Inov-8 Roadfly Max Review: 3 Comparisons

Article by Matt Kolat

Inov-8 Roadfly Max (£120)

Introduction

Final yr I had the utmost pleasure in testing the Inov-8 RoadFly (RTR Evaluation) There have been so many the explanation why I cherished RoadFly but when I used to be to checklist my high three they might be the next. To start with it was extraordinarily funds pleasant at £100/$130 you may name it a steal. Secondly it was a no-frills trip, which within the age of by no means ending gimmicks and very costly operating tech was a breath of recent air – trainers needs to be a automobile for operating – at the least to a few of us. It’s a easy sport and it’s good to have the instruments to maintain it this manner or at the least an choice to take action, the RoadFly definitely is that. 

My third favorite high quality of the RoadClaw was how briskly, nimble and concurrently steady they had been and thus a product interesting to an important number of runners. 

I used to be not allowed to share it on the time however our buddies at Inov8 shared with me that there could also be a flanker mannequin popping out in 2025 and right here it’s – the Inov8 RoadFlyMax! Will it dwell to the hype it’s older sibling managed to create? Let’s discover out – please be part of me in yet one more Street Path Run assessment!

Professionals:

Cons:

No flashy tech / conventional trip (is likely to be a optimistic for some!)

Agency cushioning, particularly within the forefoot (once more is likely to be a optimistic for some!)

Barely much less steady than the unique

Most comparable footwear 

Inov8 RoadFly

Nike Pegasus

Stats

Spec weight: 9.71oz / 275g males’s US9 

Pattern Weights: 

males’s  10.97oz / 311 g 12US/11UK/45.5EU

Full Stack Peak:  33mm heel / 27mm forefoot

Platform Width (pattern obtained was the large model):  88mm heel /  64mm midfoot  / 120mm forefoot 

First Impressions, Match and Higher

As you’ll be able to most likely inform from the introduction I used to be fairly excited in regards to the Max! I’ve requested Inov8 to ship me the broader model and it matches me very properly. That stated the way in which the widths work on this shoe is that it’s only wider within the forefoot not the midfoot. 

The higher is comprised of a conventional mesh higher which I discovered very comfy. The laces are flat and keep put as does the gusseted tongue. 

The heel counter may be very versatile and solely provides a tad construction offering just a bit little bit of assist. The huge pull tab makes placing the RoadFlyMax on a breeze. 

By way of sizing I’d take into account it an ideal true to measurement shoe, go along with your common measurement.

Midsole & Platform

The midsole of the shoe I’d describe as comparatively agency and inflexible particularly within the forefoot. Whereas a number of runners today are on the lookout for mountains of soppy cushioning I fairly loved the firmness. The again of the midsole is significantly softer which supplies the shoe a really impartial character, particularly for heel strikers.

The midsole is manufactured from supercritical, nitrogen infused FlySpeedPro foam. However being utterly trustworthy, gun to move, I used to be satisfied that I’m operating on an EVA platform. That was probably because of the firmness and the comparatively low stack. 

The Boomerang beaded TPU insert softens the cushioning slightly and is kind of substantial. When eliminated it leaves loads of room to get replaced by personalised insoles, including a contact of stability.

As you certainly observed within the stats introduced on the high of the assessment, the shoe may be very broad within the forefoot nonetheless narrows fairly a bit within the midfoot. This once more makes it a really impartial shoe in case you are an overpronator it’s most likely not for you. In case you are nonetheless a forefoot striker and have a impartial gait it’s all excellent news. 

Outsole

If I used to be to call the perfect outsoles available on the market by way of grip and longevity I’d most likely classify Inov8 as one of many high two (the opposite being PumaGrip). Critically, the stuff simply sticks like glue. In reality the RoadFly Max is a highway shoe by definition however due to the grip and the 2mm lugs it may be simply approached as a blended terrain shoe and would simply work on packed path or grass. By way of longevity, I predict them to final properly above common as there’s nearly little to none put on as I’m scripting this assessment. Price mentioning that I’m a heel striker and weigh 80 kg / 12.6st / 176 lbs.

Journey, Conclusions and Suggestions

Let’s simply begin with the plain – I did actually just like the trip on the Inov8 RoadFlyMax. It’s a no frills impartial shoe, I’d nonetheless prefer to make a transparent distinction that in contrast to its predecessor (the RoadFly) it’s not a steady impartial shoe. Certainly not it is a wobbly trip however as a result of the heel counter is totally versatile and the rear of the midsole is barely softer than the entrance it creates a really impartial trip. Particularly for somebody like me who runs consecutive kilometers at 4:30 or slower and is a heel striker. 

One other aspect of the shoe that barely troubled me is its weight. Certainly not it’s a heavy shoe, at sub 11oz in my banana toes, measurement 12US it’s certainly not heavy. That stated I’ve not too long ago examined the Diadora Atomo Star which at a really comparable weight has 40mm of tremendous cush beneath foot. 

That’s all of the dislikes I’ve about this shoe and a pleasant segue to what I appreciated in regards to the shoe. And that’s the burden as properly or at the least the impression of the burden. The shoe feels very gentle on the run and choosing it up is easy. I’ve examined the RoadFlyMax on the treadmill and on pavements and in both of the situations exercises involving choosing up the tempo felt great, good job Inov8. 

One other high quality price mentioning is the worth of the shoe is its value – £120, it’s not obtainable within the US but however I’d guess it needs to be priced at across the $150 mark which in as we speak’s day and age is a good value (please don’t maintain me too it – I’m guessing what the US pricing shall be). On the run the shoe feels very impartial nonetheless not unstable, it rolls ahead in a short time however virtually suggests a forefoot / midfoot touchdown because of the low, 6mm drop. By way of its vacation spot I’d place this shoe as a 10k to half marathon distance, maybe a full marathon in case you are a really environment friendly runner who doesn’t require an excessive amount of cushioning. 

All in all I actually loved the RoadFlyMax

My Rating: 9.4 / 10

Journey 9/10 (50%): Match 10/10 (30%): Worth 10/10 (15%): Model 8/10 (5%): 

😊😊😊😊

3 Comparisons

Inov-8 RoadFly (RTR Review)

Certainly one of my high footwear of 2024. Absolute boss of a light-weight impartial shoe at a steal of a value. If you want one thing lighter, extra steady and giving a number of floor really feel this is likely to be an important choice for you over the Max. Max has extra cushioning, is extra appropriate for longer distances nonetheless as talked about concedes slightly enjoyable issue and the soundness. 

Nike Pegasus 41 (RTR Evaluation)

After I was operating within the RoadFly Max I used to be considering what different shoe jogs my memory – a barely much less cushioned Pegasus! For those who fear that the RoadFlyMax isn’t cushioned sufficient for you however the impartial character of the shoe feels like one thing up your alley the Pegasus 41 is likely to be price a strive. The Peg has additionally barely extra pop within the forefoot and a tad extra construction as a consequence of a semi-rigid heel counter.

Diadora Atomo Star (RTR Evaluation)

I’d get in hassle with Sam, the RoadTrailRun editor  for evaluating these two footwear as they’re fairly totally different, however right here goes! The rationale why Atomo Star got here to my thoughts is twofold, to begin with it’s a shoe I’ve reviewed not too long ago and second of all it weighs virtually precisely the identical because the Inov8. Importantly it has 7mm extra cushioning within the heel. So if the Inov8 RoadClawMax sounds virtually scary in its austerity and firmness the Diadora Atomo Star is likely to be price contemplating. Price noting that for the worth of 1 pair of Atomo Star you’re going to get two pairs Inov8 RoadClaw Max and sufficient unfastened change to purchase a half-decent bottle of wine. 

Accessible quickly at Inov-8 

Tester Profiles

Maciej ‘Matt’ Kolat– 39 years previous, hailing from Poland however pounding Scottish pavements and trails on the run and climbing since 2007. Primarily runs shorter distances on pavement 5-10 km and reserves longer runs and hikes for lovely Scottish Glens. Matt’s opinion generally could differ from different RTR testers as he’s the slowest of the bunch (5k at 25:38). Matt additionally makes use of operating as a solution to keep wholesome having shed 105 lbs to date (and counting).

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