Inov-8 trailtalon 290 2

Learn more about the Inov-8 trailtalon 290 2 female running shoes, including key features, performance, reviews, model updates, and more.

Inov-8 trailtalon 290 2

Price

330

Rating

High

Popularity

Low

The Inov-8 TrailTalon 290 V2 is a versatile trail running shoe known for its enhanced cushioning and grip, positioned as a more supportive option compared to lighter Inov-8 models like the TrailTalon 235 and the TrailTalon 250.

Inov-8
trailtalon 290 2 - blue-yellow

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Summary

The Inov-8 Trailtalon 290 2 is a trail running shoe designed for comfort and durability on long distance runs over varied terrains. It features a breathable mesh upper and an EXTEROFLOW midsole for shock absorption and a smooth ride. With a rugged outsole equipped with multi-directional lugs, this shoe provides excellent grip on challenging trails. Compared to other models in Inov-8's lineup, the Trailtalon 290 2 offers a balance between cushioning and responsiveness, making it suitable for runners seeking a reliable all-terrain shoe. It is particularly geared towards runners who prioritize protection and support without sacrificing agility, sitting between the more minimalist options like the X-Talon series and the more cushioned models like the Roclite series.

Surface

trail

Cushioning

MinLowMediumHighMax(21mm)

Category

ResponsiveBalancedComfort

Breathability

LowMediumHigh(ballistic nylon upper)

Weight

290g

Heel-to-Toe Drop

8mm0mm14mm

Support

NeutralLightHigh

Width options

normal, wide

Grip

LowMediumHighMax(medium density, 4mm lugs) - INOV-8 RUBBER rubber

Suitability

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Pros & Cons

AI-powered

Fittir conducts a detailed analysis of the Inov-8 trailtalon 290 2 to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the shoes features, pros, and cons based on 8 wear-tester reviews.

Most Mentioned Pros

Most Mentioned Cons

softness (2)
shock absorption (1)
cushioning (1)
midsole (1)
responsiveness (1)
protection (1)
terrain (1)
amount (1)
Pros
"The POWERFLOW midsole provides optimal shock absorption and energy return, improving performance on trails."
POWERFLOW
shock absorption
energy return
"The two-piece midsole enhances shock absorption and energy return, making long runs more comfortable."
shock absorption
energy return
midsole
"The midsole includes Powerflow foam which is said to provide better shock absorption and responsiveness than other options."
cushioning
shock absorption
comfort
"The cushioning provided by the POWER FOOTBED and TWO PIECE POWERFLOW midsole is effective for long-distance running."
cushioned ride
long-distance
"The midsole cushioning is slightly above average, offering a responsive ride."
cushioning
responsive
midsole
"The cushioning in the shoe is responsive, providing a lively feel during runs."
responsive
lively
performance
"The cushioning provided by the Trail Talon 290 v2 is softer than expected, maintaining comfort over longer runs."
cushioning
comfort
long runs
"The shoe offers adequate underfoot protection while still allowing for trail feel and responsive movement."
underfoot protection
trail feel
Cons
"Some users report insufficient cushioning for longer runs."
cushion
comfort
long runs
"While the shoe's cushioning is praised, it may not be suitable for all types of terrain due to its design."
cushioning
terrain suitability
"The shoe does not provide much cushioning, leaving some runners wanting more support."
cushioning
support
protection
"The shoe has a dense EVA that detracts from comfort."
EVA
comfort
cushion
"The shoe lacks sufficient cushioning for longer runs."
cushioning
long runs
performance
"The softness of the cushioning on longer runs may not suit all runners, especially those preferring firmer support."
long runs
cushioning
support
"The shoe lacks a highly cushioned midsole, which may affect foot awareness."
cushioning
foot function
responsiveness
"The cushioning is only medium-level, which some runners feel is insufficient for longer runs."
cushion
protection
long runs

overall comfort (2)
breathability (1)
heel fit (1)
arch support (1)
padding (1)
break-in (1)
Pros
"The shoe features a lightweight and breathable upper that keeps feet cool in hot weather."
lightweight
breathable
hot weather
"The redesigned upper provides improved breathability, making the shoe suitable for hot and humid conditions."
breathable
lightweight
hot weather
"The shoe is designed with a highly breathable upper, making it suitable for warmer weather."
breathable
hot weather
comfort
"The upper material has been upgraded to a more breathable and lighter fabric, enhancing comfort."
breathable upper
lightweight
"Breathability of the shoe keeps the foot comfortable during warm conditions without sweating excessively."
breathable
comfort
warm conditions
"The heel holds the foot well and does not cause any rubbing over long sessions, contributing to overall comfort."
snug heel
comfort
"These shoes provide excellent overall comfort, enhancing the running experience."
comfort
running experience
satisfaction
"The shoe’s overall comfort is attributed to its flexible upper and padded tongue and collar."
comfortable
padded
soft
Cons
"The arch support position may cause discomfort due to misalignment."
alignment
support
discomfort
"Some runners feel that the shoe could use more underfoot padding for better comfort on rocky trails."
padding
comfort
protection
"The upper is hot and thick, reducing breathability and overall comfort."
breathability
comfort
"The shoe takes a long time to break in, which can be frustrating for runners."
break-in
comfort

upper (1)
longevity (1)
toe protection (1)
material (1)
construction (1)
protection (1)
weight (1)
heel (1)
Pros
"The upper is lighter and more breathable, enhancing the shoe's overall comfort and functionality while maintaining durability."
lightweight
breathable
durability
"The shoes wear exceptionally well, showing little signs of use over time."
durability
long lifespan
"The rubberized toe bumper protects against sharp rocks during trails."
toe bumper
rock protection
durability
"The Inov-8 Ultra Trail 290 features a durable outsole, which enhances its longevity."
outsole
durability
long-lasting
"The shoe's construction shows durability, suggesting it holds up better than previous models."
durable
longevity
sturdy
"The incorporation of a toe bumper and TPU overlays improves the upper's security and durability."
toe bumper
overlay
Cons
"The two-piece midsole design adds extra weight to the shoe, which some runners weren't keen on."
midsole
weight
performance
"While the upper is breathable, it may not offer standalone durability for rugged conditions compared to other options."
breathability
ruggedness
durability
"The durability of the heel cup is questionable, potentially affecting longevity."
durability
heel
quality
"The shoe offers average durability that may not hold up under heavy use, depending on running style."
durability
wear
quality

flexibility (2)
ride quality (1)
terrain adaptability (1)
ultra (1)
versatility (1)
responsiveness (1)
Pros
"The shoes excel with a plush ride and great performance on long, flat, and consistent terrain."
plush ride
long runs
"The shoe performs well on tricky terrains, offering a fun running experience."
performance
fun
quick
Cons
"The performance on rocky terrain might not meet all expectations due to the shoe's firmness."
performance
rocky terrain
firmness
"The shoe lacks flexibility and feels flat, impacting overall performance."
flexibility
performance
"There might be better alternatives for ultra-distance running."
ultra running
performance
alternative
"The shoe is not designed for road running, which limits its versatility across terrains."
road running
trail running
performance
"The shoe lacks impressive responsiveness, which could hinder performance on runs."
performance
responsiveness
energy return

adaptability (1)
width (1)
tongue system (1)
upper fit (1)
flexibility (1)
toe box (1)
adjustability (1)
narrowness (1)
Pros
"ADAPTERFIT technology allows the shoe's fit to adapt as the foot swells on long runs, enhancing comfort."
ADAPTERFIT
swelling
long distance
"The shoe features a wider fit with a fit scale of 4, making it ideal for endurance and ultra-distance runners."
wide toe box
endurance
ultra distance
"The shoe's fit is wide and comfortable, allowing for toe movement and splaying."
wide fit
comfort
toe box
"The shoe is designed to accommodate wider feet, providing comfort and space for foot expansion during long runs."
wide fit
long runs
"The gusseted tongue and lacing system enhance comfort and keep the foot securely in place."
gusseted tongue
foot security
"The Adapterfit design provides a cradled upper that enhances comfort and fit."
Adapterfit
comfort
cradled feel
"The updated midfoot cradle provides additional flexibility and adapts as the foot swells during longer runs."
flexibility
midfoot cradle
adaptable
"The Inov-8 Trailtalon 290 features a generous toe box allowing for comfort during runs."
generous
comfort
protection
"The Adapterfit midfoot cage adapts to the foot's swelling, offering a dynamic fit that enhances comfort."
fit
dynamic
comfort
Cons
"The shoe may be too narrow for some users despite the wider toe box."
fit
narrow
toe box
"Some runners may find that the shoe is too wide for their feet, impacting fit."
wide fit
toe box
"The Adapterfit cage has the potential to catch the opposite foot mid-stride, affecting stride consistency."
cage
stride
consistency
"The lacing system is inadequate and can loosen during runs, affecting the fit."
lacing
fit
performance
"The heel raise might not be suitable for runners with flat feet."
heel raise
flat feet

construction (1)
drop (1)
protection (1)
heel design (1)
agility (1)
Pros
"The shoe's construction enhances stability for long training runs and ultramarathons over rugged trails."
stability
rugged trails
long runs
"The 8mm drop of the shoe is ideal for everyday use and provides comfort during longer runs."
8mm drop
everyday use
"The shoes provide substantial protection through both the outsole and upper design."
protection
upper
outsole
"The heel design is comfortable without being overly rigid, providing good support."
comfortable
supportive
flexible
Cons
"The shoe favors agility over stability, which may be a concern for some runners."
agility
stability
concern

traction (2)
terrain (2)
outsole (1)
performance (1)
wet conditions (1)
rock traction (1)
overall performance (1)
debris (1)
Pros
"With sticky rubber outsoles and multi-directional cleats, the shoe offers exceptional grip on unpredictable terrain."
sticky rubber
multi-directional
grip
"The Inov-8 TrailTalon 290 offers impressive traction on dry, hardpacked trails."
hardpack
traction
outsole
"The shoe features exceptional traction that enhances stability on rocky terrain."
traction
stability
rocky terrain
"The shoe offers excellent grip, making it effective for various terrains."
grip
terrain
off-road
"The outsole made of Inov-8's endurance rubber provides good traction on wet surfaces, enhancing performance in varied conditions."
wet conditions
durability
"The traction provided by the Soft and Hard Sticky Rubber outsole is effective on dry, hard surfaces."
grip
outsole
dry surfaces
"The outsole grip is impressive and provides confidence on various terrains."
outsole
grip
versatility
Cons
"Some users find the grip less effective in wet conditions."
grip
wet surfaces
confidence
"The grip is not very effective in muddy conditions."
muddy trails
grip performance
"The shoe's performance on wet or slippery surfaces may be limiting for some runners."
wet performance
slippery conditions
"The shoe does not perform well in deep mud."
deep mud
wet grass
"Traction on smooth rock slabs is lacking, limiting versatility on different terrains."
traction
versatility
smooth rock
"While overall traction is good, it is not considered best-in-class for all terrain types."
traction
performance
uphill
downhill
"Although the outsole has great traction, it can also collect debris, making it less effective in certain conditions."
traction
outsole
performance
"The grip under wet conditions is not as strong as with sharper lugs."
wet conditions
traction
mud
"Although the shoe is suitable for hard packed trails, it may not perform well in deeper mud due to the lug depth."
mud
trail
traction
"Traction on loose and hard wet terrain is subpar, affecting performance in those conditions."
grip
traction
wet
"The traction is not effective on wet surfaces, limiting its usefulness in diverse weather conditions."
traction
wet
performance

weight (3)
versatility (1)
gaiter (1)
continuity (1)
breathability (1)
protection (1)
overall experience (1)
accessory (1)
Pros
"The TRAIL TALON 290 V2 is versatile and suitable for various terrains, including road and technical trails."
multi-terrain
road
trail
"The shoe features a unique gaiter attachment system that adds versatility for different terrains."
gaiter attachment
versatility
"The TRAIL TALON 290 V2 retains the qualities of its predecessor, confirming its status as a top all-rounder in the lineup."
consistency
successful design
"The breathability of the TrailTalon 290 is rated highly, making them ideal for warm weather."
breathability
protection
warm weather
"The lightweight design contributes to a comfortable running experience."
lightweight
comfort
"The Inov-8 Trailtalon 290 is lightweight, making it suitable for trail runs without feeling heavy."
lightweight
trail
performance
"The overall protection from sharp objects is commendable, contributing to safety on trails."
protection
sharp rocks
trail feel
"Overall, the shoe offers a unique combination of comfort, support, traction, and motion control for runners."
comfort
support
overall
"The shoe includes a built-in gator attachment for added functionality."
gator
functionality
features
"The shoe features a gusseted tongue to prevent debris from entering, enhancing the overall running experience."
gusseted tongue
debris prevention
"The shoe features Meta-Flex forefoot groove which enhances sole flexibility aiding in smoother transitions."
flexible
transition
performance
"The toe bumper provides protective features to avoid injury from hard objects on the trail."
protection
durability
trail safety
Cons
"The shoe's weight, while lightweight for some, may not be suitable for everyone."
weight
lightweight
ultra running
"The shoe's weight (10.6oz) makes it feel heavy during runs."
weight
performance
"The shoe's weight is heavier than expected for a trail shoe."
weight
trail shoe
"The reliance on buzzwords for the cushioning technologies might lead to skepticism about actual performance benefits."
buzzwords
marketing
"The design of the shoe is not versatile, limiting its use in various conditions."
versatility
design
functionality
"Support diminishes over longer runs, leading to fatigue in muscles and joints."
support
fatigue
long runs

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Reviews

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Reviews on Fittir (-)

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Wear-tester reviews (8)

4.0/5

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