Inov-8 Trailfly Review: Come Fly With Me

Introduction to the Inov-8 Trailfly

MELISSA: The Inov-8 Trailfly is a cushioned daily trainer for hard-ground trails. I recently had the pleasure of testing another of Inov-8’s recent releases, the Mudtalon, and I was stoked to lace up another brand-new (well, kinda new) launch.

This shoe comes with a lot of cool features. First, like Inov-8’s other Spring ’24 shoes, it comes in a new shape that hugs your foot and now comes in both Standard and Wide. The Airmesh upper promotes breathability and is reinforced by Met-Cradle straps that keep your foot locked in. The midsole consists of a flexible rock plate combined with Powerflo Pro foam and Boomerang footbed insole, which together keep your foot protected while giving you a nice cushioned feel while providing optimal energy return. The outsole is lined with 4 mm Graphene lugs in a pattern that promotes optimal grip and durability.

I’m usually a bit skeptical when a shoe advertises a lot of bells and whistles, but that’s mostly because I’ve been let down in the past. However, when it comes to the Trailfly, Inov-8 puts its money where its mouth is. Let’s discuss why.

What we like about the Inov-8 Trailfly

MELISSA: The Trailfly’s upper is well-ventilated and drains well. It feels secure and durable enough to handle plenty of miles on the trail. Inov-8’s footbed and midsole are straight-up dreamy and make the shoe feel so light and springy. I felt well protected overall with the rock plate and toe guards, yet I could still feel the ground, which I appreciate in a trail shoe. The outsole has lugs that are designed and arranged for optimal performance and durability, and I had no issues with grip on a variety of different terrains, including stream crossings.

From my first few strides in the Trailfly, I knew it had the potential to be fast. On the trails, it’s grippy, lightweight, and responsive as hell. It’s reminiscent of my miles in Nike’s Terra Kiger, but unlike the Terra Kiger, the Trailfly has a nice cushion to it that leaves me confident that I could endure longer distances in this shoe, perhaps even race a 50-miler in it.

What we don’t like about the Inov-8 Trailfly

MELISSA: Like the Mudtalon, the Inov-8 Trailfly runs a half-size small. So, be sure to size up and go for the wide version if your foot is remotely on the wider side. I originally thought that the half-size up would be enough, but I still get hot spots on my outer forefoot on occasion. So, personally, I’d need to both size up and go wide, thus my advice.

Outside of sizing, I really don’t have anything negative to say about the Trailfly. Overall, it’s been a fantastic experience.

Final thoughts on the Inov-8 Trailfly

MELISSA: I’ve been wary of Inov-8 in the past, mostly due to my wider feet. However, after trying out both the Mudtalon and Trailfly, I can say that I’ve had a change of heart.

The Trailfly is a shoe designed for hard-ground trails, which is why it shined when I tested it in California on trails that are mostly hard-packed with dirt and rocks. It feels fast when you want it to while offering a nice cushioned feel to keep you comfortable on longer runs. Overall, this is a solid shoe that I’m excited to keep in my regular rotation.

Finally, if you’re seeking a similar shoe that’s even faster, lighter, and lower drop, check out the Inov-8 Trailfly Speed.

You can pick up the Inov-8 Trailfly for $150 at Inov-8 using the buttons below.