Inov-8 Trailfly G270 V2 review: multi-terrain marvels
Inov-8 Trailfly G270 V2: Two-minute review
I am a keen runner living in the countryside, and I have always been thinking about a special pair of running shoes. This is a trail shoe that’s meant to be road-worthy while being as light as possible yet grippy enough to handle technical terrain and durable so I can rack up the kilometers, all for a price in the double digits number. Impossible request, right? Well, no – after wearing multiple pairs of shoes from different brands over the years, I may have just found mine best running shoes 2024: Inov-8 Trailfly G270 V2.
Launching in the first quarter of 2023, the Trailfly G270 V2 is, as the name suggests, the second generation of Inov-8’s trail shoe, with minor tweaks to the popular original. After wearing these shoes for three months and driving about 350 kilometers, I can see why.
These shoes are suitable for all areas of mixed terrain – at 270g they’re light for a traction shoe, although the fastest road shoes are lighter. They’re also durable – seriously, I’ve put them on for about 60 hours and they feel like new.
As for fit, this shoe is rated a “5” on the Inov-8 width scale, which is the widest width given by running experts. However, I have average width feet and the fit is excellent, which means this shoe won’t be suitable for those with particularly wide feet.
In the UK I run in a variety of terrain and weather, from technical hills to boggy trails and dry roads; these shoes transition between these scenarios with ease.
The Inov-8 Trailfly G270 V2 is the best running shoe I have ever used for a double-digit price. That said, they’re not for everyone.
In my experience, Inov-8 shoes generally require more wear than other brands of shoes (such as Asics). In this particular case, the outer layer felt too tight on the pinky toe side, but it’s fine now.
There are two key design attributes to note that may turn you off: These are zero-drop shoes, meaning the heel is the same height as the forefoot. Most shoes have some form of drop, usually around 5-8mm.
With zero drop, you’re more likely to strike the ground with the midfoot rather than the heel first, making your running gait less impactful and better for your joints. However, zero drop is not suitable for all foot types, such as flat feet. Ultimately, it’s best to do your research on what’s best for your feet. The Zero Drop actually hits different parts of your calf early on, but as your leg adjusts you won’t notice the difference very quickly.
Another point is that the cushioning is sturdier than most. If you’re particularly heavy on your feet and want minimal impact when your feet hit the ground, the Trailfly G270 V2 may not be for you. These are company.
With that kind of steadfastness comes a nice spring. You get decent encouragement as you accelerate, which is impressive for such a grippy trail shoe.
Another minor issue is that the laces are on the slippery side, so it takes some effort to get a tight knot. Not a big deal, but if you’re like me, you may need to stop and retie the knot.
That’s all the bad stuff. I should stress again that these are my favorite trail shoes and well worth the money. They are available in three colors; all black, lime green or blue with orange – I chose the latter. And they’re often on sale – I got them in the UK for about half the $170/£149.99 list price, and I’ve since found them even cheaper. That’s great value for such a well-made, high-performance, and durable shoe.
Best of all, the Trailfly G270 V2 best running shoes Especially for runners who spend more time on the trail, I’ll be keeping an eye on the sale prices in order to purchase a second pair as soon as possible.
Inov-8 Trailfly G270 V2: Specs
| Element | Inov-8 Trailfly G270 V2 |
| weight: | 270g |
| superior: | 25% more durable than V1 |
| Midsole | maximum power flow |
| Outsole | graphene |
| Drop from heel to toe | 0mm |
Inov-8 Trailfly G270 V2: Scorecard
| category | Comment | Fraction |
| value | At full price, these are reasonable values. At typical sales prices? bargain | 4.5/5 |
| design | Durable, lightweight and zero drop. | 5/5 |
| feature | Graphene sole, improved upper, and firm cushioning. | 4/5 |
| Performance | Transitions well between trails and roads, with good grip and spring. | 4.5/5 |
Inov-8 Trailfly G270 V2: Should I buy it?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
also consider
Inov-8 Trailfly G270 V2: How I tested it
- My main running shoe that I have been using for about 3 months
- The typical distance traveled per week is approximately 30 kilometers
- Approximately 60 hours of running on flat and hilly technical trails, pavements and roads
I have been using the Inov-8 Trailfly G270 V2 as my primary running shoe for about 3 months, during which time I usually ran around 30km per week.
I typically run on mixed terrain and in all types of weather: trails, sidewalks, and roads; wet and dry; flat and hilly.
First review: December 2024
