How your foot interacts with the trail shapes your running performance. A natural foot-to-ground interaction enhances balance and stability, while a diminished connection can result in the opposite. That’s why INOV8 prioritizes a natural feel—so the foot controls the shoe, not the other way around. With four new models in its trail running collection, INOV8 is changing the way trail runners connect with the terrain while also packing its shoes with unmatched grip, comfort, and durability. To learn more about the collection’s design and benefits, we talked to two experts: Luke McConnie, senior footwear designer at INOV8, and Jack Scott, a record-breaking British ultrarunner and winner of this year’s 268-mile winter Spine Race.
Outside: Why has INOV8 focused so carefully on delivering a natural underfoot feel?
Luke McConnie: Natural ground feel—coupled with the right level of cushion and protection—allows runners to improve their sense of proprioception, which is the body’s awareness of its position and movement in space. This heightened awareness helps maintain balance and stability, especially over uneven surfaces, reducing the risk of injury. Plus, a natural underfoot feel promotes efficient biomechanics by allowing the foot to function as it was intended. This means that the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the foot can engage properly, leading to a more efficient and powerful stride.
INOV8 footwear harmonizes with the foot’s physiology by using outsole designs that are meticulously tested to deliver superior grip. It’s all built on enhancing what nature gave us.
INOV8 recently unveiled exciting additions to its trail running lineup. What are the new releases, and how do they fit into the INOV8 trail family?
McConnie: The recent additions include the TRAILFLY and TRAILFLY SPEED, designed for runners navigating hard-packed trails, gravel, or rocky terrain. In contrast, the new MUDTALON and MUDTALON SPEED are for runners tackling soft or muddy trails, conditions synonymous with INOV8’s origins in the hills of Northern England.
While the difference in midsole stack heights remains a key distinction between the TRAILFLY, MUDTALON, and the SPEED iterations, the SPEEDs are also lower-profile and intended for shorter distances at a faster pace.
What new comfort and performance features do trail runners have to look forward to?
McConnie: The biggest improvement in comfort comes from the refinement of the last—the foot-formed mold used to create the shape of the shoe. The design process involved numerous handcrafted iterations to achieve a more anatomical shape. The redesigned last promises locked-in stability for the heel and midfoot, with a wider toe box for increased comfort and that wonderful natural feel.
Another significant enhancement is in the new outsole designs. By analyzing a diverse range of extensively tested shoes, we identified specific regions of the sole prone to wear. Armed with this information, we strategically repositioned and increased the surface area on several lugs to optimize grip longevity. We also improved the stickiness of the rubber itself, which particularly helps runners when trails are wet.
Additionally, water dispersal channels were added to efficiently remove water from the sole’s contact on wet and rocky surfaces. And the sole profile was carefully aligned with the contours of the foot’s anatomy to aid balance and provide a proprioceptive feel of the terrain.
What else makes INOV8 stand out?
McConnie: INOV8 also distinguishes itself with its deep connection to the running community. We have a strong brand presence at many leading trail races worldwide, coupled with enduring partnerships with retail running specialists and world-class ambassadors. These individuals continually inspire and amaze us with their accomplishments and adventures.
Ultimately, our goal is to remain responsive to the ever-evolving needs of runners and their profound love for the outdoors.
Congratulations on your recent record-breaking win at the winter Spine Race. Can you tell us about your experience running 268 miles and how the terrain influenced your footwear choice?
Jack Scott: Two hundred sixty-eight miles is obviously a long way, and single-stage races don’t get much bigger than that. There is a lot of time on the clock—time to yourself to race, move, grow, and learn. The 2023 race was brilliant, and to finish with a time of 85 hours and change was a superb benchmark. I was excited to come back for another go and better my own time.
View this post on Instagram
Going back in 2024, I simplified my training, cleared my mind, and was ready to suffer when race day arrived on January 14. INOV8 products stand the test of time and are robust. Because of this, I opted for one pair of shoes the entire race: the TRAILFLY G 270 V2. It’s an outstanding, versatile shoe covering a huge spectrum of terrain and conditions in this sport. The TRAILFLY did everything I needed it to while I chased down a seemingly impossible record in wind chills of -20F on 33 minutes of sleep.
View this post on Instagram
As you prepare for your next endeavor, how are you integrating INOV8’s new trail shoes into your training?
Scott: The nucleus of the TRAILFLY G 270 has been developed, enhanced, and fine-tuned, resulting in the two new TRAILFLY shoes—one is simply called TRAILFLY and the other TRAILFLY SPEED. I’m currently covering a lot of miles in the TRAILFLY SPEED, enjoying the new foot shape, fit, and wider toe box. I believe I have the first finished pair off the production line, which is pretty cool. I plan to have this shoe on my feet as I make my next move in this ridiculous sport.
INOV8 is empowering the world’s physical and mental fitness through more fulfilling sporting experiences with pioneering products and innovations that keep athletes within the flow. #AmbitionInMotion