Inov8 - Trailfly 250

I have not run in the 9s yet as I still have a pair of the 7s that have some miles left in them. I did try on the 9s at an REI and the 9 in a wide felt substantially wider than the 7 in a wide that I have.

I am in the same boat with wide flat feet and about 200lbs. I have found the best success with the Altra Lone Peak (although I know you said you didn't want zero drop). The other shoe that has worked for me is the Inov8 Trailfly in wide. They also just released the Trailfly Max if you want a bit more cushion. Both are 6mm drop.

I just bought their trail running shoes, zero drop, and they’re way too flimsy for the technical trails I run. I can use them for walking the dog.

I don't know about Nordas myself, but about Inov-8. They quite recently brought back a zero-drop model, and they have wides available. I also get heel slippage with Altra 9+ wides, Trailfly zero has nice and snug heel. Trailfly Zero is basically same width in the toebox area, but shaped differently. Altras rub my big toe, Inov-8 squishes my little toe. For the same shoe size Altra is a bit longer and more voluminous, it could be half-a-size difference.

I have been told by my podiatrist that my feet are hypermobile and I run and hike (lots) in zero drop trail runners only (inov-8 and Altra). Never had boots for any of my adult-life serious long distance hiking. I agree that your PT should give you specific strengthening exercises for your particular issues but I see no advantage wearing boots … just heavy and hot and very slow drying. Every blue moon I roll an ankle but that’s because of tough terrain, not boots, and I’ve never injured my ankles in the process.

I have hobbit feet with a bone condition in one foot. I wear Altra. Innov8 trail fly in a wide are comparable as are Topo's all be it they do have a high arch. The other brands have some wide offerings but having tried most of them the above are definitely the widest in my opinion.

Inov8 Trail Fly do a wide fit for what is already a wide fit shoe. They are the only thing I have found that is wide enough comparabley to an Altra.

I run moderately technical trails in the Inov-8 TrailFly (wide) and I love them. Good traction, decent rock protection etc. They've done a lot of miles and are still going strong. I'm considering the RoadFly to replace my Kinvaras now that Saucony discontinued the wide fit.

Inov-8 TrailFly are my current wide-fitting trail shoe.

I've put 200km on my Inov8 TrailFly and they barely show any sign of wear. They're an awesome shoe: ample toebox, low stack, low drop, solid grip.

i have wide feet and i run in inov8 wide fit (i think the model is called trailfly?). not sure if they’re good for flat feet, but in my daily life i wear a pair of custom insoles that maybe could fit in trail shoes too? i personally don’t wear those when I run though

Interesting that you don’t like the trailtalons for longer distances. I’m running in a pair now. I’ve used the trialfly over 50+km but I hear you on the energy return issue. To deal with that problem earlier this year I switched to Trailfly max for a 125km in the Pyrenees, they were a disaster (I’d rather stick to the regular trailflys). That said they do a trailtalon max version and if you are one of the many who do get on with them, those might be a great option for you.

I’d suggest inov8 Trailfly . I’m on my 3rd pair and I find them perfect. They recently redesigned their last placing a specific emphasis on brining in a much wider toe box. Lug dept is 4mm and offset is 6mm. Great for dry trails. If you live in an area where it gets wet and muddy in the winter then you could go for the trailtalons, basically the same shoe but with a 6mm lug - same offset. Much better in the mud. Because of the deeper lugs they take (in my experience) about 50k for the outsole to wear in, but I’m finding them great now. Good luck.

If you’re looking for a trailshoe I’d go for a road-2-trail type. Personally I use a pair of inov-8 trailfly as everyday shoe.

The dull foam comment hits true on the trailfly for sure. I do really like the Mudtalon speeds for the fells in winter months but I'd go with another brand for a long race.