Inov8 - Trailtalon Max Ultra Running Shoes

Inov8 trailtalons are fantastic

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

In the market for a new shoe for the arc of attrition next month. Route has everything but likely a lot of mud to contend with so looking for grippy options. My safe bet is the inov8 trailtalon but it really offers no energy return when your legs get tired. Any ideas of any shoes that would be better suited? Wide ish toebox is preferable but perhaps not essential. The stack of the new Hoka mafate wouldn't work for me on that route I don't think with it being quite technical. Considering picking up the normal tomir 2. Any other shouts for shoes to look into? Note I've tried the topo mtn racer 4 and found the mid foot too wide. The Merrell agility peak 5 cut into my heels so absolutely wouldn't use those again Any input appreciated. Cheers

The trailtalons work for my feet but as I say I feel they lack energy return and I know I can run much better in other shoes which offer just a bit. I've got the trailtalon max and find them the same. I recently used the trailtalon on a mountain 100 where I dnf'd at mile 76. She's work well for me but I really struggle when my legs get tired. In comparison at an easier race in my bike ultra flys I was running sub 8 minute miles for the last 5k

Long story short I dnf'd the arc of attrition this past weekend 67 miles in. My legs and feet had nothing left to give. We had exceptionally tough conditions this year, I dnf'd the race last year too. Last year I used the trailtalon from inov8 and this year the max version. Better runners than me say they won't use big lugs because it wrecks their legs and I feel like this is why yet I was grateful to have the security of the grip out there. Only slipped a couple of times in horrendously waterlogged, boggy conditions My question, what shoe would you use in this instance? I absolutely need a new shoe for next time. I get issues with blisters, the Hoka mafate was the shoe I wanted to use but even with good taping gave me issues. I think 5-6mm lugs is probably the sweet spot really. As a shoe for easy trail I adore the fit and feel of the Nike ultrafly, the LA sportiva pro works for up to 50 too as long as I tape my feet well and really enjoy those. Any suggestions for a more appropriate mud shoe for the distance would be much appreciated. Tempted to try the nnormal tomir 2 but read mixed reviews about fit. Any input massively appreciated

Long story short I dnf'd the arc of attrition this past weekend 67 miles in. My legs and feet had nothing left to give. We had exceptionally tough conditions this year, I dnf'd the race last year too. Last year I used the trailtalon from inov8 and this year the max version. Better runners than me say they won't use big lugs because it wrecks their legs and I feel like this is why yet I was grateful to have the security of the grip out there. Only slipped a couple of times in horrendously waterlogged, boggy conditions My question, what shoe would you use in this instance? I absolutely need a new shoe for next time. I get issues with blisters, the Hoka mafate was the shoe I wanted to use but even with good taping gave me issues. I think 5-6mm lugs is probably the sweet spot really. As a shoe for easy trail I adore the fit and feel of the Nike ultrafly, the LA sportiva pro works for up to 50 too as long as I tape my feet well and really enjoy those. Any suggestions for a more appropriate mud shoe for the distance would be much appreciated. Tempted to try the nnormal tomir 2 but read mixed reviews about fit. Any input massively appreciated

The new shoes from Inov8 have quite good room in the toe box.

I am glad to have found this thread as it makes me feel slightly more normal 🙃 I have runned in 13 pairs where two of them are Tecton x3. I will even start up an additional pair of Tectons on Sunday. Fair to say they are my favorites for long trail runs. On the road my favorites are New Balance SuperComps. Trainer for long runs and Elite up to half marathon. I have also tried Spedlands but the GS TMT. One of the boas rub on my foot and the carbon fiber inlay feels more like an unnecessary rock plate. But it is a very well built shoe. I am doing Arc 100 in January and have been testing shoes with bigger lugs. The Speedlands was one such shoes but I also tested Inov8 TrailTalon both the regular and the max. They are fine but the midsole is dull. So if the weather is not too wet I will pair my Tecton with the wonderful Prodigio Pros.

The Max definitely has more grip in muddy conditions than most other shoes I have runned in. It also fits my feet well with the new shape. But the midsole doesn’t give much spring back and it feels like you have to use more energy running than when I run in the Tecton or Prodigio Pro. This makes me wonder how it will feel after 60M. I have done quite a bit of running on Kullaberg (home of Kullamannen) which is technical single trail for the most part. They have also been the shoes I have started in the two times I have done Kullamannen 100M. So I feel comfortable running in those. But if it is very muddy they don’t offer much grip. So my thoughts is that on the Arc 100 there will be sections where Tecton is not the best choice but that they still offer an advantage over the TrailTalon over the entire course. Maybe I am wrong…

I ran a lot in the G300 Max. Then I used different brands but have recently gotten TrailTalon both the regular and the Max due to the 6mm lugs. Especially the Max is quite enjoyable to run in.

I ran a lot in the G300 Max. Then I used different brands but have recently gotten TrailTalon both the regular and the Max due to the 6mm lugs. Especially the Max is quite enjoyable to run in.

I was looking for a new shoe for my first Ultra, the Topo where just to narrow for my feet. I my regular size and a whole size extra. I am used to inov8s, so there's that. Vista's have a spacious toebox, but are just too snug around the base of the fifth metatarsal, thus really constricting the midfoot, with a narrow sole underneath. Loved the build quality though, went for a pair of Inov8 Trailtalon Max instead.

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.

I’m using inov8 Trailtalons wide aw25 Admittedly almost none of my running is on tarmac, but the small amount that is feels fine. I found them a bit stiff in the sole for the first 3 outings (9-30k) but they’ve worn in and I get a good degree of flexibility They have 6 mm lugs with a reasonable amount of surface area on each so tarmac and paving isn’t too slippery. Ive also used mudtalons (aw24). They were great for the really sloppy stuff in Feb and March but generally I think I prefer the trailtalons. Mudtalons are not as good on the road and I prefer something that’s a bit more versatile for occasions that warrant it. Good luck. Lots of great advice on this thread

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.

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.

Will second Inov-8. They changed their toe box to be more rounded and offer wider fits. You can also get most models in a ‘speed’ version which is lighter and sits lower. Not everyone is a fan but the new shape suits me better. I have the model with the large but not huge lugs (the trail talon?) and can’t complain at all.

Topo, Altra and recently Inov-8 have adopted ‘Foot-shape’ style shoes that are wider een less pointy in the front.

While I like my trailtalon wide, I agree that they’re very wide even compared to Altra. I will not get the wide in the future. Upper durability hasn’t been a problem so far. The heel collar has degraded somewhat but with no impact on how it feels.

Trailtalons have 6mm lugs and still do great in mud. The boomerang footbed helps on tarmac. Still much more a mud than road shoe though.

The obvious one is that they’ve replaced their fell shoes with a trail shoe that’s good in mud. It’s super sloppy on foot, no precision, high stack and delicate so it falls apart when you bash through heather or bracken. The roclite 275 has been replaced by the trailtalon. Again, it’s much higher stack and a baggy fit. It’s just not the same shoe. I’m not the only one - I’d say at least twice a month the topic of inov8 being in the bin comes up on the club run. Far fewer seen in races these days and those that are seen are often old mudclaws or xtalons. I’d rather race in walshes than mudtalons. I’m similar on being a long time repeat customer of theirs.. I’ve probably worn 8-10 pairs each of 212s and mudclaws down to slick. I can’t see myself buying another shoe of theirs unless something drastically changes. If they are forged in the fells (as they like to emphasise), they currently reside in Regents Park.

The problem is that the precision fit isn't precise - a massive step back given their intended use. All they had to do is to take the new rubber they have and slap it on the old xtalons and mudclaws, rather than fuck around with a formula that had worked excellently for almost 2 decades.

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.

I love Inov-8 the Trail Talons are great.

Long reply here but I understand this quite niche problem all too well. I have a bunion in the same place on left foot but actually have skinny midfoot so always struggle to get a lockdown in 'wide' shoes. The Inov8 Trailfly and their new range works well here. I'd actually go for the standard fit over wide as the toe box is already foot shaped. The width I think is in the midfoot. For example, I have a pair of precision fit Mudtalons and get a super snug midfoot lockdown but the toebox still lets my foot spread. The problem you actually have is that a lot of 'wide toe box' shoes still carry that super straight line on the inside of the foot which obviously doesn't work. Even the Prodigio Pro mentioned is quite accommodating but suffers from this to a degree as the bunion pushes the mesh out and can become uncomfortable by forcing your foot or all toes away to the side. Salomon shoes are quite bad for this, even though I suck it up and wear them as the midfoot just suits my feet. The Trailfy is the comfiest shoe I've worn in years, and I've even cleaned mine up and now wear them for walking around daily and the gym. They do a Trailtalon too if you need more softground grip, plus a road shoe. Edit to add: if anything like me, mine is just on the one foot so if I buy wide shoes, the other is super sloppy. This is why a better shape toe box works better than a wide fitting shoe in my opinion.

I've previously had Roclite 290s, and wanted another pair but they have been discontinued, I emailed them and they said the closest thing they did now was the TrailTalon - this has a much thicker sole and more drop, (and are twice the price I paid for my Roclites) but I bought them and I'm pretty happy with them, my only real complaint is the heel part of the shoe isn't tall enough, so it feels like I may lose a shoe in a bog (but haven't yet!) I've done just over 100 miles in them, so can't comment on durability yet...