Sharing experience. No copying of press releases. Everything paid out my own pocket.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Are Inov-8's F-195 too narrow and pointy?

Inov-8's F195 are great shoes. Only 3 mm heel  drop, great sticky outsole and super light. However, one of the main concerns people raise about them is that they are too narrow and pointy. This concern was actually the reason for me not to try these great shoes for a long time. My right foot is somehow wider. Then, it just happened that I was able to try them in a shop and I was really surprised. They would fit perfectly. These shoes are narrow. However, the uppers are quite flexible offering a nice snug fit. As to the point that they are too pointy. I've never really thought about that it but when I started running in Merrell's Trail Glove it always bothered me to hit the front of the shoe with my big toe when running downhill. Trail Glove has a very wide toe box. Then I realized the advantage of the F-195's pointy form: Your foot gets fixed by the flexible uppers (big toe - smallest toe). When you descend and your foot moves forward you only make contact with toes and uppers.

(previously posted on my old blog)