Article by David Reichl and Jen Schmidt
INOV8 Trailfly Speed V2 ($170 /160 €)
Editor's Note: We welcome David Reichl to the RTR Test Team for his first review. David runs in Germany and currently focuses on shorter mountain races. He represented Germany in the 2024 European Mountain Running Championships.
Introduction
David: This trail shoe is designed for trail runners seeking a fast companion for training or races but without sacrificing a certain stability. The 4 mm drop is minimalist, as is the relatively low stack height but is deal for quick runs on technical terrain. The shoe is particularly suitable for wet weather conditions and rocky terrain - the new G-GRIP™ rubber takes care of those. The wide toebox is notable and creates a natural feel on the run, thanks to INOV8’s characteristic NATURALFIT™ technology.
Jen: This was my first experience with INOV8, ta shoe brand based in the UK. With many of their trail offerings oriented towards fell running and other technical surfaces, their shoes are known for grip. As with the original Trailfly Speed, v2 is a lightweight, low-profile option for shorter-distance racing and speedwork.
Pros:
Pleasantly comfortable to wear - David
Stability over roots, rocks, and technical sections - David, Jen
Fit is great: higher-volume toebox with locked-down midfoot works well even for low-volume feet; no heel slippage - Jen
A streamlined, low-stack option for those who prefer a more minimalist option - Jen
Cons:
Very wide forefoot, not as suitable for narrow feet - David
Significant groundfeel and relatively thin midsole might be less comfortable in longer races - Jen
Stats
Spec Weight: 275g / 9.7 oz
Sample Weights:
women’s 241 g / 8.5 oz US 8.5 / EU 39.5 (237 L, 245 R)
men's 326 g / US 12,5 (30,5 cm) EU: 46,5
Stack Height:
Midsole: 11 mm heel / 7 mm forefoot, 4 mm drop
Boomerang insole: 6mm
Outsole: 4mm lugs
Total Stack Height: 21mm heel / 17mm forefoot
Platform Width: 80 mm heel / 58 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
David: At first glance, this shoe looks a bit clunky, and the toe box seems very wide.
However, the shoe fits the foot very well—especially the heel area, which has a rather narrow cut.
When I first tried it on, the wide toe box felt a bit unusual. But you get used to it very quickly over time. I have very narrow feet, but even so, this shoe doesn’t slip and fits very securely. My pair was "regular" sizing with "wide" also available.
The navy blue color is very striking and noticeable, even from a distance. The color is a matter of taste—but in my opinion, it makes a refreshing impression.
Jen: Two years ago, the first edition of the Trailfly Speed helped Inov-8 launch their new foot-shaped last.
The Trailfly Speed was popular with RTR reviewers for fit, grip, stability, and groundfeel, and v2 features only minor changes to the grip, midsole, and upper.
Out of the box, the TS2 is sleek and low to the ground at only about 21/17 mm total stack height. While the foot-shaped last allows plenty of room for toe splay, the midfoot and heel locked my low-volume foot in perfectly and I didn’t have any issues with my forefoot sliding around.
The dual-layer woven mesh upper has added KPU overlays to increase durability over v1, which had just a smooth fabric upper with a very light toe reinforcement. Those overlays add plenty of rock protection at the toes and around the sides, while also adding structure through the midfoot and around the heel. The end result is a shoe that feels quite protective and secure for how light it is. The double layer of mesh does a great job of keeping grit out while still allowing some breathability.
Standard laces are effective and simple, if a bit long, passing through a slit in the tongue to keep them in place. The tongue itself is minimal and held in place by a very light, stretchy gusset.
Overall, the upper is streamlined and not overengineered, with just a few upgrades from v1.
Issues with a harsh heel counter and heel slippage that RTR testers noted in V1 appear to have been resolved here. The heel counter appears to have added a little padding and changed shape ever so slightly to cup the heel better.
Midsole & Platform
David: The midsole is another new feature and an improvement over the previous model. The technology is called POWERFLOW PRO. This midsole provides cushioning without the sensation of a forward kick (bounce effect). Instead, the shoe feels very stable and neutral.
While this may feel less comfortable on roads, it becomes a major advantage on technical and especially rocky terrain. In summary: stable, neutral, and comfortable on trails.
Jen: As I mentioned above, the Trailfly Speed 2 is low to the ground and feels light and minimal. The POWERFLOW PRO midsole only accounts for 11mm/7mm of the 21/17 mm stack height, significantly less than the 18/12 mm of the Trailfly V2 or 24/18 mm of the Trailfly Max V2.
Still, Inov-8 describes the midsole as improved, and it may be slightly thicker than in V1. There’s still quite a bit of groundfeel, especially in the forefoot - my first run in the TS2 was on a very rocky route and my feet were pretty worked by the end of it.
It’s marketed as a “hard-ground speedster”, but the hardness of the ground will be very noticeable - I strongly preferred smooth trails over rocks in this one. Still, the groundfeel and low profile are likely a feature, not a bug, for those who choose this shoe over the regular Trailfly or Max.
For a shoe this flexible, the TS2 feels surprisingly stable, perhaps thanks to the PF PRO midsole. It’s not highly cushioned or bouncy feeling, but rather firm in a way that adds stability. Fans of road racing flats or shoes like the NNormal Kjerag 1 and 2 will love the midsole and ride here.
Outsole
David: The outsole features 4mm lugs of Inov-8’s G-Grip graphene rubber compound. They provide optimal grip on rocks and stones. The lug pattern in the midfoot area helps you run reliably on fine, gravelly loose terrain.
On roads and forest trails, however, you can feel the lugs, which makes the shoe feel a bit uncomfortable. A big plus: this shoe performs very well in muddy conditions, and you hardly slip at all.
Jen: The outsole is the biggest update from V1, with specs boasting a 50% improvement in traction on wet surfaces thanks to the updated G-GRIP graphene-infused rubber.
While I can’t personally speak to that comparison, I found grip to be quite good on all surfaces tested, including muddy, rocky singletrack as well as loose, sandy doubletrack. As David notes, the 4 mm lugs can feel somewhat harsh on pavement, especially with the thin midsole, but this is clearly a shoe most at home on trails.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
David: The overall running feel can be described as comfortable. The roll-off is particularly pleasant. The shoe feels very neutral. I was especially impressed by how it performed on technical, rocky terrain: you feel very secure without having to sacrifice comfort.
In my opinion, the Trailfly Speed V2 is a reliable companion, especially for longer training sessions, as long as the pace doesn’t get too fast. For intervals, tempo runs, and fast races, I’d recommend narrower-fitting racing shoes. That applies in any case to runners who have very narrow feet, like me. For wider feet, this shoe could also be a good companion for fast intervals – with a 4mm drop, it is very direct and rather minimalist. In a nutshell: an all-rounder for training and short to medium distance races.
David’s Score: 7.53 /10
Ride: 7/10
Fit: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Style: 7/10
Traction: 8,5/10
Rock Protection: 9/10
Jen: After a steady diet of high-stack trail shoes recently, the Trailfly Speed 2 was a refreshing palate cleanser. It was nice to lace these up and head out for runs without worrying I’d roll an ankle off a 40+mm platform, and I appreciated the pared-down, speedy feel. The TS2 knows its place as the low-profile racer in the Inov-8 lineup and doesn’t try to be anything else. I’d recommend it to fans of lightweight, flexible shoes who want something for races up to 50k or so and want the groundfeel.
Jen’s Score: 8.63/10
Ride: 7.5/10 - personal preference for a little more protection underfoot, but it would be great if you like thin shoes with a lot of groundfeel
Fit: 10/10
Value: 8/10 - similar in price to the NNormal Kjerag, probably its closest competitor, which seems reasonable if it’s as durable as Inov-8 suggests
Style: 9.5/10
Traction: 9/10
Rock Protection: 7.5/10
5 Comparisons
NNormal Kjerag 1 and 2 (RTR Review)
David: In terms of directness and neutrality, this shoe is very similar to the first version of the Kjerag series by NNormal. Simple, yet still comfortable—on any terrain, no matter how technical. The only major difference: the wide toe box of the INOV 8.
Jen: I do think the Kjerag (either version) is the closest comparison here, given the low profile, flexible midsole/outsole, and groundfeel. These are shoes for runners with strong feet who benefit from feeling their way through the terrain and aren’t hampered by sharp rocks. The upper of the Trailfly Speed 2 is more protective with the new overlays in this version, but the shoe is significantly heavier overall (spec weight 215g for the Kjerag 1 in USM8.5 vs 275g for the TS2). The Kjerag 2 adds slightly more protection and weight, making the comparison to the Trailfly Speed 2 even closer, but is still a lighter shoe.
On Cloudultra 2 (RTR Review)
David: In terms of weight and construction, the shoe is similar to the On Cloud Ultra 2. However, the midsole offers less cushioning. Compared to the On shoe, I believe it’s better suited for technical terrain and challenging downhills.
Brooks Catamount 3 (RTR Review)
David: The wide toe box and, above all, the sole construction are very reminiscent of the Brooks Catamount 3. Unlike that shoe, however, it feels more dynamic. I see particular advantages for the Speedfly V2 on technical terrain
Salomon SLAB Pulsar 3 (RTR Review)
David: The cushioning of the INOV 8 differs from that of the SLAB Pulsar 3. The Pulsar technology focuses more on cushioning and energy return in the front third of the shoe, whereas the INOV 8 is evenly cushioned throughout the entire length. The outsole is very similar, and in terms of weight, both shoes are very similar as well.
Salomon S/LAB Ultra 3 (RTR Review)
Jen: With the recent updates to the S/LAB Pulsar 4 that added stack height and cushioning, I think the closest Salomon comparison is actually a shoe that’s tough to find these days, the S/LAB Ultra 3. Coming in at 28/22 mm stack height, it did have noticeably more cushion than the Trailfly Speed 2, but felt similarly low to the ground. The outsole wasn’t perfect, especially on wet rock, with slightly shallower lugs than the TS2. I loved the even more minimal upper, though, and the Ultra 3 maintained some groundfeel while also having slightly more cushion.
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
The Trailfly Speed V2 is available now
INOV8
Tester Profiles
David Reichl is 24 years old and lives for endurance sports and nature. Growing up in a wooded and hilly area, trail running, and especially mountain running, has become his favorite hobby. He also loves exploring new regions and landscapes – and for that, the right shoes and equipment are essential. He showed a talent for endurance sports from a young age and has gradually become a professional. His resume includes numerous participations and successes in international mountain races. He is particularly proud of competing in the German national jersey at the 2024 European Mountain Running Championships. He trains every day, but his focus is currently on shorter mountain races up to 20 km. In this area, David has already gained a great deal of experience with equipment at such a young age, which he is eager to share with other enthusiastic runners.
Jennifer Schmidt found trail running in her mid-20's and began dabbling on the roads a few years later. Trail 50k's are nearest and dearest to her heart, and she recently took wins at the Fourmidable 50k in 2026, and Silver State 50k and Way Too Cool 50k in 2025. These days, you can find her primarily on the trails around Auburn, CA, chasing competitive and personal goals over a variety of surfaces and distances. Depending on the season, she also competes in the USATF road and XC circuits for Sacramento Running Association's racing team, with a marathon PR of 2:41.
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