Inov8
Trailfly Pro
Inov8's first trail super shoe uses a nitrogen-infused supercritical POWERFLOW ELITE foam with no plate, graphene rubber and 4 mm lugs. Testers found it remarkably light and springy, though rock protection is limited and the high heel feels less stable on rocky descents.
About the Trailfly Pro
Described by Inov8 as its most advanced trail running shoe, the Trailfly Pro is built for speed on hard, rocky ground and for races up to 50K. It sits at the top of the Trailfly series, above the everyday Trailfly V2 and the long-distance Trailfly Max V2, with a supercritical midsole and a pared-back, race-focused upper.
That midsole is a nitrogen-infused supercritical TPEE foam, labelled POWERFLOW ELITE, and there is no plate, unlike many super shoes. Inov8 quotes a 34 mm heel stack including footbed and 4 mm lugs, with a 6 mm drop. The outsole uses a new formula of Graphene-Grip rubber in a partial pattern that follows the foot's natural shape, which the brand says gives 50% more wet slip resistance than the first Trailfly generation. The mesh upper adds a speed tongue, padded heel and notched laces. It comes only in a Standard NATURALFIT width.
Specs and features from inov-8.ca and our own spec data. A factual overview, not a review.
Video reviews
Watch Inov8 Trailfly Pro reviewsOpens YouTubeWhat the critics say
90/100 review score
- Road Trail Run 9.3/10
The reviews in briefThe Inov8 Trailfly Pro won over Road Trail Run's John Tribbia, Dom Layfield and Sam Winebaum, who praised its bouncy foam, very low weight and roomy toe box, though Layfield found the heel loose and rock protection was limited. Northern Runner liked its flexibility and grip on climbs but felt less confident on steep descents.
- Positive: Springy, energetic foam for its very low weight
- Positive: Secure midfoot hold with a roomy, anatomical toe box
- Positive: Flexible underfoot with good ground feel on climbs
- Mixed: Heel hold was loose for one tester
- Mixed: Upper runs warm in humid weather
- Negative: Limited rock protection
- Negative: High heel feels unstable on steep, rocky descents
Paraphrased from published reviews. Read them in full:
The numbers
- Trail
- Type
- 230 g
- Weight
- 34 mm
- Heel stack
- 6 mm
- Drop
- No plate
- Plate
- Neutral
- Support
Weight for a men's US 9 / UK 8.5.
What it feels like
Fit
True to size
Testers found a secure midfoot and a roomy, anatomical toe box; one Road Trail Run tester found the heel loose and prone to slipping.
What Reddit runners say
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On TikTok
Trailfly Pro on TikTokShort reviews and wear tests from runnersWhere to buy the Trailfly Pro
RRP around £165. Tap through for today's price.
Inov8 Trailfly Pro
In short
Worth a look if you race runnable trails up to around 50 km and want a very light, springy shoe with room for your toes. On rocky, technical descents, a more protective shoe will serve you better.
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