Kit & Gear

REVIEW: inov-8 ROCLITE RECYCLED 310

Re-engineered for sustainable performance, this innovative new hike shoe features 90% recycled materials in the upper and carefully-chosen sustainable materials in the midsole and outsole. The inov-8 ROCLITE RECYCLED 310 is light, agile and grippy, so you are fast on your feet and have a low impact on the planet. Perfect for fast-hiking and adventures over all types of terrain. Introducing inov-8’s most sustainable and environmentally friendly shoe ever.

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Photo credit to inov-8

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Our Sportsshoes.com Trail Running Ambassador, Ben Mounsey, has been busy putting the inov-8 ROCLITE RECYCLED 310 to the test.

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What exactly are the inov-8 ROCLITE RECYCLED 310 designed for? Trail Running? Hiking? Casual wear?

They’re actually well-suited to all three! Which is music to my ears, because that’s exactly how I’ve been using them.

To be perfectly honest, for the first few weeks, my pair of ROCLITE 310’s started life as my go-to office shoe. Partly because of the single Green Gum colourway and partly because they’re just so damn comfortable to wear. They also look really good with a pair of jeans and had it not been for the fact that I needed to test them a bit more rigorously, their greatest-ever adventure would likely have been my regular journey to and from the coffee machine in the kitchen.

Needless to say, when the time came to venture into the great outdoors, they didn’t stay clean for very long! Pretty soon they were promoted to chief dog walking shoes and then upgraded to my riverbank ROCLITES, as they quickly became more familiar with my local trails.

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Photo credit to inov-8

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Where to start with the review? I suppose the main headline here is the message around sustainability. A shoe constructed using 90% recycled materials from the upper, right through to the midsole and outsole, is certainly something worth shouting about. These carefully-chosen sustainable materials include discarded plastic bottles, recycled EVA chips, plastics and foams, algae biomass and natural gum rubber. My tiny brain can’t quite process how these materials can be collectively used to make a trail shoe, but I love the fact that I’m wearing something well on its way to becoming a fully sustainable product. Full marks to inov-8 for the innovation here.

So how does it perform? I’ve already mentioned comfort, they’re perfect for long days in the office and equally well-suited for long-distance outdoor adventures. I think partly the reason they feel so comfortable to wear is down to the fact that the BLOOM® foam midsole provides plenty of cushioning and also because the upper materials are so soft and supple – the complete opposite to how I would imagine recycled plastic bottles would feel, hence my amazement at how they’ve been manufactured. Mind-blown. I’d best not think about it too much or I’ll get a migraine.

inov-8 have pitched the ROCLITE RECYCLED 310 as a hiking shoe, yet it’s equally suitable for trail running. And it’s this versatility that makes it such an attractive prospect for anyone looking for an all-round off-road shoe to serve almost every purpose. That said, now I’ve chosen to hit the trails, I’m afraid the days of wearing them in the office are long gone! After a few weeks of running through bogs and fields I’m not sure my colleagues would thank me for it.

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Photo credit to inov-8

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The 6mm lugs provide ample grip on a range of off-road surfaces and I particularly like the dimpled texture at the end of each individual stud, as they provide some extra bite on slippery surfaces. And although I wouldn’t pitch this as an extreme winter shoe, it’s perfect for pretty much everything else. It also offers a different option to a traditional walking boot, especially for those who prefer a low-cut lightweight shoe for fast hiking. Like the inov-8 ROCFLY G 390 this shoe isn’t waterproof, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Waterproof shoes are good at keeping water out, but if water gets in (which it can at the top of the shoe), it then has no chance of escaping. That’s why many people prefer a non-waterproof shoe for walking and hiking because they’re more breathable, plus they drain and dry more quickly and easily. You could always choose to wear waterproof socks with these shoes if you wanted to keep your feet drier for longer.

It’s also worth mentioning that the ROCLITE RECYCLED 310 is quite possibly the most breathable hiking shoe on the market, certainly in my opinion and I have had the pleasure of testing quite a few.

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Photo credit to inov-8

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In terms of sizing, I’m usually a UK 10 in all inov-8 running shoes, but again like the ROCFLY G 390, I opted for a UK 10.5, mainly for some extra room for comfort and to allow for wearing a thicker pair of socks. Width-wise this shoe is bang in the middle of the inov-8 fit scale and certainly feels like that too. I usually wear precision fit for racing, but as this is a hiking/trail shoe, it’s nice to have slightly more room, particularly in the toebox. However, anyone with super-wide feet might favour a little more room in the middle of the shoe.

I would say the ROCLITE RECYCLED 310 is more of an everyday shoe, designed for a wide range of purposes. Its only real limitation is the lack of protection for more extreme hikes, compared to heavier and more robust hiking shoes and boots. To tackle more challenging terrain and harsh environments, I would probably opt for something like the ROCFLY G 390, which would ultimately provide more protection and warmth against the weather and terrain. Anyone looking for increased support and protection around the ankle area is also probably best opting for a mid-height boot. But for those looking for a hiking shoe with flexibility, comfort and the fit and feel of a lightweight trainer, this model certainly ticks those boxes.

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SHOP INOV-8 ROCLITE RECYCLED 310 HERE.

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