REVIEW: Inov8 RocLite 286 Boots

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Good boots are heavy and sometimes annoying to wear. You can complement the choice of your tactical footwear with materials from the sports sector. This has been happening for years: special forces use trekking shoes because they are more comfortable to wear and perform better in operations than the officially issued boots. We have gone a step further and looked at the RocLite 286 Boots from Inov8.

A lot depends on the sole: the Inov8 RocLite 286 Boots have a very solid - and thin - sole. Those facing a stony desert will get a good foot massage here. If you do CrossFit, you are familiar with the brand Inov8, where these flat-soled sports shoes are very popular. However, Inov8 comes from trail running in rough terrains, and these mid-height running shoes are actually intended for that purpose.

The lacing is done in a classic way, with the mid-lace dominating the gap. The laces are long, but the height of the shaft still doesn't prevent sand from infiltrating. Inov8 also offers matching gaiters, making everything tight. An ideal addition...

Where the toes might hit an obstacle, everything is ideally reinforced. A solid cap provides protection for feet moving quickly through terrain.

Even on the back, the body of the RocLite Boots is well reinforced, so that the surface of the outer skin remains intact if you happen to slide or bump. The foot is - despite its lightness - protected.

The body is made of a mesh-like material, initially we were concerned that we might tear it if we brush it against something, but it never happened, even though we wore the shoes intensively over the summer.

Looking inside the shoe, you can see that it is made with Gore-Tex (also recognizable by the brand tab on the outer shoe, seen two pictures above). The Inov8 RocLite 286 is a full-fledged Gore-Tex shoe, which withstands bad weather and mud on the track with passion.

The boot from Inov8 in the overall view. We have read somewhere, but not confirmed in content, that this is the lightest Gore-Tex boot on the market. The individual piece weighs about 380 grams.

CONCLUSION: The Inov8 RocLite 286 is extremely comfortable to wear and durable. It is intended as a trail running shoe, but also works well for everyday use. For operations, we would still opt for heavier boots, but the RocLite is also fully functional. Ideal as a second, lightweight pair for the backpack or as an urban combat shoe. The thin sole may take some getting used to for some (like a "barefoot shoe"), but we like it. It is well cushioned by its "mesh casing" and offers good protection with Gore-Tex. A real insider tip for tactical wearers...

PS.: We wore the shoes until the end. After over two years, they were done - HERE is our DEATH REVIEW.

The Inov8 RocLite Boots are available from sports shoe retailers between 129 and 159 euros.

INOV8 on the Internet: www.inov-8.com