Inov8 Trail Talon 250 | Long distance trail running shoes

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Price comparison Trail Talon 250

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	1-2 dage		1,099 DKK	Til butik
	1-7 dage		1,145 DKK	Til butik

Inov8 Trail Talon 250, this is what you should note

When you are dealing with a running shoe from Inov8, you are naturally sure that it is a quality running shoe. Another thing that is almost as certain as amen in church is that we are talking about a running shoe for trail. And we do the same with the Trail Talon 250 from Inov8.

Inov8 has a habit of putting the weight of the shoe in their product name. Of course, it can’t fit all sizes in a shoe, but that’s the weight of an average size. Here too, the Trail Talon 250 is just another one in the line at Inov8. You will definitely notice the relatively low weight that this Trail Talon (250 grams) contains. Just to make it clear right away, the weight of this size we have tested is 235 grams (size 42.5)
The Trail Talon 250 is not a direct replacement, but it was this series and this model that was supposed to replace the extremely popular Race Ultra 270 from Inov8. The attentive reader will of course notice that there is a 20gram difference in the name alone. And can the Trail Talon now also replace such a popular shoe from Inov8? We will of course give you the answer to that.

If there are any “buzz words” to be put in this headline about the Trail Talon 250, it would definitely be LIGHTNESS, FLEXIBILITY and SOFTNESS. We will go into all of that in much more detail in the review below.

What have others said about the running shoe?

What other runners have said about the Inov8 Trail Talon 250. Read a few testimonials here

Thomas Hansen, I think it’s good.

Mette Frederiksen, A little too wide but wonderfully light

Henrik Pedersen, Inov8 is my favorite brand

Cool facts about the shoe

The first impression and the first run

Let me say this right away. When you take the Trail Talon 250 out of the package and hold it in your hand, you have no doubt that we are dealing with a lightweight running shoe. It looks significantly heavier than it actually is. You will be surprised. At least it gave me such a “wow experience””
I know you probably don’t want it quite the same way, but when a “running geek” receives a shoe like the Trail Talon 250, it tickles your stomach a little. Not so much because the shoe is new, but more because the undersigned was very excited to see if it could also keep up with its very popular predecessor.

It may sound strange, but the first trip in these shoes was actually a huge failure. That’s what I said. But I must also hasten to say that it’s definitely not the shoes’ fault, and it actually ended up giving a lot of good experience for example this review.
The weather was perfect, November and perfect conditions for a trail ride in this beautiful fading Danish forest. I was really happy, because I knew that at least it wasn’t the weight of the shoe that was going to weigh me down. But even an experienced runner like me can still completely misjudge a surface. Because it became clear very quickly when I moved away from the forest path and onto what I thought was a relatively dry forest floor, that the forest floor was anything but dry. On the other hand, it was super soft and muddy. And so the Inov8 Trail Talon 250 comes into overtime.
It went very well when I ran straight, but as soon as I got to the smallest incline and thought the shoe would grip and carry me safely up, I slipped. If changing direction was on the menu, after the first time – when I landed in the mud – it became an exercise at a reduced pace, almost in slow motion.

So the first ride in the Trail Talon 250 didn’t give the desired experience, but it gave a lot of input on where we should place this trail running shoe on the “mud barometer”. It belongs at the bottom. But then it’s good that our test is not based on one run. Of course, the Trail Talon 250 should have its chance in its right element.

Several rides in the Trail Talon 250 gave the correct picture

The next few rides in the Inov8 Trail Talon 250 were in their element. And just to make it clear for the first time, you should stick to dry trails when using this shoe. Or at least you should strongly assess how wet the surface is when you speed off, unless you love taking a mud bath.

I don’t know how many trips it’s been on, and I’ve probably maxed out at cruising 7-8 kilometers in this shoe now. But the fact that it can be done is one of the huge advantages of the Inov8 Trail Talon 250. It’s a running shoe that’s made for running longer trips. Normally when you talk about dry trails, it’s also automatically a harder surface, and there are quite a few trail running shoes that give up when you get close to 10 kilometers. But not the Trail Talon 250.
I love the lightness and freedom of this shoe. It fits tightly around the foot and allows your feet to breathe as they should. Super flexible without being too loose. Because it’s one thing to make a trail running shoe flexible and soft, it’s another to maintain the stability of the shoe. And you don’t have to worry about that in the Inov8 Trail Talon 250. It handles changes of direction well with the same stability and support as so many others trail running shoes.

There can be a big difference on dry trails. It can be both stones, gravel and rocks. Let me say it right away, I don’t have that many rocks near me, but I have been around both the stem and gravel surface. And the gravel surface in particular is exciting to test against. But here too I think the 4mm grip knobs that are on the Inov8 Trail Talon 250 do their job for UG. I have been in turns with looser gravel and I think the grip is okay. You can’t expect a 90 degree change of direction to be completely handled without the shoe slipping a little, and it did, but not in such a way that I felt it was “dangerous”

So after several test runs in the Inov8 Trail Talon, my opinion is a bit the same as when I unpacked the shoe. A light running shoe that surprises you and that works perfectly in its right element.

Size selection

Here I want to warn you. You have to be careful when buying running shoes from Inov8. Their sizes are large. I use either 43 or 43½ in size in 90-95% of all cases. but at Inov8 I am in a size. 42½. So you should at least go down half a size when you buy Inov8 Trail Talon 250
You are also very welcome to use our size guide

Advantages and disadvantages

Analysis Part 1: Who can run in the Inov8 Trail Talon 250

This analysis part is based on who and how we recommend the running shoe be used.

Which running style

In terms of running style, you could easily argue that the Trail Talon 250 is a neutral running shoe. This means that there is no wedge/support on the inside to curb possible overpronation.
But conversely, you also have to evaluate it with running style based on the fact that it is a trail running shoe. In fact, there are a few trail running shoes that are developed with specific pronation support, as in the vast majority of cases it will not make sense. And it does not because when you run trail the surface and foot positions are so much different from regular running.

Fit

The fit of the Inov8 Trail Talon 250 is normal in the shoe we tested. It should also be noted that when we are dealing with running shoes from Inov8, you should be aware that they come in 2 different versions. A “Standard Fit” and a “Precision Fit”. And there is a Standard Fit with a normal fit, and a Precision Fit is a bit narrower. But based on the fact that the Trail Talon we tested was in Standard Fit, it still fits really well around the foot. It ends where it should and provides the support it should. I think that Inov8 has changed direction a bit in terms of fit. For example, at one point I mentioned in a previous review ofInov8 Roclite 295, that I think the forefoot was too wide.

• Size: Regular
• Heel: Tight fit
• Midfoot: Tight fit
• Forefoot: Medium fit
• Shoe tip: Regular
• Arch structure: low
• Shoe shape: semi-curved

Surfaces and conditions

In terms of weather and conditions, I would say that the Inov8 Trail Talon 250 is an all-year shoe. Because the construction and sole structure of the shoe means that it can be used all year round. However, the vast majority of runners choose the road in the spring and summer, and jump into trail running shoes when autumn and winter come. But in terms of the surface, we have discussed it before. The Trail Talon 250 is a trail running shoe for dry trails. And that is because the grip (the knobs on the bottom) is “only” 4mm. So it is built to be able to grip when you run on gravel, stones, dry forest floor or the like.

Price level

Inov8 Trail Talon 250 has a suggested retail price of 1,200,- And that is a completely normal price for a running shoe in today’s Denmark. And I actually think you get okay features in the Trail Talon 250 for that price. The challenge in this context is just that many people go for a cheaper running shoe when we talk trail, and spend the “lots of money” on their road running shoes. But in isolation, and considering that you can find it cheaper online, I think the Inov8 Trail Talon 250 has a fair price.

What does the Trail Talon 250 weigh?

We’ve been around this before. The number 250 in the product name is an indicator of the weight. But when you do a checkweighing of the shoe and the size used in this test, it shows 233 grams for a size 42½. A super light trail running shoe with a good fit.

Care and maintenance of the Inov8 Trail Talon 250

There is the normal maintenance and washing of running shoes, and then the extra focus you need to have on your trail running shoes. Of course, as always, you do yourself a favor by taking the insole out of the shoe after the run and letting the shoe dry naturally. But unlike your regular running shoes, your trail running shoes can easily risk being covered in mud on the upper. We recommend that you rinse or brush it off when it has dried a bit. If you leave it on for too long, you risk it sticking to the material and making the shoe unnecessarily stiff.

Drop height in Inov8 Trail talon 250

It is a running shoe that encourages speed, pace and aggression. It is a running shoe that naturally allows you to come a little further forward on your foot to run. And if you have wanted a forefoot running shoe in the forest, then the Trail Talon can easily be recommended. The shoe has a drop of 4mm

Drop heights:
Forefoot height: 13.5mm
Heel height: 17.5mm

Analysis Part 2: Technical Review of the Inov8 Trail Talon

Analysis part number 2 is the part where it can get a little technical. We use technical terms and go into a little more detail about the running shoe. But we do everything we can to make it as understandable to everyone as possible.

The outsole

The outsole of the Inov8 Trail Talon 250 is equipped with 4mm deep studs. The studs have a relatively wide contact surface with the ground. This gives you optimal and aggressive grip. But at the same time you also get an outsole that is quick to release from the ground, so your stride is fast and smooth.

Midsole

The midsole that has been chosen to be placed in the Trail Talon 250 from Inov8 is a bit different than “normal”. A POWERFLOW midsole has been placed in the shoe, which provides up to 10% better shock absorption and also improved energy return during stride. It is not uncommon to do something extra ordinary with a midsole in a trail running shoe, but I would still like to mention that when we talk about trail running, there is much more natural shock absorption in the surface, and therefore manufacturers do not make as much of the midsole on trail running shoes as they do in your normal running shoes, for example. At least not with regard to the cushioning.

Heel

A relatively soft construction of the heel gives a really good feeling when you run in the shoe. Even though the construction is relatively soft, I don’t think I can feel that I lack support and stability from the heel.

Shock absorption

The normal talk about shock absorption in running shoes tends to be unique to a running shoe. On the other hand, there is not the same focus on shock absorption in a trail running shoe, as you get a lot of softness from the surface. But none the less, in the Inov8 Trail Talon 250 they have tried to do a little extra with the shock absorption anyway. Namely, as mentioned before in the description of the midsole. And this is done because the shoe is primarily intended to be used on trails where the surface can be a little harder.

Forefoot

In the Trail Talon 250, the forefoot is both flexible and comfortable. There is a really good flex in the forefoot, but there should also be that in a shoe that is for mid or forefoot running due to the low drop (4mm)

Upper part

The upper has both advantages and disadvantages, as described throughout the review. It is super soft and flexible, and it is super breathable. This means that your feet can get rid of a lot of heat. This is naturally a huge advantage in warmer conditions, but conversely, the shoe can also be a little cold in colder conditions. Then there is a disadvantage of the soft and flexible upper. That is the durability. I must hasten to say that after 7-8 trips I can’t see any clear signs of wear and tear, and that it should be a problem with the durability. But experience just says that when there is this soft and flexible upper, it also becomes a little more vulnerable to thorns and branches and the like.

Comparisons to Inov8 Trail Talon 250

The easy and direct comparison to the Trail Talon 250 would be to mention its predecessor, the Race Ultra 270 from Inov8. But it is currently out of production, so perhaps it would be a better idea to look in the direction of Salomon S-lab Sonic. Not 100% the same concept, as the S-lab Sonic from Salomon is developed with a bit of road running in mind as well. But if we take the grip strength as a starting point, which is 90% of your trail running, the 2 running shoes are very similar.

Summary

A complete summary of the Inov8 Trail Talon 250 could be very long and probably also overly laudatory. It may seem very banal, but I actually think that Inov8 has once again managed to develop a trail running shoe that was missing on the market. Or maybe I should phrase it another way. A trail running shoe that fit perfectly into my setup.
I think the combination of extreme lightness and softness in the upper and then the reasonable grip on the surface (primarily dry surface) gives a really cool feeling. So all in all, I definitely think that if you are looking for new trail running shoes for the trip in the forest, and you want something nice and light, then take a look at this shoe.

Price comparison on Asics Metarun

Our automatic update constantly keeps an eye on the best prices on Nike Free Commuter for you. Below you will find the best prices right now from our running shoe partners.

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	1-2 dage		1,099 DKK	Til butik
	1-7 dage		1,145 DKK	Til butik

If you have anything to add to the review, or you just want to read even more about the shoe, you can always take a look at Inov8’s own website. Here you can read even more about the cool details in the Inov8 Trail Talon 250.