With the Trailfly Max V2, launched in January 2026, Inov-8 updates the most cushioned model in its trail lineup. Nitrogen-infused FlySpeed Pro, a new-generation graphene G-Grip outsole, fast drainage, standard and wide versions: the British brand is betting on versatility to win over the ultra trail segment against the Hoka Mafate 5 and the Salomon S/Lab Genesis. Here is RunMorph's breakdown of a shoe built for long runs on mixed terrain.
Inov-8 Trailfly Max V2 Review: Max Cushion Meets Graphene Grip
8.5/10
Inov-8 Trailfly Max V2: the versatile max-cushion shoe that owns its natural philosophy
The Trailfly Max V2 holds a very specific spot in the 2026 trail landscape. It doesn't have the tallest stack height (the Hoka Bondi 9 and the La Sportiva Prodigio Max go higher), it isn't the lightest in its category, and it has no carbon plate. But it offers a combination that's rare in the ultra segment: generous cushioning (34 mm at the heel, 28 mm at the forefoot), a lively nitrogen-infused foam, benchmark graphene grip, and a choice of two fits (standard or wide). At €170, it's a credible alternative to the star max-cushion shoes on the market.
RunMorph's advice: if you want a shoe that can handle a fast, runnable 50 km on flat ground and then switch to a technical mountain trail, the Trailfly Max V2 is one of the few models that honestly meets that brief. To stay with Inov-8 for faster, snappier running, read our review of the Inov-8 TrailFly Speed V2. To compare it with another max-cushion ultra shoe, check out the Hoka Mafate 5.
© Inov-8, official photo used for editorial purposes
Objective specs
| Brand | Inov-8 |
| Model | Trailfly Max V2 |
| Release date | January 2026 |
| Type | Max-cushion ultra-distance trail shoe |
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Stack height (forefoot / heel) | 28 mm / 34 mm |
| Weight (size 42) | 302 g (measured at 309 g by i-Run) |
| Foam | FlySpeed Pro (nitrogen-infused supercritical EVA) |
| Insole | Boomerang (TPU, claimed +40% rebound) |
| Carbon plate | No |
| Outsole | New-generation G-Grip (graphene, +50% wet grip vs V1) |
| Lugs | 4 mm, versatile design (chevrons + squares) |
| Upper | Breathable technical mesh + KPU overlays + rock guard |
| Fits | Standard and Wide |
| Recommended distance | 50 km to 100 km+ (ultras), long training runs |
| Official price | €170 |
| RunMorph score | 8.5 / 10 |
Who is the Trailfly Max V2 for?
The ultra runner who wants reassuring cushioning without losing ground feel
This is the number one target profile. The Trailfly Max V2 has a generous stack height (34 mm at the heel, 28 mm at the forefoot) but sits lower than most ultra shoes on the market. That in-between thickness strikes a smart balance: the EVA supports your arch well, the nitrogen rebound drives your stride forward, and your foot still keeps enough ground feel to react to off-camber sections and small irregularities. If you're training for a 50 to 100 km trail race with varied elevation gain and you want comfort without being trapped in a massive sole, the Trailfly Max V2 is a serious option.
The runner with wide feet who is still looking for a comfortable trail shoe
Inov-8 is one of the few brands to offer an official Wide fit on this model, alongside the standard one. The standard fit already works for narrow to medium feet thanks to a roomier toe box than before. The Wide version gives you a truly wide forefoot without sacrificing midfoot hold or the heel lockdown provided by the reinforced heel counter. For runners with broad feet who feel cramped in most European trail shoes (Salomon, La Sportiva and Scarpa in particular), the Trailfly Max V2 Wide is a genuinely good surprise.
The all-round trail runner who switches between fast dirt roads and technical singletrack
This is the Trailfly Max V2's other big strength: its versatility across terrain. The new-generation G-Grip outsole delivers first-rate grip on dry or wet rock, on roots and on hard-packed trails. It falls a bit short in very muddy conditions (the Salomon Speedcross 6 and the Hoka Mafate 5 still do better in thick, greasy mud), but it makes up for it with remarkable stability on off-camber ground and the ability to adapt to very varied paths. If you live somewhere your runs string together gravel, forest trails and technical singletrack, this is exactly the shoe that will follow you everywhere.
© Inov-8, official photo used for editorial purposes
Comfort, ride and grip
Step-in comfort is immediate. The redesigned mesh is softer, the heel padding has been kept, and the midfoot stays firmly locked in by the lateral KPU overlays (which replace the V1's 3D-printed overlays and are more durable). The forefoot breathes better thanks to extra perforations that speed up drainage after a stream crossing or a downpour. The tongue is thinner and better shaped. Lots of small details that add up: on runs over 3 hours, you forget you're wearing the shoe.
On the run, the feeling is one of controlled rebound. FlySpeed Pro foam is firmer than the very soft PEBA foams (think On Helion HF or Brooks DNA Tuned), but it returns energy in a clear, consistent way. The pronounced forefoot rocker encourages a smooth, dynamic stride: your ankle works less as the kilometers add up, and that pays off at the end of an ultra. The midsole adds a welcome layer of rebound, with no marketing gimmick: a claimed 40% more rebound than a conventional sole, and you really do feel the difference compared with a flat sole.
Out on the trail, grip is one of the shoe's strong points. The graphene-enhanced G-Grip, in its new formulation, is one of the most versatile rubbers on the market. On dry rock, it's excellent. On wet rock or wet wood, it comes very close to Vibram Megagrip. On hard-packed dirt, it's perfect. The only real drawback: thick, greasy mud like you find in the woods in autumn, where 4 mm lugs can't shed the muck. This isn't a shoe for technical winter cross-country, and it doesn't claim to be.
© Inov-8, official photo used for editorial purposes
How it compares with the competition
In the max-cushion ultra trail segment, the Trailfly Max V2 belongs to a well-defined family. Compared with the Hoka Mafate 5 (320 g, 45/37 stack, dual-density PEBA + EVA), it's lighter and lower and gives you more ground feel, but it's also less plush underfoot. The choice depends on your playground: if you spend hours descending harsh, broken scree, the Mafate 5 stays softer. If you want more precision on technical trails, the Trailfly Max V2 has the edge.
Against the Salomon S/Lab Genesis (250 g, lower stack, racing-oriented), the Trailfly Max V2 plays in a different category: more cushioning, more long-distance versatility, but less snap on fast sections. Compared with the On Cloudultra 3 (275 g, Helion HF foam + Speedboard), the Trailfly Max V2 is more stable and grips better on wet rock. The Cloudultra 3 is still softer on the road and on very runnable trails, though.
Finally, against the Brooks Cascadia Elite or the Asics Trabuco Max 5, the Trailfly Max V2 offers better drainage, an available Wide fit, and more reliable grip on wet ground. The choice comes down to how sensitive you are to fit and to value for money (€170 for the Inov-8 vs €275 for the Cascadia Elite).
How to fit it into your RunMorph training plan
The Trailfly Max V2 is a training shoe for long runs and for days when cushioning matters more than pure speed. It slots naturally into an ultra trail build or a long training cycle for a trail marathon.
- Long trail run (3 h+): this is its ideal comfort zone. The nitrogen rebound holds up over time and your feet stay fresh.
- Mountain hike-and-run outings: the G-Grip traction and the stable midsole make it a perfect partner for slow efforts with plenty of elevation gain.
- Ultra races (50 km to 100 km+): recommended for ultra courses that mix runnable trails and technical singletrack, outside extreme conditions (greasy mud, slush).
- Recovery after a hard session: an easy trail run in the Trailfly Max V2 takes the load off your legs thanks to the generous cushioning, without hurting your stride.
To plan your weekly volume and your ultra-specific training blocks, find the plans that match your goal in RunMorph Training Plans.
© Inov-8, official photo used for editorial purposes
The RunMorph verdict
The Trailfly Max V2 is a measured success. It doesn't revolutionize anything, but it fixes all the small flaws of the V1 (more durable upper, better drainage, much better wet grip) without spoiling what made up its DNA: generous but readable cushioning, a natural stride and rare versatility across terrain. The choice between standard and Wide fits is a decisive argument for the many runners who feel cramped in competing shoes.
Weight (302 g in size 42) remains its main drawback against the segment's racing benchmarks, but that's the price you pay for this much stability and cushioning. At €170 (and often around €115-128 at French retailers), value for money is excellent. Final score: 8.5 / 10.
Key takeaways for your training
- Versatile cushioning: nitrogen-infused FlySpeed Pro foam strikes a good balance between support and rebound, ideal for long runs without bogging down on technical sections.
- Graphene grip: the new G-Grip rivals Vibram Megagrip on most terrain, except greasy mud, where 4 mm lugs hit their limit.
- Official Wide fit: the Trailfly Max V2 is one of the few ultra trail shoes with a real wide version, the one to pick if you have broad feet.
- Ideal distance 50 to 100 km+: the shoe shows its full value in ultras on mixed terrain, less so over a fast 20-30 km, where its weight becomes a handicap.
- A sound investment: at €170 official price (often €115-128 on sale), the Trailfly Max V2 offers a very solid durability-to-price ratio for regular ultra use.