Inov8 Trailfly Max Review: Soarin’, Flyin’

Introduction to the Inov8 Trailfly Max

TAYLOR: My first Inov8 shoe will always be a memorable one because it was a freakin’ soccer cleat. If it stood toe-to-toe with one in an all-out brawl, I’m confident its build and aggressive nature would come out on top. Holla if you remember the Mudclaw G260?

The one that really made a splash, though, was the TerraUltra G270 (or its predecessor, which was renamed the Trailfly G270 v2). At the time of release, it was a modern marvel that combined lightweight materials, durability, grip, and a high-performance foam (for the time) in one trail shoe.

There are more memorable Inov8 shoes that I could sit around a campfire and talk about, and they all feel very on brand with each other, even to a fault sometimes. For example, when the modern age of running exploded, it seemed that Inov8’s fuse was yet to be lit.

Thankfully, someone picked up that proverbial match, and Inov8 is taking to the trails like never before. It has vision and momentum, and its new generation began with the Inov8 Trailtalon and Trailtalon Speed, both packing new PF Pro foams. Shortly after those releases came the Trailfly Zero and the shoe we’re talking about today, the Trailfly Max.

I love that, right out of the box, the Traifly Max looked and felt fresh yet like an OG Inov8 shoe all at once. There’s a new blended fat stack (35/29mm) of foam called the Flyspeed Pro, a lightweight traditional mesh upper, a crowd-pleasing Boomerang insole, and a best-in-class Graphene Grip outsole. This package has a lot to love on paper. Thankfully, it had a lot to love throughout my testing period, too.

ALLISON: It’s been a while since I’ve laced up a pair of Inov8 shoes — my last experience was with the TerraUltra G270, a solid shoe but one I ultimately moved on from as other brands evolved. So when I saw the Trailfly Max show up at my door, I was intrigued.

With its higher stack height, broader toe box, and maximalist feel, it seems like a shift in design philosophy from Inov8’s typically more aggressive, minimalist trail offerings. As someone who has gravitated toward brands that choose the latter, I’m curious to see how this new Trailfly stacks up, both in performance and feel. Let’s dive in.

What we like about the Inov8 Trailfly Max

TAYLOR: As mentioned, Inov8 has kind of always been an aggressive trail shoe brand. Yes, they’ve dabbled in some road running and found success with gym shoes, but their bread and butter has always been trail running shoes. I can see the inspiration from both sides of the aisle in the Trailfly Max.

This model is a whole lot more relaxed in the sense that materials are generally softer and more comfort-oriented. The upper is a great example of this, as it’s composed of light, breathable, and surprisingly durable engineered mesh on the outside with a soft and flexible inner layer. The structure comes around the toe box and midfoot via some adhered overlays. Moving up, the tongue, collar, and heel counter are nicely padded and continue that soft inner mesh for comfort. It all works together nicely to help find a secure yet comfortable fit.

The Inov8 Trailfly Max has the “standard” fit, which is what we’ve come to expect from the brand’s flagship offerings. This means the heel and midfoot have a slim/fitted experience and attempt to lock the foot down. What’s atypical of the brand is that the forefoot is much broader than anything I had experienced so far. Inov8’s newer shoes, like the Trailfly Speed, Roadfly, and the Trailfly Zero, have a more anatomical shape in the toebox. It isn’t necessarily wide, but it does feel accommodating. It’s not a high-volume toebox, though, instead sandwiching the forefoot down for even more security.

The underfoot experience almost perfectly reflects what’s going on up top. Inov8 introduced a new midsole material called Flyspeed Pro. It’s a supercritical Nitro EVA that boasts softer cushioning and a genuinely energetic ride, and I have to say I’m impressed.

I’m not sure why Inov8 is one of only a few brands doing this, but it has, for years, been utilizing a footbed that enhances every part of the running experience. It is such a fantastic addition to the entire lineup! The beaded TPU Boomerang insole adds more energy, cushion, and fun to an already happening ride… And, yes, you can purchase these separately from the shoe.

At 35/29 mm of overall stack, the Trailfly Max falls into the moderate category and compares to some fan favorites like the Hoka Mafate Speed 4, Merrell Agility Peak 5, Mount to Coast T1, VJ Ultra 3, and the North Face Enduris 4. All are performance-oriented from a comfort and energy return standpoint and can also run well on moderate to technical terrain.

The Inov8 Traifly Max offers a more nimble ride than many of the competitors above. That does come with some cost, but overall it’s a neutral ride that can rumble if you typically strike mid to forefoot.

At the bottom, Graphene Grip is a routine competitor for the crown of both grip and durability. The rubber has graphene (one of the world’s strongest materials) infused into it, while the 4mm lugs are fairly subtle for the brand. They pack a powerful punch that I was very satisfied with in a variety of conditions. The multi-shaped and flat lugged design made the Inov8 Trailfly Max a more versatile shoe that felt just as good running on gravel roads as it did on fairly technical singletrack.

ALLISON: What I appreciate most about the Inov8 Trailfly Max is how it blends comfort with performance in a way that feels both fresh and familiar. The wide toe box is a standout feature, it gives my toes room to splay naturally, which I’ve always valued in shoes from Altra. Yet, unlike some wide-fit shoes, the Trailfly Max doesn’t sacrifice security. The midfoot lockdown is excellent, giving me a confident, stable feel on technical trails without any slipping or sliding inside the shoe.

Another high point is the added traction. Inov8 has always been known for grip, and this shoe doesn’t disappoint. Whether I’m on loose gravel, packed dirt, or wet rocks, the Trailfly Max holds its ground. It’s a reliable partner for varying terrain.

Comfort-wise, the plush tongue is a nice touch. It cushions the top of the foot and eliminates pressure points, especially on longer runs. Combined with the high stack cushioning and responsive ride, it feels like a much more forgiving shoe than some of Inov8’s earlier models. All in all, the Trailfly Max offers a solid mix of space, stability, grip, and comfort.

What we don’t like about the Inov8 Trailfly Max

TAYLOR: I alluded to it in the previous segment, but the Inov8 Trailfly Max’s profile is broader in the forefoot and slimmed down through the throat and heel of the shoe. This isn’t inherently bad, as it allows the Trailfly Max to be a more nimble option; however, it also adds some instability that showed up whenever I found myself heel-striking, either due to fatigue or the terrain itself.

Another heel-related concern came from the more comfort-oriented counter. I didn’t mind that it was narrow, and that’s what saves this shoe from many potential problems. What I didn’t like about it is that it needed to hold my foot down in a better way. Like the forefoot, the heel was very shallow. The heel cup desperately clung to the lower part of my foot, creating such an odd sensation that I couldn’t really set my mind apart from it. There were times when it caused some slippage. For the most part, it was simply annoying and made me second-guess some of my footing.

Lastly, if you’re considering the Inov8 Traifly Max, purchase a half-size up. This shoe ran short for me.

ALLISON: While the Trailfly Max has a lot going for it, a few things didn’t quite work for me. First off, the salmon colorway wasn’t my favorite. While that’s subjective, I didn’t find it appealing or versatile; it felt a bit loud and not as trail-ready in appearance as I’d hoped.

Functionally, the toe cap was a bigger issue. It hit my big toe in a way that felt oddly familiar, in a bad way, reminding me of the toe pressure I’ve experienced with the Brooks Cascadia. It became a distraction on longer runs and made me question sizing, even though the rest of the fit felt dialed in.

Like Taylor, the shoe seemed to desperately cling to the bottom of my heel without offering much support higher up. I found myself wishing for a more secure hold around the entire heel collar. While the midfoot lockdown was great, the lack of upper heel support left me feeling less confident on steeper descents or technical terrain. I also had to get a half size up as my typical US W9 was too small, similar to what Taylor experienced in that department.

While the Trailfly Max gets a lot right, these fit and design quirks kept it from being a perfect match for me.

Final thoughts on the Inov8 Trailfly Max

TAYLOR: Not long ago, I thought Inov8 was a goner. I thought they had sold off to the gym bros of this world and left their trail roots behind. The whole Trailfly line, and especially the Trailfly Max, declares otherwise.

I would say that this is Inov8’s first truly viable high-stack trail shoe that stays true to who they are and have always been as a brand. The package was fun, comfortable, and performance-driven. Even though the ride could be a little unstable at times, it was also quite nimble for its build and ready for a wide range of adventures.

ALLISON: While the Trailfly Max offers excellent comfort, traction, and a roomy toe box, a few design quirks held it back for me. The awkward toe cap, loose upper heel hold, and less-than-ideal colorway made it a shoe I appreciated, but didn’t completely fall in love with. I look forward to future iterations to tackle these shortcomings.

You can pick up the Inov8 Trailfly Max for $170 from Holabird Sports by using the buttons below.