Product · INOV8
Inov8 Trailfly Zero V2: no membrane, quick drying
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Not every walker wants a waterproof shoe. The Inov8 Trailfly Zero V2 has no membrane listed, which means water gets in, but it also gets out again. Inov8 is a British fell running brand, and this shoe lists all-weather grip, breathability and flexibility among its features. It is the one shoe in our trail shoe guide built for people who would rather drain than seal.
- Cut
- Low
- Membrane
- None stated
- Upper
- Mesh and TPU
- Listed cushioning
- Not stated
- Listed surface
- Trail
In its favour
- No membrane means water can drain out, which some walkers prefer in bogs and streams.
- The listing names all-weather grip, breathability and flexibility as features.
- A mesh upper with TPU is listed, light and quick to dry after a wet day.
Good to know
- It is listed as not water resistant, so feet will get wet in rain and wet grass.
- No cushioning level is given, so it is hard to compare comfort with the Hoka shoes.
Our take
What the listing covers
The sport type is trail running. The outer material is listed as thermoplastic polyurethane with mesh named as the main material type, and the sole as rubber. Water resistance is given as not water resistant, which here matches the design. The listed weight is 454 g, though the listing does not say whether that is one shoe or a pair.
There is no cushioning level and no outsole compound in the listing, so comparison on those points has to be done on Inov8's own site.
Why some walkers skip Gore-Tex
In Britain, wet feet are often a question of when, not if. A membrane shoe keeps out drizzle and dew, but in a bog or a river crossing water comes over the top and then stays trapped. A mesh shoe without a lining lets that water squeeze out with each step and dries far faster on the walk home or overnight in a hut.
Pair it with merino or synthetic socks that stay warm when damp. In cold weather some walkers add a thin waterproof sock for the same drain-and-dry idea with less chill.
Against waterproof alternatives
Every other shoe in the same guide has a GTX lining. The Hoka Speedgoat 6 Mid GTX gives height and maximum cushioning, and the La Sportiva Bushido III GTX focuses on grip and stability on rock. Choose either of those for wet but shallow conditions such as long grass and rain showers, and the Trailfly for days that involve streams and standing water.
A further point is fit. Without a membrane the upper can stretch and mould slightly with wear, so a snug fit at first tends to settle. Check that the heel holds firmly on a slope, since a shoe that slips there will rub on long fell descents whatever the conditions.
Verdict
The Trailfly Zero V2 is for walkers who accept wet feet in exchange for a light, breathable shoe that drains and dries quickly. If you want dry feet in drizzle and dew, the Hoka Speedgoat 6 Mid GTX or the La Sportiva Bushido III GTX are better choices with a Gore-Tex lining.
Compared with alternatives in: Best trail running shoes for hiking
Amazon listing title: INOV8 Men's TRAILFLY Zero V2 Running Shoe