Trail Talon 250 – Performance

Although inov-8s says that both the Trail Talon 250 and 275 are intended for long runs on hardpack trails the two shoes have a markedly different feel. The 4mm difference in heel-to-toe drop might not sound a lot, but it’s immediately obvious with a flatter, more barefoot-type stance.

The other really obvious difference is in the level of underfoot cushioning and protection. While the 275 is happy to clip along on hard surfaces like rock and pavement, the 250 is a harsher ride altogether that’s something of an acquired taste.

That continues off road too, where the thinner forefoot means you can feel stones on the trail through the sole of the shoe. Some lighter, experienced runners will like the sensation, but if you have a background of more protective shoes, it takes a little getting used to and can be tiring on longer runs.

The pay-off to all this is that if you’re in the mood, the light, sensitive 250 is properly quick and connected in a slightly hyper, ‘how fast do you want to go’ way. It helps that the outsole gives impressive all-round grip wet and dry on surfaces from hardpack through to light slop, making it confident and dependable on quick, knobbly descents as well as on more benign tracks.

Finally, as with the 275, the wider than normal toe-box gives plenty of room for toe spread and swelling on longer runs.

Verdict

Like it’s weightier brother, the Trail Talon 250 is aimed primarily at hardpack trails, but still has surprising amounts of grip on softer stuff too. It’s a lighter, lower more minimal beast altogether and while that makes it properly quick feeling and direct, the pay-off is less cushioning and comfort.

In particular, hard surfaces like payment or stone slabs are hard going and you can also feel stones through the forefoot of the sole unit. Some, more experienced runners will love that directness – inov-8 expect to sell more in the barefoot-orientated US market – but for most novice to intermediate runners, we suspect the Trail Talon 275 will be a better and more durable choice.

If what you want is ratlike rapidity regardless of comfort, and flat, natural-feeling foot stance, the 250 is ready and waiting. Just don’t expect it to love you long time.

More Information

See www.inov-8.com/men/footwear-terrain/trail/trailtalon-250.html