Inov8 Trailtalon review

We think the Inov8 Trailtalon is a superb pick for:

• Runners with wide feet looking to try a lesser-known brand and who prefer a higher-drop geometry.
• Trail enthusiasts needing a capable, grip-strong shoe for technical terrain.
• Those who value a flexible-and-natural ride underfoot but still want solid protection and impact cushioning.

We believe that the Inov8 Trailtalon is not the best option for runners sticking to mild, non-technical trails. Its deep lugs feel excessive on easy ground, and the outsole doesn't adapt well to smooth or mixed surfaces. In our experience, shoes like the Inov 8 Trailfly offer a more versatile experience, especially for those who occasionally hit pavement.

We’re also convinced that the narrow midsole won’t suit runners who prioritize stability. From our point of view, the Trailtalon lacks the platform support needed for those who favor support over agility. For a more grounded ride, we suggest the Altra Olympus 6 instead, as it keeps the wide-foot-friendly toebox.

Inov8 has long been associated with shoes built around moderate stack height—but that’s begun to shift in recent years.

With 34.2 mm in the heel, the Trailtalon feels deeply cushioned. We discovered that it even surpasses the average trail shoe, making it ideal for runners seeking all-distance, high-mileage versatility.

We conducted another measurement in the forefoot, which came in at 26.4 mm—again above the average range.

However, there’s a catch—the lugs on the Trailtalon are extra-deep, so you’ll end up with less underfoot foam compared to other models. Yet even with that, we believe it still falls into the moderate category when clocking the forefoot.

The difference between both measurements gave us a real 7.8 mm, which strays slightly from the stated 6 mm by Inov8. Still, it’s a balanced geometry that works well for almost everyone, including heel strikers.

Inov8 has used its usual PowerFlow Pro EVA-based midsole in the Trailtalon, and we’re glad they did. For this price point, it delivers a cushioned feel with decent energy return and softness. Our test using the Shore A durometer showed 19.5 HA.

However, as happens with trail shoes featuring deep lugs, the ride feels slightly firmer on footstrike. That’s because over 6 mm of firm rubber sits between the ground and the foam—something to keep in mind.

Being based on EVA, we didn’t expect a standout result in our freezer challenge. However, a 21% change is far from terrible!

The BOOMERANG insole is totally uncommon in running shoes. At a whopping 7.9 mm, it’s noticeably thicker than average and made from springy TPU foam. This rare feature boosts underfoot cushioning and energy return in a big way!

Those looking for a rockered ride in the Inov8 Trailtalon are going to be disappointed. This shoe sticks with a traditional, flat profile that, in our view, is ideal for forest walks, day-long hikes, and easygoing runs. But it definitely lacks punch for fast-paced efforts.

Therefore, it won’t launch you forward like the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra, but for this type of shoe, we love seeing a more grounded-and-natural profile where the foot stays in a relaxed, natural position.

Inov8 is a somewhat niche brand in the running shoe world, but they’re gaining recognition for their foot-shaped toeboxes that work great for runners with broader feet. The Trailtalon checks that box as well.

We measured the widest part of the forefoot at 98.7 mm, which is clearly roomier than the average trail shoe. But wait for the next one.

At 79.5 mm, the toebox is clearly less tapered than most competitors, making it a splay-friendly option.

In our view, it’s a perfect choice for those wanting more space without switching to Altra’s low-drop design.

The toebox height also offered more clearance than the average shoe. That makes the Trailtalon a swelling-friendly shoe during long, multi-hour adventures when feet start to expand.

We measured 29.5 mm with our calipers, and it felt spot-on. Going higher could’ve created a loose sensation inside the toebox.

Don’t expect standout stability from the Trailtalon, it’s simply not built for that. 

Instead, we found an agile, race-ready design that prioritizes quick turns and avoids any clunky-underfoot sensation. That limits its appeal to neutral runners, and everyone else should steer clear.

We liked that, despite having a thick outsole, the Trailtalon stays surprisingly bendable—scoring 3/5 in our torsional rigidity test.

The heel counter is also fairly flexible, scoring 2/5. This soft setup boosts comfort and makes it trail-adapted for technical routes—but again only if you don’t rely on extra heel stability.

But if there’s a place where the agile DNA of this shoe truly stands out, it’s in the midsole dimensions. We’ve been watching running shoes grow taller and bulkier each year—but Inov8 did the opposite, and we applaud that bold move.

With just 110.0 mm in the forefoot, it’s meant for runners who want a shoe that stays out of the way.

And this becomes even more obvious in the heel, which we measured at 82.8 mm. That’s impressively narrow—and it shows that runners with side-to-side movement might not feel fully supported in this shoe. On the other hand, those with strong ankles and a neutral gait can really shine in the Trailtalon and have a super-fun, exhilarating experience on every run.

We also see it as a big plus that the Trailtalon has such low longitudinal stiffness. It’s rare to find this in a trail shoe, and Inov8 pulled it off—delivering a smooth flex throughout the stride.

What we didn’t like as much is the weight. While it’s not a deal-breaker, 10.20 oz or 289g feels like a missed chance—especially in a shoe that promotes an agile ride as a core benefit.

We believe that if there’s a Trailtalon 2, it should aim for a lighter build, trimming at least 10% off to boost performance and fun even more.

We found that the Trailtalon features an upper that blends road-style mesh with rugged TPU reinforcements. It feels trail-tough but still manages to keep some road-like aesthetics.

However, when we fired up the smoke-pumping machine, the results fell short of our expectations. The smoke had trouble escaping, and we gave it a 2/5 score—a clear sign there’s room for improvement in ventilation.

After the smoke test, we moved the upper over a light source to check airflow zones more clearly. It was obvious the toebox offered some breathability, but not as much as we would have liked.

Curious about the reason, we zoomed in with our microscope.

That’s when we discovered the issue—despite having multiple ventilation holes, Inov8 placed a thicker-than-usual inner layer beneath the mesh, blocking hot air from escaping. Oops.

For most runners, this upper will work just fine. But in warmer months, breathability becomes a concern. Our suggestion? Switch to ultra-thin socks—though even with that, ventilation may still feel limited on hotter days.

The engineered mesh of the Trailtalon doesn’t seem very durable at first glance, yet we were hoping for better than a 1/5. It’s clearly a disappointing result—though the shoe at least does include plenty of protective reinforcements up front and along the sides.

The heel padding showed a much stronger performance in our durability test—our Dremel had a tough time wearing it down. We rated it 4/5, which clearly puts it above most trail shoes we've tested.

The Trailtalon comes with Inov8’s Graphene Grip outsole, which was a pleasant surprise. Despite its average hardness of 85.5 HC, we found it comparable to the best-in-class performers in terms of traction.

We were genuinely surprised to discover full-length rubber coverage—a rare find in a shoe with top-tier flexibility. For us, the outsole stands out as one of the shoe’s bigger strengths.

Eager to see how the Graphene Grip compound held up in terms of durability, we ran a final test with our Dremel. The result was just 0.9 mm of damage. That's a solid, wear-resistant outcome with no red flags.

The 1.7 mm outsole thickness helps explain why the shoe feels more flexible than most competitors. However, it’s nothing to worry about, as we believe it still offers more than enough trail-ready protection.

The lugs on the Trailtalon are impressively deep at 5.4 mm—clearly designed for aggressive terrain. They’re ideal for messy conditions like muddy trails or loose gravel, where road-to-trail hybrids like the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 would struggle.

What makes this outsole stand out isn’t just the depth—it’s the layout. Instead of the usual one-directional lugs in the forefoot and reversed ones in the heel, Inov8 mixes the pattern across the entire outsole.

We think the Inov8 Trailtalon is fairly priced—especially for runners chasing a technical-terrain shoe who prefer to steer clear of the mainstream. After all, there’s something cool about rocking a rarely-seen brand.

The Trailtalon packs some thoughtful features, but it misses out on reflective elements—which we consider an interesting addition for trail running shoes.

The tongue measured 9.0 mm thick, which helped explain why we felt such pillowy comfort across the instep—though it also added to the shoe’s heavier-than-expected weight when compared to its compact size.

We also appreciated the no-nonsense lacing system. Reinforced eyelets and flat, extra-grippy laces worked together to deliver a secure fit during our testing.

The tongue is semi-gusseted, meaning it stays locked in place no matter the twists or tricky terrain you tackle. That’s great news—especially since not every shoe in this price range includes one!

Inov8 has added a finger-loop heel tab for a more rugged-and-ready trail vibe.

Taking out the BOOMERANG insole from Inov8 is an option, as it’s not glued to the last.

That brings two direct consequences—it makes the ride noticeably more grounded and opens up extra space in the toebox when swapped with a thinner model.