Type: Neutral
Price: £150
Weight: 270g
Drop: 0mm
The shoe
The first iteration of the Inov-8 Trailfly 270 won multiple awards, including Runner’s World’s ‘Trail Running Shoe of the Year 2020’. So the bar has been set fairly high for its follow-up. Understandably, Inov-8 is reluctant to tamper too heavily with a winning formula, so the Trailfly 270 V2 is more evolution than revolution. In essence, it’s an impressively versatile shoe with enough cushioning for long runs but with a zero-drop, fast-feeling appeal. It’s also built to last. The outsole is made from graphene – Inov-8’s tougher-than-tough material designed to withstand the rigours of serious mileage on challenging terrain. The main mesh material on V2’s upper is also 25% more durable than on V1, while a form-fitting tongue improves padding and creates a better hold in the midfoot.
What is the Inov-8 Trailfly V2 like to run in?
Straight out of the box, the Trailfly 270 V2 is a joy to run in. At 270g, it hits a sweet spot between cushioning and speed, making it a shoe you can use for all your trail-running purposes. RW wore them for speed sessions and long runs alike, with the shoe performing excellently on both. There’s a premium feeling to the details, too: the lacing system is secure, the tongue padded and there were zero hotspots. We’d be happy racing in these and enjoyed the natural-feeling ride created by the zero-drop. Finally, as you’d expect from Inov-8, the grip is excellent. More than that, though, it’s a grip that works well over a variety of surfaces – from hard-packed trail to thick mud, making these a shoe for all seasons.
How does the Inov-8 Trailfly V2 fit?
The Trailfly 270 V2 fits true to size. There’s a welcome roominess to the forefoot and the padded tongue offers some extra cushioning and comfort for the top of the foot. The ground-feel is fairly firm, yet there’s an ample amount of cushioning (the stack height is 22mm) for longer miles. RW experienced no hotspots or blisters while wearing these, and was impressed with the overall fit and comfort.
RW verdict
The Trailfly 270 V2 is a further improvement on the V1. It hits a sweet spot between cushioning and speed, while its grip copes well with a wide variety of ground conditions – from dry trails to thick mud. Built to last, it’s a shoe that will serve you well over hundreds of miles. If you’re unfamiliar or adverse to zero-drop shoes, you may want to look elsewhere. For the rest of us, this hard-wearing off-roader should feature high up the wish-list.
