Inov-8 Trailfly Review
The Inov-8 TrailFly is a trail running shoe designed for use on hard packed trails and this week we’ve combined our experience and finished up an Inov-8 TrailFly review. It is cushioned enough and the outsole is durable enough for use as a road to trail shoe. Like all the latest additions to the Inov-8 running shoe range the Inov-8 TrailFly has a more anatomical fit designed to work with the foot so it can respond to the contours of the land giving you balance and propulsion.
Back in the day trail running shoes, at least those designed for more broken ground used to be snug fitting and this was one of the key differences between shoes designed for road running and those designed for use on the trails. The snug fit was to ensure that your foot didn’t turn inside the shoes and that the shoe moved with your foot. Over time midsoles and outsoles have become more flexible laterally and medially. So, they can flex to take the contours of the ground so the foot isn’t under tension which might make it turn inside the shoes. The additional flexibility and better designed uppers that hold the foot at the heel and through the midfoot means that trail shoes can be worn with enough space to allow your feet to function in the shoes and give you better balance and propulsion. Improving your performance and enjoyment when running on the trails.
Inov-8’s new anatomical fit, which is going to be used for all their new shoes going forward and is currently used on the TrailFly, TrailFly Speed, Mudtalon and Mudtalon Speed has a much more rounded toe box than Inov-8’s previous shoes. The big to line is straight to allow for a strong positive push off from the end of your big toe. The rounded shape to the toe box gives your toes the space to spread out in the toe box. When your foot hits the floor your feet naturally spread out to stabilise and absorb shock. This stretches out the planta fascia which is like a large elastic band on the bottom of your feet. The planta fascia recoils to spring you into your next step. Having enough space in the shoes to allow for natural foot function not only makes your feet get stronger the more you run but also makes it easier to negotiate rough or broken ground, running on a camber or on soft surfaces.
The Inov-8 TrailFly trail running shoes are available in two width fitting in both men’s and women’s. The standard fit is the narrowest. This is a comfortable fit for trail runners with regular width feet. It still has plenty of space in the toe box for your feet to spread and will feel spacious if you have been used to wearing running shoes with a more pointed toe box. The wide width still offers a snug fit around the heel and through the midfoot with additional width at the end of the midfoot and into the toe box. This would be the width to consider if you usually wear a men’s 2E or a women’s D width in your running shoes. If you like plenty of room in the forefoot of your running shoes then you may find that the wide fit is the most comfortable fit for you.
The width and volume of the TrailFly Wide in the forefoot isn’t as generous as a pair of Altra running shoes made on their Original Last like the Altra Lone Peak or Altra Olympus. The midfoot stays snug to just behind the toes which can make them a little restrictive for runners used to Altra’s Original fit last. We find that Topo’s also have a bit more width and volume in the forefoot too.
The fit of the TrailFly in the standard width is broader in the forefoot than Altra’s standard fit which is used on the Altra Timp 5 and Altra Experience Wild.
The heel cup is semi-stiffened which allows it to take the shape of your heel when the shoes are laced up. The padding around the heel and the cuff of the heel is adequate to make the shoes comfortable but light enough to prevent the shoes from absorbing too much moisture in the wet. The tongue has a thicker level of padding. The laces thread through a tape on the tongue to reduce the chance of it moving around. The tongue is gusseted to help prevent debri from getting into the shoes. There is an additional lace hole which you can be used to make the heel fit snugger or to butterfly lace the shoes.
The upper is made from a close knit. This helps prevent grit from getting into the shoes but let’s water flow in and out. It also gives the shoes a good level of breathability and helps them dry quickly. There is an overlay that runs around the base of the upper to protect it from abrasion or getting cut on rocks or sharp branches. The over lays come over the midfoot of the shoes and the laces thread through them. This helps to pull the upper in around the foot when the shoes are laced up. The over lay is thick around the toe box and comes into the toe box to offer additional protection to the toes. The toe bumper isn’t stiffened but provides adequate protection.
I found the fit around the heel and midfoot to be good. I didn’t slip forward when running down steep descents or turn in the shoes when running on a camber. Yet my feet when able to enjoy enough space in the forefoot to spread and function inside the shoes. I have run in Topo’s and Altra’s for years now and like shoes that allow space for my feet to spread.
The midsole foam is Inov-8’s Powerflow Pro. It is 18mm thick in the heel and 12mm thick in the forefoot (total stack height is 29/23). The foam has a soft cushioned feel and a good level of rebound. Which makes the ride feel bouncy but still gives a good level of ground feel. So, you still feel like you are running rather than bouncing from one foot to the other. On top of the midsole is Inov’8’s Boomerang footbed. This also has a high level of rebound. The footbed is nitrogen infused which means that it is sealed so that the air can’t escape. This makes the insole last longer and gives it a more bouncy feel. There isn’t much compression in the footbed at it’s only 6mm thick so you don’t feel like you are sinking into the shoes too much. Which helps maintain the feel for the ground. I found that the shoes felt cushioned and protective on not just hard packed trails but on tarmac road too. Which makes the Inov-8 TrailFly a good option for mixed routes or road to trail runs.
The 6mm heel to forefoot drop makes the TrailFly a suitable shoe for a heel or midfoot striker. The shoes is flexible through the midfoot so it doesn’t force you onto your heel like some stiffer shoes. A more midfoot landing makes you more agile and therefore better able to negotiate rough ground. The compression in the midsole allows the shoes to absorb some of the smaller stones and routes that you might stand on and the flexibility in the midsole helps you shoe flex so our foot can react. Which makes it easier to run on rougher terrain and also helps prevent twisting ankles or knees.
The outsole comprises of 4mm lugs made from Inov-8’s Graphene infused soft sticky rubber. The multi directional lugs ride well on hard packed surfaces but also give a good level of traction on some softer ground. Which makes them versatile enough to be used in the UK on mixed routes. Adding Graphene to the rubber makes it more durable and more flexible. Which allows the outsole to bend laterally and medially to take up some of the lumps and bumps in the trails and also means that a good amount of outsole is in contact with the floor. Which enhances the traction.
A lot of my running is what I would consider mixed routes covering tarmac, disused railway lines, muddy single track down by the river or through the woods, farmers’ fields and some stone covered bridleways. I found the ride of the shoes to be cushioned on the harder terrain but not so much so that I could feel the ground on the softer surfaces. I found the Inov-8 TrailFly to be best for easier paced runs. They feel a little too soft and bouncy for me to use them for intervals but tempo runs, fartlek’s or pick up during the long run all felt fine.
Inov-8 shoes are similar in length to Hoka, New Balance and La Sportiva. If you use Brooks, Saucony, Karhu, Altra or Topo then I would suggest trying half a size larger in Inov-8 to get a similar length.
In Summary the Inov-8 TrailFly is a versatile trail shoe. Designed for hard packed trails but durable enough for some tarmac and grippy enough for some softer ground on a dry day. The space in the forefoot allows your feet the room to function as does the flexibility of the shoes.
Other Considerations
Inov-8 TrailFly Speed: A ‘racier’ version, only currently available in a wide fit. Same anatomical fit but a thinner midsole makes these more flexible. They don’t feel as cushioned on the road but they have more feel on the trails and a more natural ride on the slightly softer terrain. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/inov-8-trailfly-speed-review/
Altra Experience Wild: A rounded toe box but not as broad or roomy as the TrailFly in the standard width. 4mm heel to forefoot drop with a rocker gives the Experience Wild a smooth ride on firm tracks and trails. Not versatile enough to cope with soft ground but comfortable on tarmac. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-experience-wild-review/
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8: A much softer more cushioned ride. They feel like a road shoe with some grips rather than a nimble trail running shoe. This makes them a comfortable road to trail shoe. Available in three width men’s and two width women’s plus a Gore-Tex version. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-hierro-v8-review-fresh-foam-x/
Hoka Speedgoat 5: A more pointed toe box. The cushioning is much softer and takes away the ground feel. A curved/rocker shaped midsole gives a smooth ride on firm surfaces. The midsole absorbs the lumps and bumps of the trail a bit like a mountain bike tyre. This is a different feel to the more nimble trail shoes that give you more ground feel. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-speedgoat-5-gtx-review/
Altra Timp 5: A broad rounded toe box but a touch narrower than the TrailFly in the standard width. The Timp lugs are more suited to firmer tracks and trails. They aren’t as grippy as the TrailFly lugs on softer ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-timp-5-review/
Topo MTN Racer 3: A similar width and general fit. The Mountain Racer is stiffer so it doesn’t take the curvature of the ground as well but does roll well on firmer tracks and trails. The 6mm lugs provide better traction on soft ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-mtn-racer-3-review/
Topo Terraventure 4: These have a bit more volume and width in the toe box than the Inov-8 TrailFly. They are more flexible than the Topo MTN Racer but not quite as flexible as the TrailFly. The 6mm lugs gives better traction on soft ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-terraventure-4-review/
Scott Kinabalu 3: A firm feel to the cushioning but lots of protection. The rocker gives a smooth ride on hard packed terrain. Not flexible enough for use on broken ground and has little ground feel. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scott-kinabalu-3-review/
VJ MAXx 2: A very similar shoe but with a slightly firmer feel to cushioning and a bit more ground feel. Although the toe is rounded it doesn’t have quite as much width. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/vj-sport-maxx2-review/
Brooks Caldera 7: These have a bouncy feel to the cushioning yet still maintain some feel for the trail. The base is much broader which makes them feel quite bulky on single track trail which is a shame as the grip is versatile enough for some soft ground and durable and cushioned enough for some tarmac. So, they are similarly versatile. The toe box has a straight big toe line and is more roomy than the classic Brooks fit but doesn’t promote the same level of foot function as the Trailfly. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-caldera-7-review/
Karhu Ikoni Trail: Essential a road to trail type of trail shoe. The lugs are long enough to give some traction on some softer ground. They have a soft ride and feel like a road shoe with some grips. The toe box is roomy due to the straight big toe line but they don’t promote foot function as much as the Inov-8 Trailfly but they are restrictive. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-ikoni-trail-review/
NNormal Kjerag: The 3 mm lugs don’t offer the same level of traction partly due to the length and partly due to the shape of them. They are rounded to ride well on hard surfaces but don’t bite into softer ground at all. Which makes them not as versatile as the Inov-8 Trailfly. The toe box has a straight big toe line to allow for a strong push off and the toe box isn’t to narrow but it isn’t rounded they the Trailfly toe box. The midsole offers a good level of cushioning and underfoot protection. The ride is firmer than the Trailfly. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/nnormal-kjerag-review/
Scarpa Goldengate ATR 2: A thicker midsole and a rocker gives these a less natural feel. A bit like a road shoe with some grip rather than a trail running shoe with cushioning. The toe box isn’t rounded in shape but the big toe line is straight and the toe box is roomy. The rocker gives a smooth ride on firm surfaces. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scarpa-golden-gate-atr-2-review/
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