Inov-8 Roclite Pro G 400 GTX Walking Boots Review

Inov-8 recently released their latest contribution to the outdoor footwear market, the Roclite Pro G 400 GTX hiking boot. In true Inov-8 style, the boot is ultra light without compromising stability and durability. Thanks to the GORE-TEX Extended Comfort membrane and Inov-8s own iconic Graphene Grip rubber, they have the potential to perform superbly in virtually all weather conditions and on any terrain.

Our Online Manager Mike was lucky enough to have the chance to put these boots through the ultimate test of hiking and camping on the Scottish coast.

INITIAL THOUGHTS:

They are part of a new generation of outdoor footwear that challenges the status quo when it comes to walking boot design; but for Inov-8, they represent a natural progression. Inov-8 been edging towards increasingly sturdy footwear in recent years, and the 400s are a bit of a watershed moment for them. While the 345s felt like a rugged trainer, this is their first foray into a true boot-like construction. You can’t help but be taken aback at how light these boots are. For such a substantial-looking piece of footwear, these really are featherweight and clearly geared towards fast-and-light hikers.

I’ll be honest, I’ve been pretty rigorous in my testing of these – more so than I’d have normally been. Within a day of them landing on my desk, they were whisked up to the elements of North West Scotland for a week of camping and hiking, so they have seen both the best and worst of British conditions and terrain. From beaches of white sand to the mud and scree of Munro trails, I can say that not once did they let me down.

FIT

The Roclite Pro G 400s come up pretty well true to size. I tend to hover between 9.5 and 10 UK, and opted for the 10s with no regrets. The toe box is nice and roomy, giving plenty of space for hot, tired feet in summer, or a thicker pair of socks in spring and autumn, without feeling sloppy or unsupportive throughout the rest of the foot.

FOOT PROTECTION

A big, chunky rand leaves no question that these are boots intended to meet the demands of the trail head-on. For a boot so lightweight, it’s easy to assume that they would feel flimsy underfoot, but I was really impressed with how well the Meta-Plate Pro cradled the foot and dissipated sharp rocks and scree through the forefoot without sacrificing the sensation of what it was I was standing on.

TRACTION

What can I say about Inov-8’s Graphene Grip that hasn’t already been said? The Graphene-infused outsole certainly affords plenty of traction on virtually any surface the great outdoors has to offer. Chunky 6mm lugs provide a sense of solid purchase on looser terrain while shedding mud quite happily.

STABILITY

In spite of their featherweight construction, when it comes to stability the 400s are able to hold their own. The External Heel Cage truly harnesses you right around the ankle without feeling restrictive, holding the heel nice and firmly in place.

COMFORT

Comfort with the Roclite Pro G 400s is instant – there’s no bedding-in period needed. The two pairs of locking lace hooks at the ankle mean that these boots hold the foot nice and securely, helping you to adjust and modulate the tension between the foot itself and above the ankle for the perfect fit. I could happily wear these all day every day.

WEIGHT

As I’ve mentioned before, the Roclite Pro G 400s are unbelievably light for a mid-boot. At 400g for a size UK 8, they even come in lighter than many market-leading walking shoe styles. This doesn’t go unnoticed on the trail; you really do feel more nimble and agile on technical terrain. And by the end of the day, foot fatigue is reduced markedly – a welcome bonus when excess weight can start to take its toll.

TRAIL FEEL

These boots benefit from a nice balanced 20mm/12mm stack that offers plenty of cushioning on descents. In coupling this with the Meta-Place Pro technology within the midsole, Inov-8 managed to strike the perfect balance of impact protection and foot support without erasing the sensation of the trail. This gives you plenty of surefooted confidence when negotiating more technical terrain that is often lacking in heavier boots.

MATERIALS

For the upper, Inov-8 have used Schoeller ceramic-coated fabric. If you’re interested (which I assume you are at this point), Schoeller is a Swiss textile innovation company and they have pioneered a ceramic coating process in which they bind minuscule ceramic particles into the material. This leaves it highly abrasion-resistant – perfect for the scuffs and scratches of more rocky scrambling routes. The seamless outer face shrugs off water and dirt really nicely as well. There are minimal opportunities for moisture to collect and soak in.

In terms of waterproofing and breathability, the GORE-TEX Extended Comfort membrane handles this perfectly. Put it this way, I spent 2 nights camping amidst a yellow weather warning for rain on the Scottish coast, and the only parts of me that were bone-dry throughout were my feet.

AESTHETICS

With no leather or suede to wrestle with, Inov-8 have been able to really reduce the shape of these boots to a much more trainer-like profile. They’ve managed to achieve sturdy and supportive without appearing clunky and old-fashioned. The stealthy black colourway with subtle hexagonal Graphene print means these walking boots look pretty slick off the hill as well!

DURABILITY

A few weeks of intense use and these boots still look new. I’ve had my Roclite 345s for two years now and I know how well the Graphene Grip sole holds up, so no concerns there. But it’s the Schoeller Ceramic-coated that gives the feeling that these boots are going to stick around for the duration.

OVERALL VERDICT

There’s no room for pigeon-holing here: the Roclite Pro G 400s have to be one of the most versatile walking boots on the market right now. They’d be equally at home on a half-hour stroll around the block with the dog as they would be tackling a multi-day trek! I’d happily recommend these boots to anyone wanting to negotiate virtually anything (shy of crampon-demanding conditions) in a heartbeat.

Pros Stunningly lightweight. Confidence-inspiringly grippy. Instantly comfortable.

Cons The only downside is that you don’t get to enjoy the overwhelming sense of relief when you take your boots off at the end of a long hike! Seriously, there are very few drawbacks to this boot.