Inov8 - Race Ultra 290
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 24, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
6
3
"Absolutely love their shoes. ... One of my pairs is 5 years old and is in desperate need of repair but somehow still get me round semi mudi trails."
"Things were nearly indestructible. ... Put 1200 trail miles on one pair."
"I had a pair of Inov8 years ago and they were indestructible"
3
1
"They had a good toe box and heal support ... First pair was fantastic, grip, fit, lacing."
"Even the older models I use have a lot of room for my toes."
"decently wide fitting"
2
0
"waterproof too (obviously to a certain extent)"
"inov8 trainers which drained well"
"they also had insoles with holes in them that helped."
4
1
"They also have the best sole material I’ve found for slippery mud and rocks."
"First pair was fantastic, grip"
"They had a good toe box and heal support ... First pair was fantastic, grip, fit, lacing."
Disliked most:
5
3
"The ones I’ve used fell apart before the sole showed any wear."
"i've had 2 pairs both fall apart in less than 400km on the same trails i run with the Decathlons ... i've worked with some athletes on FKT and races and their trainers fell apart quicker than we would have liked too."
"i've had 2 pairs both fall apart in less than 400km on the same trails i run with the Decathlons ... their trainers fell apart quicker than we would have liked too."
1
2
"They’re sizing isn’t very consistent though so worth trying in a shop if you can find them."
"They’re sizing isn’t very consistent though so worth trying in a shop if you can find them."
"I thought I'd like the inov8 but the La Sportiva fitted better because they are available in half sizes."
0
1
"Far better than my previous pair of inov8s which I think had involvement from Torville and/or Dean in the design"
0
1
"hate the lack of energy return. ... Feel like I've got bricks on my feet after 50 miles!"
Quantumhair 0.1Imov-8 Trail Ultra 290. Things were nearly indestructible. Put 1200 trail miles on one pair. Bought a couple pairs as they were discontinuing and that was it...lost a pair out the very slightly rolled down back window of my old 4-Runner driving back from the Trans Rockies way back when.
nobustomystop 0.0I got some ino8? I don't know how to spell them. They had a good toe box and heal support and before I destroyed them, I went back to the store to find they had been upgraded. I paid a lot for the upgrade to find they were awful. But if you find one you like buy several and use them on rotation
9Tecpatl 0.0I started noticing this a couple years ago and planned accordingly. For me I have huge feet and it's hard to find good shoes. For those in my situation and like a low drop and low rise, look into Inov-8. I've only bought these shoes since early '23 and I hope they never change.
Adventurous-Hyena-51 0.0Topo mtn racer has better grip. Inov8 has better grip also; Trailfly for hard trails and Mudfly for wet/mud.
Analog_As_Folk 0.0Inov8s are the answer.
Betweencloudshadows 0.0I’ve been wearing Inov-8s for 15+ years for trail and fell running and even moved to them for XC races when achilles injuries meant I could no longer wear spikes. Always done the job for me, reasonable value and regularly available with chunky discounts online.
Boogada42 0.0Inov-8 has a bunch of models in a wide size now. Even the older models I use have a lot of room for my toes. Durability is fine I think, compared to what I read about Altras.
I'd say yes (not having used the latest models personally though). I find mine very comfortable.
I can also confirm the durability of Inov-8s!
cebo2000 0.0Don’t know of any places that offer that kind of support but you could try inov8. They’re outsoles are supposed to be tough. The ones I’ve used fell apart before the sole showed any wear. They’re sizing isn’t very consistent though so worth trying in a shop if you can find them.
Cirque14505 0.0Topos never did it for me, they have a really high arch. Outside of Altra, I prefer inov8 for a more snug fit and wider toe box.
Critical_Studio_2327 0.0Loved my Peregrines but 3 pairs went holey in that same spot. I've narrow feet and size up, and no other make had done this - even with significantly more miles on them. I gave up and now use Inov8 and La Sportiva.
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