A not-so-busy afternoon offered me and BFD the opportunity to leisurely stroll along Bonifacio High Street. It was a given that we would check out every sporting goods boutique in the area. The longest stop was in R.O.X. - this shop has a good following for bringing in highly specialized athletic brands, including UK's INOV-8.
The running goods section of R.O.X. is a natural magnet for people like me. I lingered on as I browsed the racing flats display wherein one brand stood out, attracting my front and lateral vision. If I was to play a sound track in my head at that moment, then it must be about 'the love-at-first-sight cliche'. I was taken over by that sole-searching mood, a term coined to articulate my shoe-shopping activity. I ended up fitting a quite intimidating, or should I say a very technical pair of INOV-8 Road-X-Treme 118. The code '118' signifies the actual weight of the shoe in grams. This is the lightest pair of running shoes I have ever tried. I was particularly concerned about durability and grip, but there is no reasonable test but to try it out on the road. Sold! =)
Since I haven't been training for the longest time, I couldn't be more excited to hit the road once again. This time around, with my latest 'sole-mate'...
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| Meowth's 'ritual': the unveiling |
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| INOV-8 Road-X-Treme 118: This thing of beauty is especially designed for female runners. Its neutral fit supports the natural tendency of my feet to slightly overpronate. |
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| The upper section comprises of a flexible, thin mesh layer that allows the feet to breath. The width of the toe box is just right for me. I'm able to spread my toes comfortably. This is perhaps equivalent to width 'B' in the US shoe size chart. (For casual shoes, I go for size 7.5 B. In 118, this corresponds to size 8.5). |
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| Sole at its bare minimum - the Road X-Treme trademark. No gel or extra side stitches, just soft and flexible base. |
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| A zero drop means there is no difference in the height of the forefoot and heel off the ground. The toes and heel are kept at the same level. There is no extra cushion on the heel. This is said to be effective in training the feet to achieve a more natural running form. |
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Based on the specifications published by INOV-8, the Fusion Sole consists of Lite Rubber and EVA foam. The sole is said to be high-grip, too. I will be able to test this claim once I get the chance to run in the rain, or after a heavy rain.
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| Time to hit the road! \m/ |
Overall rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Performance: It offers everything I would expect from a pair of minimalist racing flats - very light at 118 grams, comfortable toe box, best fit, breathable mesh lining, zero drop that encourages a mid foot strike, and good traction on cement and asphalt.
Style: The white-blue-purple-neon green combination gave the shoe a refreshing lift. It's not screaming.
Durability: Not (yet) applicable. It has to earn some mileage before I can put something in this section.
Why I run?
I simply love running. It's an instant stress reliever.
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Disclaimer: This is a personal write-up, not a paid advertisement.
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