Our Inov8 Trailfly Pro Review

Kit Review

Our Inov8 Trailfly Pro Review

Jay

• Refined NATURALFIT shape that secures the heel and midfoot while leaving space for natural toe movement and foot swelling over longer distances
• Lightweight 228g construction with a 4mm/28mm total stack and 6mm drop, providing plenty of protection without feeling bulky
• POWERFLOW ELITE supercritical foam delivers a fast, energetic ride while retaining an impressive amount of ground feel
• Graphene-enhanced G-GRIP outsole with 4mm chevron lugs provides dependable traction across hard-packed, rocky and loose terrain
• Split outsole and performance rocker help the shoe flex, adapt and move naturally across changing terrain

Inov-8 Men's Trailfly Pro in Light Brown/Orange - Standard Fit

Brown/Orange £165.00

We received the Inov8 Trailfly Pro ahead of its official launch and were excited to put it through its paces. There had been plenty of anticipation around the shoe, along with glowing early reports from athletes - and our first impressions certainly lived up to the hype.
I took it out for a quick 5km run on a short local trail to get an initial feel for it. The first thing that struck me was just how light, nimble and, most noticeably, fast it felt. For a cushioned trail shoe, the ground feel is exceptional. There is plenty of protection underfoot, but the shoe never feels bulky, overly soft or disconnected from the trail. The POWERFLOW ELITE foam has a lively and responsive feel, while the split outsole allows the shoe to flex and adapt naturally to the ground beneath you.

My own run was only a short first test, so Alex from the Adapt team then took the shoes to Anglesey to try them over longer and more demanding trails. His report was that the Trailfly Pro was one of the best trail shoes he had tried.
He was particularly impressed by its performance across the hills. The responsive midsole and rocker construction helped him maintain momentum and power up the climbs, while the natural shape and flexible split outsole made the shoe feel secure, nimble and exceptionally fast on the descents.

The refined NATURALFIT shape locks the heel and midfoot in place before opening up around the toes. This provides a secure performance fit without squashing the forefoot, allowing the toes to spread naturally for greater balance and control. It should also make the shoe more accommodating as the feet begin to swell over longer distances.
Underfoot, the 4mm graphene-enhanced lugs offer dependable grip across firm, rocky and loose trails. They also transition smoothly onto road sections, making the Trailfly Pro a strong option for mixed routes where more aggressive trail shoes can feel heavy or awkward.
This is not a shoe designed for deep mud or soft winter bogs, but that is not its intended purpose. It is built for moving quickly across harder trails while offering enough cushioning and protection for longer training runs and ultra-distance racing.

Benefits:

• Exceptionally lightweight for the amount of cushioning provided
• Fast, responsive and energetic underfoot
• Impressive ground feel for a higher-stack trail shoe
• Secure heel and midfoot with room for natural toe movement
• Flexible split outsole feels nimble and controlled on descents
• Excellent graphene-enhanced grip on firm and rocky terrain
• Comfortable across both trails and connecting road sections
• Versatile enough for training, racing and longer distances

Limitations:

• The 4mm lugs are not intended for deep mud or very soft ground
• Higher stack may not suit runners who prefer a minimal trail shoe
• Premium price places it at the top end of the trail-shoe market
• Our testing is still at an early stage, so long-term durability remains to be assessed

Final Thoughts

The first impression of the Inov8 Trailfly Pro was just how much fun it was to run in. It felt light, natural and genuinely fast, but without sacrificing the cushioning and protection needed for longer distances.

Alex’s experience on the hills of Anglesey reinforced that initial impression. The shoe helped him move efficiently on the climbs before feeling secure, agile and extremely quick on the descents.

It will not replace a dedicated mud shoe for extremely muddy and wet British winter conditions, but for firm trails, rocky routes and faster mountain running, the Trailfly Pro looks like one of Inov8’s most exciting shoes to date. It is light enough to race in, cushioned enough to go long and nimble enough to make running technical trails feel genuinely exhilarating.