The Inov8 Trailfly v2 Has Great Graphene Grip, But Is That Enough?

Introduction to the Inov8 Trailfly v2

TAYLOR: All right, Inov8, let’s give this another try. It’s been years of formation and reformation, losing identity and gaining it again — following the trends and returning to base. The fact that a v2 has surfaced on any of their shoes says a lot here!

So what is their identity? They’ve become one of the few foot-shaped, low-drop brands. While they have claimed this “natural” connection from the outset, it’s much more evident in their recent offerings.

The Trailfly V2 is Inov8’s base model of the trail running lineup. It is designed to be an everyday all-rounder. Based on our most recent experience with the Trailfly line, fit was the major issue we wanted to see enhanced. That’s exactly where they put their money. While the bottom unit remains identical, the upper was adjusted slightly to directly address concerns.

MELISSA: I tested the previous version of the Trailfly last year and really appreciated how natural and connected it felt on hard-packed trails, so I was curious to see how the V2 would build on that.

The Trailfly v2 sits in the middle of Inov8’s Trailfly lineup (go figure), with a 6 mm drop and a 28 mm stack. It’s positioned as the everyday trail option, offering more cushioning than the Zero and Speed but less than the Trailfly Max. The goal here is versatility across a range of terrain while maintaining a responsive, controlled ride.

This update focuses on refining fit, durability, and traction while keeping that same “everyday trainer” intent.

What we like about the Inov8 Trailfly v2

TAYLOR: Here’s something I’m fairly confident I have never said about Inov8: the Inov8 Trailfly v2 is a pretty good-looking shoe. Part of it is the simplicity of the design, and the other is the subtly bold monotone colorways.

The simple design extends to the shoe’s functionality as well. Fit was marginally enhanced, but enhanced nonetheless. Lockdown was satisfactory and more comfort-oriented this time around, thanks to solid amounts of cushion and structure.

The toe box will be attractive in the sense that it’s a foot shape, but not wide. The Trailfly v2 reminded me of the Topo Athletic Terraventure 5 in that sense — its lower vertical volume sandwiched the forefoot for added security.

Underfoot, nothing has changed from the first version. While I have my reservations about it, this shoe will undoubtedly please the “natural” crowd, as it features a natural foot shape and a low stack (in the modern sense, 28/22 mm total stack) of traditional EVA. There’s really no character that comes from the foam, and that will be okay for the crowd that’s looking for it. I felt connected with the ground and moderately protected from most elements. To me, this package felt best on softer ground.

The Boomerang beaded TPE footbed is really the only “comfort” measure to speak of. I love that Inov8 continues to utilize what is such an overlooked component for many other brands.

Grip is a routine callout with Inov8, too. Their graphene-infused rubber is fantastic! There’s an adjusted lug shape that makes the Traiflly v2 even more toothier for the trail yet mild enough for some hard-packed stuff.

Throughout my testing period with the Inov8 Trailfly v2 in the Rockies, there was virtually no wear and tear, and no changes to the experience itself.

MELISSA: Even though I wasn’t able to fully test this version on the run due to fit issues, there are still some clear updates worth noting.

The upper has been reworked with more structure, including reinforced overlays and a more substantial toe bumper. I thought lockdown felt really secure through the midfoot without feeling overly restrictive. There are also small updates aimed at drainage and breathability, including perforations in the toe bumper to help drain any water.

I wore the blue colorway and really loved it. It’s clean and vibrant, without being too loud, and just a really sharp-looking shoe overall. It definitely made me want this shoe to work for me. The Trailfly 2 vuses Powerflow Pro foam, which is designed to balance cushioning and responsiveness for daily trail running. It’s intended to provide more underfoot protection while still keeping a relatively grounded feel.

That said, underfoot, this version felt noticeably firmer and stiffer than I expected, especially compared to what I remember from the previous version. It leans more toward control and durability than softness.

The outsole uses graphene-enhanced rubber with 4 mm multi-directional lugs. It is designed for hard-packed trails and mixed terrain rather than anything too soft or technical. The setup makes sense for the intended use and should work well for daily miles on dirt and gravel. In the short time I was able to test it, the outsole performed relatively well. It felt confident on the types of surfaces this shoe is intended for, especially dry dirt and moderate terrain. Durability is a major strength of the Inov8 Trailfly v2.

What we don’t like about the Inov8 Trailfly v2

TAYLOR: Buckle up, because here’s a rare, lengthy “What We Don’t Like” section from me.

To be honest, this shoe was just hard to run in.

There are a couple of notes on fit that were hard to miss. First, the fit is short. I would recommend sizing up a half size (at minimum) and maybe even a full size if you’re a runner who rides between sizes. The lower vertical volume of the toe box exacerbated the length issue and created some weird friction that I don’t think length itself could solve.

On the opposite end, the heel was also odd. I do agree that it is improved from the original, but the Traifly v2 also had a weird pinch point in the heel. A more traditional heel counter typically wraps around and helps anchor the heel in the Achilles region, but this one pinches the heel closer to the heel itself, creating an interesting pulling sensation in that region.

Stiff is exactly how I would describe the midsole. While I wouldn’t want the Inov8 Traifly to have a squishy, bouncy, or [insert another typical descriptor of a modern midsole] ride, I would expect it to be functional. This one was more blocky and required more footwork to achieve the natural flex my foot wanted in this shape of shoe. I was desperately waiting for the midsole to soften up a little, but reprieve never really came.

Additionally, there was a noticeable lack of support, which seemed to put more strain on my foot. I could just be weak or have run in too many “modern” shoes to really feel the fun or benefits of such a shoe. To me, there were a lot of misses here.

MELISSA: The biggest issue for me was the fit. I struggled with sizing again in this version, which ultimately kept me from running comfortably in the shoe.

The underfoot feel also stood out right away. The platform felt stiff and lacked the comfort and flexibility I was hoping for. Some runners may prefer a firmer, more controlled ride, but it didn’t work well for me. I’ve noticed this in a few shoes where different versions or finishes can feel slightly different underfoot, and this one definitely leaned firmer.

Final thoughts on the Inov8 Trailfly v2

TAYLOR: [Scratches head]… Yeesh. I don’t really know what to say.

Knowing that the Trailfly Max V2 is also available, I’d honestly go straight for that version. There’s a lot more function and comfort to be had in that package for most runners.

The Inov8 Trailfly V2, in my mind, should be the baseline, though. It’s the version that showcases some of their best attributes while not putting all their eggs in one basket. When durability, grip, and aesthetics are the best we can agree on, we know that this shoe will be a hard buy for the general runner, no matter where they reside.

The best case for the Inov8 Trailfly v2 would be short, easy runs on softer ground. That’s where it felt and performed best for me.

MELISSA: The Trailfly V2 is a refinement of a versatile, everyday trail shoe designed for hard-packed terrain and mixed conditions.

It sits right in the middle of the Trailfly lineup, offering a balance of cushioning and control without going too far in either direction.

If the fit works for you and you prefer a firmer, more stable ride, this could be a solid option for daily trail miles. For me, the combination of sizing issues and a stiffer underfoot feel kept it from being a shoe I could fully enjoy, but the structure, lockdown, and overall design direction are all strong.

You can pick up the Inov8 Trailfly v2 for $160 from Inov8 by using the buttons below.