Customer Reviews inov-8 F-Lite™ 195 W/RopeTec

Running shoes? Hmmm. These are amazingly comfortable and perfect gym shoes. Soles are a bit thin for running and the construction doesn't provide the usual support of a more traditional running shoe (Asics, or New Balance for example). But amazingly comfortable for everything else and I highly recommend giving these a try.

So, 3 months into these shoes and I am mostly impressed. I've used these shoes for everything except their original intended purpose. Daily wearings have worn down and started separating the toe protector. Having paid this much, makes me have to subtract a star from their overall performance. I really dig how the shoes become a part of me due to their extremely light weight and minimalistic design.

I will begin by saying, order half size larger. This shoe is very light with minimal support but I personally don't mind that. I do like the fact that not everyone has these shoes. I don't like wearing a shoe and seeing them on other peoples feet. I would certainly consider buying another pair maybe in a different color or model. I will also definitely order them from Zappos. Their service is without rival!

These shoes are very light weight. And they are narrower than a B Width. They are good looking and great shoes, just not what I am looking for this time.

Was looking for a good shoe for lifting that would have a "minimal" sole. Fits the bill, but still manages to feel like it has a solid sole (don't feel every pebble I step on). I felt like it was just a half size big, but not too significant. The ankle portion comes up just a little high for my liking, but the padded tongue actually makes it feel snug and comfortable. I'll be buying another pair of these.

Okay, so I had a pair of the original 195 before this pair, so here's the difference that I noted. These were a bit more snug and rigid than my other pair. This could be both good and bad depending on what you're doing. I find when I run that the rigidity can press against the top of my foot if I don't tie them just right. That being said, when they are tied just right they provide the perfect amount of support. You generally need to get used to running in them as it is a completely different feel from regular running shoes. It's like running barefoot with pads on your feet. Overall I really like these shoes, and I'll update to 5 stars if they keep up the good work.

Bought these for my son in college - he loved them. They're lightweight, comfortable and have a great look but they're not for running beyond the shortest distances. As many reviews state they're awesome Cross Fit shoes...so if that's your need - or if you just want a great all-around shoe that does not include running - this is it. If you're running, I'd watch it carefully...foot issues.

Overall I am very satisfied with these shoes. They are bit narrow but do stretch out after a couple workouts. I wear them for running and Crossfit. Did rope climbs in them yesterday and they show no wear from the rope.

I absolutely LOVE the 195s for CrossFit--they are super comfortable and perfect to wod in with absolutely no break in time. The down side is that mine have broken down extremely quickly. I wear lifting shoes for the lifts and strictly use these for metcons about 4 time a week. After a few months they are totally busted up and I need a new pair. I am trying the 230s next to see if I get a little more usage out of them.

This is a review 5 months post-purchase. I am a 6', 245 lb guy, so definitely needing to lose a few pounds. This was my first minimalist shoe, and really bought into the minimalist philosophy of running naturally. All I can say after 5 months is that I love weight training in these shoes, and I dread running in these shoes. Doing a squat, I feel so connected to the ground, like all the weight is right where it's supposed to be. When running, however, the total lack of support makes a heavy guy like me ache. Yes, I've changed how I run from heel-to-toe to more of a shuffle, but it hurts. I feel like my ankles could twist at any moment, and in fact they do get small but sharp pains if I don't land just right. I'll gladly keep these for a non-running workout, but I have to go back to a classic shoe for running.

I really like the look of the shoe, but leaves my feet aching at the end of the day. There isn't much cushion to the shoe. I got them because I did a search online for best shoes for plantar fasciitis and these were ones that popped up. Unfortunately, I feel like these shoes make it worse. This is the first time i bought shoes online without trying on and this will be my last.

Ordered these because they look cool and I didn't want a bulky shoe. Unfortunately I ordered for running and they feel way too flimsy and offer no arch support - it's like running with a totally flat shoe with a soft fabric around your foot - I had to return.

I have mixed feelings on the fit. I have narrow feet and this shoe seems to be made to fit like a slipper or sock even. Thus, buy smaller by at least a half size. Even doing that, I must pull the shoe strings real tight and double lace otherwise there is tons of shoe string hanging off the shoe. It doesn't have a form fitting construction either so it has slipped off my foot in the middle of a workout where I had to push heavy cart on the floor and required my foot to be bent and pushing off the ground. With that said, the shoe does seem to satisfy the need for a CrossFit shoe: light, flat, not a lot of extra padding and support so that your own foot can do the work. It is mostly as I say, I slipper.

The older F-lite 195 was my favorite trail running shoe. It was an amazing shoe in that, despite being minimal and very flexible and light, it gave really good support due to the design of the upper and lacing, and also relating to the width of the shoe around the arch and ball of foot. Basically, it was a brilliant design. Unfortunately, this version of the shoe has diluted those attributes down. They widened the toe box, which on the surface sounds great, who doesn't want free toes, but the ball of foot section is now looser. This means that you don't get the control and support running downhills. With the old 195s, with the more snugged down ball of foot area, these were the shoes I could run downhill trails in fastest. This was my favorite fast running/racing shoe on trails. Now, they feel sloppy. Not sure about this, but I also suspect that the durometer of the outsole may f=have come down, so that instead of having a minimal but firm sole, it's now minimal and feels mushier. This may in fact only be because of the upper changes, I'm not sure. Bottom line is: the old shoe was a 10/10. This one is a 5/10 and I sure wouldn't race in it. Inov-8, can you bring back the old design? I understand that 'wide toe box' is all the rage nowadays, but there are benefits to having a snug ball of foot area, and the old 195 did not feel constricting after a day's break-in.

I bought a pair of F-Lite 195 a while ago (before the RopeTec version). I ordered this pair hoping they would be the same. I ordered the same size and they are way bigger. Plus, the fabric on the inside rubs my foot the wrong way. I'm returning them.