Inov-8 MudRoc 280

Overall
The Inov-8 280 is a perfect all round shoe for orienteering, off trail, and single track running. (More photos)

Pros
Super light-weight but solid upper. Outsole of grippy studs (rather than pointy claws) for great motion control. Excellent traction on most every surface including loose gravel, grassy hillsides, and other typically slippery surfaces.

Cons
Slightly less traction on heavy duff compared to 270 MudClaws.

Test Comments
We took the 280 out to the Joaquin Miller test course in Oakland, California. I was immediately impressed on the pavement and trail sections: Great snug fit and control whether jogging or sprinting fast tight turns.

The 280 "spun out" more on our redwood duff traction test. We ran around a tree really fast and see if the shoe could hold on. Swapping over to the 270, I confirmed the 270 gave marginally better traction. However, on other loose surfaces of gravel and slick grass, the 280 is better. Inov-8’s “Sticky Rubber” composition outsoles are nice and grippy and give a good confidence.

We confirmed the Inov-8 280 traction with an orienteering run out at Indian Valley in Marin County. I felt great wearing these 280s whereas the 270s sometimes feel too minimal. On my foot they have a nice tight grasp of the heal yet the right amount of room in the toe box. Also, no heal slip going up a hill, like I've experienced with other Inov-8 shoes.

Shoe Choice
My line up of Inov-8s: Choose the 280 for best all-around orienteering/terrain shoe. Choose the MudClaw 270 or 330/340 for orienteering racing (super-light vs. control, respectively). Choose a conventional cushioned running shoe (I do Nike) for weeks of pavement and packed trail training.

I can add that I think these Inov-8s are a better practical choice than the venerable VJ Integrator for all terrains except ice and wet rock. Tungsten tipped spikes are a great/necessary confidence on those surfaces. Hopefully Inov-8 will improve on the 340 to provide a solid solution in the spiked category.