Why we stock Inov8 at Crib Goch Outdoor
There is no British brand more specific to the conditions we run in around Eryri. The wet, technical, often boggy ground of the Welsh mountains demands exactly what Inov8 was designed to provide: low-profile builds that keep you close to the ground, aggressive lug patterns that clear mud rather than packing it, and a construction philosophy that prioritises feedback and connection over maximum cushioning. That specificity is also why we do not recommend Inov8 to every runner. For someone logging easy road miles or looking for a plush daily trainer, there are better choices. For anyone running technical off-road ground in Welsh conditions, particularly fell races, mountain marathons, or orienteering where grip and precision are the deciding factors, Inov8 earns its place consistently.
Jordan on our team uses the Mudtalon Speed for fell racing and orienteering on soft and wet ground. Not as a daily trainer, not on hard trail, specifically for conditions where the 8mm lugs are needed and nothing else comes close. That level of use-case specificity is how Inov8 works best: understand what the shoe is designed for, match it to your conditions, and it delivers. Use it outside its intended range and you will be disappointed.
What we stock and why we chose it
For trail running, the TrailFly V2 is Inov8's most versatile trail shoe and the model with the highest search volume across our range. Available in standard and wide fit for men and women, it suits mixed terrain and hard-packed trail where the Graphene-Grip rubber provides traction without the extreme lug pattern of the mud-specific shoes. The TrailTalon Max is a more cushioned, all-terrain option with a higher stack and a broader use case across soft and hard ground. The TrailTalon Max Wide is the same shoe in a wider fit, and is one of the best-converting shoes in our Inov8 range: customers who find it search specifically for it. The TrailTalon Speed is a lighter, faster version of the TrailTalon for competitive trail running and racing. The Mudtalon Speed V2 is the fell and mud specialist. 8mm lugs, lightweight racing build, highly specific and very good at what it does. Built for soft, wet, and technical terrain: fell races, orienteering, grass-based events where you need maximum bite in conditions that would clog a trail shoe. If you are racing on soft ground, nothing grips better. For hiking, the Roclite Mid GTX brings Inov8's trail running DNA into a Gore-Tex hiking boot, available in men's and women's versions. For clothing, the Stormshell V2 waterproof jacket and Stormshell pants are the waterproof running layers, the VentureLite jacket provides a lighter wind and shower-resistant option, and the Airlite tee and shorts range covers warmer-weather running. The waterproof overmitt is a compact, packable hand protection option for mountain running in mixed conditions and generates strong search interest. The Racepac running vests in 4, 8, and 20 litre capacities cover everything from short mountain runs to ultras.
Not sure which Inov8 shoe suits your terrain? Read our guide to choosing trail running shoes for Welsh mountain terrain.
Inov8 FAQs
Is Inov8 a British company? +
Yes. Inov8 was founded in 2003 by Wayne Edy in Cumbria and remains headquartered there. It is genuinely British, born from fell running culture in the Lake District and designed around the specific demands of British mountain terrain. Wayne Edy returned as CEO in 2025. The Graphene-Grip technology was developed in partnership with the University of Manchester's National Graphene Institute, making it a British innovation as well as a British brand. Inov8 is privately owned.
Are Inov8 shoes good? +
Yes, for the right terrain and the right runner. Inov8 is one of the most respected trail and fell running brands in the UK and has a particularly strong following among competitive mountain runners, fell racers, and orienteers. The honest answer is that they are highly specific: the Mudtalon is exceptional on soft, wet ground and ordinary on hard trail. The TrailFly is versatile on mixed terrain but not a cushioned daily trainer. Knowing what each shoe is designed for and matching it to your conditions is more important with Inov8 than with most brands. If you match the right model to your terrain, they are outstanding. If you use a fell shoe as an all-rounder, you will be disappointed.
What is Inov8 known for and what does graphene do? +
Inov8 is known primarily for grip. The Graphene-Grip rubber outsoles, developed with the University of Manchester and the first use of graphene in any sports shoe, provide a combination of durability and tackiness that conventional rubber compounds cannot match. Graphene is the world's strongest material: infusing it into the rubber outsole produces a sole that lasts significantly longer while maintaining or improving grip on wet and technical surfaces. Inov8 has also pioneered low-profile, fell-specific footwear for British mountain conditions, and the brand's philosophy that an athlete's interaction with the environment is the most important design factor runs through the entire range.
Which Inov8 shoe is best for trail running in Wales? +
It depends entirely on your terrain and use case. For mixed mountain terrain, a combination of hard rocky paths and boggy upland ground, the TrailFly V2 is the most versatile option in our range. For racing and training on soft, wet, and muddy ground specifically, fell races and orienteering, the Mudtalon Speed is the right shoe and one of our team uses it for exactly that purpose. For more cushioning and a wider terrain range, the TrailTalon Max handles both soft and hard ground well and suits runners who want one shoe to cover more variety. If you need a wide fit, the TrailTalon Max Wide is one of the best-converting shoes in our Inov8 range. Come in to our stores in Llanberis or Beddgelert and we will match the right model to your terrain.
Do Inov8 shoes run small? +
Inov8 uses a fit system rather than a single sizing approach. Precision Fit suits narrower feet and those who want a close, performance fit for fell running and racing. Standard Fit suits most trail runners. Wide Fit is available across several models for broader feet. Within those categories sizing is generally true to size, but the fit system means the same size in a Precision Fit shoe and a Standard Fit shoe will feel very different. If you have previously found Inov8 too narrow, check whether the model you are looking at has a Wide Fit version before sizing up. We can advise on fit in store.
Can I try Inov8 shoes in store in North Wales? +
Yes. We stock Inov8 across our stores in Llanberis and Beddgelert. Given the range of fit options and the terrain-specific nature of the different models, trying before buying is particularly worthwhile with Inov8. We run in these conditions ourselves and can give you an honest assessment of which shoe matches your planned routes and race calendar rather than a generic recommendation.