Technical Terrain
Cross a race flat with a pair of crampons and the resulting mash-up might resemble the X-Talon. Tipping the scale at less than eight ounces, it’s like a slipper with cleats, with a snug fit and low-to-the-ground heel. Although its widely spaced, sticky rubber lugs grip soft dirt, grass, and crushed gravel as well as any shoe here, the X-Talon doesn’t have the guts for extremely rocky terrain, heel-pounding plodders, or long runs. If you’re a surefooted runner with good biomechanics and a speed addiction, you’ll love it. 7.4 oz; inov-8.com