Zuletzt aktualisiert am 10. Mai 2024
A few months ago, I received an exciting request: Would I be interested in testing the inov-8 Trailfly G 270 v2? Until then, I had only observed these sturdy Brits from afar, so I was naturally eager to participate. But enough preamble – let’s dive straight into examining this grip monster.
December mostly showed its unpleasant side. It wasn’t really frosty, at least not permanently, and the snow I longed for was rarely delivered. However, I managed to squeeze in some runs on the trails in the Taunus, and they were a lot of fun with the inov-8 G 270 v2.
[Advertisement notice: Many thanks to my partner inov-8, who provided me with the Trailfly G 270 v2 trail running shoe for testing. The tips presented here are my own. The post contains affiliate links.]
How does the inov-8 Trailfly G 270 v2 perform?
The last few months transformed many of my trails into smaller stream beds, which the inov-8 has managed with wet feet, but otherwise unimpressed by the snow and mud conditions. Not really surprising for a shoe from the British Isles.
at the Trail
Because it likely needs to perform here in wet, rough terrain just like on the trails, and it does so excellently. After a longer run with around 20 kilometers on the clock, I was satisfied with what I had on my feet. The deep lug profile provides grip in every situation and instills confidence after just a few kilometers. During my test runs, I found that the trail running shoe is simply great fun on uphill trails. The sole’s traction is always there when you need it. However, when things speed up, I do have some stability issues, but I’ll come to that in a moment.
Size and fit
My first Trailfly model was a bit too tight. After just a few steps in the apartment, I decided that I should take half a size larger than what’s normally in my shoe rack. So there it was, the G270 V2, and nothing was pinching anymore. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too big now. Or maybe that’s just the impression because of the generous toe box. I must admit, I’m not used to that voluminous design from my previous trail running shoes.
Comfortable running with the Trailfly G 270 v2
So I laced up again, and the foot fits with plenty of room for the toes. By the way, they are more or less adequately protected by a narrow rock guard.
Overall, the trail running shoe is unexpectedly comfortable. This is partly due to the proven midsole, on which a very pleasant insole takes its place. Similar to the LOWA Citux, inov-8 has equipped the Trailfly with a lightweight but comfortably padded tongue. This construction rounds off the pleasant running experience.
Design
The inov-8 Trailfly G 270 v2 may not be known for its breathtaking design, but its clean lines, three different color tones, and distinctive company logo give the successor to the award-winning Terraultra G 270 a certain charm. A special highlight is the speckles in the POWERFLOW MAX midsole, which give the shoe a certain uniqueness.
Quality of the Trailfly G 270 v2
There’s absolutely nothing to complain about in terms of craftsmanship. The design department didn’t try to develop a completely new shoe but focused on small improvements. According to the manufacturer, the upper material made of mesh is now even 25% more durable than its predecessor. I can’t judge that for sure without a comparison shoe, but the G 270 V2 is definitely durable. After my previous runs, I’ve definitely scraped it along one or two sticks or rocks, and you can’t see that on the Trailfly.
Grip
Now let’s get to the nitty-gritty because when it comes to grip, the Trailfly leaves nothing to chance. The coarse profile of the lugs digs nicely into the ground. It doesn’t matter if it’s the soft forest floor or the snow-covered trail. The shoe struggles a bit with lots of mud, but that’s no different from competitors with similar sole profiles.
PRO
- Grip
- Lightweight
- Running comfort
CONTRA
- No lace pocket
- Design
- Fit
Conclusion about the inov-8 Trailfly G 270 v2
I admit, this conclusion gave me a bit more headache than I thought. Basically, I really like the inov-8 Trailfly G270 v2 (it’s really a very long name). It’s robust, has grip when you need it, and is quite comfortable to wear. I would say it’s a great shoe, especially for longer runs beyond the two-hour mark.
If it weren’t for this ample toe box, which I think affects the fit somewhat. When I take the Trailfly on a fast single trail downhill, despite tightly laced laces, I always feel a slight instability. It might be because of my narrow foot.
If you have a big foot and want to take the second version of a multi-award-winning all-rounder, which leaves nothing to be desired in terms of grip, out on the trails, you should take a closer look at the inov-8 Trailfly G 270 v2.
But if you’re looking for something more suitable for trail running beginners, feel free to check out
See you on the trails!
Key specifications
- Weight: 270 g for size 42 (Measured for size 45 1/2 = 000 g)
- Material: POWERFLOW MAX foam for the midsole and BOOMERANG footbed. Upper made of durable MESH.
- Sole: Multidirectional 4 mm deep lugs, GRAPHENE-GRIP rubber.
- Drop: 0 mm
Note: The shoe was provided to me as part of a cooperation with inov-8. This conclusion remains unaffected by it.
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