Review: iov-8 TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI What is the revolution in long distance shoes brought about by the Nobel Prize-winning "dream materials"?
written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
For long-distance trail runners like me, who tend to run over 100km, there is one constant problem: the dilemma between shoe wear and grip performance
If you choose a sturdy shoe with a durable outer sole for long-distance running, it will be heavy and have poor grip. On the other hand, if you choose a shoe that is light and has good grip, it will quickly wear out. This shoe dilemma has been a source of worry for many years
However, the "G Series" released by inov-8
The inov-8 G Series is a collective name for high-grip, high-durability models that feature graphene inov-8 collaborated with the University of Manchester to conduct research into graphene and successfully incorporated the material's properties into the outer soles.
This time, we tried out the versatile TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI inov-8
table of contents
TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI's main features
The substance graphite was discovered in the mid-1500s. About 500 years later, in 2004, researchers at the University of Manchester in the UK succeeded in extracting a single layer of graphite. This achievement earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010. This substance is graphene .
Graphene is lightweight and only one atom thick, yet 200 times stronger than steel, stretchable, and foldable. It's said to be the world's most tensile-resistant material. In collaboration with the University of Manchester, inov-8 has successfully powdered graphene, and the Terraultra G 260 Uni features this powder compounded into the outsole.
The shoes feature GRAPHENE GRIP, which boasts 50% increased strength, rebound, and durability compared to the company's standard trail running shoes. The upper is made of Kevlar for improved durability, fit, and lightness. The stack height is 9mm forefoot/9mm heel, providing a zero drop for natural running. The shoes feature EXTEROFLOW, which provides excellent rebound and shock absorption, and despite the thin 9mm midsole, are said to deliver sufficient performance for long-distance races
To check out the rumored ingredients, I took a ride on the trails of Yakushima
Recommended points
- Grip without trading off durability
- Flexible midsole that gives you a barefoot feel
- High hold thanks to the upper and heel cup
Points that interest me
- Compared to high-end shoes for short distances, the grip and lightness are somewhat lacking
- Reinforced crimped part of the upper (easy to peel off?)
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| Official weight | 260g (27.0cm) |
| Actual measured weight | 258g (measured per foot, size 27.0cm) |
| Stack height | 9mm/9mm |
| drop | 0mm |
| Midsole | EXTEROFLOW |
| Outsole | GRAPHENE GRIP |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| grip | ★★★★★ |
| cushion | ★★★★☆ |
| Stability | ★★★★☆ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ (Performance is 5 stars, but the crimped part peels easily) |
Detailed review
upper
The upper is made of a flexible and breathable fabric, and is partially made of Kevlar, a tough material used in bulletproof vests, to significantly improve durability
Highly breathable base material is laminated with highly durable Kevlar material, achieving both strength, lightness, and breathability
The toe area is reinforced, but it's not too stiff, and the material is soft enough that your toes won't hurt even if they hit something. It will also adequately protect your toes even if you kick rocks, stones, or wood. The shoebox is also relatively wide, allowing for plenty of freedom of movement for your toes
The toe box is wide and comfortable, probably because it's designed for long runs. I have no complaints about the protection
The heel cup is modest, and it seems that the emphasis is on lightweight design. However, Kevlar is used here as well to achieve a balance that does not impair durability or the feeling of hold. Compared to shoes with bulky heel cups, the feeling of hold is slightly inferior, but it still wraps around the heel firmly and provides a sufficient feeling of hold
The heel cup is lightweight, but not too flimsy
Midsole
The midsole uses "EXTEROFLOW," which offers better shock absorption and rebound than other inov-8 midsoles such as "POWERFLOW+." The shank uses DYNAMIC FACIABAND (DFB), which supports the runner's running by following the heel and plantar muscles
A midsole that emphasizes impact resistance, rebound, and stability
The sole is very flexible overall. The bending point of the sole is around the ball of the foot, which is quite soft. The shank is only used along the plantar fascia from the heel, so this point bends firmly
The freedom of movement offered by these shoes will be greatly appreciated by those with stronger legs
The shank area is also very flexible and has just the right amount of rebound, so it provides a very natural running feel
Outsole
The outsole GRAPHENE GRIP . It feels soft and flexible, like it has great grip, but the durability of the outsole should be greatly improved because it's compounded with powdered graphene. inov-8 , the strength, resilience, and durability are 50% better than regular outsoles.
The outsole pattern features shallow lugs and slits that follow the movement of the soles of your feet, making it easy to wear on both roads and trails
weight
The manufacturer's stated weight is 260g, but the actual weight is 258g (both for size 27.0cm), with no discrepancy. The same model, the TERRAULTRA G 260 , also weighs 260g, so despite the improved grip and durability, it is still lightweight.
Actual driving impressions
I tried them on both trail and road. Since these shoes are known for their durability, I should probably wear them for a longer period of time, but these are my impressions after running about 100km on trail and 30km on road
This feeling and ease of use was not available in long-distance models
Long-distance shoes are, of course, designed for long-distance running, so there are some things that you have to give up. This is particularly noticeable in the relationship between grip and outsole durability. For example the Salomon S/lab series has some excellent models that boast lightness and grip that you wouldn't expect from a long-distance shoe, but the wear on the outsole is no joke. Depending on the course, they can be worn out after just one 100-mile race. Demanding grip from long-distance shoes is basically synonymous with giving up durability.
However, even though this model is a shoe for long distances, the grip is excellent, to put it mildly. It grips firmly on rocks and trees. Personally, I think it's on par with the commonly used Vibram Megagrip, and I can confidently place my feet on it even on downhills without any hesitation. But its durability is a problem! The photo shows the condition of the outer sole after running about 100km on trails and 30km on roads. Shoes with high grip have soft outer soles that tend to wear down just by running on the road, but this amount of running hardly wore them down at all. I was worried about the durability of the Megagrip, so I'm impressed with its durability
With high-grip shoes, you would expect them to start to wear out and become worn after running 100km, but as you can see, they are certainly quite durable
Increasing durability often leads to a loss of sole flexibility, but thanks to the moderate vertical and horizontal slits in the outer sole, the shoe remains flexible and stable even in technical situations where you frequently shift your weight sideways. You can run smoothly and comfortably on the road
The seemingly random slits and grooves in the sole do not restrict the free movement of the soles of the feet and demonstrate a high level of adaptability to the terrain
When you land, you feel the ground very sharply under your feet. This is especially true on trails with exposed rocks and tree roots. However, the sole absorbs the shock moderately, so it's not a problem. In fact, runners who want to run while feeling the ground firmly will be impressed by the excellent balance of shock absorption
The stack height is a uniform 9mm from heel to toe, making it a zero drop. For those who normally wear zero drop shoes, this shoe is a perfect fit. The flexibility of the midsole and direct contact with the ground allow you to run comfortably with a barefoot feel. This is a high-level shoe among zero drop shoes
Compared to other long-distance running shoes, the cushioning and protection are not as high, but the upper and heel counter provide a good hold, and the running feel is lighter than it would seem, making for excellent comfort and stability
Things that bothered me
There's nothing you can do about it, but these are shoes for long distances. Unlike short distance shoes that don't prioritize durability, they don't have the grip of studless tires, and they don't have any outstanding features, such as being surprisingly lightweight. This may be the fate of shoes for long distances
Another thing that bothered me was that the reinforced part of the upper that was pressed together came off during the review. This may have been due to the fact that I was forcing myself to move in a way that I wouldn't normally do when running, but given the extremely high durability of the sole, I was a little concerned about the durability of the adhesive between the materials..
The bonded parts of the Kevlar fabric started to peel off faster than I expected. This may not be the case for all products, but it's still a sight I don't want to see
Summary: Recommended for people like this
These shoes are amazing! They combine grip and durability, something that has been difficult to achieve in long-distance racing shoes, and it's no exaggeration to say they rewrite the standard
This shoe is notable for its highly durable outsole, but it also boasts an excellent overall balance as a trail running shoe. It offers excellent grip and stability on any trail, and the midsole is just the right amount of soft and responsive. For runners who don't require the high cushioning of the Hoka One One, this is an excellent shoe for ultra-trail running. It's especially great for serious racers who are chasing time
Although they are designed for long distances, the flexible outsole and durability of these shoes make them ideal for runners who primarily run short to mid-distance distances, and they are sure to perform well in races as well as for long-lasting training shoes. Even runners who normally wear zero-drop shoes should definitely give them a try!
Durability has always been an issue for runners who compete in long-distance races, but the TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI seems to solve that problem with ease. Made with the dream material graphene. Test its capabilities with your own legs.
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