Inov8 - Trailfly Ultra G 280

Have you found an alternative with similar feel but better grip and more robust outsole? I like my 13s for grassy Scottish trails, but they do not feel secure on wet rocks and the outsole wears out too quickly. Inov8s are too narrow for me..

FWIW.. I've tried Inov8 Roclite G 275 and Roclite Ultra G 320 thinking they could be a good all-around shoe (including rocky bits) but both were too narrow for me. Trailfly ultra G280 where a good fit, but I did not like their slightly curved shape - my knees were not comfortable after trying them on a treadmill. I also had X-talon 212 a while ago - fantastic fell shoe, but very minimal cushioning.

Hiya, (this is my 1st Reddit comment ever, and I'm talking running shoes, what's wrong with me!). Been a very good client of Inov8's for years (Mudtalons, Traiflys 270 1 and 2, Roclites 290, 275 1 and 2, 280 Ultra...), I'm also concerned. My favourite overall for my terrain (Irish hills and mountains) is the Roclite 275, I've bought the Trailtalons (standard), and find them terrible, heavy, tall, unstable. I was thinking giving a chance to the Trailtalon Speed, but have you tried it? How do they compare to the Roclites? Thanks!

I was / am a fan boy of Inov8 trail shoes but it seems like they rebrand everything in the Trailfly line up at the same time. Why can we not ever just go back and get the same model again. I do have 3 pairs of the trailfly 270 in the boxes left and they are my favorite. But it seems the 280 and the 300 are gone? I had been using all 3 and would get a couple more 300's if they were available.

IME inov8 graphene rubber lasts very well. I have a pair of trailflys 280s that have done 600km+ of mostly road with very little wear anywhere.  I also have a pair of roclite 275s (trailtalons appear to be rebranded roclites) that have done 550km of trail/fell with some tarmac and again the sole is doing really well, but the upper is wrecked.

I was a terra ultra and now trail fly user.. I never noticed any difference

I was a terra ultra and now trail fly user.. I never noticed any difference

Inov8 trail fly would be my choice for this.

I've been using Inov8 TrailFlys and love them. Probably easier to get where you are. If you can find the Ultra 300 G (discontinued) in your size, that's my favorite for racking up miles in the Sierra.

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 found the inov8s to be far too thin, do they take some breaking in?

Everyone is piling on the Topo recommendations and I agree they're a great option. Just for some variety I'll suggest Inov8 though because I prefer my Topos for hiking and my Inov8s for running. The Trailfly comes in standard or wide, has a foot shaped platform just like Topo and Altra and is 6mm drop. It also comes in 4mm drop (Trailfly Speed) and will be available in 0 drop (Trailfly Zero) this season. Either Inov8 or Topo will blow Altra out of the water for durability in my experience.

Thanks - i run 30-40km a week so i burn through a pair of shoes in 3 months unless i rotate and change them about. Mafate vs TrailFly - totally different. The trailfly is firmer and more ground feel, with low drop, and a roomy, but rugged upper. The Mafate is comfy, soft under foot, with great grip for really long runs. they're kind of a go anywhere, jack of all trades shoe - the trailfly is more suited to soft ground only, but the lugs and grip are surprisingly good. I use the trailfly to help build up my ankle/calf strength, which is worth knowing - if you've not run low/zero drop, then you need to take it easy an acclimatise.

This is a good suggestion, although I think the latest Speedgoats are now a clear step below the Mafate Speed 4, which are better in every way. They also both come in a wide option. For a more technical shoe with better lugs, look at Inov8 - the TrailFly is good for longer, faster paths, and the TrailTalon for deeper, muddier or more difficult terrain. They come in Max, Speed and Zero Drop options, and they have an anatomical toe box shape like Topo.

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.

So mid stack / mid cushion lol. Altra Lone Peaks, Topo Terraventure, Inov8 Trailfly (or Trailfly Max, but that's possibly too high stack). These are all shoes I've liked which have enough cush and balance for long rocky runs but aren't stacked high.

If you don't have a very wide heel/midfoot you could also try the Inov8 Trailfly or Trailton wide models. Foot shaped, wide at the front and with a durable graphene sole. Both available in zero drop versions. I went from the Lone Peaks to these models and couldn't be happier, they better hold the midfoot in place on oneven trails if you don't have a beefy midfoot.

As a wide footer... Try an Ellis Brigham or Up& Running for some Inov8 Trailfly, they're pretty wide apparently but weren't wide enough for me. After that try Altra, but they're zero drop. I didn't really get on with them on the treadmill. I'd recommend Topo MTN Racer 3. They've got a wide forefront and are the best fitting running shoe I've had for my feet.

Salomon Genesis work as good road to trails, deal with mud well and i've used up to marathon with no issues as they're well cushioned. Saucony ultra or peregrines - ultras are more cushioned and great road to trail but peregrines are find for short road sections and have a slightly deeper lug and deal with mud and wet grass really well. Peregrines are also my choice of mountain shoe so work well, did a 100k in them and only had some foot pain from minimal cushioning at 50ish miles in! Just got the Nike Zegama 2 and they are fab so far! Managed well in mud, snow, slush and are really cushioned. Need to try them out on more technical terrain but all good so far. They have the react foam so they give a lot of bounce on packed trail and road. Inov8 trailfly i find good on rock and grass, less so on mud, and a bit firm on road, but not terrible.

Inov8 trailfly and nike Zegama are pretty wide comfy fit

Altra and Topo are traditionally what people suggest for a wide toe box. Unfortunately in my experience, the grippy ones only come in zero drop which is probably not what you want. Inov8 have a wide toe box and also wide fit in most sizes. The trailfly are likely your best bet.

Inov8 trailfly. Durable, simple design and can find for good deal on ebay.

I find the Inov8 trailflys are very comfortable to run on the road as well as trails

Idk but the Trailflys I got gave me IT Band issues for the first time in my entire life. Been running my whole life.

inov8 Trailfly. You've got the Trailfly Speed, Trailfly Max, Trailfly Zero or standard Trailfly all with either a standard or wide variant. I'd also add that their last is as wide as the old Vivobarefoots and wider than the newer Vivos. Comparable to the Altras that I have in a similar size. I measured these by overlaying the insoles on top of each other.

I’ve gotten great longevity out of Inov8 trail runners. 800-ish Appalachian Trail miles on a pair.

Yeah I’ve used both Altra and Inov8 on long distance hikes and Inov8s are far more durable. Altras will give you 500 miles *maybe*. My current pair of Inov8s have 700 miles on them and they’re still going. They also have the best sole material I’ve found for slippery mud and rocks.

Inov8 with graphene has very good grip. Nike trail have no grip at all

I 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.

Topo mtn racer has better grip. Inov8 has better grip also; Trailfly for hard trails and Mudfly for wet/mud.

I’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.

Inov-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 just ran a 50 miler in Altras and my feet were amazing throughout. But I have trained in them and Inov-8s for over a decade

Don’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.

Only Inov-8 and VJ are going to be mega-grippy in the Adirondacks, followed by footwear with Vibram, then everything else. That said, I'll still throw on a pair of Sauconys for the Great Range and just keep the footwork quick and light. At least the ADK granite isn't as slippery as Vermont schist!

VJ or Inov8 both are wider and VJ has the best rubber on the market

You should give the Inov8 shoes a try. I remember the older Merrell Moab shoes to last pretty long for most people, though no idea on the quality of their current shoes. How much do you weigh?

Love the inov8 fit and grip - hate the lack of energy return. Feel like I've got bricks on my feet after 50 miles! Looking for an alternative, gonna be trying the Topo MTN racer for my next winter shoe

I ran Lofoten for a few months in autumn/winter and i'm from the UK and Inov8 are probably the best call here for ground conditions, both very similar.

If you want grip on rock I cannot recommend the Decathlon TR2 and MT3 enough. Uppers will last you 1400km-2000km, i've had 6 pairs so i know. Inov8 do some great trainers but i've had 2 pairs both fall apart in less than 400km on the same trails i run with the Decathlons and i've worked with some athletes on FKT and races and their trainers fell apart quicker than we would have liked too.

Never needed support shoes when running trails. Road I use Gel-Kayanos or GT1000s. Off road I run in Inov8, model depends on terrain. I've had some Salomons but they went AWOL.

Too narrow for me. Gave me bunions

Always always always Inov-8 shoes. Still love my Nathan running vest for hydration for longer trail runs.

I just ordered Inov8, they have anatomic shaped toebox options and wide options, and also zero drop models. I love zero drop and I've been wearing it exclusively for year and a half, but for racing trail I think I might benefit from some drop. I think my calves might also love 6mm drop, but we'll see. Anyway, there are some great YT reviews for new Trailfly and Trailtalon, check it out. Also, I had a pair of Inov8 years ago and they were indestructible, which I cannot say for Altras. LP7 is better made than other pairs I own, though... Torin and Outroad uppers are so poorly made.. I still loveand wear them, but such a shame.

I used to do a race where there were waist deep river crossings. I used a pair of inov8 trainers which drained well, they also had insoles with holes in them that helped. Probably more importantly I used to cover feet in vaseline which helped protect the skin from becoming prematurely "soak softened"

Been in inov8s for decades. Great trail shoe. Full on off roaders are the mudclaw or xtalon. Then there's the intermediate ones. Give them a go.

Inov8 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.

Find a reputable gear store with lots of choice, get your shoes fitted and walk around the store, wear the socks you intend to hike in and make sure your feet are warm before you start. If you can borrow a pack off the shelf with some weight in it (if you don’t have your own) walk around the store and up/down steps if you can. Buy the ones that fit best at the price you can afford. If you have weak ankles boots might be better but training walks in shoes can make your ankles stronger. Better grip is more important that being waterproof. I bought a pair of Inov8 shoes off the back of many recomendations, they were the worst shoes ever (for me). I stick with what works for me - Merrell Moab.

Inov-8 are a blast. I have now a pair of Terraultra. Best shoe ever with my VJ Maxx. Incredible sole, and perfect for thin foot.

You need to try them on. I tried Merrell, La Sportiva and inov8 when I bought some trail shoes recently. I thought I'd like the inov8 but the La Sportiva fitted better because they are available in half sizes. I have 2 pairs of scarpa boots and would endorse those too. go outdoors is good if you're near one.

I’ve had this with all my trail shoes. Altras, inov8 and Salomon. They’ve all split around the sides all within a year of owning.

I’ve been really impressed with the peregrines. Used them a fair bit over the lake and some steep rocky downhills and they’ve been fab. Far better than my previous pair of inov8s which I think had involvement from Torville and/or Dean in the design

Inov8 have become my favourites

Altras or topos....stable, but not sure they are "affordable". Agreed with others, no such thing as ankle support, but stability for sure. I had a pair of Saucony that felt great, but were ankle sprainers beyond a doubt. Running in Topos and Inov-8s now.

I had a pair of Inov8s which were the best, again from around this time period. And then they changed everything but kept the names the same, my next pair tore my feet up - you can't win!

LP 6,7,8 have been fantastic for me. Dipped my toes in Topo’s but they did not work for me. Inov8 also worked well for me - not as wide as Altra but I found the volume to be quite roomy.

Man, I've beat the hell out of my peregrines and never seen this Inov-8 fits me well as a not wide shoe, but depending on where you are, may not be able to try them on in any stores

I swear by inov8 trainers since I bought some last year for hiking the highlands. Very lightweight, decently wide fitting and super comfortable, waterproof too (obviously to a certain extent).