Inov8 Roclite GTX Hiking Shoe review: top trekkers for comfort, agility and protection

A hearty Northern Hemisphere welcome to spring and all its attendant pleasures. Whether its a day-long hike, a scrabble up the side of Yr Wyddfa, taking the dog on a long walk or a gentle stroll through the bluebells, I think we have just the pair of hiking-cum-walking shoes to put a spring in your step.

Hiking shoes – like the Inov8 Roclite GTX we’re reviewing here – are the perfect middle ground between rugged hiking boots and super lightweight trail runners. Designed to keep your feet comfortable, moderately dry and well protected on day hikes and longer trails, the Roclite GTX feature sturdy soles for outstanding traction, reinforced shanks for protection against sharp objects and a Gore-Tex-layered upper layer for keeping moisture at bay.

There’s a great choice of alternative options in our guide to the best walking shoes for men, but for my money these shoes are among the top tier for both grip and comfort.

Inov8 Roclite GTX Hiking Shoe review

Price and availability

The Inov8 Roclite GTX retails at £140 in the UK and is available directly from Inov8. Alternatively, visit Amazon (£139.99), SportsGB (£109.79), Outdoor GB (£109.79) or LD Mountain Centre (£107.80). If you live Stateside, consider Amazon US, where the Roclite GTX is selling for between $144.50 and $170.

Specifications

• Fit: Wide
• Upper: GoreTex mesh
• Outsole: StickyGrip
• Shank: Flexible META-PLATE
• Weight: 365g (average across the size curve)
• Available colours: Black/Dark Grey, Blue/Navy, Dark Ocean/Black/Lime
• Gender specification: Men’s (Women’s also available)
• Size range: UK – 6 to 12; EU – 39.5 to 47

Design and features

Founded in the Lake District in 2003, Inov8 has built a solid reputation for designing lightweight, durable outdoor footwear that offers exceptional grip, comfort and performance across all terrains, especially the gnarly stuff. And these prime hiking contenders are a case in point.

But before I get down to the nuts and bolts of the materials used and these shoes’ anatomical design, I should address their styling and colour schemes. When it comes to outdoor gear, I guess I’m pretty conservative and therefore not a fan of contemporary trainer-type shoes with massive wedge-shaped heels, even if they clearly add support and sturdiness when on the trail.

I’m also not a fan of loud colour schemes that scream ‘hey, check out my new shoes’. While I was hoping to review the simple all-Black version of this shoe (or even the Blue/Navy variant), both were out of stock at the time, so I received this Dark Ocean/Black/Lime colour way instead. Each to their own, but I can’t say I’m too enamoured of the neon day-glow lime-coloured sole, which I can’t stop disliking every time I look down at it.

But I’m nitpicking here because these walkers are amazingly comfortable to wear and feel so light on the feet. Granted, at 365g a piece, they aren’t the lightest on the market, but they are certainly light enough to forget you’re wearing them.

Inov8 prides itself on the choice of materials used for its shoes and these Roclite GTX’s don’t disappoint. The main structure of the low-cut upper is comprised of a tough but pliable woven mesh with a Gore-Tex membrane for keeping water at bay. This upper is extremely flexible which helps the shoe hug the foot and easily bend on steep inclines without adding pressure to the toe area. However, these shoes may not be the best option for extremely technical trails, as their flexibility can compromise support in some conditions.

The Roclite GTX’s sole is comprised of StickyGrip, which is a soft but durable rubber material that deforms more readily on uneven terrain, allowing the sole to adhere to surfaces much more effectively than medium-to-firm rubber.

Add a complex array of 6mm lugs that were allegedly inspired by the hoof of the mountain goat, and we’re talking grip of such immense levels that you feel you could scale a vertical tree trunk monkey-style and survive to tell the tale. I counted 51 studs in all, including four perfectly-positioned smaller lugs at the tip of the toe for extra purchase when climbing slippery rocks.

Inov8 has equipped this shoe with a wide slab of shock-absorbing PowerFlow Pro, a thick, squidgy foam material that holds its shape well while providing excellent cushioning for long walks in the rough. Extra cushioning is also provided by the footbed, which is comprised of hundreds of tiny TPU foam beads that compress and expand as pressure is applied.

For a modicum of rigidity and, more importantly, lower foot protection, these shoes are also fitted with a firm but flexible skeletal MetaPlate to guard against penetration from sharp stones and thorns.

The Roclite GTX are wide fitting which allows the toes to splay outwards on descents without any cramping. This is a major bonus for those with wider feet since at no time will you feel the walls of the upper encroaching on foot space.

The anatomical design of the shoe ensures that it genuinely melds to the shape of the foot so you’re always comfortable no matter the pitch or roughness of the terrain. The arch, too, is subtle and well-positioned so as not to cause any discomfort.

The Inov8 Roclite GTX is available in 14 UK sizes, from 6 to 13 in half-size increments. A women’s version is also available.

Comfort and performance

I usually wear Merrells but found the last pair I bought had a poorly positioned arch that never fitted my foot comfortably enough. By contrast, the UK size 8 Roclite GTX I’m reviewing here fits like a sock and the lowered arch is in exactly the right place. However, I would suggest a half size bigger than you normally wear if you plan to use these shoes with thicker autumnal/winter socks. While the size 8 I ordered are a perfect fit for me when wearing thin socks, they do feel too tight with thicker ones so, in hindsight I should have perhaps opted for the 8.5.

With regards to underfoot comfort, the Roclite GTX’s thick spongy midsole adds a high level of cushioning which your feet – and especially the heels – will quickly come to appreciate, particularly on longer walks and when jumping off low ridges.

Grip levels in my off-road tests were off the chart, whether it was on slippery mud, wet rocks or moss. In fact, just pushing the flexible 6mm tread nubs with a finger is enough to tell that they won’t budge when the going gets slippery.

However, there is one area I haven’t been so keen on and it’s the feel underfoot of the Boomerang insole’s tiny little dimples. To me it felt like I had a layer of beach sand underfoot and, while I didn’t notice the effect much while out and about, I did feel the sandy sensation when wearing them indoors. I would personally consider changing the insoles for something smooth and flat. But then that might just be me.

Regarding the Gore-Tex lining, I tested these shoes under a running tap and after 15 minutes of resting I couldn’t detect any internal dampness whatsoever. However, I have noticed that some owners – very few it has to be said – have reported issues about the Gore-Tex leaking, mostly after a period of time. However, these reviews may have been referring to the earlier version of this shoe. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t own any hiking shoes at all if I believed every review I read on the effectiveness and longevity Gore-Tex.

Verdict

The Inov8 Roclite GTX is a lightweight and extremely comfortable hiking shoe with gecko-like traction, superb cushioning, great underfoot protection against stones and thorns, and very decent water resistance. It’s an excellent low-cut choice for hikers and ramblers seeking a light, responsive shoe for a wide variety of terrains and conditions.