Inov-8 RoadFly Max Review

The Inov-8 Roadfly Max is Inov-8’s most cushioned road running shoe. It is suitable for everyday use on easy runs, steady runs and long runs. In the world of Inov-8, Max doesn’t mean quite the same thing as it does for a lot of other running shoe brands. As other brands race to make shoes so tall you need to remember to duck under a door frame while wearing them, Inov-8 are more focused on allowing the runner’s feet to function naturally inside the shoe. Where Hoka say their shoes are a piece of sporting equipment designed to enhance performance in a similar way to a pair of skis, Inov-8 are more in the Altra camp, designing shoes that work with the feet to allow the body to function naturally.

So, it should be no surprise to discover that the total stack height of the Inov-8 RoadFly Max, including the insole and outsole, is 33 mm in the heel and 27 mm in the forefoot, not 40 mm plus like other max-cushioned road running shoes on the market (midsole thickness is 24/18). The differences don’t stop there. The midsole isn’t super soft and there is no rocker or curve to the midsole. These shoes don’t do the running for you. They offer a high level of underfoot protection and free up your feet so you can get stronger and fitter the more you run.

All of Inov-8’s newer shoes have a broad, rounded toe box to give your toes the space to spread and function inside the shoe. When your foot touches the floor, your feet should spread out to absorb shock. This stretches out the plantar fascia on the base of the foot, which is like a big elastic band. It then recoils to spring you into your next stride. The wide, rounded toe box gives the runner’s feet the space to do this, and a midsole that is cushioned but not too soft lets the feet know they’ve touched the floor so they get the message to function.

The heel cup is pliable so it will take the shape of the heel when the shoes are laced up. The padding around the heel cup is adequate to make the shoe comfortable without adding bulk. The tongue is noticeably more padded than the equivalent on an Inov-8 trail or fell shoe, adding a touch of comfort. It is lightly gusseted, and together with a tab on the outside of the tongue for the laces to thread through, it stays in place when running. There is an extra lace hole that can be used to make the heel fit snugger or to butterfly lace the shoes.

Despite the rounded toe shape, the result isn’t a sloppy fit. The upper pulls in around the foot and holds it securely. As you move towards the toe box the forefoot opens out, and your toes are free to spread and wiggle. However, there isn’t excessive space, so despite the freedom your toes enjoy, your foot doesn’t move around inside the shoe. Inov-8’s standard width is slightly narrower and lower in volume than Altra’s standard last. Inov-8’s wide width is similar in width and volume to Altra’s Original Fit last. Topo shoes tend to sit between the two: broader than an Inov-8 standard/Altra standard width, but narrower with less volume than an Inov-8 wide/Altra Original Fit. This is a generalisation, as last shapes vary, but it gives you an idea.

The upper is a soft, light mesh. The midsole foam is Inov-8’s Flyspeed Pro, a supercritical nitrogen-infused foam. It has a high level of rebound and is sealed, so water and dirt can’t get in, making the midsole more durable, and air can’t get out, which maintains its bounce. The cushioning and feel you have at the start of a run remains the same at the end, as the midsole doesn’t compress during the run. The midsole is designed to be softer in the heel than in the forefoot, giving a cushioned impact and a firmer, stronger push-off.

The 6 mm heel-to-forefoot drop will accommodate heel strikers but is low enough to reduce a heavy heel strike and encourage a more midfoot landing. Midfoot landing loads the foot better to allow it to function, so you gain more cushioning and propulsion from your feet.

I found the ride very natural. There is no rocker or curve to the midsole, so you are free to do the running. The midsole does get softer and more flexible to a point over the first few runs. This was the same experience I had with the Trailtalon Max and TrailFly Max, which share the same midsole material.

The outsole rubber covers the whole outsole, so no matter which part of the shoe touches the floor, there is grippy rubber offering a good level of traction even on wet tarmac. The lugs are 1.8 mm long, broad and flat, designed to offer good traction and a smooth ride on hard road surfaces.

On top of the midsole sits the Inov-8 Boomerang foot bed, a 6 mm nitrogen-infused foam insole. This foot bed is now used in all Inov-8 footwear and allows the brand to use midsoles firm enough to protect the feet, encourage foot function and offer stability, with the initial soft feel coming from the insole. As it is nitrogen infused, no air escapes, so the bouncy feel is maintained for the life of the insole.

Across the hundred or so miles I’ve put on the RoadFly Max, I’ve enjoyed the natural feel of the ride. Everything feels better when you have to run in the shoe. In softly cushioned shoes or those with rockers, there is a tendency to let your hips sink and ride the shoe, using your hamstrings and glutes far less. I found the RoadFly Max best for easy or steady runs. Although they are responsive enough to run quicker in, I was aware of the bulk and stiffness of the shoe, and they didn’t feel quite as smooth at higher speeds.

Inov-8 are well known for making lightweight footwear, and the RoadFly Max is no exception. A men’s UK 8 weighs 275 grams. Inov-8 are a similar length to Hoka, La Sportiva, New Balance and Karhu. If you use Brooks, Saucony, Topo, Altra or 361, we would suggest trying half a UK size larger in Inov-8. For example, a UK 11.5 in Inov-8 is similar in length to a UK 11 in Brooks. The Inov-8 RoadFly Max is available in two men’s widths and two women’s widths, so you can get the perfect fit.

In summary, the Inov-8 RoadFly Max is a well-cushioned everyday road running shoe designed to work with the body to allow a more natural running motion.

Alternatives to Inov-8 RoadFly Max

361 Centauri 3: A more pointed toe box and a much softer midsole. Rocker/curved midsole adds some propulsion. Available in two width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/361-degrees-centauri-3-review/

Topo Phantom 4: A broad rounded forefoot allows space for foot function. The midsole is softer with less feel for the ground than the Roadfly Max. It also has more toe spring which doesn’t give quite as much assistance as a rocker but, more than a natural shoe like the RoadFly Max. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-phantom-4-review/

Altra Experience Flow: A broad rounded toe box allows space for the feet to spread and function. The midsole is softer but, a lot more flexible allowing more foot function than the RoadFly Max. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-experience-flow-2-review/

Altra Torin 8: A broad rounded toe box allow space for the feet to spread. These have a bit more width and volume in the toe box than the Roadfly Max and are available in two widths. The midsole density is about the same. The Torin 8 is zero drop which promotes more of a midfoot landing and would require some transitioning into if you aren’t used to running shoes with a low heel to forefoot drop. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-torin-8-review/

Hoka Clifton 10: A more pointed toe box and much softer midsole. Very little feel for the ground. The rocker isn’t too controlling but, helps with propulsion and controls the gait. Available in two width Men’s and two width Women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-clifton-10-review/

New Balance 880v15: A high stack but, quite a firm and responsive midsole. Available in three width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fresh-foam-x-880v15-review/

Saucony Ride 18: A more pointed toe box with a soft landing and more positive forefoot. Available in two width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/saucony-ride-18-review/

Karhu Ikoni 3: A straight big toe line does allow for a positive push off but, the toe box isn’t as rounded or roomy as the RoadFly Max. The midsole is firm and responsive, so your feet know that you have touched the floor. The Karhu Fulcrum supplies some propulsion and helps to encourage the use of hamstrings and glutes to improve the running gait. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-ikoni-3-review/