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REVIEW: INOV-8 PARKCLAW G 280

Christopher Holdsworth • Apr 08, 2022

INOV-8 PARKCLAW G 280 REVIEW

INOV-8 PARKCLAW G 280 - PENNINE TRAILS REVIEW

THE BACKGROUND

In the last decade, there was a boom in the inov-8 development department with an explosion of differing ideas of what a trail running shoe could be. More specifically, exploring a range of shoes for you to have at your disposal for all occasions.

In recent years, inov-8 have drilled down and looked to perfect the ideas that worked, and with the Parkclaw, they were onto something...

The original Parkclaw, albeit an acceptable shoe, in its original iteration it lacked the comfort of a road shoe, whilst not quite hitting the mark as an off-road shoe. The concept, however, was worth the exploration. The average runner is usually never blessed with the great outdoors right on their doorstep, and often requires a brief trip in the car, or an uncomfortable run through town as you protect the trail shoe's lugs from wearing down. Likewise, there are often stretches of road between trails too.

The need for a multi-terrain shoe has always been there, whilst rarely being filled. So can the new Parkclaw G 280 fill it?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The shape of the shoe reminded me of the inov-8 RoadClaw. It was obvious the toe box would be roomy before even trying it on. Once on, the upper felt very comfortable, with the soft tongue of the shoe moulding to the foot as I tightened the laces. The shoe base was firmer than expected, no immediate bounce in the stride as I first walked around in them either.

I was, in fact, not convinced I was wearing a running shoe at all. It felt like a comfortable but firm trainer, one that had been already worn in with the flexibility of the midsole already apparent. But again, at this point, not obvious to me that it was to be run in. The weight distribution was smooth throughout, with no obvious emphasis on the midsole or heel stack. The lugs were not felt on the hard surface through the Graphene infused sole and the 8mm drop was deceptively not forthcoming, feeling closer to half as much.

THE ROAD TO TRAIL EXPERIENCE

Most of my runs consist of road before hitting the trails. The Parkclaw G 280 was therefore an ideal shoe to be tested on these runs.

Having been intrigued how the shoe would fare once running, I was comforted to note how light the shoe felt despite being towards the supposed heavier side of the inov-8 range of shoes. I believe this could be due to the even weight distribution of the shoe.

The interpretation of a seemingly comfortable non-running trainer whilst stationary was blown apart immediately. The wide toe box allowed the splayed foot bones to push from the mid-foot naturally. I felt light on the foot, and the bounce only becomes evident in the stride with the energy return being felt on the push off.

The transition between road to trail was also seamless. Much like a vehicle being put into 4x4 mode before venturing off-road, the shoe took to the trails effortlessly in the same way.

The flex of the shoe allowed the foot to mould over rocks and angled terrains, whilst the grip held firm on muddier sections. Had I ventured out onto muddier and grassier terrains, there could have been some slippage, but this isn't the shoe meant for that.

THE VERDICT

A seemingly mild mannered shoe that comes alive on the move.

There are some shoes, like the inov-8 X-Talons, that you know are meant for racing the minute you lace them up, whilst the inov-8 Terrafly G 300 Max are clearly designed to go the distance. The intention of the Parkclaw G 280 doesn't reveal itself until you take the first step, letting you know it'll do what you want it to, where you want it to, the only question is for how long?

Unable to take the shoe further than a few miles due to recently joining the annual injury club, there was no long distance running undertake on this trial. However, I suspect through the comfort and ride the shoe offers, whilst also using the same technical qualities found in other shoes such as the award winning G 270, it could be taken far.

Likewise, if you wish to use the shoe for a mooch on the trails, or to move at pace across multi-terrains, it can be used for either. It's a much improved upon shoe over the original and a wise decision for inov-8 to have developed the idea further.

I previously described the newly renamed inov-8 Terrafly G 270 as an allrounder, in the sense they could transition between road and trail with ease. Unlike the Parkclaw G 280, the Terrafly G 270 lack the grip under muddier conditions that the Parkclaw can offer.