Inov-8 Trailfly

The upper of the Inov-8 Trailfly is designed with engineered mesh, providing excellent breathability. The mesh is thin and contains thousands of micro-ventilation holes, ensuring optimal airflow. Despite the presence of protective MET-CRADLE strips, the shoe maintains good ventilation. The upper is also stretchy and comfortable, adapting well to the foot's shape. This design ensures that the shoe remains breathable and comfortable during long runs, making it a great choice for those who prioritize a well-ventilated shoe.

The midsole of the Inov-8 Trailfly features POWERFLOW PRO foam, which offers a balanced ride with good energy return. This foam provides enough cushioning for moderate distances while maintaining a natural feel.

The Graphene-Grip outsole of the Inov-8 Trailfly is designed for excellent traction and durability. The outsole features substantial lugs, measuring 4 mm, which enhance grip on various surfaces. Despite its thickness, the outsole offers good ground feel and durability, making it suitable for different terrains. The outsole's design ensures that the shoe can handle both soft and hard trails effectively.

The Inov-8 Trailfly offers a spacious fit, particularly in the toebox area. The anatomical toebox design follows the natural shape of the foot, providing ample room for the toes. This design ensures that even those with wider feet will find the shoe comfortable. The semi-gusseted tongue adds to the secure fit, preventing debris from entering the shoe. Overall, the Trailfly's fit is designed to accommodate various foot shapes, ensuring comfort during long runs.

Comfort is a key feature of the Inov-8 Trailfly. The shoe features a plush, well-padded tongue, providing excellent comfort over the instep. The lacing system is effective, ensuring a secure fit. The heel includes a finger-loop heel tab for easy on and off. The removable insole allows for customization, accommodating orthotic inserts if needed. However, the shoe's weight might be a concern for some, as it is slightly heavier than other trail running shoes. Despite this, the overall comfort of the Trailfly makes it a great choice for long-distance runs and hikes.

The Inov-8 Trailfly offers moderate cushioning, making it suitable for various distances. The heel stack height is 29 mm, while the forefoot stack height is 23 mm, resulting in a 6 mm drop. This cushioning provides a balanced ride, particularly benefiting midfoot and forefoot strikers. The BOOMERANG insole, made from TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) pellets, adds to the underfoot cushioning, enhancing comfort. While the cushioning is adequate for moderate distances, it may not be sufficient for ultra-distance runs.

The Inov-8 Trailfly excels in breathability, thanks to its engineered mesh upper. The mesh is thin and contains thousands of micro-ventilation holes, ensuring optimal airflow. Despite the presence of protective MET-CRADLE strips, the shoe maintains good ventilation. This design ensures that the shoe remains breathable and comfortable during long runs, making it a great choice for those who prioritize a well-ventilated shoe.

The Inov-8 Trailfly is a neutral shoe, designed for runners with a proficient running technique. It offers slight guidance for runners with mild stability issues, thanks to its midsole sidewalls. However, it may not be suitable for heel strikers, as the stability is primarily geared towards midfoot and forefoot strikers. The shoe's flexibility and natural ride contribute to its overall stability, making it a good choice for those who prefer a more natural running experience.

The Inov-8 Trailfly is designed for durability, particularly in the outsole and heel padding. The Graphene-Grip outsole provides reliable traction and withstands wear and tear effectively. The heel padding also performs well, offering enhanced durability for those who often wear shoes in this area. Overall, the Trailfly's durability makes it a reliable choice for trail runners seeking a long-lasting shoe.

The Inov-8 Trailfly offers excellent grip, thanks to its Graphene-Grip outsole and substantial lugs. The lugs measure 4 mm, providing reliable traction on various surfaces. The outsole's design includes chevron-shaped patterns and other shapes along the sole's perimeter, enhancing lateral traction and durability. This grip ensures that the shoe can handle both soft and hard trails effectively, making it a versatile choice for trail runners.

The Inov-8 Trailfly is highly flexible, offering a natural ride. This flexibility is achieved despite the presence of a rock plate (a protective layer in the sole), which typically adds stiffness. The shoe's flexibility ensures that it can adapt to various terrains, providing a comfortable and responsive running experience. This makes the Trailfly a great choice for those who prioritize a natural and flexible ride.

The Inov-8 Trailfly offers moderate cushioning, making it suitable for moderate distances. However, it may not provide enough cushioning for ultra-distance runs. For long-distance comfort, consider shoes with more cushioning like the Brooks Caldera 6 or ASICS Trabuco Max 3.

The Inov-8 Trailfly performs well on various terrains, thanks to its Graphene-Grip outsole and substantial lugs. It offers excellent traction on both soft and hard trails, making it a versatile choice for trail runners.

The Inov-8 Trailfly is slightly heavier than some trail running shoes, weighing around 281 g (9.9 oz). While it offers good durability and comfort, those who prioritize lightweight shoes might consider alternatives like the Hoka Torrent 3 or Saucony Peregrine 14.

Yes, the Inov-8 Trailfly features a removable insole, allowing for customization with orthotic inserts if needed. This makes it a good option for those who require additional support or prefer custom insoles.

The Inov-8 Trailfly is designed primarily for midfoot and forefoot strikers. Heel strikers may find the shoe less stable, as it is a neutral shoe with a focus on flexibility and natural movement.