As a trail runner its hard to set a limit for the number of shoes in your cabinet. Every trail route sets its own demands for what shoes to wear. And even if there are many similar features on the different trail shoes, small details can determine if the workout turns into a good experience or not. I have tested the Inov-8 X-talon 260 v2, and in this article you can read why I think this trailshoe is versatile as well as really specific.
Specs:
Drop: 8mm
Grip: 8mm
Weight: 260g
What it the priority ?
When you are presented with the Inov-8 X-Talon Ultra 260 V2 for the first time, its the grip which catches your eye. The 8mm lugs offer promises of a grip which will provide the goods in even the most muddy terrain. And that can make all the difference in trail running!
Inov-8 brands the shoe as being optimal for longdistance trail running. This makes good sense as they have really focused on the midsole cushioning - and they have even added "Ultra" to the name. You shouldn´t expect a super soft midsole like in a volume shoe for road running, but for a trail shoe, it provides quite a substantial sole and great comfort.
I will also just mention the weight. 260 g is not a lot for a shoe designed for ultralong distances. As long as you keep running on soft surfaces, it offers great comfort and minimal weigt - the best running partner you can wish for on technical trail!
Spacious trail shoe with great cushioning
I wasn´t quite sure what to think before I tested the shoe as it can be really difficult to understand what is meant when its claimed that a trail shoe has great cushioning. Most trail shoes are known for relatively thin soles providing great touch with the surface.
But as this shoe is designed to provide comfort over longer distances, you should also expect the midsole to be more than just a thin and hard foam disc - like in this shoe. It provides just the little extra bounce, the softness that brings comfort to another level at the same time as you get a responsive take-off and a really good touch with the surface. Later in the article you can read more about my experience with this type of midsole in practise.
When I put on the shoe for the first time, it felt great and spacious. There is room for a wide foot and room for your feet to swell up during longdistance-running. The upper is designed in really durable ballistic nylon, which guarantees that these shoes are up for a tough challenge. However, I also felt that you need to "break them in". That is the price you have to pay for a shoe with extra durability.
Testing it on different surfaces
Before testing this shoe I had planned a route where I got to try out a lot of different surfaces; dirths paths, forest trail, sand, dunes, muddy hills, undergrowth and asphalt. You can risk coming across all those surfaces in one version or another on a great trail route.
As earlier mentioned I didn´t quite know what to expect from the midsole, but when I started out on a hard-packed dirt path, I was actually positively surprised. There is a fine balance between enjoying a great grip with long lugs and at the same time enjoying a midsole which works well on different surfaces without you having the feeling that your foot is "slipping and sliding". However, this shoe really succeeds among other things thanks to the outsole which is durable as well as soft - well, as soft as possible when we´re discussing a trail shoe.
In total, I think that the outsole and midsole work really well together and this provides a luxurious and flexible shoe where you get the sensation that it adjusts to your foot and the surface at the same time.
Its obvious that this shoe shouldn´t be used for doing 10- or 20 km on dirth paths but it works well on short passages and that´s good to know when you come across a transport section that your shoe will get you safely through.
Inov-8
X-Talon Ultra 260 V2 Out of stock
Inov-8
X-Talon Ultra 260 V2 Out of stock
In sand, dunes and undergrowth!
Back to my run: I turn into an area of sand and dunes and I am excited to see how the shoe will handle this. It works really well! On the hills its very evident that its not the grip which determines how quickly I climb the dunes but rather if my shape and leg muscles are up for the challenge.
The outsole is engineered with StickyGrip™ which in combination with the long lugs provide a sublime grip. It works best on dry surfaces, mud or sand. It doesn´t work as well on ice, so if you are heading out for slippery roads and forest trail, Asics Gel-Fujisetsu 3 GTX is better suited. But if your trail route just includes short passages with snow and ice, X-talon 260 v2 can easily work for you.
As I continue through heathland landscape with plenty of heather and small paths with a sandy but steady surface, I really realize what this shoe is also capable of. It provides an amazing grip , and thanks to the comfortable midsole, I am quickly able to speed up. I have a great touch with the trail which enables me to just use my energy to drive myself forward and focus on the real fun part - speed, great turns and a really cool running experience!
A great grip sets trail shoes apart
I enter the woods in search of muddy hills. I succeed and the shoe succeeds! When Inov-8 say ”Get a Grip”, they deliver! Again its only my shape and legpower which sets the limits - the shoe keeps its promises.
I am quickly reminded of the trail competitions I have taken part in where a great grip determined whether you were at the top or bottom of the list of results. And this shoe will certainly be part of my considerations for my footwear when I prepare for such a race.
Asphalt section
Eventually I reach a short asphalt section. I am briefly struck by nostalgia as I remember the sound of the lugs under my orienteering shoes hitting the asphalt when I had to cross a road during my childhood. Its quite a fun sensation.
However, this time the feelinng is slightly different as I can clearly feel that the development of the type of rubber compounds used for trail shoes has taken a huge leap in the right direction.! Its actually not uncomfortable to run with such a rough outsole on such a hard surface thanks to the StickyGrip™ sole which, Inov-8 have chosen for the X-talon Ultra 260 v2.
What should I use Inov-8 X-talon Ultra 260 V2 for?
Well, its a good question. Inov-8 have launched the X-talon Ultra 260 v2 as a longdistance trail shoe for softer and more technical surfaces. I basically agree with this. If you have many or long transport sections on dirt paths or normal forest trail, I would probably choose a Hoka One One Speedgoat, Inov-8 Trailtalon 290 or Altra Timp 3. The lugs on these shoes are not quite as rough and offer somewhat more comfort below you foot. But if the trail is soft and technical, Inov-8 X-talon Ultra 260 V2 is a terrific choice.
Inov-8 X-talon Ultra 260 v2 is really well suited for more technical trail where you need a great grip and superb touch with the surface. With this focus, these trail shoes offers slightly more cushioning than other technical trail shoes which improves the comfort on long, hilly and technical trail.
As a trail runner and shoe nerd I would keep this shoe in my collection of terrific trail shoes and bring it into use when the fun, technical, hilly and muddy routes re-enters my racing and training schedule!
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