As trail running continues to gain traction new and experienced runners alike are asking some of the following question: What makes an ideal trail shoe? Is it a lighter shoe that travels faster over rough terrain? Is it a more minimalist approach that doesn’t interfere with the relationship between runner and trail? Or, is it a more aggressive tread that propels you forward while keeping you upright? All worthy questions that deserve careful consideration by the consumer.
If these are the questions you ask, then the X TALON 190 by INOV-8® footwear may be the answer you seek. As the lightest shoe in the INOV-8 “Off Trail” line, the X TALON 190 is a minimalist trail shoe offering elite-performance in a comfortable package.
Since the company’s launch in 2003, the INOV-8 brand has become one of the fastest growing off-road running brands in the United States. Inov-8 designs its shoes to complement the natural functions of human body biomechanics while ensuring they are tough enough to meet the demands of whatever environments and terrains you may cross. Their website sums it all up nicely:
All our products are designed to be lightweight, minimal and functional. They give runners the confidence and freedom to run hard through any environment and over any obstacle. The aim of our footwear is to keep the foot close to the ground so that runners can feel and adapt to the terrain beneath them…. Each shoe provides the optimum grip and comfort for the terrain — from road to rocks, mud to sand, the mountains to the box.
The Inov-8 team was generous enough to send out a pair of X TALON 190’s for us to review.
Features & Impressions…
If first impressions are about grabbing attention, there’s no doubt that Inov-8 X TALON 190’s vivid red color scheme leaves an impression that will not soon be forgotten. While there are those who would prefer sporting a shoe that blends into the background, as you might imagine we like a bit of Gumption-esque flair in our running shoes. As such, the color scheme scores high marks.
A full mesh upper helps to shave ounces off this feather weight shoe while offering greater breathability and comfort for longer runs. Built on a performance last, the design team at INOV-8 has crafted this shoe in an effort to provide a fit that helps secure the foot whether ascending, descending or simply making those sharp cuts to avoid that nasty boulder in the center of the trail.
The X TALON 190 combines a 3mm heel-to-toe drop differential with a low-profile midsole to allow for a more natural gait while also providing a more responsive ride. If you’ve been spending significant time in zero drop shoes, the X-Talon’s 3mm heel-to-toe drop will be noticeable.
The shoe also features INOV-8’s Fascia Band™. In plain speak the Fascia Band is a replication of the plantar fascia ligament intended to aide natural foot propulsion while also reducing fatigue.
Reminiscent of an old pair of football cleats, the X TALON offers a deep and aggressive tread ready to devour the most technical of trails. The outsole features Inov-8’s exclusive sticky rubber compound which has been specially developed using climbing rubber technology. These shoes may not have a voice, but it’s clear that they are screaming for a life on the open trail.
Initially, the X TALON felt slightly long in the toe box, and while that may prove an irritation to some runners, the extra space gives just enough room for the toes to splay while in no way impeding or hindering your run.
After spending a few short weeks with the X TALON 190 one thing is readily apparent – they definitively provide the confidence and freedom to run hard through most conditions and traverse any obstacle. For those you have shopped for trail shoes before you know that because these types of shoes are made to be tough, they can be a little stiff in the store. From box to trail, the X TALON’s have thus far proven to be nimble, flexible and ready to go leaving a great first impression on our review team.
Bottom Line….
First impressions can make or break a product. With all of the positive attributes we’ve already discovered with the X TALON 190, there is no doubt that we are going to thoroughly enjoy the next few weeks tacking on long hours and countless miles on our local trails.