Inov-8 Road X-Treme 138 or Inov-8 f-lite 232- preview

Ok, so a disclaimer here :) If you're after the inov-8 Road Extreme 138 or the f-lite 232, so was I. I've since bought the inov-8 f-lite 252 If you're looking for a review, I have only written this post as a preview.

But... I reckon the 252 will be very similar to the 232. 

The big difference being the 3mm drop in the 252. Here's the link to my review post of the 3 mm drop f-lite 252. 

To read my original 138 or the 232 post, keep reading on..

Inov-8 you tempting mistress. Your subtle curves, sheer mesh and alluring style. Why do you do this to me? Is is because you make the best running shoe?

I am incredibly tempted by the new Inov-8 Road X-TREME 138 which is touted as their lightest ever shoe. It weighs in at 138g and is touted as a barefoot shoe. 

Road extreme 138 sole

Why am I tempted? Well it weighs in under my Inov-8 155s and has the fusion sole + the additional grip of the road x on the sole that will afford a little more traction and confidence in the wet. It is zero drop - which will compliment my Inov-8 Trailroc 235s that I use off road. While the reviews of the Inov-8 Bare X 180s (which I have been hanging to buy but have waited foe these) are all incredibly positive I feel that I want a little more grip on the road, particularly when it's wet. 

What is holding me back? 

Inov-8 state that it has no midsole. What does this mean? Well my Inov-8 Road X Lite 155s have a 3mm midsole as do the trailrocs. These appear to have no midsole which means minimal, if not no foam padding at all. That scares me - would I be able to truly run barefoot? 

However, later research has found a new f-lite with the anatomical last (wider fit to allow great toe splay or just more room for normal to wider feet like me) 

What is it? I introduce the Inov-8 f-lite 232
http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/Product-View-RoadX-233.html?L=26

f-lite 232 

f-lite 232 sole

It's a handsome beast. This f-lite 232 (So you're tempted, pick up a pair from the awesome retailer on this link) has a 3mm footbed and the f-lite sole that offers a load more grip than the extreme and bare X range. But, it's also zero drop.

This could be what I am looking for. Or it was, in late August I purchased the f-lite 252, with the 3mm drop. Follow this link to the review post, or keep reading my preview/wish list post below... 

So, the Inov-8 Road Extreme: I would use them as a weekly trainer and perhaps keep them as a 5-10km race day special. 

The Inov-8 f-lite 232: A weekly trainer up to 12km and comfort pending the half marathon training and race distances.

Readers, I open this forum up to you all. 

Which will be the best running shoe?

Who has the Inov-8 Bare X range and is looking forward to the upgrade? Why are you going to upgrade and to what? 

If I can run 28km in the zero drop Inov-8 Trailroc 235s on a gravel/hard pack running/walking/riding trail should this be an easy transition? 

Any feedback and thoughts would be greatly appreciated and responded to. I'd love to get the word out there make sure we runners can make the right choice. 

Perhaps I might be sensible and look at the Inov-8 Road Extreme 178 as a safer option and leave the barefoot running for the trails where it is really needed. 

The Aussie f-lite 232 and road extreme range will be in from March 6th, 2013! 

Use the fish followers code fish10 to get 10% discount on Inov-8 shoes and the rest of the range at barefootinc!



Cheers and happy running, Lachie