Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G300 vs Terraultra G270 review: The best marathon des Sables running shoe?

[@markajones1979]

I've not long bought the G300's for use on a mix of trail and road... they were really comfortable on their first run this last weekend at a very muddy 10k trail run 👍

[@neilp8000]

Have both. Ran 50k/2200m recently in the G270, forgot I had them on. Slipped twice on one muddy traverse where x-talons would have been useful! But overall handled the varied terrain without issue. Have put in a 20k trail run with the G300 - get slight rub on the ankle bone, didn't bother me over this distance. Fit for me is less snug than the 270. Grip very similar, noticeably take the sting out of jagged rocks. Some suck off the wider sole when submerged in bog! Will likely use G300 as my starter shoe for Kerry Way, 200k with a good bit of tarmac.

[@toddboucher3302]

I think this is an older video but yeah, I love the G2 780 have the original I think the tongue is a little short and stuff like that you don’t like the complaints were about the time but I love it. It’s so flexible and air can move by. I don’t slip. I’ve got confidence And I run up to a 50 K in arm, barefoot sandals in the things that bother me about the Bedford sandals are all filled in the G278 in and the things that I don’t like about bigger shoes for for me. It’s a complete perfect fit of similar to the Superior from Ultra but so much better I I look at the Superior is at the very max for me a 50 K shoe or this one I’m doing a 50 mile are in a rocky mountain race in December so I guess I’ll know more than but I love it. Thanks for the video.

[@guzgrant]

I have both shoes . My conclusion is both are good . I average the same time over the same distance runs in both . It is as if the early gains achieved in the 270 are offset by the forgiveness of the 300 later in the run . A sort of hare and tortoise ...if their race ended in a draw .shorter run definitely the 270 but beyond half marathon the shoes produce the same outcome in time .

[@DroneRunner1975]

Love my 270s best trail shoe I've owned. Deffo will think about it's bigger brother 300s shoe for future ultras... thanks for another great upload

[@Chris-gq8ev]

The G260 was my winter running shoe; great for road and trails. I've heard the 270 is even better. 👍

[@TheRunTesters]

Thanks Dan. If you like the 270s, there's a good chance you'll like these. Build quality is classic inov-8.

[@TheRunTesters]

270 is a great shoe.

[@TaXincluZ]

G270 are my really best too!! I’m in love…

[@killforkylie]

I have finally found a use for measuring my vertical oscillation. It is 0.03cm more in my Ultra G300s than my G270s! That must be down to the extra cushioning and bounce.

[@averageultrarunner7314]

I’m enjoying these a lot so far - they’re going to be one of my pairs for the Cape Wrath in August, alongside La Sportiva Akashas 👍🏻 ran a marathon out the box in my 300s and they were great, so hoping that’s me sorted!

[@TheRunTesters]

Nice. Good luck for Cape Wrath. How's the training going?

[@averageultrarunner7314]

@@TheRunTesters alright so far thanks. Was due to do it last year but honestly I appreciate the extra year’s prep after it was cancelled. Really been trying to hit elevation and so far staying healthy thankfully.

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

Excellent, thank you! Preordered the 300s. Just ran a 100-miler last weekend in 22:42:20 in the Craft CTM Carbon Ultra - another amazing choice for longer adventures!

[@TheRunTesters]

Hi Troy, congrats on the 100 mile sub-24. Is that your first or just the latest of many?

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

@@TheRunTesters not my first but my fastest! At age 57 I’ll take it.

[@petersavage9938]

Really useful review particularly on the fit . Thank you.

[@TheRunTesters]

Glad it was useful.

[@katjas.8318]

Thank you for the comparison. I actually run the Terraultra G270 and thought this is the shoe for my first 80k in july. But now the the Trailfly G300 arrives at the playground. I´m torn. Bit more cushion and protection over the long distance could be an advantage. And I've already thought about whether my shoe should be larger for an Ultra. I tried the G270 a half size up, but it didn't fit well. Maybe i should give the G300 a try a half size larger.

[@TheRunTesters]

Hi Katja, the G300 are a little heavier but you're getting a much more cushioned ride. Let us know how you get on if you do go for them. Which ultra are you doing?

[@wesarnold2408]

Great comparison. I have the G270 and enjoying them a lot. But they are definitely not enough for me for an ultra. Great for up to 3 hour sessions and canicross where I need that connection to the ground. Tempted by the G300 instead of the Mafate Speed 3 that I was about to get - for ultras - and but a little concerned that you indicate that the G300 isn’t a lot more voluminous inside the shoe than the G270 (if I understood that right) which seems a little odd considering it’s aimed at ultras and especially as for me the G270 is already at the limit of tightness of fit that i can cope with.

[@TheRunTesters]

Hi Wes, glad you found it useful. We'd say that the G300 aren't more roomy in the toe box. We ran in true to size so this may well be different if you do the half sizing up that plenty of people do for ultra. We'd happily run ultra distances in the G300 without sizing up too. Think it's fair to say both shoes are aimed at ultra but the G270 might have too much ground contact and not enough protection for some runners over the longer hours.

[@Ecoroof1986]

The insoles are brilliant I swap them between my road and trail shoes

[@TheRunTesters]

Ooh, that's a shout. Not thought of that.

[@Ecoroof1986]

@@TheRunTesters Amazing in my Hoka Torrents 😉

[@morganflockhart5825]

Great review maybe inov8 needs one in between or 4mm drop into the G270 personally I d like 5mm lugs in the 270s and different profile lugs not as wide & slightly thicker tongue! Sometimes get a bit of lace bite when I’ve got them done up tight for technical down hill !

[@TheRunTesters]

Thanks Morgan. Didn't get that problem with lace bite but haven't had to lace in too tight as I've been running tamer trails here. Need to get them onto more tricky terrain but lockdown here has made it tough.

[@rustydaines6859]

yes! that's my one disclaimer on the 270, if that tongue just had a bit more padding up top I'd be a happy camper

[@jonh1958]

Recently bought a pair of Inov8s, the Parkclaw 275 and have really struggled to like them. I've suffered shin splints on every run and for some reason the lacing just isn't as secure as on other brands I own. I may look at the G300 but Id need to try on a few sizes I think and spend some time on a treadmill in the shop if I could. Thanks for the review.

[@TheRunTesters]

Always better if you can try before you buy for sure. We'd definitely always recommend that.

[@jonh1958]

@@TheRunTesters Agreed, but with shops closed that wasnt possible at the time.

[@peakproofuk]

Great review. I think I agree with everything you said. I’m using both of these in an fkt attempt tomorrow. 85km in the Peak District. I’ll do a full shoe test after I’ve done that. Comparing my feet to yours… wowsers you’ve got fat feet! :-)

[@TheRunTesters]

Good luck for the FKT. That’ll be a good test and we’ll be interested to hear how you get on. Could never wear those Velcro shoes as a kid because they’d just come undone all the time! 😂

[@peakproofuk]

@@TheRunTesters thanks kieran. Will post a link…. If I do ok. :-)

[@peakproofuk]

@@TheRunTesters got the fkt. 10:19 85km. Tired. In bath. Shoes were good

[@paynjon]

Great review although i still want both pairs. 😂

[@TheRunTesters]

Well, they do serve slightly different purposes so you could justify it to the bank manager that way! 😂

[@BenedictHeaver]

Great video as always. Would the G300 pair best with my Altra Lone Peaks?

[@TheRunTesters]

Hi Benedict, (Kieran here), gonna hold my hands up and say I've not had the pleasure of the Lone Peaks. Are you thinking a training partner with your Peaks for racing? Or using them for different distances?

[@davebrown1100]

Greay review as always. Would you say the 300's would still be OK for wide feet, or would the pinky get squished?

[@TheRunTesters]

Hi Dave (Kieran here), glad you enjoyed the review. I've got quite wide feet and problematic little toes. I didn't have any problems on the longer runs I've done so far (3 hours) but I do wonder about when you start to hit 12+ hours when this stuff tends to rear its head. I'm planning a longer run test soonish so will be able to shed more light after. But based on current tests I'd say there's maybe a problem rather than definitely. And it may be eased going half a size up too. I ran in true to size. Hope that helps.

[@danielsilvester4242]

Hi Kieran, enjoyed the review. Was keen to get your thoughts on the Trailfly compared to the Cloud Ultra. Have my first 50k coming up and keen to get some comfort for my feet with a shoe that has some pick up. Thank you

[@TheRunTesters]

Hi Daniel, (Kieran here), it's a really good question this. I'd say the Cloudultra feel a little lighter and firmer underfoot than the Trailfly but you're getting more spring in the Trailfly. My instinct is that you're going to get more comfort overall from the Trailfly and if this is the first time over the 50k distance, I'd be tempted to go for those. I also think the inov-8's will keep going longer - and potentially offer more scope for you to attack varied races/terrain than the Cloudultra might. What kind of terrain are you running?

[@danielsilvester4242]

@@TheRunTesters Thanks for the reply Kieran, appreciate it. Am doing the Hurtwood 50k in Surrey so not too technical. Woodlands and a bit of time on The Greensand Way. Have run a fair few marathons and am quite competitive so just keen that the shoes are not too heavy (subjective I know) but I also like a bit of cushion.

[@CrazyFool1235]

Excellent review thank you. I’m currently making my ultra distance comeback after a few years away. Currently running in the Invo-8 260’s and trying to decide which of these shoes to get, ready for Lakeland 50. Target time sub 12.30 (my old race time) if weather is ok. Which shoe to buy, you have helped me....I’m thinking Ultra G300.....think I have chosen.....hard choice. Thanks again..

[@TheRunTesters]

Good luck with the comeback Mark. Heard good things about the Lakeland 50.

[@CrazyFool1235]

@@TheRunTesters thank you. Only found your channel today, subscribed and watched 4 videos. Keep up the great work....
PS ever get the chance to do Lakeland50 or Lakekand100, I can’t fully recommend.

[@trailrunningdan]

Thank you for the awesome review! I’ve ran in the G270’s since mid March and have just clocked 350 miles in them up to a marathon, but despite going up half size (I’m a 7.5uk and got the 8) I think they are still a tad narrow in the toe box. I’m considering the 300’s but you mention there may be a bit less room in the toe box. Do you think if I went to an 8.5 there would be too much room else where in the shoe and induce movement? Thanks again

[@richt3993]

Did you end up getting the full size up Dan?
I did and they fit great (I have wide feet) with no lockdown problems.
However the arch on the right foot seemed higher or more pronounced than the left so had to sell.

[@Wheelsy1]

Thanks for this - I think it made the difference in intended use really clear. I tried a pair of 270s a while back and loved the responsiveness, but they gave me a crippling pain on the top of one of my feet, which I'm presuming was to do with the zero drop. I'm tempted by the G 300s but I'm wondering if they might be a bit to similar to my Evo Speedgoats in terms of their feel and intended use - would that be a reasonable comparison? I'm hoping Inov-8 bring out a responsive trail shoe with the G-Fly midsole but without a zero drop soon.

[@TheRunTesters]

Hi Wheelsy1, (Kieran here), I think that's a reasonable comparison to make. Though I found the 300s responsive. Wouldn't like to say if the zero drop caused the foot pain but my experience is that it tends to impact the calves /achilles more.

[@markthomasson5077]

How do they compare with the Trailtalon 290?

[@Northernerdownsouth]

Des sable you want bombproof. La sportiva and VJ Sports are the only two who make that type of shoe.

[@TheRunTesters]

Hi, (Kieran here) I ran the Des Sables in 2015 in inov-8s. They were spot on. In fact, I've still got them.

[@Northernerdownsouth]

@@TheRunTesters glad they held up for you. Sadly you’re in the minority.

[@SeenaTabatabai]

Tight and narrow say the truth testers don’t waste our time.

[@TheRunTesters]

You found them tight and narrow?

[@SeenaTabatabai]

@@TheRunTesters yes