Inov-8 Branches Into Mountain Range

British brand, Inov-8, has launched its first mountain running apparel range after celebrating its tenth anniversary.

The brand is renowned for its production of stripped back, high-gripping footwear for athletes wanting to run on all terrains and now the company has set its sights on the off-road apparel market with an ultra-lightweight, athletic-fitting range.

International mountain runners have tested all the new jackets, base layers, tees, tights and shorts on the UK and Europe’s most challenging trails, summits and ridges.

Last weekend, as part of the Chamonix-based retreat, athletes competed in both the Mont Blanc Vertical Km and Mont Blanc Marathon races.

Alex Nichols, who finished seventh, said: ‘The range is ultra-comfortable and lightweight. You can tell it has been designed with the hardcore runner in mind and features things other companies often forget – like elasticated hems and the small stuff sacks which many of the items can be packed into.’

‘It feels fast to run in and because it is athletic-fitting it never gets in the way of natural movement.’

‘It is also a really deep range so, as a runner, you are equipped with everything you need to deal with all weather conditions out on the trails and mountains.’

inov-8’s global team of athletes will continue to wear the range when competing at the head of ultra distance and sky running races across the world in 2013.

Australian inov-8 duo Shona Stephenson and Brendan Davies wore garments from the new range when finishing second woman and fifth male respectively in the 100-mile Ultra Trail Mt Fuji race in Japan.

Wayne Edy, inov-8 founder, added: ‘We are really excited about our first apparel range, which we have designed for athletes wanting to push boundaries, gain an edge and win races.’ 

‘Every fabric, seam and zip has been minutely scrutinized to ensure we deliver outstanding apparel that will allow runners to play at the extremes – and do so faster.’