RRP £100 Reviewer Paid £85
Purchase link https://www.inov8.com/roadfly-mens?colours=3488
First some basic info about reviews on this site.
All reviews are of products that I have bought for my own use and are based on how the product performs for me and are offered as a guide only. The reviews will be updated periodically to reflect how they perform over a period of time rather than just new out of the box, as such it is worth revisiting the reviews for an update occasionally.
From INOV8 - The Roadfly is a road running shoe designed with trail running technology taking out what isn't needed and keeping what is beneficial. INOV8 claim the Roadfly offers a locked-in feel with a supportive cradle and a flexible groove for uneven surfaces boasting responsive cushioning, a grippy outsole, and a breathable upper with reflective detailing. It's a lightweight, cushioned option for runners who encounter rough roads and paths.
Now I have to say that I had some pre-conceived ideas of what to expect from the Roadfly as I have had a number of pairs of the INOV8 Trailfly which I presume the Roadfly have been based on. I have found the Trailfly rather oddly to be the most comfortable trainers I have ever worn "on the road" so I fully expected to love the Roadfly from day one.
What I found was very different.
Now to be fair the fit is lovely, I have wide feet and the wide version of the Roadfly fit me perfectly, securing my feet in all the right places while providing plenty of room for my toes allowing for a far more comfortable feel and fit. I should note that I have had to go up a half size from my other running trainers (as I do for the Trailfly) but at this size they fit me perfectly with no slippage or rubbing.
My first run in the Roadfly was a few miles of very easy running which I thought a cushioned trainer would be ideal for. Whereas the Trailfly are lovely and cushioned on the road I found the Roadfly to be very hard, in fact initially they felt like running with a plank of wood attached to my feet, they had no cushioning, no bounce, no life at all and also did not help guide me through the gait cycle, I hated them.
On subsequent runs I found them to be exactly the same, short easy runs, long runs, tempo runs and intervals the Roadfly felt the same regardless, hard, flat and lifeless and I seriously considered passing them on to someone else. The reason I didn't, my toes were very much appreciating not being squished for a change as even in wide fit most other shoes are too narrow for me.
Putting aside my disappointment with how the trainers felt on the run the soles have proven to be very grippy on tarmac, slabs and gravelly broken surfaces in both the wet and the dry and also appear to be very hardwearing, having covered around 100 miles of running at the time of writing with no obvious signs of wear. The uppers are very comfortable and breathable and dry very quickly in wet weather, they are also proving to be very durable with absolutely no sign of wear.
Now this is where the Roadfly have defied my expectations again. I have never before found that my initial opinion of trainers has changed, of all the trainers I have had in the past if they are comfortable from day one they stay comfortable and if they are uncomfortable, well I regret buying them and they become walking shoes.
The Roadfly broke this rule.
After 80 miles the trainers feel completely different, the promised cushioning has materialised, they have a lovely spring when I pick up the pace and condition wise they are very much like new suggesting they will be good for many many more miles yet. They have completely transformed from being flat and lifeless to being my go to trainer for all workout types.
I look forward to updating this review after another 100 miles to see how this develops.
Comments