Customer Reviews inov-8 Bare-Grip™ 200

Love these shoes. Super grippy and perfect for the rocky trails in SW Colorado.

Inov-8 all seem to fit differently. This pair were slightly narrow, like the Talon, and needed to go a half size to get a comfortable fit. As a minimalist shoe they should allow the foot to spread, thus making the toe box a little wider or more flexible. A little too pointy for my taste as well. This shoe has very little toe spring and no cushioning which is nice.

These shoes form great to your feet. Right when you lace them up, you can feel the fabric constrict around your entire foot, which creates a very natural feel while running in them. This is the perfect shoe if you like trail running or any sort of running that involves change in elevation.

My favorite barefoot-feel shoes ever, the shoe I've been waiting for! Excellent super-sticky tread, and a great fit. These are just fantastic and feel great on trail. Choose your steps carefully though, as you will definitely feel every rock and root under your foot. They are constructed to be extremely light, but despite that are holding up pretty well so far.

I'd been waiting for this shoe to come out for a while now. I'd been looking for a minimalist shoe I could take off-road. I use Vibrams for road runs, but the design doesn't make much sense to me for trails. Separate toe pockets increase the risk of getting snagged on roots, and wearing gaiters is problematic. I tried both the NB Minimus and Merrell Trail Glove in stores. Neither fit my flat, wide, pancake feet, and I didn't like the fact that the Merrells use a metal grommet for the laces that rest against bare skin when you go sockless. I had high hopes for the Inov-8s so I ordered three pairs in three different sizes from Zappos. I'm normally a nine and a half wide, but ended up sticking with the size tens. I had to experiment with the lacing due to my inhuman feet, but the fit is incredible. My heel and midfoot are completely secure inside the Bare-Grips; my toes are free and unrestricted. I've only taken these out for a quick five-miler so far, but I really love them. The sole is extremely flexible. The tread is aggressive and works better in muddy than in dry conditions. I would have preferred a different color than lime green, but truth be told it doesn't look terrible. I can't wait to take these out again.

Went today for a 10 mile run to test the shoes on a muddy and wet trail in northern California (with a lot of up and down hill.) I was impressed with the traction and flexibility of the shoe, the best I have ever used (especially for wet and muddy conditions.) This is my shoe for fast up / down hill running.

The quality and finish are good, but Inov-8s sizing is so variable between models that it is not even funny.

Hands down best trail running shoes in the world of all time. Wore my Bare-Grips barefoot and with socks either way is great. Recommend wearing with socks depending on ur terrain...with these shoes walking/running uphill strenuous trails and running back down work the best no more twisted ankles, stubbed toes, falling/slipping from loss of grip due to the Inov-8 they took things to a whole other level with trailrunning shoes - nothing can beat these shoes. I've looked everywhere. If you find better ones let me know. Also the mudclaws from Inov-8 are badass also, my friend has them. Got many compliments and reactions from people thinking they're cleats. Thumbs up to Zappos.com for getting my shoes too me quick and easy.

I am very pleased with these shoes. I use them for ultimate frisbee. I started playing barefoot because I am getting older and finding myself with more joint pains. After adjusting to playing barefoot for about a year this was a great comprise between keeping with minimalist shoes and having traction. They obviously still do not provide the same traction of cleats, so it may be a small niche of folks interested in trying them out for grass sports. Like others have mention, they have a narrow fit which is not typically what you want in minimalist shoes, although I imagine the lugs below would loose traction if the shoe did not fit fairly snugly. I was worried about how well these softer lugs would hold up in side cutting, but I have been wearing these shoes fairly aggressively probably twice a week for the past three months and all the lugs are still in tact. I am hoping to get at least six months out of them.

Pros: Looks great, well made, great traction, good lateral stability for a barefoot design. Cons: Way too narrow for a barefoot design...I have a narrow foot and wear a US 9.5 and though it's perfect in length it squashes my toes into each other...opposite what you want from a barefoot; rear pull tab is a virtually useless and cheap looking.

Great idea, but halfway implemented. I don't know why shoe companies market a shoe as barefoot and then use a last that isn't natural. The toebox on these shoes is too narrow and symmetrical by coming to a point that is in line with the midline of the shoe. Other than that the shoes are fine they have a soft flexible sole that is a uniform thickness from toe to heel and that allows for great ground feel. But, the toebox ruins the shoe by being too narrow and unnaturally shaped. Inov8 should adopt a more anatomically correct last on any future models of this shoe.

This is my first purchase from Zappos and I'm hooked. I looked at the reviews that were already written about the shoes I purchased to help me get the right size. The Bare Grip 200 are perfect! I run dog agility and it requires fast turning, stopping and starts on a variety of surfaces and in all types of weather. I'm really impressed with them and will be buying them again. I've even run with them at an indoor soccer venue and they performed wonderfully. I'm a fan! Now if I could get a waterproof version I would be even happier! The only thing people should consider is that they are a minimalist shoe so they may take done getting used to if you are used to lots of support.

These shoes are great for the mud and terrain in the Pacific Northwest. I purchased these shoes about a month ago after my barefoot (Merrell) running shoes had me dancing all over my nearby trails. I have run through the same trails (mud, roots, off camber grass, sand, etc) with the Inov8 Bare-Grip shoes and haven't slipped once. In fact, I have noticed a strange side effect. I cant run slowly in these. I end up running through the woods at top speed like I'm 12 years old, grinning and whooping the entire way. I wouldn't recommend running on hard surfaces with these shoes, as you can feel the cleats through the sole. The rubber on the cleats is sticky enough though that when you do have to traverse rocky or hard sections, you do not slip. In short, I love these shoes, and look forward all day to my evening runs in the woods. I have narrow feet, and these fit comfortably. The back of the shoe is low around the heel, and doesn't rub anywhere, while hugging your heel tight (no slipping around inside the shoe).

I do not wear shoes much and usually find Inov-8's Performance Fit too narrow. My go to shoes are the Bare XF-210 (anatomic fit). Going out for some mud runs this summer, so I ordered these and the X-Talon 190, which had a pleasant fit (a little narrow but comfortable), but I would prefer zero-drop on principle. I just got these. They are narrow! Very narrow! Sole-to-sole with the X-Talon, these are a visible ¼" narrower at the entire forefoot. These are also pointier, so big toe inward, and my toes beginning to fold over each other when walking. They look great! They are an awesome color! The tread is aggressive, though only slightly moreso than the X-Talon. Too bad. Back they go.

This shoe is amazing. I run over some of the most demanding terrain - slick, algae covered rivers rocks, razor sharp karst, steep mud slopes, wet sword grass, tree roots & branches, etc - inov8 shoes hold up better than any other I've tried. I can recommend the Bare-Grip, MudClaw 272, MudClaw 333 and the X-Talon. MudClaws have the best over-all grip off-road. I walk down wet mud slopes that others slide down uncontrollably. The F-lite series are perfect for street running. If you need a lightweight shoe with incredible grip these are perfect, just use Inov8's website to find the one made for your terrain as it is probably much different from mine. Note - these shoes run about .5 size big. If you normally wear 10, get a 9.5. Thank you Zappos for shipping internationally, for free, in as little as 4 days. Haven't seen anything like it.

For pure off road for a no compromise minimalist shoe this is awesome! I have massively wide feet and these shoes stretched out great with a shoe stretcher. I also wear them working in the yard. Plus if you take a black sharpie to them they look British racing green, and not that birth control color it comes in. LOL Wonderful shoe though.

Love these shoes! I expected to use them for more mountain hiking off trail, but they have become my more everyday hiking and trail running shoe. In Colorado the rocky trails are hard on the feet in VFF's, the bare grip is becoming my go to shoe for balance between trail feel and protection. The tread on this shoe makes leaping from rock to rock a bit less sensitive, but the overall feel versus tread for my areas trails is worth it. They feel like a lightweight glove the minute you lace them up, comfortable, lightweight, form fitting. I have a high instep, have had no discomfort in these shoes. If I had any complaint it would be they do not make a small enough size. The smallest option is almost 1 size too big for me, so the toe box has more then enough room, but with a padded running sock I can make do. Because the rest of the shoe fits so well my foot doesn't have any issues shifting around even running a trail down hill.

I was really skeptical about getting special shoes for hiking in, because I'm a Vibrams kind of gal (i.e. minimalist). But these are the next best thing. They're an awesome minimal shoe, but with really grippy cleats on the bottom. If you're looking for something minimal but that will work on slippery or gravelly trails, this is the shoe for you. My only wish is that they offered it in other colors.

Fantastic shoe, so lightweight and comfortable you can almost feel the ground between your toes.

I agree with another poster...these shoes have terrible shape for a barefoot option. Like the looks, aggressive lugs, weight, etc. But not only are these a narrow shoe, they are also constructed with a toe box that does not perform well with a minimalist approach. The point is too centered and the "bulge" for the widest part of the foot does not form correctly as you move forward on the shoe. It may work for those with straight/narrow feet.

These are great shoes for trail running but a hole appeared on the outside sidewall of both shoes within a few months (15 miles a week). I called Zappos and they told me to expect three months life from any pair of shoes that they sell and that it was normal. They would not take them back as they had been worn. They told me to call inov-8 if I was not happy. That is awful customer service. I have used Zappos for years and never had a problem. This is the first time that I have ever dealt with their customer service and it was a joke. They were totally unhelpful.

I absolutely love my Bare Grips. This is my fourth pair. They are the best shoe I have ever had. I extreme hike/trail run on very dry loose, steep rocky trails and these shoes (when they are new and have their teeth still) have kept me from slipping in places I would always slip in despite my caution. My only complaint is that the teeth wear down on the ball of the foot very quickly and they start to lose their grip. I have tried other inov8 styles but they are too wide and fit weird, so I have just resigned myself to replacing my Bare-grips pretty regularly just to get a fresh set of knobbys. The rest of the shoe is bulletproof so far and has always outlasted the sole. Super comfortable from right out of the box, and you can roll them up they are so minimal with exception to the amazing grip of the teeth. They in no way protect from striking a rock either. They are visually deceiving and appear as though they may be thick or heavy, they are feather light and super flexible. Feel like the best of both worlds with grip and minimal.

I ran the Tough Mudder Pittsburgh in St. Clairsville, Ohio in August. I had never run a mud. That is why I passed people up and down hills I can definitely say these are the best shoes ever for a mud run. They grip the ground like it was not even muddy. These shoes gave me so much grip it was awesome just to help others up and down hills who would have to slide or crawl. These are the best shoes ever for Tough Mudder.

These are great shoes! If paired with good socks, they transition perfectly from water to land. The barefoot design allows for hours of continuous use without foot fatigue. I run through a river and then up a clay bank about 10 meters tall and have had to deal with clay/muck buildup with other shoes. These are game changers for me. They are also my go to shoes for traveling. Their lightweight design makes them easy to pack. They took me through the marshes of Columbia and up to the top of an arid Mayan pyramid with equal prowess.