Innov8 shoes for LEJOG??

[AFANASIEW]

Just met a serious walker who tried to sell me the idea of wearing Innov8 shoes for my Land's End to John o'Groats bid next year. I normally wear Salomon Quests for warm weather or Altberg Tethera for tough conditions. Anyone tried Innov8 trainers through bogs and over rocky terrain?

[forgotmyoldpassword]

Yeah, I mean they aren't magical  - they are still trainers with better grip.  Bogs or anything wet and sticky really ruins your day as the increased breathable nature of trainers vanishes, and they do fill up more easily.  I'd suggest not buying the goretex lined ones, as you'll inevitably get wet feet, you just want the heat of your feet to dry them out.  Not usually a problem most of the time. 


Have done long distances in them and overall I think they're good, just do some test hikes first, understand if there is any pressure on your foot which could develop in to something + deal with that early.  I'd also consider talking to a podiatrist about your gait and whether you need inserts etc to avoid injury/problem during something of the distance of a LEJOG.

[AFANASIEW]

 " I'd also consider talking to a podiatrist about your gait "
Sounds sensible, particularly in view of the shin splints i experienced on the SWCP earlier this year.

[AFANASIEW]

Yeah, I mean they aren't magical  - they are still trainers with better grip.

I'm conflicted because I was intending to take a pair of Teva sandals as backup/evening attire, but the prospect of endless bits of grit under the soles makes me think trainers/lightweight shoes would be a better idea. Maybe Salomon X Ultra 3 (not GTX)?I would swap my Salomon Quest Prime GTX at Edale for the Altberg Tethera, ready for the rockier/boggier paths ahead.Still worry about walking without ankle support when carrying circa 9kg, though.
PS - I now have an appointment with a podiatrist, thanks for the suggestion.

[archaeoroutes]

I've used Inov8 roclite boots on Dartmoor and in Snowdonia with surprising success. Not had them long enough to put enough miles in them to comment on LEJOG, but they've been extremely comfortable so far.
As for waterproofness, they coped with a few Dartmoor bogs but got drenched during heavy day-long rain on Snowdon (though were bone dry by the next morning).

[AFANASIEW]

I've used Inov8 roclite boots...

I understand they're a narrow fit. Did you go up half a size?

[archaeoroutes]

I understand they're a narrow fit. Did you go up half a size?

No, I kept my normal size and I've not got particularly narrow feet.
One thing I like about them is that they hold my toes so my foot doesn't move around inside the boot. Can be a bit of a squeeze getting into them, but once on they feel like part of my feet rather than things tied around them. That's probably down to their running pedigree. I guess that could lead to some people finding them too narrow, but I like it.

[AFANASIEW]

I kept my normal size and I've not got particularly narrow feet.

I take an extra wide fitting in the Altberg Tethera, so I was looking at the Parkclaw 275. My intention is to stick to boots (Salomon Quest Prime or Hi Tec Altitude Pro in the south, Tethera 'oop north) except where I'll be on roads or towpaths for significant stretches. The Parkclaw is described as having more space in the toe box, hence the preference.

[dav]

Good walking shoes such as North face Hedgehogs GTX, yes defo GTX, to keep the water out. Done several Pennine Ways, Coast to Coast etc with them and only got wet feet when having to wade through flooded streams. 9kg by the way would be classified as really lightweight for a walk like the LEJOG, Pennine Way even. That's the average pack weight for the Spine Race along the Pennine Way where everyone is trying to get the weight down to a minimum.

[AFANASIEW]

I've taken the plunge and ordered the Parkclaw 275. I'll probably just use them in benign conditions, although I could combine them with waterproof socks and rely on their quick--drying properties. It'll be summer and I'll be able to swap out kit 2 or 3 times, so 9kg should be achievable.

[archaeoroutes]

It'll be summer and I'll be able to swap out kit 2 or 3 times, so 9kg should be achievable.

Do you mean you've got a support team meeting you 2/3 times a day? If so, I get the 9kg figure.
If not, then I'm very impressed!

[Bigfoot_Mike]

Did anyone else think that LEJOG was some kind of French running festival?

[ninthace]

Did anyone else think that LEJOG was some kind of French running festival?

I genuinely thought it was something of the sort when I first saw it and I still pronounce it with a soft J.  Comes from spending time on the other side of Le Manche.


Editted for gender!

[AFANASIEW]

Do you mean you've got a support team meeting you 2/3 times a day? If so, I get the 9kg figure.
If not, then I'm very impressed!

The family will meet up with me for two weekends, then join me for the West Highland Way.My packing list, including all worn items and a representative 2.6kg for water, stands at a grand total of 11.85kg. The actual pack weight is 9.17kg, but excludes a packed lunch:
 1.                    (Boots. Salomon Quest Prime. 1140g)
                Altberg Tethera. 1538g
                (Hi Tec Altitude Pro with Sorbothane insole. 1338g)
2.                    Walking stick. Leki. 272g
3.                    Rucksack. Lowe Alpine Airzone Pro+. 1570g
4.                    Dry sacks - Exped Ultralight. 61g
5.                    Torch. Random brand. 50g
6.                    Penknife. Victorinox The Rambler. 30g
7.                    Water bladder. Camelbak 2 litre. 208g
8.                    Two water bottles plus holster. Quechua and random 500ml bottle. 153g
9.                    Water. Up to 3250g.
10.                Caffeine pills. ProPlus. 1g
11.                Salted peanuts and jelly babies. 35g
12.                Cereal bars x 2. Nature Valley and Stoats. 100g
13.                Kendal Mint Cake. Romney’s. 85g
14.                Phone with shockproof case. Huawei + Aldhofa. 199g
15.                Charger and leads. 111g
16.                Earplugs. 6g
17.                Mp3 player. Sansa Clip. 42g
18.                Waterproof sleeves for phone and powerbank. 62g
19.                Powerbank. Anker PowerCore II Slim 10000. 203g
20.                Master plan. 48g (weighed with photocopied maps and Ortlieb map case).
21.                Photocopied maps.
22.                Compass. Silva. 38g
23.                First Aid Kit - aka ‘foot repair kit’. 180g
a.               Compeed plasters
b.               Moleskin.
c.               Assorted plasters.
d.               Bandage.
e.               Wound dressings
f.                Sterile wipes
g.               Anti-blister stick.
h.               Tick remover.
i.                Ibuprofen.
24.                Charter hat. Sunday Afternoon. 100g
25.                Waterproof jacket. Mountain Equipment Lhotse. 530g
26.                Inov8 shoes - 554g
27.                Snood. Random brand. 35g
28.                Shorts and belt. Decathlon. 204g?
29.                Merino base layer. Crivit Sports - 55% wool. 136g
30.                Long-sleeved t-shirt. Zakti (Mountain Warehouse). 185g
31.                Hoodie. Montane Allez. 171g
32.                Lightweight shirt. Decathlon. 217g
33.                Walking trousers. Arcteryx. 308g
34.                Waterproof trousers. Berghaus. 346g
35.                Gaiters. 247g
36.                Hiking socks x 2. Brasher Light Hiker, Bridgedale Hike Light Weight. 128g
37.                Undersocks. Random brand bamboo mix. 39g
38.                Waterproof socks – Sealskinz. 88g
39.                Underpants x 2. Random brand. 146g
40.                Microfleece towel. 220g
41.                Wash kit. (I’m still looking for a lighter soap container.) 250g?
a.      Soap + container
b.     Toothbrush + head cover
c.      Toothpaste.
d.     Razor
e.      Deodorant.
f.      Cotton buds
42.                Wallet. 127g
 with all unnecessary cards removed – library card, bus pass etc.
43.                Loose change. 47g
44.                Watch. Seiko titanium. 56g
45.                Hankies x 2. 34g
46.                Dog chews. 29g
47.                Shoe brush. 31g
48.                Leder Gris. 66g
 

[AFANASIEW]

I genuinely thought it was something of the sort when I first saw it and I still pronounce it with a soft J.  Comes from spending time on the other side of La Manche.

Merde alors, j'ai attrapé votre maudit 'soft J'.