First launched in 2008, the X-TALON has been the inov-8’s best-selling off-road footwear franchise for more than a decade. It’s been my personal favourite from their range and accompanied me on some of my most memorable races, such as the Ring of Steall Skyrace.
11 years on from X-TALON from the first edition, inov-8 is bringing evolution to the range with the new graphene-enhanced X-TALON G 235.
The X-TALON G 235 – designed to tackle everything from trails, fells and mountains, to obstacle courses and orienteering – joins the TERRAULTRA G 260, MUDCLAW G 260 and F-LITE G 290 shoes in the brand’s premium G-SERIES portfolio.
Michael Price, COO of inov-8, who remain the first and only company in the world to use graphene in sports shoes, said: “Graphene is extracted from graphite rock, which was first mined in the fells and mountains of the English Lake District 450 years ago. inov-8 and the X-TALON were forged in the same fells, albeit much more recently.
“What we’ve been able to do is bring all this history and heritage together, turn rock into rubber, and design the ultimate X-TALON shoe with the world’s toughest grip.
“With fierce 8mm studs that will retain their length for longer, a protective and lightly cushioned midsole, plus a seamless, one-piece upper that is both flexible and durable, the X-TALON G 235 will give users unparalleled confidence to run fast over all soft ground and extreme terrain.”
Price, commenting further on the use of the patent-pending technology, added: “We are leading the development of graphene in sport and beat many other brands to market with our Graphene-Grip innovation.
“Working with The University of Manchester we have exciting on-going projects looking into ways in which we can further use graphene across footwear and apparel.”
X-TALON G 235 specifications:
Weight: 235g.
Drop: 6mm.
Stack height: 13mm at the rear / 7mm at the front.
Outsole: Graphene-Grip rubber with 8mm studs.
Midsole: POWERFLOW+ technology delivers 10% better shock absorption & 25% better energy return. Flexible META-PLATE adds underfoot protection.
Upper: Seamless, hard-wearing ballistic nylon material with rubber-printed rand.
RRP: £140 | €165 | $170.
I’m looking forward to testing the G 235 over the next few months on a variety of terrain. Will they live up to their predecessor, how will the new uppers and outsole last? Be sure to watch out for the full review dropping early 2020.
For more information on inov-8’s X-Talon G 235 CLICK HERE
Press release provided by ionv-8
James Mackeddie 