Inov8 TrailFly Max Review (2025): Comfort in Technical Mode?

Alecsa Stewart

Published on 08/13/2025

Updated on 08/19/2025

Perhaps less known internationally than its competitors, the British brand Inov8 is a reference for fell runners in Northern England, thanks to its robust, flexible shoes that historically offer little cushioning for better feel on rough terrains. 2024 sees it reinventing itself with a completely new range of trail shoes full of innovations and a reinforced effort on sponsorship and marketing.

This new range stands out with an anatomical design. The models follow the shape of the foot and widen, with special attention given to long distances. The success is also growing on the international scene: 10th place at the UTMB 2024 for Yannick Noel, then 6th in the 90 km of Mont-Blanc 2025.

With the TrailFly Max, Inov8 offers a shoe for long trails and ultras, more comfortable and with improved cushioning compared to its previous collection.

Will this reinvention of the brand convince on European trails?

Tested in the Pyrenees, here’s our verdict.

Our Verdict

Grip and Terrain Types

A strong point of the brand, the Graphene Grip rubber ensures remarkable traction, even in wet or winter conditions.

The TrailFly Max inherits this signature technology: no problems on wet rocks or summer stream crossings.

The 4 mm lugs arranged in a multidirectional manner provide effective grip uphill and downhill, while limiting mud accumulation. Versatility assured!

Cushioning

To say that the Inov8 brand didn’t make a name for itself with comfort is an understatement.

Its traditional models focused primarily on terrain feel and grip, which didn’t appeal to the majority of ultra-runners.

But things are changing with this new midsole featuring an ultra-critical nitrogen-infused foam: Flyspeed Pro.

This is a foam meant to offer a perfect balance between maximum cushioning, ground feel, and stability on all types of terrain.

Sure, I haven’t tried the previous Inov8 models or other shoes in the TrailFly range, but I can say I expected less plushness given its reputation.

Indeed, everything seems very satisfactory for a long-distance shoe. Cushioning is comfortable, foot protection is decent, and there is a good level of rebound thanks to the nitrogen and the boomerang-style design of the insole (claimed to offer 40% more rebound, according to Inov8).

Foot Lockdown and Protection

Inov8 has drastically changed the design of these shoes, opting for a wider design up front, offering more room for the toes. This is ideal for long-duration races, where the foot tends to swell.

The TrailFly Max also benefits from a lot of padding inside the shoe. These add comfort as well as midfoot support.

I found the heel might be a bit too wide and tended to lift during steep climbs. This can be addressed with strategic knots, but it’s a minor downside of this otherwise very successful model.

Numerous heat seals and TPU bands protect the feet laterally. The rock guard is also effective against rocks in the mountains.

Finally, I found the upper quite breathable despite its thickness. The tongue is well-padded, offering top-foot protection while maintaining flexibility and staying unobtrusive during the run.

Use Scenarios

I took the TrailFly Max out for recovery sessions, long runs, and even some hikes. They’re very comfortable on outings longer than three hours, without rubbing or overheating (even during heatwaves!).

To test their dynamism, I did interval training on the flat and some hill outings as well. Like with the Asics Gel Trabuco 13, the nitrogen-injected foam allows for gaining momentum without being heavy.

However, there’s a noticeable lack of a carbon plate to really gain in speed. Nonetheless, this isn’t the aim of the TrailFly Max: they will perfectly suit trail runners starting with ultras aiming to finish, not win.

Quality and Durability

Inov8 has always relied on a sustainable and eco-responsible approach (1). They notably encourage their customers to use the repair services in their stores.

In 2025, they reaffirm their ecological goals, with a particular focus on the sustainability and carbon neutrality of their manufacturing process.

For the TrailFly Max, this means the use of very durable materials, notably graphene, “the most durable material in the world” according to the brand. Furthermore, the FlySpeed Pro foam is lighter but also more robust, which should give it a long lifespan.

I’ve read some comments indicating premature wear on the edges and peeling paint. This hasn’t been the case with my pair of TrailFly Max, which has already clocked over 100 km, but I will keep an eye out!

Finally, like all Inov8 shoes, this model is vegan and does not contain animal materials.

Conclusion

The TrailFly Max marks a turning point for Inov8: a shoe well-suited for long distances without denying the brand’s technical DNA.

Cushioning, comfort, grip: everything is there to support ultra runners.

It’s not the fastest on the market (shoes with carbon plates and lighter, like Hoka Tecton X3, have a clear advantage here), but it’s a success in this new direction.

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use

Reference: official site

References

Sustainability
Inov8
https://www.inov8.com/eu/sustainability