First run in some Inov-8 Mudclaw 270. I believe these have just been updated as the Mudclaw 272, so you might find some 270s discounted like I did.
Some of us don’t like too much shoe on our feet, and many models in Inov-8’s range can be used pretty effectively on the road, but this isn’t one of them. These shoes are all about grip on terrain where road shoes just will not cope. They were bought specifically for muddy cross-country races.
My first run was on a varied route including a couple of miles of road, a couple of steep hilly miles in deep mud and wet clay type soil, and another couple of miles on stony forest track.
They felt ok on the road, but their reason for being, the studded sole, is going to wear down pretty quick like that, so road use will be best kept to a minimum. They are very good in sticky mud and don’t appear to clog too badly; downhill, they are exceptionally grippy.
They also have a tough protective rubber toe cap that is very reassuring when running on stony or rocky terrain.
I’m used to running in Inov-8 shoes especially Roclites and I have to say that these Mudclaws do not feel quite as stable as Roclites or F-Lites. The sole is tough rubber (for good reason), and they are unsettled a little by landing on stones and small rocks; the Roclites seem to bend around such lumps and bumps whereas the Mudclaws do tip more readily. This is only compared to some other extremely stable Inov-8’s though, mostly the low heel position keeps the foot on the right plane. I also think this effect will lessen once the shoes are broken in a little more and soften up.
They’ll certainly need breaking in more than the F-Lites — those were more comfy than slippers out of the box.
The width of the fit feels narrower than either Roclites or F-Lites, but I think this is because they have a much firmer construction. I have a quite a wide foot and I wouldn’t want to be in anything narrower than the Mudclaw.
In summary then. Looks like the Mudclaws will be ideal for my intended use: hilly races in thick mud and on wet grass.
I was concerned that the F-lite 230s would be too narrow for my wide feet, but they’re ok. They are quite narrow but the upper has plenty of give (unlike the Mudclaw). I guess the 195s are the same as the 230s, and I was told these are the same last as the Talon too. Leon Bond at Faster Feet in Birmingham is very helpful and knows the Inov-8 range well.
Have you tried the F-Lite 195s? I’m very interested in those for my next off-road shoes but I too have wide feet. Up until now I have worn their wider shoes, rather than those built on the ‘Performance’ last and I’m worried they might be too narrow.