Comments: The siped sole is genius. Makes me wonder why shoe makers sell shoes intended for pavement with "ridges." Perfectly weighted shoe for use as a minimalist trainer, which is a tough balance to find on the market right now - I've got about 40 miles on them so far, and my guess is that I'll be able to get at least 1,000 miles based on current wear patterns. In my opinion, if you find that the cushioning on these shoes is inadequate or "too stiff," you need to examine your form and determine why your feet are impacting the surface with so much force; there really shouldn't be much of an impact, and if there is, you are heading for an injury.
From: Steve, Reading, PA
Comments: I have a few pairs of Inov-8 trail shoes, so I picked these based on a good fit. I have about 150 miles on these now. They do immediately feel really well connected to the road and feel fast. However, I am finding them on the stiff side now. It's one thing to be minimal, but you do need shock protection for running on asphalt. Humans certainly weren't built to handle pounding on the pavement. These shoes could use more cushioning under the mid foot. I have been wearing my Kinvara 3's a lot more often than these now. I think the harsh ride of these shoes is not suitable for runs longer than 8-10 miles.
From: Dave, Burlington, VT
Comments: I can see how these would be perfect for a trational running shoe wearer transitioning towards a minimal approach, or looking for a solid racing flat. Conversely, if you are a zero-drop/minimalist runner looking for a great long-distance trainer/racer, these are for you as well. I road run/train in the Bare-X 200 and 180, trail run in F-Lite 195, and road race in the Bare-X lite 150 and Road-X 155. These 233s are perfect for long runs and marathons. I've run in them a few times, including a 13.1 mile "tempo" run that nearly busted my PR for Half. Great workhorse shoe if you're an Inov-8 fanatic.
From: Chas, Cornelius, NC
Comments: I'm a mid-size runner around 175 lbs. I've put about 200 miles on my 233s and love them. My typical run ranges from 6 to 12 miles. This was my first shoe in the more minimalist realm, so it took a bit of time to get used to in the beginning. Once I became accustomed to the lower drop, the shoe has been great. They've held up incredibly well,
especially the sole. The only noticeable (but minimal) wear is around the midfoot where I typically strike. I know some runners compare this shoe to the Kinvara; however, it is lower to the ground and less cushioned, giving you better ground feel. Additionally, I find the roomy toe box provides ample space for my foot splay. I would highly recommend this shoe to anyone looking for a lightweight, 6mm drop shoe for distances up to a marathon (maybe more).
From: Dave, Atlanta, GA
Comments: I've run in my 233s a few times, logged about 30 miles, and love the balance of the shoe. It transitions through my gate for me with just enough protection and cushioning. It feels very much like my 195s, but with some forefoot cushioning... That sums up to perfection for a longer distance shoe. The toe box has plenty of room and the lacing system seems spot on. I look forward to running my next 1/2 marathon in them in just a couple days.
From: John, Mooresville, NC
Comments: I just received these yesterday, and they were comfortable right out of the box. I took them out for a 2.2 mile run at about a 6:40 pace, then I ran a fast mile at 5:17, the fastest mile I've run all year. My initial assessment is they are the perfect balance between protection and feel for the road, not too stiff, not too soft...the Goldilocks shoe. I've been through a lot of shoes from Brooks Green Silence to Karhu Racer Rides to NB Minimus Roads and Zeros to NB Racer 1400's to Newton Distance to Nike Free's with little success in terms of comfort and durability. I have high hopes for these shoes, and I will follow up when I have taken these out for a few long runs.
From: Jonathan, Albany, NY
