Inov-8 Trailfly V2 Review: A Grippy, Ground-Connected Trail Shoe

Introduction

The Inov-8 Trailfly V2 is a trail shoe built for versatility, aimed at runners tackling long miles across hard and mixed terrain. It costs £130 or $160, weighs 283 g (10 oz) for men in a size 8, and has a 6 mm drop.

This updated version brings changes to the outsole, midsole, and upper, all intended to improve grip, durability, and everyday trail protection. After testing across hard-packed trails, river paths, rolling park paths, and rougher mixed ground, it comes across as a solid all-rounder, but one with a distinct character you need to enjoy.

Who This Shoe Is For

The Trailfly V2 suits runners who prefer a firmer, more responsive ride with lots of ground feel rather than deep, soft cushioning. Inov-8’s unmistakable ride combines a relatively low stack with a lower drop and a controlled, connected feel underfoot. If you like shoes that put you close to the ground, this delivers.

It rewards a light and fast foot turnover. Up on the balls of your feet, the ride turns snappy and rolling. Heavy-footed miles on hard pack are less forgiving, so runners who slog out long, slow hours may want something more accommodating. For runs up to an hour, or a few hours at a lighter effort, there is a nice lightness to the ride.

Main Strengths

Comfort is the headline. The upper is accommodating, with a wide toe box, a roomy midfoot, and generous padding on the tongue and ankle collar. It feels like a shoe designed for going longer, sitting in the same realm as versatile workhorse trail shoes such as the Saucony Peregrine.

The grip is another clear strength. The 4 mm graphene-infused rubber lugs deliver traction on both wet and dry surfaces, and the updated G-Grip outsole compound is designed to offer significantly improved wet grip compared to the previous model. On rocky and technical ground it feels tacky and reliable, and it also handles road sections well, making it a very good road-to-trail option.

Underfoot, the revised Powerflow Pro midsole is engineered for greater durability and resilience, helping cushioning hold its performance over longer distances. KPU overlays on the upper add protection from rocks, roots, and trail debris, and the firm base creates reassuring stability on flat and technical trail alike. Durability looks promising too, with a midsole that does not appear likely to bottom out after big mileage.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Fit is the main caveat, and feedback here is mixed enough that trying before buying matters. One tester in a standard width found the fit comfortable with plenty of toe space and generous padding throughout, while another found the standard fit narrow and too snug, preferring to go half a size up or choose the wide option, especially for ultras or long days on foot. Staying true to size may work for some, but sizing up or going wide is worth considering if you want a roomier fit.

The low-rising heel collar is another point of friction. It sits noticeably lower than many trail shoes, near the bend point, and caused blisters and rubbing for one tester. That is unlikely to be fixed by sizing up alone.

The ride is also firmer and slightly more blocky than the previous Trailfly. Some softer, more flexible edges of the V1 have been swapped for structure and a more locked-in fit. That brings control, but the shoe demands quick foot turnover and is less forgiving when tired. It is also less pleasant on short road stretches than the V1, and the direct feel makes toggling back from highly cushioned road shoes a bigger leap than it used to be.

Performance on Mixed Terrain

Across roughly 40 km of mixed terrain, including roads to reach the trails, rocky sections, mud, fields, and plenty of incline and decline, the Trailfly V2 impressed. It works very well on harder surfaces where many trail shoes struggle, and the grip holds up on rocky and wet ground.

Where it is less convincing is deep, slushy mud. The 4 mm lugs are not the really technical kind Inov-8 uses on its wettest-weather shoes, so it handles mud up to a point rather than excelling in it. For UK-style mixed terrain with a bit of everything, though, it handles the job well.

Grip, Stability, and Durability

Grip performed well in everything encountered during testing, and the improved wet-weather compound should help in harsher conditions. The firm base creates reliable stability on flat trail, and that composure carries over to more technical ground.

Durability shows no red flags. The shoe has the trademark robustness you would expect from Inov-8, with a midsole that looks built to resist compressing out over big mileage.

Buying Advice

At £130 or $160, the Trailfly V2 is good value for runners who like a firmer ride, and it can often be found cheaper at retailers such as SportsShoes. If you want a do-it-all trail shoe with a bit of everything, it ticks a lot of boxes and sits highly among versatile workhorse options.

If you prefer more on-foot comfort with a similarly low profile, the original Trailfly V1 is worth hunting down. For more cushioning with a similarly low drop, look at the Trailfly Max V2, and for maximum cushion on long hauls, the Hoka Speedgoat 7 or Merrell Agility Peak are more accommodating choices.

Conclusion

The Inov-8 Trailfly V2 is a grippy, nimble, sprightly shoe with a direct, connected ride and a wide range of capability across terrain types. Runners who value ground feel, stability, and control over soft cushioning will get a lot from it, and for mixed UK-style trail running it is well worth the money. Those after plush comfort for very long hours should look elsewhere, but as a versatile, good-value all-rounder, it earns a big thumbs up.