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This review of Inov-8’s Roclite G 370 boots will compare them to the Roclite 325, Roclite G 345 GTX and the new Roclite Pro G 400 GTX boots, also by Inov-8. I’ve owned all four models for a while now, and have thoroughly tested them.

Inov-8 Roclite G 370 boots
Inov-8 Roclite G 370 boots

Reasons for choosing the G 370 boots

Regular readers of my blog posts will perhaps know that I absolutely loved the Inov-8 Roclite G 345 GTX boots. I walked 1,200 miles in one pair from Land’s End to John O’Groats and they were comfortable from day one. I did walk them to destruction though!

The reason I didn’t choose to purchase another pair of the G 345 boots for my next adventure (the Scottish National Trail) was because the Gore-tex waterproof lining had failed on them after a couple of hundred miles. I didn’t want to risk this happening again and being stuck with boots that were letting water in but then trapping it.

This is also one reason for not purchasing another pair of the 325 boots. The other, fairly defining reason for not choosing the 325 boots is because Inov-8 don’t make them any more. They only now make 325 boots as a Gore-tex lined version.

So I purchased a pair of Inov-8’s Roclite G 370 boots instead for my next planned adventure – walking the Scottish National Trail. I chose them because they have graphene soles which would cope with the mileage, but most importantly, they do not have a Gore-tex lining. This meant that when my feet got wet, the boots would in theory be breathable and allow my feet to dry.

I therefore had high expectations of the the G 370 boots.

Graphene soles

Soles and tread pattern of G 370 boots

The G 370 boots have graphene soles; Inov-8 were the first company to use graphene in sports shoes. It makes the soles last so long and they grip well on most surfaces. This was tested recently in the G 345s on an extremely icy Ben Nevis descent! (You can read about that in my blog here).

Inov-8’s 325 boots do not have a graphene sole. This is why I wouldn’t have chosen them for the Scottish National Trail, as the tread would have been worn by the time I reached the roughest part of the walk (around Cape Wrath).

The sole pattern on the G 370 boots is not the same at the 345s or the 325s, but the grip feels much the same in all 3 models. I am not sure why they have changed the pattern.

How waterproof and breathable are the G 370 boots?

I was not expecting these boots to be completely waterproof, as they don’t have a waterproof lining. This was a major advantage, in my book, as this meant there was no lining to fail.

Without the waterproof lining, the boots are in theory more breathable, allowing my feet to dry more quickly when they do get wet.

However, Inov-8 state that the boots are still waterproof as the uppers are made from a nylon material that repels water. During my testing, though, my feet got wet walking in wet weather for long periods or when walking through standing water.

Side profile of G 370 boots
Inov-8 Roclite G 370 boots

Inov-8’s G 370 boots are not very breathable. I don’t feel that they are any better than waterproof lined boots. The boots would perhaps be breathable enough in winter conditions, but in anything above 10 degrees or so I found that my feet began to sweat.

Overall verdict

After 200 miles of testing the Inov-8 Roclite G 370 boots, I’ve decided that I’m not going to be using them on my Scottish National Trail walk.

The boots are comfortable and the soles are still in perfect condition, but the boots are not fully waterproof. This would be OK if they were breathable enough to dry quickly, but they’re not.

The upper material is also starting to show serious signs of wear already.

Damage to upper material of G 370 boots
Inov-8 Roclite G 370 boots showing very disappointing wear after only 200 miles hiking on good paths

I think Inov-8 need to improve the quality of the uppers now they’ve made the soles last so long. There is no point having soles that last over 1,000+ miles if the uppers fall apart after 200 miles. I don’t think the G 370 boots are any good and can’t see any reason or purpose for buying them.

Alternative boots

A more breathable but non-waterproof alternative to the Roclite 370 is the Inov-8 RocFly G 390 boots. They do not have a waterproof lining and are designed to be highly breathable to dry quickly. Read My Inov-8 RocFly G 390 boots review.

Inov-8 RocFly G 390 boots

Waterproof alternatives are the Inov-8 Roclite G 345 GTX and the Inov-8 Roclite Pro G 400 GTX boots. These are both Gore-tex lined so fully waterproof but slightly less breathable than the Roclite 370 boots.

Side of the Roclite 345 GTX, showing the high rand
Inov-8 Roclite G 345 GTX boots

Further reading

My Inov-8 RocFly G 390 boots review

Inov-8 Roclite G 345 GTX V2 boots review verdict

My Inov-8 Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2 boots review

Roclite 345 and 400 GTX V2 boots comparison review

Inov-8 Roclite G 315 GTX V2 shoes review

Best Hiking Footwear – Boots or Shoes?

Inov-8 Roclite Pro G 400 GTX with micro spikes fitted

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5 Replies to “Review of Inov-8’s Roclite G 370 Boots”

  1. I’ve been looking into the inov8 boots although I’ve never owned a pair before. I prefer more foot movement when hiking (if I could I’d go bear foot but the Scottish mountains aren’t really suitable for this lol). I have narrow feet but want more room around my toes which is why I started looking into the inov8 boots. There are a pair of 370s on sale (but the gortex lined version). Although after reading your reviews perhaps the 345s are better. I fancy trying the new pro ones out but for now they are above my budget.
    In your opinion would you go for the gortex 345s Or the gortex 370s? (I know gortex has its downsides but I definitely want waterproof boots) Or is there not much difference between the two?

    Thanks

    1. Hi Siodhan
      Between the 370 and 345 boots. I would definitely choose the Roclite G 345 GTX boots. Try and dry the upper material every night and I think it and the waterproof lining will last a lot longer. I only had trouble with them failing after being wet continuously for over a week. I wouldn’t touch the Roclite 370s, I think that the upper material is rubbish so it’ll fail fairly quickly.
      Best of luck.

  2. I was wondering if anyone has experience any heel / Achilles pain? With this boot. I have wore them for many a walk but after day 2 on the west highland way 40miles the pain was unbearable.

    1. Hi Sonya
      I don’t like these boots so haven’t used them much backpacking, just for house renovation and gardening work now. I find them comfortable but haven’t tried to do 40 miles in 2 days in them. That’s quite high mileage on reasonably hard paths, if you’re carrying a fair weight. The pain you’re getting could possibly be more from the weight you’re carrying. Lightweight footwear doesn’t suit a heavy pack, they don’t support your foot enough. But everyone is different and I’m only guessing.
      Best of luck with your West Highland way walk.
      Mark

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