Trailrocs
Types of Trail
Mud/Water
Inov-8 Range
Snow
Race Ultra 290 Dirt Tracks
Rock
Road
Twigs
Two-Arrow Race Ultra offers opitmal cushioning and comfort for the long distance athlete, without loss of proprioception. Flatter sole with less enhanced grip than the Trailroc but aimed for more comfort with fatigue kicking in. Enhanced grip on the outside of the soles. 2 Compound
Trailroc 255 The 255 offers a high performance trail shoe with protection for the developing trail runner. inov-8’s ground breaking Tri-C™ compound outsole offers industry leading grip and durability while the addition of a newly developed third generation Meta-Shank™ offers natural movement with rock protection. Choose this shoe for a prtective, natural trail running experience. 3 compound sole, for anatomy reasons.
Roclite 243
A lightweight and versatile trail shoe designed for maximum performance in both races and training. The reinforced toe box protects the foot and upper from any unexpected terrain. Designed for mixed terrain, deep cleated sole ensures grip in muddy conditions. Replaces the Roclite™ 285.
Competition to Inov8
Solomon S-Lab XT 6
Brooks Ghost 6
GORE-TEX Brooks have taken the transition from silky to ridiculously smooth by removing the midfoot shank and creating full ground contact from heel to toe. The underfoot gets even more love with a horseshoe Segmented Crash Pad that wraps the heel from medial to lateral sides and articulates the laydown.
There is masses of support in the Salomon XT 6 from the ground up. The outsole is designed specifically for hard, rocky, generally dry trails although it does offer enough grip should conditions deteriorate and can easily handle wet grass and a bit of mud. There is a significant amount of support and control from the pronation post which is a welcome addition especially towards the end of a long hard event where your feet are crying out for that additional support. The Agile Chassis System provides a rock steady shoe that isn’t going to be knocked of course easily, the chassis cradles the foot holding it nicely over uneven terrain. As with all Salomon’s racing shoes, the fit is one of being wrapped and hugged by the shoe rather the shoe being an addition to the foot. This leads to a confident foot placement and very little movement of the foot inside the shoe, reducing any risk of rubbing. The quicklace system tights and secures the shoe, while the upper closes comfortable around the foot thanks the welded Sensifit. The inclusion in the new XT 6 of Salomon’s seamless endoFIT upper is a really nice improvement ensuring a soft and comfortable feel against the foot with minimal opportunities for irritating seams to cause hot spots. 330g
Asics Gel-Noosa Tri 8 New Balance Minimus 10v2 Trail
- Light in weight thanks to streamlined outsole and upper materials - Forefoot band for stretch and optimum support - NuFoam upper that stretches with the foot and minimizes water abortion.
Inspired by the legendary Leadville 100 race, it’s safe to say the New Balance namesake running shoe has ultra marathon running through its veins. The Leadville 1210 features N2 cushioning and a REVlite midsole for comfort that will last the distance. The shoe features an 8mm heel-to-toe drop, along with a medial post on inside edge of shoe to help prevent over pronation. A high traction Vibram outsole holds everything securely in place. RevLite blends the traditional 12 mmdrop Idea for runners who do not have a biomechanically perfect running style
Saucony Kinvara TR 2 Breatho Trail Not enough cushioning or proctetion, hard on the feet.
Designed for the runner seeking a super lightweight, low-profile shoe, the Kinvara TR2 features an upgraded nylon fiber mesh rock plate that reduces the weight of the midsole, while maintaining flexibility and protection
Vivobarefoot has named its latest trail shoe the “Breatho� because of the breathability of the sweat-wicking neoprene mesh upper, and for its ability to dry out quickly.
Salomon SpeedCross 3
Light, fast, aggressive trail running shoe for racing or high speed training. An athlete favorite, now with the thermo-regulation of GORE-TEX®. The claw-like tread of the Mud & Snow Contagrip sole is still there, but it's been made even more durable to shrug off the constant assault of pounding the trails. Another underfoot improvement is the reduced height in the heel: the closer you are to the ground, the greater your stability, and stability is vital on slippery, uneven surfaces. The uppers too have had a subtle makeover: the water resistant textile is still wrapped precisely around the foot by Salomon's Sensifit system and Quicklace drawcords, but the new bonded construction keeps down the weight, cuts down on stress points in the fabric, and keeps the profile cleaner so less likely to snag.
The Vibram Spyridon cocoons your foot in a multi-directional sole that protects against sharp objects, and its breathable upper section will keep your feet ultra-cool. And best of all, its rubber outsole has an aggressive tread design for maximum grip, so you’ll stay slip-free—even on your clumsiest days.
Hoka Mefate 3 If you’re new to the barefoot movement, try Merrell's Mix Master 2. Its thinner midsole will keep your foot low to the ground but won’t compromise on the valuable stability you're used to from normally structured shoes. What's more: There's extra cushion in the heel, added forefoot shock absorption pads for running on varied terrain, a mesh upper that lets the heat and stank out, and a bellows tongue to keep rocks from slipping into your shoes
With the goal of designing running shoes for optimal performance, comfort, efficiency and fun, Hoka shoes ( aka Hokas ) pioneer a new philosophy in running by merging aspects of minimalism and maximalism. Engineered for maximum cushioning and comfort, while still offering lightweight, nimble performance and uninhibited movement.
Anatomy of a Basic Running Shoe
In between the shoe's upper and the outsole is the midsole. It provides cushioning, and many trail runners include additional support materials for stability. Trail-runner midsoles consist of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), an opencell foam. Some use a single grade of EVA; others feature double- or triple-densities of EVA, placing firmer foam sections under specific sections of the foot. A few shoes also add polyurethane—closed-cell foam that is firmer, slightly heavier and more durable than EVA. Many also include a thin thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) plate or insert sandwiched between the midsole and the outsole (below the balls of the feet) for added protection.
Anatomy of the Foot
Pronation
If the athlete does tend to pronate then the edges of the shoe will withstand the pressure, providng the required amount of comfort, support and grip. On the Upper Fit Can all 3 combine - elastic. A way of tighening/loosening around the arch? Comfortable for all runners?
Gait Cycle
Windlass Effect
DFB™ Currently used in: • ROAD-X™ • TERRAFLY™ The patented Dynamic Fascia Band™ (DFB) mimics the ‘Windlass Effect’ delivering a kick of energy with each step, helping the athlete to run faster and more efficiently.
Human gait refers to locomotion achieved through the movement of human limbs. Human gait is defined as bipedal, biphasic forward propulsion of center of gravity of the human body, in which there are alternate sinuous movements of different segments of the body with least expenditure of energy. Different gait patterns are characterized by differences in limb movement patterns, overall velocity, forces, kinetic and potential energy cycles, and changes in the contact with the surface (ground, floor, etc.). Human gaits are the various ways in which a human can move, either naturally or as a result of specialized training.
D3O is currently used beneath the heel and forefoot to offer enhanced shock absorption and energy return to the user.
Could these parts be replaceable? - Stick on - Go through to the EVA - Grips stick to the EVA and slot in
During an Ultra Marathon these areas of the foot and trainer will be put to the test. Therefore these areas need to be strengthened interms of comfort, grip and support. Consumer can clearly see that these parts of the grip are reinforced. Ultra Marathons are 26 miles +
Stability and Grip in these areas - More focus on the EVA - Stronger grips
Grips and Thread patterns Inov8 Shanks Off Road The earth or mud is softer than your tyre (rubber sole). The hard rubber of the tyre will dig into the soft ground. For this you need a good aggressive tread pattern.
Drainage system If water is collected on the sole of the shoe i.e. on the rubber then this effects the grip. In order to prevent water build up, a draining system need to be put in place to quickly clear the water of the contact path.
META-FLEX™
META-SHANK™ Generation 3
The Meta-Flex™ is a groove in the forefoot that provides a natural flex point in the shoe, allowing the forefoot to function naturally with each step.
5-finger polymer Meta-Shank™ aligns with each individual metatarsal for increased benefit from the ‘Windlass Effect’, whilst retaining underfoot impact protection and flexibility.
Questionnaire for Sponsored Athletes on current range of Trailrocs and Roclites 1) What was your overall opinion on the appearance of the Trailroc/ Roclite running trainers, paying attention to the colour, materials and textures? * Grips ‘hang’ off the edge of the shoe to allow the water to drip off on to the ground leaving nothing to interfere with the sticky compound.
Patent grip layout. By using a similar shape I can produce a similar drainage system to the S-Lab’s.
Any other comments: 2) How did the Trailroc/Roclite fit in the following areas? - Heel - Forefoot - Arch Any other comments? 3) How did the Trailroc/Roclite grip on the following terrain: * - Hard Ground - Soft Ground - Mud - Road - Dirt Track - Rock - Snow
Provide grip and give off good drainage.
Any other comments: 4) What was the ride of the Trailroc/Roclite like?
5) How was the wear of the Trailroc/Roclite? * Durability - Rubber sole - Upper Any other comments: 6) How well protected did you feel running in the Trailrocs/Roclites? * - Upper - Sole and how was the - Support - Cushioning Any other comments:
Questionnaire Results for Sponsored Athletes on current range of Trailrocs and Roclites
General Consciousness Trailroc Laces come undone Hurts when strike rock - Common in Europe Like the green colour way Yellow very unpopular 255 doesn’t do it for Ultra Runners Good for Sky Running, never blister - 50k and ultra Rubber rand for protection on the continent Rubber comes away on toe Great for fell running Trailroc 245 - upper splits and slippy on wet rock Trailroc 255 - protection is good but grip wears out at strike point. Roclite Good on road and trail - all rounder One of the most popular shoes Best on rock with black compound Forest green colour is also very popular
Results by Joe Grant. An American and Inov-8 sponsored athlete, specializing in trail and ultra running.
1) Appearance TR150: 3 (>don’t know if the bright yellow is the current update, but I like that color more than the blueish, green from before) TR235: 4 (>current color and materials are the best iteration so far) TR245: 4 (>the black color, with new style overlays look very sharp) TR255: 3 (>bit bulky looking, but the current color is my favorite) RL243: 5 (>sharp looking race shoe; I do have a preference for the tighter weave mesh) RL295: 3 (>while they don’t feel overbuilt, they look that way a bit with all the thicker overlays) (RL285): 4 (>old favorite; other than the oversized rand which was a bit overkill, this is one of my favorite shoes of all time)
2) Fit (I have a very high instep so I mainly look for any bagginess in the arch, particularly on the medial side) TR150: H=excellent; A=good; FF= good width, very little lateral movement (probably also due to not having a midsole) TR235: H=excellent; A=good; FF=good (very little lateral movement, but no constriction) TR245: H=excellent; A=good; FF=good (very little lateral movement, but no constriction) TR255: H=excellent; A= a bit wide/baggy; FF=OK (very little lateral movement, but short on the length = 10.5US are a bit short to where my big toe bangs up against the rand; 11US are too big) RL243: H= a bit slippy so I had to adjust the laces for an optimal fit A=narrow (but not restrictive); FF=very narrow (good for precision, but after running a hundred mile race in them the outside of my feet on the bottom really hurt for a few weeks; that’s partly due to the width, but also the thinness of the midsole) RL295: H=excellent; A= a bit wide/baggy; FF=good (stretches to a wider fit over time) (RL285): H=a bit too low cut; A=narrow; FF= narrow and long (pointy toe) Any other comments? Overall, the TR fit is very comfortable, with a relaxed slipper like feel. The new tighter mesh as well as the new overlays in the current updates make them even more comfortable. The RL243 has a slightly awkward fit for me, being too narrow, but still slippy in the heel.
3) Laces The new flat laces are very good. The only issue I’ve ever had with them are on slicker uppers like the Oroc 340s or the TR150s where they come undone every now and again.
4) Ride (see above) The TR is smooth on the transition from one type of terrain to the next and excels on hardpack trail or lightly technical trails. It’s not as precise on more technical or very wet terrain, but makes for a great allrounder (for most US type of trail running). Other than the 255s, the ride is pretty firm (which I like), but can make them a bit hard on the feet for a hundred miles (my shoe of choice for a hundred in the TRs would be the 245s, but late in the race I find myself wanting a touch more cush). The 255s are a very solid training shoe, but feel a bit heavy and bulky for racing. I took them to Japan on a 2 week running trip last year, as I knew they’d be the most durable allrounder in the lineup. I like the rand for durability (although it could be lighter and a little trimmer) and the 2 arrow cushion, but find myself opting more for the 245s for less bulk and weight. I was very excited about the RL243 as the RL285 was one of my favorite shoes. The 243 is more minimal than I anticipated (just feels thinner than all the TRs except the 150s) so my use of them is fairly limited. I don’t do many shorter, faster races on hardpack terrain which I think is what they are best suited for. The red sole isn’t as sticky as the black one on the 285s so I haven’t used them much for scrambling. Overall, I like lightness and precision of the shoe, but don’t have much application for them due to the thinness of the sole.
5) Wear TR150: Durability (2) Rubber sole (4) Upper (2) TR235: Durability (4) Rubber sole (3) Upper (4) TR245: Durability (4) Rubber sole (3) Upper (4) TR255: Durability (5) Rubber sole (3) Upper (5) RL243: Durability (5) Rubber sole (3) Upper (5) RL295: Durability (5) Rubber sole (3) Upper (5) (RL285): Durability (5) Rubber sole (4) Upper (5) Any other comments: The TR150s deteriorated pretty fast for me and I mainly wear them casually. I like the style of the upper, but to work as a more day to day type of shoe it would need to be reinforced. The new (tighter weave) mesh on the TR235 and TR245 is very good. It’s much more durable than the old mesh and also holds the foot better. I was surprised at how well they hold my foot even with the new, more minimal overlays. The rand on the 255s, 243s and 285 makes the shoe virtually indestructible (particularly when combined with the tighter weave mesh like on the 255s). I get slightly better wear on the RL lugs because they are flatter although I run my TRs into the ground as they remain smooth even with worn down lugs. I feel like the black rubber wore slightly better too (but that could be an irrational bias) 6)Grip Hard Ground: TR4; RL4 Soft Ground: TR4; RL4 Mud: TR4; RL3 Road: TR4; RL4 Dirt Track: TR4; RL4 Rock TR3; RL3 Snow TR3; RL3 Any other comments: Both the TR and the RL have a very versatile lug, which perform roughly the same for me on all surfaces. I’m heavily biased towards black sticky rubber as I don’t find the colored rubber to stick nearly as well. The tricompound on the TRs is a nice idea and I’ve definitely benefited from the firmer rubber in the arch (for pocky rocks). From a precision standpoint, the roclites are better for me as I prefer the flatter lug for lateral movements over the more rounded. The rounded lug on the TRs does offer a smoother ride on harder surfaces.
7) Protection TR150: Upper (3) Sole (2) Support (2) Cushioning (N/A) TR235: Upper (4) Sole (3) Support (3) Cushioning (2) TR245: Upper (4) Sole (4) Support (4) Cushioning (3) TR255: Upper (5) Sole (5) Support (4) Cushioning (4) RL243: Upper (5) Sole (2) Support (3) Cushioning (2) RL295: Upper (5) Sole (4) Support (4) Cushioning (4) RL285: Upper (5) Sole (4) Support (4) Cushioning (4) Any other comments: The lower ratings don’t indicate that I dislike the feel of the shoes rather just an assessment of how much or little protection they provide.
Results by Anna Lupton. A British and Inov-8 sponsored athlete, specializing in Skyrunnung and trail marathons. She tested the Trailroc 236 and 246 and also the Roclite 243. 1) Appearance TR: Bright colours great and zigzags on side stand out well, but look a bit ‘blocky i.e. wide RL: Look sleeker, slimmer, sexier and faster to me 2) Fit Heel TR: 3 RL: 5 Forefoot TR: 3 RL: 5 Arch TR: 5 RL: 5 Any other comments? TR: Fab although fit seemed lower at back of heel than RL and top of forefoot seems bulkier than RL RL: Fab fit everywhere, like slippers, love ‘em 3) Laces Great for both – have never come undone in hundreds of miles of running – though I do 3 double knots! 4) Ride TR: 4 RL: 5 All good for both but I personally prefer the RL as they let me feel the ground more 5) Wear Durability: TR: 4 TR: 4 Rubber sole: TR: 4 RL: 5 Upper: TR: 5 RL: 5 Any other comments: Both good although sole of TR at forefoot seemed to wear quicker than rest of sole. Upper really durable in both 6) Grip Hard Ground: TR: 5 RL: 4 TR’s smaller studs better than RL on hard packed ground Soft Ground: TR: 4 RL: 5 RL’s studs come into play on long grass Mud: TR: 4 RL: 5 TR lacks grip that RL’s studs provide in mushy ground Road: TR: 5 RL: 4 TR better than RL due to smaller studs Dirt Track: TR: 5 RL: 4 (same comment as hard ground) Rock: TR: 4 RL: 5 both excellent though I trust the RL slightly more due to bigger studs Snow: TR: 4 RL: 5 RL’s studs again come into play in snow
7) Protection Upper TR: 5 RL: 4 Slightly more protection in upper on TR Sole TR: 5 RL: 4 RL has slightly less protection in sole than TR Support TR: 5 RL: 5 Great with both Cushioning TR: 5 RL: 4 Definitely a less cushioned ride with the RL but I personally don’t mind that
Initial Sketches and Idea Generation
Design Lines
Trail Running Inspiration
“The body achieves what the mind believes�
Autumn/Winter 2015 Colours
- Rands - Cushioning. Where the EVA should be. Concentrated in particular areas. ie. Heel, Metatarsals and Toes - Grip Compounds
- Shape, style and length of the studs. - Water drainage.
- Studs (Race Ultra Reversed) - Water Drainage - EVA
- Pronation, where the cushioning needs to be (EVA) - Grip compounds
- Gait Cycle - Water drainage on each stud. Over the edge to allow water to drip off the shoe. - Compounds
Outside grips slightly longer then rest
Smaller, grouped grips fpr toes
Allows for gait and pronation.
Meta-Flex used in shoe alongside Meta-Shank generation III Water Drainage - Individual studs - Gaps between studs - Alongside the gait cycle
Blue and Outside Studs Sticky compound, more grip on the outside. They will also be slightly longer than the middle studs.
Green and Black Studs Softer compound, therefore the cushions alongside the gait cycle. But not too soft as high amounts of grip is still needed.
Same/Similar studs to the current Trailrocs (outside) And the Mudclaw (inside)
Inside - Shape is grippier but compound less Outsite - Vise-a-Versa.
Larger studs on for the outside more durability.
Triangle shaped studs in opposite ways for enhanced grip on the landing and then take off.
Attacthed the side of the midole? Less grip needed in the middle therefore small grips.
Water drainage
Studs widened out, more space for grips to work efficiently and mud won’t get trapped.
Midsole and Outsole concept
more support in the heel
Current Met Cradle
245
Knitted upper? or just collar - Snug fit
The idea of the Met-Cradle™ webbing is to secure the foot in place while maintaining a natural met alignment using up to 6 mets.
Nano-Seal
Breathable Mesh Patterned PU Net Cradle Elasticated Mesh?
Midsole Layers
Protection/Rand
Highered PU met cradle Midsole Hight 12mm-6mm. This Trailroc will be a Trainer not a racer!
Lowered Collar
Added Tongue. Front and Tounge will be similar to current Trailrocs
Lace Eyelets
Tongue (Mesh)
Final Materials and Details Breathable Synthetic Mesh
Footbed: 6mm Stack: Heel 10mm, Forefoot 6mm Shank: Meta-Shank III and Meta-Flex Midsole: Injected EVA Drop: 2
Elasticated (tight) Mesh (Adipure Adapt)
TPU Met Cradle
Midsoles (Synthetic Rubber)
Branding
Rand/Protection
Water Drainage gaps
Arrow studs in different directions to enchance grip during landing and take off
Longer grips on the outside
Branding Smaller Grips in less desired areas.
Gait Cycle
Meta-Flex
Concept Details
Hawaiian Ocean
Sulpher Spring
2
1. Upper - Tight weaved/breathable mesh 2. Met Cradle - TPU 3. Tongue - Weaved mesh 4. Laces 5. Logo - Printed 6. Forefoot Upper - Elasticated mesh 7. Rand/Protection - Durable Mirco-fibre
Jet Black
3 4
1
6 5 7
Concept Details 1
1. Outside Studs - Hard Sticky Rubber Compound 2. Outsude Sole - Hard Sticky Rubber Compound
2 9 3 4
5
3. Angled Studs - Hard Durable Rubber Compound 4. Gait Sole - Hard Durable Rubber Compound 5. Inside Studs - Soft Sticky Rubber Compound 6. Inside Sole - Soft Sticky Rubber Compound 7. Logo - Rubber 8. Drainage - Gaps Within Rubber Sole 9. Meta-Flex Extra Cushioning (Trainer Only)
6
Cushioning within midsole
Meta-Shank III
7
Outsole - With grips
8
Hawaiian Ocean
Sulpher Spring
Phantom
Wind Chime