only had to lace them up once and my heel felt locked in, without being too tight on my instep. The forefoot feels nice and roomy which I tend to prefer in running shoes. I found that a UK10.5 fitted me the best, I'm normally a UK10 in The North Face and Hoka, an EU45 in Scarpa and La Sportiva, and a UK10.5 in Salomon and adidas. 

Aileen: 

I have been confident in the grip, including on wet rock and muddy ground, which I have found plenty of in Yorkshire and the Lakes in March and April. A real test was a river crossing – plenty of slippery rock under a few centimetres of water. They passed the test: I didn’t slip, and my feet remained dry throughout the walk. Similarly, I felt confident on steep ground, and they gave me everything I love about the grip on inov-8 trainers. In that regard, you could say I was likely to be a fan from the start, given my longstanding trust in inov-8’s grip.

For me, a limitation was the volume in the toe box, so they would be a much better fit for someone with a wider foot, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker. While I had space around the forefoot, I found that the heel was well gripped by the heel lock system, so I didn’t move around at all inside, which I was (needlessly, as it turns out) nervous about. This space also provided ample room for a thicker sock, which I will be grateful for in winter.

I often choose to wear trainers for walking, as I like the lighter feel and being able to jog down if I fancy – I’ve never minded getting slightly damp feet and letting them dry again, especially in summer. In winter I am used to wearing a much sturdier and more traditional boot. The Roclite Pro G 400 V2 will cover a middle ground for me, and I can see myself getting a lot of use out of them, especially on days that are warm and wet. This boot gives me the lightweight feel I enjoy in trainers, but with increased support. Plus, I’m hoping, a sturdier and more durable upper.

I still think this boot will remain more of a summer boot for me, perhaps in part through habit, but in part, because of the more varied walking I do in the summer months, which include short and chatty strolls with friends as well as longer, faster all-day hikes. These boots are ideal for both, providing both comfort and ease. I’m looking forward to getting out in these boots more, as while so far I think they are fantastic, for me they will only justify their £210 price tag by proving their durability season after season.

Ross:

It still surprises me when I pick them up just how light they are (I definitely have some supportive running shoes that are heavier). The cushioning is really noticeable for a boot and makes them feel more like a running shoe. I actually forget that I have boots on my feet most of the time. I only remember when I walk on some particularly uneven terrain so I can feel the padded heel ankle cuff. As a runner, I really like an ankle cuff that you don’t feel until you need it.

As expected, the grip is impressive and is very close to fell shoe grip levels. I don’t think twice about placing my foot on anything muddy as I know it will grip. Overall, they give me confidence while descending. I’ve even found myself leaning down the hill to use gravity to speed up. I think this is also because the boot's ground feel is very similar to a trail running shoe, which boosts my confidence too. 

Thankfully I haven’t kicked any rocks to test the foot protection yet. As you'd expect they don't feel as protective as a leather boot and seem more on par with my most protective trail shoe, a Salomon XA pro 3D. 

Finally, I’ve never bought running shoes with GORE-TEX as I’ve never felt I needed it in the UK, plus there would be lots of times when the water would come over the top of the shoe. So I’ve really enjoyed dry feet when I’ve been walking recently. When I’m running I’ll just run through stuff but walking is different, I’ll try to avoid puddles if walking in my trainers. Not anymore.

My only issue with them is that they are a touch too wide for my feet. I've only felt this when I've been traversing across a hillside as my feet have been moving side to side in the toe box. I guess I’ve been treating them as a fell shoe, so I’ve been taking racing lines where there can be a fair amount of traversing. If I was sticking to paths this wouldn't be an issue for me. 

Aileen:

I would recommend this boot for people that enjoy the lightweight feel of a trainer but still want the ankle support and increased stability of a walking boot. Plus, when those same people wish to enjoy the luxury of a GORE-TEX lining on a wet day! While they are a great choice for those who feel like heavy leather boots ‘aren’t for them’ or are seeking a completely vegan boot, they also make a good alternative for those who love their reliable leather boots but want something lighter occasionally. 

Ross:

If you hike more than anything else (like running or scrambling) and would like the comfort of a trainer with fell shoe like grip you should try this boot on. For most grassy, wet, and boggy mountainous areas in UK, they will be perfect.