During UTMB week in Chamonix (France), Inov8 unveiled the TrailFly Pro, a model billed as light and agile. The listed price is $195. The shoe is given at a weight of 8.2 ounces (233 grams) for a men’s US size 9, with the idea of delivering race-shoe type efficiency without removing the feel of the ground, the anatomical fit, and the natural movement of the foot.
The TrailFly Pro stands out for its premium construction in the upper and midsole. The upper sits on a single-layer ripstop, while the foam is said to use “PowerFlow Elite” technology. The geometry also includes a performance-oriented rocker. These choices are presented with precise stack numbers: 26 millimetres under the heel and 20 millimetres at the forefoot, for a total stack height of 34/28 millimetres and a 6-millimetre drop.
For traction, the outside of the TrailFly Pro gets 4-millimetre chevron-shaped lugs. The text emphasises traction retained despite the advertised lugging as less “luggy” than other models from the brand, placing it as a “road-to-trail” option. The G-Grip outsole is described as infused with graphene-embedded rubber, and the lug distribution is intended for forefoot propulsion and rearfoot braking.
The discussion then turns to use and the overall impression related to comfort and the feel of the fit. The author explains that at the end of summer and into autumn, she got involved in cross-country coaching at a local high school. She says she uses the TrailFly Pro as her go-to shoe for early-morning training and for running after the kids on different types of surfaces in the afternoon, attributing this choice to a combination of upper characteristics on the outside.
Finally, the source links the shoe to past experiences in racing. The author specifically cites a 10-mile trail race in the spring and the fact that she had to “tweak” her big toe after that event in a carbon-plated model. She also mentions a local 100k and another shoe, with a heel blistering problem that required care during the race. In conclusion, she says she wants to be able to run fast with the TrailFly Pro without having to recover from anything other than the race itself.
