Launched last month, the new Terraultra G 270s got off to a flying start – with adventure athlete Damian Hall using them to smash out a stunning Fastest Known Time (FKT) on Britain’s burliest long-distance path – and now these tough trail-running shoes are available in a fresh colourway.
Inov-8 are based in England’s ruggedly lovely Lake District, surrounded by exactly the kind technical trails that the Terraultra was conceived to tackle, during training runs or long-haul adventures on any kind of terrain. Here, ultra runners Paul Tierney and Sabrina Pace-Humphreys can be seen putting the new green-blue shoes (available from today) through their paces in the hills.
As the name suggests, the Terraultra G 270 (RRP: £145/US$160) tips the scales at just 270g (9.5oz) per shoe, but it punches well above its weight on rough, tough and rocky landscapes because of the materials used in the construction, especially in the outersole.
Like other shoes in the G-grip family, the Terraultra features Inov-8’s much-lauded graphene grip compound in the sole. A substance extracted from graphite – the hardest material on the planet, some 200 times stronger than steel – graphene offers amazing durability, but also boasts impressive elasticity to offer excellent grip when the terrain gets technical and the trails start fighting back.
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Rows of strategically positioned 4mm lugs add to this gripping capability, and provide plenty of control during descents. The Terraultra has no drop between the heel and the toe, but there’s plenty of cushioning in the ‘powerflow max’ midsole, and a slight rocker that propels you forward into the next stride.
Wearing the new Terraultra – virtually out of the box – Inov8 ambassador and adventure athlete Damian Hall took three hours off the previous Fastest Known Time on the Pennine Way last month, running the 268-mile (429km) rugged route in a staggering time of 61 hours 34 minutes.
The Pennine Way – which traverses parts of the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines before hopping over Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland and tackling the Cheviots – is infamous among walkers for its extremely challenging underfoot conditions. Which made it the perfect testing ground for a shoe that claims to be one of the toughest trail performers available in the world today.
You don’t need to smash out 268 miles in two-and-a-half days to feel the benefit of these shoes, but they are extremely good for longer runs on technical trails, which is exactly the sort of use they’re designed for.
At Advnture, we’re testing out a pair of the Terraultra right now, so check back for a full review soon.
