Shropshire Fell Running News

I tend to smash down the inner part of the rear mid soles of the Walshes, which then exaggerates pronation.

Mountain Bear seem very stable and don't have the same mid sole problem but the uppers disintegrate fairly rapidly.

I'm now running in the new (yellow!) innovat-8s, which seem to have a more stable feel, the foot fits very comfortably.

The front section is partly independent, which helps plant the foot down correctly.

Where they might fall down is on the design of the miniscule lacing loops.

On one shoe a loop is already wearing down to it's threads and if it breaks then the whole system looks like it's designed to fail?

Wore Inov- 8 to do the valleys race last week end and I am sure if I had my
Walsh's I would of had better grip .I know it was wet and slip but I think
the Walsh would of helped . But the Inov- 8 are a much better shoe if you are
running on mixed surfaces especially were part of the running includes roads
it makes a more comfortable run than the Walsh just my thoughts
Tim Jones

Walsh's need to have new soles to be any use on races like the valleys.

I have found that Walsh's will take at least one new sole during their life.

I have checked into the different prices and Pete Bland does a cheaper

no idea if you can resole the Innov's? So I keep my Walsh's for racing now

Personally speaking I'm an Addidas Swoop man. I use them now for the fells
& cross country plus the odd training runs as there so comfy.
I do have a pair of the Walsh's but keep them for either the short grassy
races or some cross country events.

Andy Smith

Found your report on Inov-8's interesting. I live in North Wales, but enjoy Shropshire races. Missed the Long Mynd but thought you like my views on Inov-8s:

Started wearing them August 2003 onwards. Previously always wore Walsh racers , but 6 months out with serious knee injury was only sorted out with orthotics. The shallow heel cup and glued insoles of Walshes didn't feel right with orthoticss so opted for the Inov-8's.Here's how I've found them:

Plus points. Very well made and extremely stable on uneven ground. Excellent on mixed courses (i.e. including paths and tracks) but also bomb-proof on very rough ground- the high ankle protection and stable midsole means you can attack quite scary scree descents with confidence.

Minus points. The outsole studs, while adequate on paths and rocky terrain, are too shallow for grassy descents and particularly dodgy on steep, greasy drops.

Conclusion. The poor grip is a major drawback, considering that many british fell races include significant amounts of this sort of ground. To put this in perspective, I recently bought a new pair of Walsh racers and was amazed at the difference in grip on steep descents- in comparison it felt like I had javelin spikes rather than just rubber studs.

Inov8's are a very good shoe let down by inadequate outsole. If the manufacturers can sort this out they're on to a winner.

I'd wear them for: Peris Horsehoe, Bens of Jura, Three Peaks, Edale Skyline, Snowdon, Welsh 1000M; Breidden Hills- possibly Ben Nevis.

I'd rather wear Walshes/ Bearfoot for: the 2004 British champs; any of the Lakeland classics; Cardington Cracker.

I definately would not wear Inov-8's for: any short 'A' category race; Moel Eilio; Buttermere Sailbeck; Long Mynd; Carneddau; Sedbergh hills;any mountain marathon.