We recently featured the inov-8 TerraUltra 270 (here). Today 13 August 2020 sees the launch of a new version of the shoe. Well, to be more accurate, a new colour version of the 270.
The freshly launched successor to the award winning 260 is now available in the impressively bold green, a practical black and now a new equally distinctive blue/yellow model.
“For running long distances on all hard trails and paths.”
inov-8 say: An evolution of the multi award-winning TERRAULTRA G 260, the new TERRAULTRA G 270 ultra running shoe delivers more grip, more cushioning, more bounce and more comfort.
Several small, yet crucially detailed, improvements have made a big difference. Those improvements include the improved use of revolutionary Graphene-Grip rubber and a new plush cushioning foam that gives greater energy return for longer.
This is the ultimate shoe for big trail miles. The best just got even better.
Top features:
- Fit Scale: 5
- Drop: 0mm
- Footbed: 6mm POWER FOOTBED
- Lug Depth: 4mm
- Intended Use: Hard and Rocky, Paths and Trails, Road
- Midsole: POWERFLOW MAX
- Midsole Stack: 12mm / 12mm
- Shank: N/A
- Sole Compound: GRAPHENE GRIP
- Product Weight: 270g / 9.5oz
RUN247 say: The new 270 out of the box feels like a tough contender. The materials are solid, the bonded areas look bullet proof and just the ticket for hitting hard rocky trails. The outsole with the Graphene-Grip feels chunky enough to grip rugged trails and keep your feet suitably protected.
Hard wearing Graphene Grip
A few weeks in and the outsole is wearing very well. The last few weeks have been mostly out on dry, sandy and dusty trails. Grip has been epic in the dry conditions but inov-8 are not pushing this as a swamp shoe. The Graphene is nicely sticky and claimed to be 50% stronger, 50% harder wearing and 50% more elastic. I am confident they will deliver when the rocks get a little wetter. An update will follow!
Our testers thoughts
The key changes from the previous version are that it doesn’t feel as wide in the forefoot, but in a good way, and the grip is noticeably better. With the previous version it had great toe room, but it could feel a little bit too wide. The fit for the 270 is a bit more like a slightly wider Trailroc.
The grip is just a bit better than the previous version. It’s great on rock, great on hard trail and it’s ok on grass and mud (but that’s not what it’s designed for).
This is definitely a shoe built with comfort in mind. Immediately as you put them on they feel really cushioned and they are supremely comfortable on the run.
My first outing in them was 4 hours and I didn’t have any sore spots on my feet. The protection they give your feet is really good too. On rocky surfaces they’ll really save your feet.
Marginal gains
inov-8’s official line on this shoe is that they’ve made really small changes, but I think they’re fairly fundamental ones but in a positive way – the grip is better, the fit is slightly more tailored and they are more comfortable and cushioned.
The tough uppers are much more comfortable than first inspections would suggest. First thoughts might leave you thinking you need more padding but you don’t! They are just enough to be perfect. If that makes sense.
This is a perfect shoe for ultras and long trail runs. As inov-8 state, “The best just got better”.
You can find out more at their website here.
