ROCLITE 345 and 400 Comparison

This is my Inov-8 ROCLITE 345 and 400 comparison post. Inov-8 have updated both the Roclite G 345 GTX and the Roclite Pro G 400 GTX boots. I’ve got a new pair of both to see what changes they’ve made and compare the differences between them. The V2 is added to their names to denote the updated models and it’s worth noting this if buying a pair. The new V2 models are definitely better and they’ve made a surprising amount of changes. Now there’s also a bigger difference between the two models than there was before.

Roclite 345 V2 and 400 V2 boots comparison — Roclite G 345 GTX V2 boots at the top and the Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2 boots at the bottom

It’s great to be able to compare the old and new version of both these boots and to see a clear improvement in design and materials. Inov-8 seem to have rectified the issues I had with my old Roclite 345s and some how improved the 400s. I thought they were good before but now they’re even better.

Updates

The Inov-8 ROCLITE G 345 GTX V2 boots have been updated well and made even more comfortable, including an improved fit. In 2019 I walked 1200 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats in a pair of Roclite G 345 GTX boots. I was very impressed with them but they were not faultless. The mesh upper deteriorated and lead to the premature failure of the waterproofing. So it’s nice to see Inov-8 have upgraded this on this new V2 model. They’ve also changed the lacing to make it easier to get them on and off.

The Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2 boots have had the biggest changes and are very different to the old model. I was very surprised because I thought the previous model was perfect and they have been my favourite winter and wet weather footwear. So when I started to compare the old and new models side by side I was extremely surprised to see so many differences.

Inov-8 have made the Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2 boots feel much more like traditional walking boots. They’re still light weight and extremely comfortable but they support the ankle better and have a stronger sole. Also – and less important to me, but a big improvement over the previous model is they look a lot smarter with some really nice colours.

Differences

Roclite 400 V2 boots on the left and 345 V2 boots on the right

The Roclite 400 boots are heavier than the 345 boots because they’ve a thicker and stiffer sole.

Inov-8 Roclite 400 V2 boots on the left and 345 V2 boots on the right

The Roclite G 345 boots are lighter weight and feel less restrictive than a traditional hiking boot. They have a softer more flexible feel a bit closer to a running shoe than a traditional hiking boot.

The ROCLITE Pro G 400 GTX V2 boots are taller with a reasonably supportive upper and have a thicker, firmer sole. The Roclite G 345 GTX V2 boots are lighter weight and more flexible so you feel more agile in them. This makes them great for day hikes and fast and light backpacking trips.

Lacing and mesh upper differences – 345 on the left and 400 on the right

The lacing is good on both boots and they fairly easy to loosen to get on and off. With the 400s being slightly easier as they have the top two hooks (but they are a taller boot) whereas the 345s just have the top one hook. Both lace up nicely to get a snug comfortable fit around the foot.

Graphene soles

Both the 345 and 400 boots have graphene in the soles and should be good for a 1000+ miles.

345 V2 sole on the left and 400 V2 sole on the right

The graphene soles are very impressive and pictured below is the wear after 1200 miles on the Inov8 Roclite G 345 GTX boots. You’d be luck to get half that mileage out of none graphene soled light weight footwear. I had been carrying a heavy pack from Land’s End to John O’Groats, via Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis. Inov-8 have not changed the graphene sole tread patterns on the updated boots. Which is a good thing in my opinion, as they grip really well and how can you improve on that mileage!

Wear on the Roclite G 345s after 1200 miles

The only change to the soles is to the 400s, which they’ve made a little stiffer. It now feels more like a traditional heavy leather walking boot, but without the weight. This is not a bad thing as it protects the foot better during high mileages with a heavy pack.

The Roclite 345 boots have the tried and tested tread pattern that Inov-8 use on a number of their footwear and they grip really well. The Roclite 400 soles have a new tread pattern and I feel they grip even better. They grip really well on all surfaces and I was very impressed with them during a resent 5 day wild-camping trip around the Lake District in the snow. They gave me the confidence to take routes that I may have missed previously in heavy duty footwear.

Roclite 400 V2 boots wear after 800+ miles

This is the wear after walking over 800 miles in these boots. Exact walk described below, for example of terrain walked on.

Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2 wear after 800+ miles – I walked across Scotland on the Southern Upland Way, then the Loch Ryan Coastal path to Ayrshire Coastal path to the ferry to Isle of Arran – climbed Goatfell and followed coast path around to the ferry to join Kintyre Way to Tarbert. Ferry to walk the Cowal Way to Loch Lomond. Then from Edinburgh I climbed Arthur’s Seat and walked the John Muir Way to Berwick Upon Tweed and walked the England Coast path to Bridlington. Then walking road and cycle way to the Humber Bridge, joining the Viking Way for a few days.

Fit and Sizing

My feet are a size 8 but for hiking footwear, I always size up to 8.5 for everyday use with thin socks or 9 to get the fit right with thicker walking socks and to allow space for my feet spread. The 345 and 400 boots have reasonable space in the toe box and the 400 boots are very slightly wider. Inov-8 do have a fit scale to help with sizing the footwear correctly. 345 = 3 and 400 = 4. I find it important to have space to allow my feet to spread during long distance hikes. This lessens the chance of foot pain and blisters.

The fit has been improved on both boots and is pretty snug with a really nice amount of padding around the ankle and tongue . This is great for keeping your feet from moving around in the boots, but still allows space inside the boots.

Conclusion

Both updated V2 models of the 345 and 400 boots are very good, with better comfort and materials. They’ll definitely last longer than the previous models.

The Roclite G 345 GTX V2 boots have a more flexible sole than the 400 boots. They are really comfortable to walk in and it’s even possible to run in them. I feel more agile in them than the 400 boots. I like the 345 boots for day hikes and fast and light wild camping trips, when I’m not out for so long. The new Roclite 400 boots feel more like traditional heavy duty walking boots to, but without the weight. They support the foot more and I think they’re better during long distance back packing trips, when I’m carrying more weight. It may even be possible to use crampons with them. I’ve not tried this but I have used Micro crampons which worked very well on both the 345 and 400 boots. Making it possible to use the boots into the winter, on frozen snow and ice.