inov-8’s ‘dirty double’ upgrade sees the British brand’s best hiking boots get a facelift

(Image credit: Inov-8)

published 18 March 2023

Lake District-based outdoor brand inov-8 have just announced a big bunch of upgrades to their award-winning range of hiking boots. The design improvements have been made to the brand’s top two trekking boots: the light and flighty Roclite G 345 GTX, and the more hardcore Roclite G 400 GTX, which already stand tall among the best hiking boots around.

The Roclite G 345 GTX is a lightweight boot, ideal for moving quickly along paths, tracks and trails when you’re not carting too much weight, and version 1 of this model received a 5-star review from our T3 tester when it was first launched.

The Roclite G 400 GTX is a more rugged, extra protective and slightly heavier hoof, best suited for technical trails, and/or times when you’re on a multiday mission with a bigger pack.

Both boots feature inov-8’s trademark Graphene-enhanced grip, made from the toughest stuff on the planet, and the tried-and-tested outsoles will remain the same. However, having listened to feedback from you lot, the people who properly use and abuse the products in the real world, the brand are promising improvements to the top half of the boots.

inov-8 say new upper and midsole technologies have been employed in the V2s, aimed at delivering greater comfort, a better fit, more protection and support, increased energy return, and longer-lasting durability. Both boots will continue to feature a Gore-Tex membrane to keep wearers’ feet dry.

On the G400s, the V2 will feature a new and improved heel lock system, upgraded Powerflow Max foam cushioning in the midsole, an enhanced toe bumper and a stronger nylon ripstop material has been used in the upper chassis. The G345s will also get the new heel lock and improved midsole, plus a tighter, tougher weave in the upper and extra padding in the tongue and heel for improved comfort.

“The original versions of both won ‘hiking boot of the year awards,’ but we never rest on our laurels,” says Wayne Edy, who founded the English Lake District based brand 20 years ago. “Instead, the team carefully listened to all the feedback and worked meticulously to make upgrades to both the uppers and midsoles.”

What do we think? Well, we are trail testing the V2s now and will update you as soon as we have put them through a meaningful amount of miles in the hills. Watch this space.

Author of Caving, Canyoning, Coasteering…, a recently released book about all kinds of outdoor adventures around Britain, Pat Kinsella has been writing about outdoor pursuits and adventure sports for two decades. In pursuit of stories he’s canoed Canada’s Yukon River, climbed Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro, skied and mountain biked across the Norwegian Alps, run ultras across the roof of Mauritius and through the hills of the Himalayas, and set short-lived speed records for trail-running Australia’s highest peaks and New Zealand’s nine Great Walks. A former editor of several Australian magazines he’s a longtime contributor to publications including Sidetracked, Outdoor, National Geographic Traveller, Trail Running, The Great Outdoors, Outdoor Fitness and Adventure Travel, and a regular writer for Lonely Planet (for whom he compiled, edited and co-wrote the Atlas of Adventure, a guide to outdoor pursuits around the globe). He’s authored guides to exploring the coastline and countryside of Devon and Dorset, and recently wrote a book about pub walks. Follow Pat's adventures on Strava and instagram.