Inov-8 MudClaw 330 vs VJ Integrator
Conclusion: Both are great shoes for different terrain types. The VJ's with tungsten tipped spikes is great on open rock. The MudClaw 330's are lightweight with strong cleats and are superb in duff/soil. I've orienteered internationally in the VJ's for the past few years and have been running on and off trail in Inov-8's since we started testing last year.
We ran around our test loop in Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland CA with each pair of shoes. We've done the loop a few times now so have some ideas about how these different Inov-8's (and other O-shoes) ought to do in different parts. I think the VJ's do well on the rock because they have spikes closer to the edges of the sole and the studs are relatively short. Your entire weight isn't on the spikes, you just get the added traction. This gives a great all round running speed handling. The Inov-8 330's (no spikes) have more aggressive tread consisting of harder, longer, more numerous cleats. This gives a superior cornering, up/down/side hill, and stopping trust in the shoe. Great in the SF Bay Area. Construction is nice and light weight yet very sturdy for kicking through branches on purpose or getting caught up.
My only ergonomic issue with the Inov-8 330 is heal rub at the top of the shoe. I take out the insoles so the bottom of my foot is lower, thus "raising" the rim of the heal to be above my various heal bones. To be fair, my VJ's started to irritate me also but that is after many miles of wear in them. The 330's do break in after a while and adjusting the lacing helps tune the entire fit, including the heal rub. I've seen a need for break in/re-lacing to continuously fit all the Inov-8's tested thus far.
We ran around our test loop in Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland CA with each pair of shoes. We've done the loop a few times now so have some ideas about how these different Inov-8's (and other O-shoes) ought to do in different parts. I think the VJ's do well on the rock because they have spikes closer to the edges of the sole and the studs are relatively short. Your entire weight isn't on the spikes, you just get the added traction. This gives a great all round running speed handling. The Inov-8 330's (no spikes) have more aggressive tread consisting of harder, longer, more numerous cleats. This gives a superior cornering, up/down/side hill, and stopping trust in the shoe. Great in the SF Bay Area. Construction is nice and light weight yet very sturdy for kicking through branches on purpose or getting caught up.
My only ergonomic issue with the Inov-8 330 is heal rub at the top of the shoe. I take out the insoles so the bottom of my foot is lower, thus "raising" the rim of the heal to be above my various heal bones. To be fair, my VJ's started to irritate me also but that is after many miles of wear in them. The 330's do break in after a while and adjusting the lacing helps tune the entire fit, including the heal rub. I've seen a need for break in/re-lacing to continuously fit all the Inov-8's tested thus far.
posted by James Scarborough at 9:02 AM
3 Comments:
Interesting re: heel on MudClaws. Agre a fantastic shoe, but I'm getting heel rub, which when faced with 20km+ events, is a little worrying.
This is a common complaint about the Mudclaws and other Inov-8 shoes. I think associated with the low freeboard around the heels and stiffish sole. It has been brought to the attention of Inov-8 and, hopefully, is being addressed in a current re-design. In my case, the heel rub lessened as the shoes broke in. Otherwise a good taping is in order to avoid blisters. Also, cinching down the laces as much as you can take can help.
Hmm. I have really narrow feet, so cinched as much as is possible - I wonder if that is making it worse? maybe a looser lacing would take the pressure point off.
Trouble is, I don't have to tape to avopid blisters in the swoops, but their grip is nothing comared to the 'claws.
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