Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G 280 Review
Right on time for launch day, this week we have the Inov-8 TrailFly G280 review, from a pair of shoes kindly given to us long enough ago to accrue some miles by our long running friends at Inov-8, one of the most trusted brands for grip. I think it’s fair to say that the TrailFly G280 is unlike any other Inov-8 shoe and perhaps the shoe that has been missing from their range of shoes. Inov-8 shoes have always offered a good level of ground feel. They don’t describe their shoes as cushioned but, as having underfoot protection. This has made their soft ground trail shoes arguably the best around. Nimble, flexible and grippy.
Inov-8 has made their shoes designed for firmer tracks and trails for their customers who enjoy the ground feel that their soft ground shoes offer. Their cushioning is firm and responsive. This stimulates the feet to function and allows you to be light on your feet. However, a lot of runners are coming onto the trails from a road running background and looking for trail shoes that have the same softly cushioned, springy feel of their road shoes. Although Inov-8 has shoes with plenty of underfoot protection (cushioning). The TrailFly G300 Max remains the most cushioned shoe in Inov-8’s range of shoes for hard packed trails but, these offer a firm responsive. You don’t feel the compression when your foot touches the floor there isn’t the bouncy rebound that you get from a road running shoe.
The Inov-8 TrailFly G280 is different.
The midsole is a nitrogen infused FLYSPEED midsole which gives the wearer ‘Inov8’s softest ever ride’. Personally, I loved the feel of this midsole as it gave me a great bounce and return. This makes the shoes feel fast and light. You don’t really notice that you’re clocking up big miles as the shoe is taking all the impact then giving the feeling of being pushed along. I could feel the cushioning protect my feet from the more stoney terrain. When my foot landed, I could feel the cushioning adapt and protect my toes and balls of my feet especially on the steep downhill sections. I don’t think that the midsole is so soft that the traditional Inov-8 wearer would dislike it. It doesn’t have a bottomless feel like a lot of softly cushioned shoes. You are still aware that you have touched the floor and you do get some trail feel. The TrailFly G280 doesn’t fall into the ‘mountain bike tyre’ type of midsole. Where you can’t feel what you are stepping on and the midsole of the shoe is designed to be so soft that it absorbs the lumps and bumps on the trail.
The last is Inov-8 widest. There is also a good amount of volume in the upper. They are much more roomy than other Inov-8 shoes that are in their fit 5 category. Which is their widest fit. This includes TrailFly G300 which lacked height/volume in the upper in our opinion, Parkclaw G280 which has more volume than the TrailFly G300 but, still wasn’t super roomy. Trail Talon 290 which is a wide fitting trail shoe but, still doesn’t have the same wiggle room as the TrailFly G280. The other noticeable difference in the fit is the shape of the toe box. It has a much straighter big toe line. This allows for a stronger push off we found was noticeable particularly when running uphill. This coupled with the roomy toe box also allows more foot function which reduces how much your feet expand during long runs.
The stack height of the shoe is 22mm at the heel and 14mm at the forefoot giving a drop of 8mm. Though this heel to forefoot drop is higher than I’m used to and when standing in the shoes I was aware of the drop. When running it didn’t feel awkward but felt very comfortable and didn’t stop me from landing with a relaxed forefoot strike. An 8mm drop reduces how much function you get in the ankle compared with a low drop shoe. This helps promote natural form for people with the lowest range of motion in the ankle joint which minimises tension in the Achilles and calf. Higher drop shoes also help give some propulsion which can help when shuffling through the last few miles of an Ultra.
The upper is a breathable knit mesh which holds the foot snuggly at the heel and over the midfoot but doesn’t impede the natural movement of the foot. Leaving the toes to move freely with plenty of room for foot expansion during long runs. The tongue is padded and very comfortable with a barely there feel. It is also gusseted to prevent debris entering the shoe and the tongue slipping around when running on a camber or broken trails. The toe guard looks small but, offers enough toe protection for hard packed trails in our experience.
The number in the name of Inov-8 shoes is the weight of the Men’s sample size UK8. The Trail fly G280 weighs 280g. When running in them, the bouncy ride makes them feel a lot lighter.
Inov-8 have been mixing Graphene into their soft rubber outsoles for a few years now. This Graphene enhanced rubber is 50% stronger, 50% more elastic, 50% more harder wearing than the sift sticky rubber previously used. This has meant that Inov-8 have been able to use their sticky rubber outsoles on shoes designed for hard packed trails like the TrailFly G280. As they are now as durable as the previously used Endurance rubber. Having a sticky rubber outsole improves the grip of the rubber on wet surfaces like rock and wood. The outsole consists of 4mm deep multi directional lugs which are shaped and positioned to improve propulsion at the front and braking at the back. This really gives you a confidence to ‘let go’ when tackling multiple terrains within the same run. The sole has an adaptor flex groove which helps the shoe adapt, flex and mould to uneven terrain. This gives you the trail feel for your feet, ankles and lower legs to function and adapt to the trail. Rather than be a passenger.
I used the Inov-8 TrailFly G280 for a 2-mile section of road on my way to and from the trails near to my home. They feel comfortable and bouncy on the road just like a good road shoe. On the trails they worked well on a variety of terrain.
In my view they are far from just an Ultra shoe. They are a well cushioned road to trail shoe. You can jog a long on a long slow run and enjoy a comfortable cushioned ride or try something faster. The shoe responds to a chance of pace well despite the softness. You can definitely feel a push from the adapt flex helping you into your next stride.
Other Considerations
Hoka Speedgoat: The Speedgoat has a softer ride and less feel for the ground. The rocker improves cadence. The Speedgoat has less volume in the toe box even in the wide fit in our experience. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-speedgoat-5-vs-speedgoat-4/
Brooks Cascadia 16: These also have a softer ride. Working on the Mountain Bike theory that a soft midsole will absorb some of the lumps and bumps in the trail.
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-cascadia-16-review/
New Balance Hierro: A softer feel to the cushioning. Less bouncy with less trail feel.
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-hierro-v7-review/
Saucony Xodus: A similar responsive ride but, less bouncy. The Xodus feels more solid and supportive.
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/saucony-xodus-ultra-review/
Topo Ultraventure 2: A broad rounded toe box gives more space for foot function. The midsole is less bouncy and gives a more stable ride.
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-ultraventure-2-review/
Altra Mont Blanc: Zero drop, broad rounded toe box. A similar bouncy ride but, softer with less underfoot protection. The flexibility and zero drop give these a more natural ride. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-mont-blanc-review/
Icebug Outrun: A more flexible shoe less bouncy. 7mm heel to forefoot. A rounded toe box but, less width and volume than the Trailfly G280. The outsole of the Outrun is more grippy on wet surfaces and more durable in our experience. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/icebug-outrun-rb9x-review/
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