INOV-8 TRAILFLY ULTRA G 300 MAX REVIEW | The Ginger Runner

[@gow2ilove]

Long term inov 8 customer here. The difference in their grip now is that whilst it is not quite as sticky as their older grip when you first get the shoes, it is almost as good. However it lasts considerably longer than their prior grip. I've had my G270s since the week they came out, done about a 700 miles in them and never seen a drop in grip performance. I've also got a pair of mudclaws from Inov 8 and they would be useless if I had racked up that number of miles in them.

[@josephbrady6733]

Love these shoes, got about 100 miles in. Feel brilliant underfoot. A bit of a diversion from usual inov8 fell shoe like the x talon or roclite Midsole is very cushioned .They are expensive

[@Northernerdownsouth]

INOV8 finally listened. Many British runners like the width and cushioning in the Terra-Ultra but wanted some drop. Along came this shoe. In the UK, their uppers don’t survive long due to our mud and peat

[@daveh5154]

Grew up on Maynard's wine gums as a kid in the UK. Great reference Ethan.

[@MariaTorres-xb9fg]

Just got them yesterday. Immediately feet are delighted with the spring in the step and the cushioning under the feet!!!! No heavy cement feet feeling like Bushido and Altra

[@dagoodwin92]

I have found the Graphine grip on my Terraultra 270's top notch. Lots of local routes through wet slate quarries here (the ultimate test in the rain) and no issues at all.

[@Thefifaplayeryant]

Exactly !

[@richt3993]

How is the cusion though?
I prefer the fit of the 270s but they feel so flimsy

[@marccastle8249]

@@richt3993 I find the cushioning fine in the g270, they are not a max cushion by any stretch but the fit of the upper the flexible nature and zero drop just works for me, they let my feet do the work. Always been tempted by the g300 the stack height and weight puts me off though as it doesn’t work for me. Which is the main point it’s just so personal what works for each of us. The g270’s will be my go to on my Snowdon 100k Ultra

[@tykwo]

Got mine recently. Best shoes I ever had ♥ Got 50km trail and no feet injuries. Now i am going 101km mountain trail and i am not worry about my feet anymore :)

[@global-runner]

I’m so pleased you mentioned the off-gassing. No other reviewers have and mine are the same as yours. I can’t keep them in the house. I also had to go up half a size. And I agree on the grip. I hit some snow on a trail run and they were like polished glass underfoot. My friends in other shoes had much better grip.

[@nelonugy]

Oh the SMELL! Mine are staying in the garage. But....I love them. Just did a 50 miler, with no problems! And my ties are fine. And the price in Denmark is 250$!!!

[@marcosciacca595]

Losing the insoles helps with the smell. I am with you on the smell, I nearly passed out when I took them out of the box! I have custom orthotics and replaced the inov8 insoles with mine and the smell stopped. Hope this helps!

[@JamieAsareZiegler]

I had that toenail-toeguard problem with a pair of Salomon S/Lab Sense. I wrote Salomon about it and their customer service basically said, "Your feet, your problem." And that's why I'll never buy another Salomon product again. Inov-8, on the other hand, I love - but after watching this review, I think the TerraUltra G270 is still the Goldilocks shoe for me.

[@kingsley6236]

Had mine now since February 2022, no smell anymore, grippy after the release agent has worn off, and very springy and comfortable. Feels AMAZING when moving from the trails to road. Though I do agree with the toe cap rubbing. They are really worth the money if you are doing long trail miles espescially on gravel, loose trails and light mud!!!!!! Oh and weirdly I liked the smell when new!!!!

[@kingsley6236]

Bought a pair of these awsome trail shoes a month ago. While nathen is quite corrent, there are slippy on damp surfaces, this does go away after the release agent has worn off from when the sole was moulded. But by far the best thing is how easy they are to clean!!! Mud just doesn't stick to the sole or welded overlays. Highly recomend them, they will last a long time!

[@johnnynerhagen4292]

I love the shoe and the smell:-) I like it better than the G270 because of the 6mm drop.

[@cakej1]

Just used hoka extrerra torrent for 50k. No blisters, no toe bruises. Great 50k trail shoe. Those Inov8 look interesting for dirt for maybe something longer.

[@layer8man]

Wow, it’s surprising to hear you mention a “voluminous” toe box with this shoe. I own a pair of these and they are definitely much tighter thru the toe box than any other shoe I’ve owned. It’s almost as if I need to go up a 1/2 size just to get a normal fit. Also, I’ve found it to have great traction and grip.

[@suspicionofdeceit]

It’s really bizarre that most shoes have a toebox that is not ergonomically shaped.

[@nicklorigo3507]

@@suspicionofdeceit definitely agree, just had to return a pair for that exact reason. i have a pair of g270's and the fit feels completely different

[@richt3993]

@@nicklorigo3507 How did you find the 270s on rocky mountainous terrain?

[@nicklorigo3507]

@@richt3993 Awesome!! The grip is like no other shoe from what i remember. They just dig into whatever you run through and the lock down is pretty great. I threw everything at them lol but the only thing i didnt like was the lack of underfoot cushion. They felt more like race day shoes

[@gregprevite8548]

The price is insane. Shoe prices are getting crazy these days.

[@danieltsuedo334]

hence why I feel no qualms about buying the previous iterations (of any shoe), when the new models come out.
I’m not a pro, and this is just my healthy hobby. I’m good.

[@gregprevite8548]

@@danieltsuedo334 couldn’t agree more. These too will one day be on sale. Let everyone else pay for all the hype and marketing.

[@martincoleman1469]

No distributor in Canada so have to buy direct from inov8. After tax, shipping etc... $400CAD. No thanks.

[@parleekingy]

I found 30% discount code for these direct from Inov-8 with a quick google, a month ago. loving them

[@gregprevite8548]

@@parleekingy that’s awesome! That brings them to a much better price!

[@nicke1488]

I’m about 120 miles in with mine and I’m a big fan thus far. But with the high price I expect to get many many miles out of these. No chemical smell that I’ve noticed, but they don’t spend much time in my house. I did need to size up a 1/2 size and I feel the fit is good for me, not great but good. I’ve run in the Gorge of the PNW for most of the miles, so lots of big ascents and decent along with rain, rocky terrain and roots. I have found the grip to work great for me. I am interested where Inov-8 goes from here with this line of shoes.

[@SeeChadRun]

When it comes to trail shoes, I really think you'd enjoy the new adidas TERREX Speed Ultra shoe! I used it on a recent 50k and LOVED it! Very grippy, comfortable, and lightweight. Would love to watch your review on that shoe!!!

[@pord]

Love mine. I was one of the first to pick it up.

[@dazdarren9926]

I love my pair. I have about 50 miles in them and the bad chemical smell has worn off. I have noticed that same smell in other INOV-8 shoes. I love the cushion and have had no issues with traction although I live in a dry area. The flex grove gives me confidence when I’m on rockier terrain

[@rmsrmsrmsrms]

Is the groove picking up rocks? Lots of 1/4"-1/2" gravel around here....

[@dazdarren9926]

@@rmsrmsrmsrms I haven’t had any issues with the groove picking up rocks and gravel

[@charlie9]

Nice review Ethan!!
I still think that 190$ for a regular cushioned trail shoe is a joke 😅

[@vg3222]

I am from the UK, Inov-8 has absurd pricing on everything they make.

[@MauriceG85]

And yet people are still buying it

[@suspicionofdeceit]

It’s preposterous, but manufacturers have slowly been getting us used to a $200 shoe as normal.

[@jamespinderphotoman]

Sign up for RunningReborn. 30% of all Inov8 products. Thank me later :)

[@bildotunechi]

Decided to watch this after purchasing this week, and I got the new dark blue/orange colorway, and I can say that the shoe barely smelled at all, even right up on my nostrils!

[@youwebz]

He is American so……

[@curtiswood8010]

Just picked these up July 2023. Off-Gassing must have been solved, because its very minimal now.

[@jonh1958]

I recently bought a pair of Inov8 Parkclaws and I've not enjoyed the experience at all. Unfortunately with shops closed this last year I had to buy online which is probably the root of the issue. The toe box seems large but the rest of the upper seems too small and I've found it difficult to get a good lockdown, the laces are unusually fat too which just seems a strange choice. All in all not a great buy for me I'll probably look at some of the other brands reviewed here.

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

Thanks for your review. Lots to like here but it’s just too heavy! The VJ Ultra is a superior shoe in every respect, including weight.

[@adamtyson1257]

I love the JV Maxx, close to the ground, solid and supportive.

[@denisp8396]

Are you going to do a review on the Salomon Ultra Glide?

[@alertbri]

Crazy good grip on wet grass coming downhill. Great bounce 15K into a run, great on tarmac and on firm trail.
Coming downhill on wet Limestone shale is treacherous, but I suspect any running shoe would struggle equally. Love mine.

[@bildotunechi]

My G270's also smelled insanely chemical-y. I've heard some pretty woeful opinions on these from UK Inov-8 lovers, so it's reassuring that you didn't find them terrible.

[@NoxiousNoodles]

It's a very weird shoe for Inov-8. Totally different from their usual target market. I know a lot of people, including me, who are really miffed that they did not instead spend the research money on improving the durability of the uppers on their fell shoes.

[@2spoons]

Great review again TheGingerRunner.... but does the G300 have a wide toe box, like a Altra LonePeak.... Had to ask as I'm running 30+ miles and my feet do swell up a fraction or two ???
Many thanks in advance

[@oliparish7225]

Great Review. I love Inov-8 shoes but I tried these and had the EXACT same issue with the toenails catching on the overlay in the toe box. I’ve actually just ordered a size up to try and see if it helps (I fear it won’t). The price is pretty eye-watering though & it seems crazy to me that they’ve not come up against the toe catching issue in their R&D/testing.

[@bilaltahir9978]

What happened when you sized up? Did your toenails still catch on the overlay of the toe box?

[@oliparish7225]

@@bilaltahir9978 Nope, sized up and they were perfect! I actually ran the Endurancelife South Devon marathon a couple of weeks ago and they were perfect. In fairness I have about 500 miles in them now so I’ll be buying another pair soon!

[@bilaltahir9978]

@Oli Parish These shoes have arrived now but the toe box feels very stiff, making the shoe feel shorter in length even though I am sure there is a thumb width between my toe and the front of the shoe. Does the toe box become more supple after a few runs and does the shoe then feel normal in length? I am not sure if I should return them or just wear them until the toe box feels more comfortable.

[@oliparish7225]

@@bilaltahir9978 The toe box is definitely very stiff and doesn’t really loosen up (mine haven’t anyway). The whole overlay on the toe is really rigid. For me, my toes rub against them but it’s not caused any issues in terms of blisters etc but you will definitely be ‘aware’ of the end of the shoe when you’re running downhill. Like I said, hasn’t caused me any issues but that is just me. I know it sounds stupid but maybe run up and down the stairs in them and see how they feel on your toes. If they are really noticeable and you’re concerned then they might not work for you.

[@richt3993]

7:36 I had the EXACT same issue with the Altra Olympus

[@saragonmcenany6229]

300 denotes the weight which is 300 grams. The G is for graphine a material invented in the labs of Manchester University.
Max being cushioning stack level in its current line up

[@peterkirktenor]

300 grams in which size?!

[@rmsrmsrmsrms]

@@peterkirktenor 425grams/15oz in US13 .... Not a single use of the word 'weight' in GR's review .... VJ Ultra in US13 is 11.6oz, Speedgoat EVO 11.4oz. Doubtless Inov-8 is assessing how to close the gap in upcoming models!

[@Thefifaplayeryant]

@@rmsrmsrmsrms You are right, even if they run lighter, still lots of weight on the competition, e g. Hoka SG, North Face Enduris, even Altra Olympus 4.0, not to mention the upcoming Salomon Ultra Glide, VJ Ultra...

[@Thefifaplayeryant]

@@peterkirktenor US9 is 340gr. according to a review, so 300gr. won't be the weight for most (men's) sizes...I think 1 size up is approx. 30gr., so US10 around 360-370gr. or so...

[@boudewijndekemp3162]

I think they look Kawasaki green. I have been running in these for a month. Love them but I agree on the smell haha

[@jamesdunn9462]

I’ve got them and the smell is powerful but I found mine got less toxic over time and now they just smell of my feet which are worse! I love them but agree they might not be for everyone

[@amarsrayer8141]

I have the g 270 that I don't find them that comfortable. But I like the fact that they are solid and durable. So the question is: is the the g 300 really more comfortable? I weight around 95kg.
For the flashy look they are available in various colors, my g270 are black.
Regarding the grip, when it rains, you can feel that they are slippery just by getting into the car and (manually) engaging the clutch. I scared myself a few times feeling my foot betraying me off the pedal.
The smell might be the big issue and the no-go. It's a pity.
I'd appreciate any advice for a solid and comfortable pair suitable for my weight...

[@Ingrampix]

Odd how current road shoes offer more grip for me on the local trails (this is the Yorkshire moors, nothing buffed-out, alertness needed ref. rocks, bogs and grouse shooting parties). Inov-8 inspire loyalty among fell runners here, but am recalling 2009 when eg Pegasus outsole rubber was enough for any surface including ice. I never slid over till the lugs kicked in.

[@petersavage9938]

Interesting that no other reviews have mentioned the smell. So have you been unlucky or what?

[@EDDBUD]

The smell of this shoe and the craft ctm ultra is enough for my wife to demand they live in an airtight box.

[@Robin-hb4dx]

Bought the 270 recently and I also ahve the smell problem....

[@jamescoates6849]

Hey, how many miles did you do? Can see quite a lot of creasing on the sides of the mid-sole, which I wouldn't expect. Thanks for the great review though.

[@Thefifaplayeryant]

Sorry, my G270 is close to 80gr. lighter in my size EU44, this is no comparison. And this is still the only review questionning the grip in a negative way, which is at least strange...

[@LailaRava-wu3ds]

Does this work well in the Alps?

[@trailsofanoldrunner]

I was hoping you would discuss the deep flex groove

[@mikehall6433]

Not just me, I was so wanting to like them. They feel great running down my street but my toes rub the toe box. I can see my self loosing a toe nail.

[@Droubek]

Where I live these sell right now at exactly $228. I think the price deserved a little more of "raised eyebrows" and loud exhalation :). Looks like anything that has the word "carbon" in the name can have these - in my opinion - unreasonable price tags. Hack, a couple of years ago, I thought, I was buying very expensive shoes for less than half the price of this "carbon" miracle.

[@AA-og6cx]

Any chance we are seeing a Clifton 8 review soon?

[@michaelcaricoo]

Not Ethan but I got mine early from my local store if you have any questions about them

[@AA-og6cx]

@@michaelcaricoo just curious if I should buy 7s at $100 or 8s at $130
Thank you

[@Ni1zz]

Are they similar to Speedgoat?

[@mk_ultrarunner]

I wanted to try something different than my Hoka Speedgoat, but $190 is way too steep for a try. And it just seems like they are very limiting in many aspects.

[@richt3993]

LOVE the User Name!!!

[@mk_ultrarunner]

@@richt3993 ha! A running friend calls me MK Ultra. I thought… Why Not? 😝

[@asutton709]

Anyone gone down a size so the toe sits within the toe box rather than on the edge?

[@MariaTorres-xb9fg]

How is the cushioning? Good for marathon distance???

[@richt3993]

I've just bought them for a 50k at the end of the month.
My normal every day shoe size is 10 but I have wide feet.
Went with an 11 ro get that thumb width ready for swollen feet.
Did a 3.5 run on a trail and they feel a LOT more cushioned than I thought they would.
My ultra is on Snowdon and I feel confident re protection .
Doing a 10 mile this weekend on fairly rocky and steep trails.
Will let you know how it goes
Also NO smell and I've tried 3 pairs.
They must have sorted it

[@josephbrady6733]

BTW, quite like the smell!!, insoles are great.. don't fully agree with the review but sometimes a trainer doesn't work for you?

[@Pidgenova]

The G270s also have that same chemical smell

[@BirdfluDracula]

190 clams? pasta fasul

[@roustabout4fun]

If there was autophagy for shoes...INOV-8 might be the result......................................... Their early shoes oddly enough reminded me somehow of LEGOS.

[@Predazord007]

I have been seriously considering these shoes. Very interested to know how wide the toe box is? I’ve been running in Topo and couldn’t bear to go back to ‘Hoka foot shape’

[@dagoodwin92]

Coming from Altra I found the Terraultra g260 pretty good. Unfortunately they took a step backwards with the g270s and got a lot narrower. I belive the traifly are meant to be something similar.

[@thesii213]

@@dagoodwin92 Really? I was hoping the 270's would be similar as both are built on the same last?

[@dagoodwin92]

@@thesii213 no unfortunately I have found them quite narrow. Both insoles line up together perfectly however the upper of the shoe must be narrower. I have heard other people report similar issues. Sizing up might help but yet to confirm this myself.

[@Predazord007]

@@dagoodwin92 similar to which one?

[@BenedictHeaver]

I have a pair of Lone Peak 5’s, Escalante’s 2.5’s, and these. Whilst not as wide as the Altra’s they are much wider than a Hoka. I’d still class then as a wide fit, and I have a little bit of room to wiggle my toes.

[@eriknilsen_trainingday]

Ordered them yesterday, review today… oh no 🙈

[@charlesjolley700]

G270 price is 😳

[@eddolous]

It’s a Why for me

[@FORTUNENGLORY]

Smell? Just your top lip?

[@emithen]

Do not stare at Trailfly Ultra 300

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

Scarpa Spin RS also stink!

[@Bikesands]

I gave the video a thumbs up for Ethan but not the shoe.

[@damianreid2452]

36" - 40": sorry but you were upstaged by the ant.

[@saeedkagzi8792]

Maan this guy does he just run on roads or something seems like he only likes shoe's with alot of foam from his shoe's. And seems like he doesn't do multi terrains just runs on road

[@meowsefer]

Award for worst name for a shoe. 🏆

[@ChrisSmith-xw7wv]

If you can't get over the name, then stop freaking saying it over and over. Jesus dude!! WTF...