inov-8 Trail Talon and SE Sky Flow 12L Vest: Two Run Kit Tests on a Brutal Coastal Route

Introduction

Some gear tests are done in easy conditions. This one was not. We took the updated inov-8 Trail Talon and the new SE Sky Flow 12L running vest out on a 13.4-mile coastal loop that delivered tarmac, deep mud, flooded fields, wet rock and plenty of wind. That mix is punishing on shoes and packs, which makes it a genuinely useful way to judge whether both pieces of kit live up to what they promise.

The Test Route: Wet, Muddy and Technical

The route started with roughly a mile and a half of tarmac before climbing over a steep, technical hill and dropping onto inland trails and eventually the coast path. Conditions were wet from the start, with mud and slippery rock appearing almost immediately, and the second half of the run crossed waterlogged fields and sections of path that had effectively become shallow rivers.

That variety matters when you are judging a trail shoe. A shoe that only performs on one surface tells you very little. By the end of the run, the route had offered hard standing, sloppy mud, wet wooden walkways and greasy coastal rock, which is about as complete a test as you can get in one outing.

inov-8 Trail Talon: Grip That Backs Up the Claims

inov-8 claimed this year that it had updated its graphene grip compound to deliver noticeably more traction in wet conditions. On this evidence, the claim holds up. Across mud, wet grass, slippy rocks and even a wet wooden stile, the outsole handled everything with confidence, with strong grip on wet rock and wood and dependable traction from the aggressive lugs in deep mud.

The older version of the compound was never poor, but it could feel inconsistent, holding fine on most surfaces and then slipping on a particular type of rock. The new rubber feels noticeably more consistent across everything we ran. On wet rock, we would put it on par with Vibram Megagrip, which is high praise. Combined with graphene’s reputation for durability, the outsole comes close to the ideal combination of grip, traction and longevity.

On the trail itself, the midsole with the Boomerang footbed gave all-day comfort and solid protection over rocky sections. This is not a deeply cushioned shoe and it does not deliver that soft, bouncy ride, but it stayed comfortable across every surface on the route. The benefit of that firmer setup is that you never lose connection with the ground. It felt stable and planted on the most technical trails, which is exactly what you want from a shoe like this.

SE Sky Flow 12L: A First Hydration Vest Done Well

The Flow 12L is SE Sky’s first attempt at a proper technical hydration vest, and it is an impressive debut. The fit was excellent, with no movement and no bounce when fully loaded, and there is a generous amount of accessible storage, which matters far more in practice than raw capacity numbers.

The fabrics are genuinely technical and the overall feel puts it in the same company as the Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set, a vest that has been a long-standing race day favourite. For a first effort at this category, the build quality and comfort left little to fault.

There is one trade-off to be aware of: the vest retails at £77, which is pricey next to the Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set at £40. Whether that premium is worth it will come down to how much you value the fabric quality, fit and design language, but the performance itself was not the weak point.

What We Took Away From 13.4 Miles

The run finished with tired ankles and no equipment complaints, which says a lot given how technical the route was. Around three and a half to four miles of the loop was tarmac, with the rest split between rocky technical ground, wet rock, badly waterlogged fields and a lot of mud. The Trail Talon passed the whole thing comfortably, and it would be a strong shoe choice for something like the Arc of Attrition, a winter coastal ultra where confident footing on wet ground is the whole game.

The SE Sky Flow 12L also came through its first proper outing fully loaded without any complaints, and more miles over the coming weeks will confirm whether that first impression holds. Based on this run, both pieces of kit did their job on a route that gives gear nowhere to hide.

Conclusion

If you want a trail shoe for wet, mixed and technical terrain, the updated inov-8 Trail Talon delivers on its improved wet-grip promise and keeps you connected to the ground without punishing your feet. If you are shopping for a hydration vest and like premium fabrics and a secure, bounce-free fit, the SE Sky Flow 12L is a genuinely strong first entry into the category, just budget for the higher price than some established rivals.