Inov8 Roclite - Is the graphene sole worth the money?

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Stilldreaming Jun 2019 8:57pm, 3 Jun 2019 247 posts	0 Stilldreaming I've run in Inov8 Roclite 290's for ages now and need to replace my current pair. I might be able to find a pair of last year's shoes in the sales, but just wondered if anyone had any comments on the new graphene soles that Inov8 are advertising. Are they as good as they claim re: grip on wet rock? Are they worth the extra money?
oumaumau Jun 2019 9:00pm, 3 Jun 2019 1,121 posts	0 oumaumau I think the biggest claim is increased durability, rather than enhanced grip, so do you find the soles are worn out, and the rest of the shoe is still fine? Or are the uppers/mid-sole done in before the grip has worn off?
Stilldreaming Jun 2019 10:20pm, 3 Jun 2019 248 posts	0 Stilldreaming Interesting! To be fair, they're just generally knackered and don't owe me anything, so maybe I'll look for some of last season's in the sales.
rf_fozzy Jun 2019 11:19pm, 3 Jun 2019 8,785 posts	0 rf_fozzy Re: The graphene models (all models of shoe they seem to be flogging), a couple of us in the materials group in Engineering here had a chat about them (there are a few fell runners in the group). We came to the conclusion that if, as they claimed, they increased grip on rock, then out of necessity they'd wear down faster. However, if as makes more sense to me (as a composites person), they increased the modulus (i.e. stiffness) and therefore were more durable, then we reckoned the grip would be less. There's a trade off to be had. Mind you my last few pairs of X-talons have all gone by the uppers shearing from the soles around the join on the heel. Know several people who've had this happen to them.
um Jun 2019 10:11am, 4 Jun 2019 999 posts	0 um The reviews & artivles I see (eg this one, at random, inov-8.com ) are all about durability, 'while retaining the inov-8 grip'. So as per oumaumau, depends how you wear out your shows - soles or just all round 'knackered'. But if you find any cheap ones, size 11, I'd like to know (with or without graphene)
Homer Jun 2019 10:25am, 4 Jun 2019 12,833 posts	0 Homer I had the previous ones and have just splurged on the graphene ones, hoping that they last longer. I've used them on tough rock days on the likes of the Glyders in Wales (an area that eats trains running shoes for breakfast) and two long days in the lakes as well as about 20 mile on local trails and the soles seem good. I can't spot any difference in grip but being able to survive the Glyders is promising Pretty sure they are only that price for the moment though
Stilldreaming Jun 2019 5:51pm, 4 Jun 2019 249 posts	0 Stilldreaming Um ... any good? ebay.co.uk
Homer Jun 2019 7:39pm, 4 Jun 2019 12,838 posts	0 Homer Good price and they take returns. I found the 290's didn't fit me well but others do. Just changes over the years I suppose. It looks like Alton sports are a proper local sports shop so I say go for it, worst case you have to pay the cost of returning them, maybe to get a different size
um Jun 2019 8:46pm, 4 Jun 2019 1,001 posts	0 um Thanks stilldreaming. Yes, Alton Sports are relatively local, have real shops and often seen at local events.
runnerbean Jun 2019 9:09pm, 4 Jun 2019 43,749 posts	0 runnerbean Activinstinct have them really cheap at mo