Lake District brand inov-8 has today unveiled the world’s first-ever hiking boot with a Graphene-enhanced foam.
The company, based in Staveley, has created the ROCFLY™ G 390.
Among its many testers has been Cockermouth-based inov-8 ambassador James Forrest, who recently used the boots to set a new record time for a solo and self-supported hike of Great Britain’s National Three Peaks.
The 37-year-old scaled Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – plus all the miles in between them – on a 500-mile adventure that took him just 16 days, 15 hours and 39 minutes.
James, who holds multiple other long-distance hiking records, said: “The foam is amazingly springy and cushioned, almost propelling you forward with good rebound and energy return. The rubber is ultra grippy and the upper gives out-of-the-box comfort.
“Being non-waterproof, they dry really quickly and breathe well too – my preferred approach.”
inov-8 first used Graphene in 2018 when launching GRAPHENE-GRIP™ rubber on the outsoles of its hiking, running and fitness shoes.
Sales of its footwear featuring the tough-gripping wonder-rubber have surged globally over the last three years.
Earlier this year the brand first launched G-FLY™ Graphene foam – which delivers 25 per cent greater energy return – when debuting it on the award-winning TRAILFLY™ ULTRA G 300 MAX trail running shoe. Building on that success, inov-8 will now use it in a hiking product for the first time.
inov-8 founder Wayne Edy, whose 2003-born company remain the only one in the world able to use Graphene in sports and hiking footwear, said: “We continue to carve our own trails, daring to be different from the rest and leading the way with innovation.
“The ROCFLY™ G 390 is our latest example of that, delivering world-first technologies in a boot that will help hikers feel fresher for longer and supercharge their feet for endless adventure.
“I’m immensely proud of the huge team effort behind this new boot. We’ve worked incredibly hard with The University of Manchester and leading footwear industry veteran Doug Sheridan in developing new innovations – something we plan to supercharge even further in 2022 and beyond.”
