Comments on A Trail Runner's Blog: Goodbye and Thank You, Team Inov-8!

I've been a Director of Marketing at two diffe...

2012-01-23T17:32:04.871-08:00

I've been a Director of Marketing at two different sports companies, and can tell you that few investments go as far as an expanded team. Your brand is seen "everywhere", there are built in ambassadors, and people can see your product in action (usually winning), which drives the right kind of demand when people ask for the brand at their local stores. In many ways it becomes the soul of the brand, all for the price of some discounted shoes and team apparel.

I always scratch my head when I see brands pull back on their teams. It's usually a case of a new marketing manager going by the budget, unsure how to "measure" the success vs a magazine ad or trade show. It is almost always the case of a head of marketing who doesn't use the product or go to events.

Jason Chang

In the words of Dennis Eckersly, "F*ck 'e...

2012-01-20T21:09:17.721-08:00

In the words of Dennis Eckersly, "F*ck 'em."

I enjoy reading your blog, wearing Inov-8's and the other runners I have found through both of them. It doesn't sound like how it went down was right but I don't think you'll have a problem finding a replacement.

Did they drop all the trail runners? Yassine Dibou...

2012-01-18T17:39:39.330-08:00

Did they drop all the trail runners? Yassine Diboun, Ben Nephew, Jim Johnson, Katie Caba, Maria Petzold, Jonathan Basham, DeWayne Satterfield, Camille Herron, Gary Gellin, Aaron Saft, Eric Charette, Amy Moran, Abby Mahoney, and others? All without notice?????? They just cut the soul out of their brand.

inov-8 is done with us trail runners. i am done with them. Good luck competing with Reebok for lamest shoe ever.

Regretfully,
Stanford Smith

It would appear they've dropped Ben Nephew as ...

2012-01-18T10:58:26.488-08:00

It would appear they've dropped Ben Nephew as well. I always enjoyed his race reviews, it was nice that he was East Coast and it's not all about California. I thought his shoe reviews were top notch as well.
Anyhow, as far as I know, most hardcore Crossfitters wear Vibrams, and those that don't aren't going to pay $100+ for a pair of trail shoes.
JMO, but I think this may be the Running Shoe version of "New Coke".
I've bought my last pair of Inov'8's.
I love my Crosslites anyway, and would try the Hokas if they sold them in Ontario.

Apparently the answer is "no". ;-) Form...

2012-01-17T20:11:26.946-08:00

Apparently the answer is "no". ;-)

Former Team Inov-8 members, just send me an e-mail at scottdunlap [at] yahoo.com and I will forward the e-mail that was sent to me after I reached out to the CEO (he never replied, but the message worked it's way down the chain).

La Sportiva is a big partner for our racing events...

2012-01-17T19:31:54.261-08:00

La Sportiva is a big partner for our racing events in 2012. They are not (currently) a sponsor of the team. However, we (ITR) are providing LS shoes for team members interested in wearing them. Members may wear any shoe they choose. Scott's a very positive and valued member (as are all the folks on the team), so we are happy to support his shoe of choice.

2012-01-17T18:12:37.995-08:00

This comment has been removed by the author.

BTW, I did receive an e-mail today from Inov-8 apo...

2012-01-17T16:56:14.662-08:00

BTW, I did receive an e-mail today from Inov-8 apologizing for not notifying me earlier of not making the team, citing e-mail issues. Hopefully other former teammates got the same apology.

Mark was the Team Captain up until September, 2011...

2012-01-17T11:33:10.959-08:00

Mark was the Team Captain up until September, 2011, and I would agree he did a phenomenal job. I'm not sure where you saw it say he's the Team Captain, but it must be out of date.

The current Team Manager is Gina Lucrezi.

The Team Inov-8 Web Site says Mark Lundblad is the...

2012-01-17T10:33:22.942-08:00

The Team Inov-8 Web Site says Mark Lundblad is the Team Captain. He's a good guy. I'm surprised he hasn't been more above board about the decisions to focus on CrossFit.

Aren't they the bomb? LOVE the S!Caps.

2012-01-17T10:19:14.358-08:00

Aren't they the bomb? LOVE the S!Caps.

I spoke with another Inov8 team member who is in s...

2012-01-17T10:00:32.739-08:00

I spoke with another Inov8 team member who is in shock about this whole thing, and now has no shoe sponsor for the year despite being one of the top 10 ultrarunners in the nation. He is f'd. You can't just do that and not even call to say what is going on, or why the change in direction. I wonder what the backlash will be. I know I won't even consider them now.

Scott, you're just a hub of controversial posts these days...

Toni S.

Yes, it appears the whole Inov-8 running team from...

2012-01-17T09:57:08.709-08:00

Yes, it appears the whole Inov-8 running team from 2011 has been dropped short of the Lundblad's. I have to say "appear" because none of us have been notified one way or the other, nor have they replied to any inquiries from any of us. Frustrating, and surprisingly unprofessional and inconsiderate to a group of people who have bled Inov-8 for years. I feel especially bad for Mark Lundblad, who did a tremendous job building a deep team and raising the level of communication and professionalism. Those were the glory days!

I do plan to try out the La Sportivas, and have enjoyed throwing on all kinds of shoes the last week. It turns out there have been some crazy innovations in the last few years! Good fun.

We shall see!!!

I had always been a fan of the 212's (barefoot...

2012-01-17T09:50:55.329-08:00

I had always been a fan of the 212's (barefoot-like) and the 295's (a more solid shoe). The 268's weren't quite pliable enough for me and I preferred the treads of the 295's, but my wife loves her 268's.

Yes! I'm very exciting to be teaming up with I...

2012-01-17T09:49:29.731-08:00

Yes! I'm very exciting to be teaming up with Inside Trails Racing to launch their 2012 races. It's a wicked fast team too - Victor Ballesteros, Gary Gellin, David La Duc, the Tim's, Caren Spore, Larissa Polischuk, Sarah Lavender Smith...I'll be lucky to podium in my age group!

Was going to post something once they got the logo'd gear out to us...

They dropped James, Yassine, Sabrina, Basham, Soph...

2012-01-17T09:29:19.345-08:00

They dropped James, Yassine, Sabrina, Basham, Sophie and all, leaving only Lunblad duo? Really? From their news page seems it is some kind of marketing decision on sponsoring CrossFit games...I just had no clue crossfitters wear trail shoes (no offense, but why would you need shoes that are made fro trails?). On the same token seems that they developed a racer for roads. I am confused where they are going, and looks like wherever it is, trails/ultrarunners are not included.
If you're on ITR (which you are), you kind of obligated to be with LaSportiva since they partnered up. That's what happened to WMSGT and their partnership - the shoe company that announces not only discounts but actually free shoes and promos is not (and should not from business point) have other shoes being represented by members sponsored. Personally, I loved Sportiva shoes (Crosslights come closest to Inov8, and they have a new one the name doesn't jump to mind even lighter). SO, how 'bout you email Sportiva guys? And I double on getting sponsorship by a photo camera maker! I do know a person or two sponsored by a car. Reach out, Scott, you have an awesome traffic!

I never own Inov8 shoes but after reading your art...

2012-01-17T04:43:42.016-08:00

I never own Inov8 shoes but after reading your article and checking out how it looks like, I'm thinking of buying a pair next month. Which model do you prefer? How about Inov-8 Roclite 268? Is this worth it? Here's the link - http://barefootrunningshoes.org/inov-8/unisex/inov-8-roclite-268/

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Hello Team "Inside Trail Racing" I see.....

2012-01-16T21:41:23.079-08:00

Hello Team "Inside Trail Racing" I see...

http://www.insidetrail.com/2012/01/trail-racing-team/

Happy New Running Year!

Never tried Inov8 shoes, but did find S!Caps from ...

2012-01-16T17:02:03.077-08:00

Never tried Inov8 shoes, but did find S!Caps from your blog. They have been a god send. I don't think I've had a cramp in 3 years. I'm still trying to figure out why they work so well.

Sean J.

It sounds like Inov-8 didn't even give you a c...

2012-01-16T15:14:07.711-08:00

It sounds like Inov-8 didn't even give you a courtesy call? After all these years?? That is seriously lame. If you burnt all your shoes in effigy I would complete understand. They are off my list now for sure.

You should take on Hoka just to say f-you on the whole minimalist movement. It's like Mitt Romney switching parties (and so far, that seems to be working out just fine for him).

That's so weird that inov8, a company that identifies purely with trail running, would make sure an abrupt shift to the flavor of the day (CrossFit, P90X, Parkur, etc.). Such a shame - they really had a great team last year. Who knows...

I'm in. Particularly if we get Green Flash sp...

2012-01-16T15:10:01.516-08:00

I'm in. Particularly if we get Green Flash sponsorship too.

Brought to you be Aleve, Geritol, and Lenscrafters...

2012-01-16T15:08:22.812-08:00

Brought to you be Aleve, Geritol, and Lenscrafters featuring their 30-minute bifocals...love it!!!

You know, I've always thought that Depends undergarments had a niche market with ultrarunners. Just think - no pesky bio break stops...

crossfit is a sport now?

2012-01-16T06:58:26.164-08:00

crossfit is a sport now?

Also moving on from my old sponsorship ... maybe w...

2012-01-15T17:25:55.337-08:00

Also moving on from my old sponsorship ... maybe we can start a group of blogging old men that run a lot that used to be sponsored ...

I still absolutely love my Inov-8 shoes (Mudroc an...

2012-01-15T14:59:45.982-08:00

I still absolutely love my Inov-8 shoes (Mudroc and Roclite), but it is getting a little old seeing all the crossfit stuff on their Facebook page. I suppose it's where the new $$ are, but I hope they stay true to their trail/fell running roots.

Like Megan, I found Injinji through your site, and it's pretty much the only socks I use now (I love the liner micro toesock).