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 myself, who are more than 100km, there are always worries that I keep up with. That is a dilemma about shoe wear and grip performance.
If you choose a durable outer sole for long distances, it will be heavy and not very grippy. However, if you choose a lighter and has a high grip, it will quickly become worn out. The dilemma with shoes has been a source of trouble for many years.
However, the "G Series," released last year on Inov-8,
The inov-8 graphene outer sole and Kevlar upper. Despite being thinner than an atom, graphene is 200 times stronger than iron, and is stretchable and foldable, making it the ultimate material. Inov-8 has been working on graphene in collaboration with the University of Manchester, and has successfully utilized the characteristics of the material in the outer sole.
This time, I tried out the TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI the Inov-8 released, and it was a great choice for long distances These shoes can truly be said to be the crystallization of modern science. Is it really the best? ?
table of contents
The general features of the TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI
The material called graphite was discovered in the mid-1500s. About 500 years later, in 2004, the University of Manchester in the UK managed to remove graphite in a single layer. For his achievements, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010. That substance is graphene .
Graphene is as thin as an atom and lightweight as it is, but is 200 times stronger than iron, and can be stretched and folded. It is said to be the most resistant to pulling in the world. TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI , a shoe made from the powder compounded into the outsole .
It uses GRAPHENE GRIP, which has increased strength, resilience and durability by 50% compared to the company's regular trail running shoes, and Kevlar is used for the upper, improving durability, fit and lightweight. The stack height is a zero drop with a forehead and 9mm heel, making it suitable for natural runs. By adopting EXTEROFLOW, which has excellent rebound and shock absorption, the midsole is said to be sufficiently performance as a model for long-distance races, despite being thin at 9mm.
To check out the rumored material, I tried to fully explore the Yakushima trails.
Recommended points
- Grip power that does not trade off durability
- A supple, midsole that gives you a feeling of barefoot
- High hold thanks to upper and heel cup
Points that interest me
- Compared to high-end shoes for short-term use, grip and lightness are slightly unsatisfied.
- Reinforced crimping part of the upper (Is it easy to peel off?)
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| Official weight | 260g (27.0cm) |
| Actual measured weight | 258g (27.0cm per foot measured) |
| Stack height | 9mm/9mm |
| drop | 0mm |
| Midsole | EXTEROFLOW |
| Outsole | GRAPHENE GRIP |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| grip | ★★★★★ |
| cushion | ★★★★☆ |
| Stability | ★★★★☆ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ (Performance is ★5, but due to the ease of peeling of the crimping part) |
Detailed review
upper
The upper is made of supple and breathable fabric. And in part, it uses Kevlar, a robust material used in bulletproof vests, significantly improving durability.
Highly breathable base material is crimped with highly durable Kevlar material, providing both strength, lightness and breathability.
The toe area is reinforced, but it is made of moderately soft material rather than stiff, so it won't hurt even if it hits your toes. It will protect your toes well even if you kick rocks, stones, or wood. The shoe box is also relatively wide and has a high degree of freedom for your fingers.
Perhaps it's suitable for long items, the toe box is spacious and comfortable. I have no particular complaints about the protection either.
The heel cup on the heel is modest and it seems that weight reduction is important. However, Kevlar is also used here to achieve a balance that does not compromise durability and hold. Compared to shoes that use bulky heel cups, the hold is slightly lower, but they still wrap around the heel tightly and have a good hold.
The heel cups are made lightweight, but not particularly fragile.
Midsole
The midsole uses "EXTEROFLOW". It has better shock absorbency and rebound properties than other Inov-8 midsoles such as "POWERFLOW+." The shank uses DYNAMIC FACIABAND (DFB), which supports the runner's running, along the plantar muscles from the heel.
A midsole that emphasizes impact resistance, rebound and stability.
The sole is generally very flexible. The refractive point of the sole is around the ball of the thumb, which is quite soft. This point is firmly refracted as the shank is used only from the heel to the plantar muscles.
Those with strong legs will be more welcome in the high degree of freedom of these shoes.
The part with a shank is very flexible and has moderate resilience, so it has a natural running feel.
Outsole
The outsole uses the GRAPHENE GRIP When you try it directly, it's soft and flexible, and it looks like it's a grip-like finish, but since it's a compound made from a powdered Raphene, the durability of the outsole must be significantly improved. inov-8 , strength, elasticity and durability are 50% better than regular outsoles.
The outsole pattern is designed to be less tiring on both road and trails, with a shallow lug and slits that follow the movement of the soles of the feet.
weight
The manufacturer's published weight is 260g and the actual measured 258g (both 27.0cm), so there is no error. TERRAULTRA G 260 , which does not use graphene , is also of the same weight of 260g, making it lighter despite its improved grip and durability.
Impressions of actually driving
I tried running on both the trail and the road. As these shoes are selling points for their high durability, they should try wearing them for longer, but this time I'll give them a impression after driving about 100km on the trail and 30km on the road.
This feeling and ease of use that you could not experience with long-distance models
Shoes for long distances are obviously designed for long distances, so there were some parts that I had no choice but to give up. What's particularly noticeable is the relationship between grip and durability of the outsole. For example the Salomon S/lab series has a great model that boasts lightweight and grip that you wouldn't expect from a long-distance shoe, but the reduced outsole is also incredible, no joke. Depending on the course, one 100-mile race can make you feel silly. It was a synonymous way to seek grip in long shoes and giving up on durability.
However, although this model is a long shoe, the grip is the best to say the least. It bites firmly on rocks and grips the wood. Personally, I think it's the same as the commonly used Vibram mega grip, so you can rest your feet with confidence even when traveling down. But durability against it! The photo shows the outer sole after running about 100km on the trail and about 30km on the road. Shoes with high grip have a soft outer sole, and tend to wear out just by running on roads, but they hardly shaved out on this level of driving. This durability is a shame for the Megagrip, which was a concern about durability.
With high-grip shoes, you'll see wear and sag after 100km, but as you can see, they're certainly quite durable.
By increasing durability, the sole tends to lose its flexibility, but thanks to the moderate vertical and horizontal slits on the outer sole, it is flexible and provides high stability even in technical situations where you frequently move your weight horizontally. You can drive well even on road without any discomfort.
The seemingly casual slits and grooves on the sole did not interfere with the free movement of the soles, showing high response to the terrain.
When you land, you can feel the touch of the ground very sharply on your feet. It is especially direct on trails where rocks and tree roots are exposed. However, the sole absorbs shock moderately, so there is no problem. Rather, runners who want to run while feeling the sense of the ground will be impressed by the high balance with this shock absorbing ability.
The stack height is a zero drop with an even thickness of 9mm from the heel to the toes. These shoes are perfect for those who wear Zero Drop shoes on a regular basis. The suppleness of the midsole and the direct feel to the ground allow you to continue running comfortably, like barefoot. This is one of the highest-level shoes among Zero Drop shoes.
Compared to other long-sleeved ones, the cushioning and protection are not that great. However, the moderate hold of the upper and heel counters and the lighter driving feel that is lighter than the weight make it extremely comfortable and stable.
Things that bothered me
This is something that can't be done, but they are definitely shoes for long. Like short distance shoes that are not durable enough, they do not have the grip of snow tires like snow tires, and do not have the extraordinary performance, such as light weight, which is surprising. This may be the fate of long distance shoes.
Another thing that bothered me was that the reinforcement part of the upper that was crimped during the review peeled off. During the review, it may be a disadvantage of forcing the movements that you don't get when running, but I was a little worried about the durability of the sole, and the durability of the adhesive parts between the materials...
The crimping part of the Kevlar fabric had come off faster than I expected. Not everything is the case, but it's a sight you don't want to see.
Summary: Recommended for people like this
It's a great shoe that came out. It is no exaggeration to say that this pair of shoes will revamp the standard up until now, achieving both grip and durability, which was something that we had to give up on long-distance racing shoes.
The shoes feature high durability and durability, but not only are they durable, but the overall balance as a trail running shoe is very high. It combines excellent grip, stability, and moderate softness and rebound of the midsole. For runners who don't want high cushioning like the Hoka one one, this is a unique shoe for ultra trails. This is especially perfect for serious racers pursuing time.
Although it is for long-term use, it seems to be useful not only for runners who are mainly playing short to middle-range, but also for their flexible outsole and durability, as well as for practice shoes that can be used for a long time, but also for races. I would recommend even runners who usually wear Zero Drop shoes!
the TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI introduced this time seems to solve such problems easily. is the dream material . Please check your abilities with your legs.
