Inov-8 Terraultra G 270 Review

Cons: Expensive, tongue comfort affects some
Manufacturer: inov-8
Our Verdict
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Inov-8 Terraultra G 270 | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Price | $160.00 at Amazon | $179.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $138.01 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $90.96 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $84.47 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Excellent traction, protective and sensitive, light, comfortable, durable | Unbeatable fit, very comfortable, fantastic underfoot protection, doesn’t absorb much water, ankle collar keeps out debris, very stable | Precise fit, very grippy on rock, comfortable upper effectively keeps out debris | Comfortable, low to the ground stability, lightweight, drains water well | Solid foot protection, good traction, drains water very well, heel collar keeps out debris |
Cons | Expensive, tongue comfort affects some | Expensive, hard to get on foot, must wear above the ankle height socks, hard to stuff laces into garage | Narrower than average, a bit pricey, not the lightest | Traction not the best on slick surfaces, light on underfoot protection | A tad heavy, not super sensitive, narrow forefoot |
Bottom Line | The best zero-drop trail runner demands no compromises, and has all the features for any type of terrain or distance | A perfectly fitting, comfortable, and very protective shoe that just begs to be worn on long run days | A precise fitting shoe that translates well into high performance, as long as your feet aren’t too wide | Our favorite lightweight trail runner is capable of tackling any terrain | A comfortable and supremely protective shoe |
Rating Categories | Inov-8 Terraultra G 270 | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | La Sportiva Kaptiva | Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 6 | Nike Air Zoom Wildhorse 6 |
Foot Protection (30%) | |||||
Traction (20%) | |||||
Stability (15%) | |||||
Comfort (15%) | |||||
Weight (10%) | |||||
Sensitivity (10%) | |||||
Specs | Inov-8 Terraultra... | Salomon S/Lab... | La Sportiva Kaptiva | Nike Air Zoom... | Nike Air Zoom... |
Weight (per pair, size 11) | 20.9 oz | 22.4 oz | 22.3 oz | 21.5 oz | 23.9 oz |
Heel-to-Toe Drop | 0 mm | 8 mm | 6 mm | 4 mm | 8 mm |
Stack Height (Heel, Forefoot) | 22 mm, 22 mm | 26 mm, 18 mm | 17 mm, 11 mm | 14.5 mm, 10.5 mm | 22.5 mm, 14.5 mm |
Upper | Breathable Mesh | Anti-Debris Mesh with sockliner | Sock-Like knit | Mesh | Synthetic, textile |
Midsole | Powerflow Max | Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection | Duel-density EV | React foam, Zoom Air heel unit | EVA |
Outsole | Graphene Grip | Contagrip MA Rubber | FriXion XF 2.0 | Rubber | Rubber |
Lacing style | Traditional | Quicklace with garage | Traditional | Traditional | Traditional |
Wide version available? | No | No | No | No | No |
Sizes Available | 7 - 15 | 4 - 13 | 38 - 47.5 | 6 - 15 | 6 - 15 |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The TerraUltra G 270 is an updated version of the TerraUltra G 260. The shoes look very similar to each other, and in fact are very similar, with small but significant changes made to address tiny flaws in the previous version. Overall, they are an improved shoe, and in our opinion are one of the very best you can buy. The Graphene Grip rubber is easily the most durable rubber compound we have tested, and our many pairs of test shoes still have outsoles that look practically new (the lugs on outsoles is usually the first thing we notice wearing out on our many trail running shoes). The G-grip rubber feels stickier than past versions, and the cushioning underfoot has not only grown by 3mm, but also includes a new foam compound designed to provide spunkier rebound while also lasting longer before flattening and feeling played out. While the underfoot feeling is only subtly different, we can feel how they are not as firm. The tongue and lacing system has also seen a re-design, and while the laces are easier to tie and have better friction to stay tied longer, the jury is out on the tongue, which is the primary point of complaint from online reviewers.

Performance Comparison

Foot Protection
Most trail running shoes put an emphasis on either underfoot protection or sensitivity but don't strike a perfect balance between both. The TerraUltra G 270 is the exception to the rule, as they have a Powerflow Max foam midsole that not only adequately cushions and protects against anything you might run over, but doesn't dissociate your feet by interceding with a thick, rigid rock plate. For many runners, zero-drop shoes are intimately connected to the idea of trail feel, so it is really nice that this shoe maintains that connection. The foam is springy and has nice rebound but doesn't feel soft and squishy to the point where control is lost.
The upper is light and airy, and features mesh with thin TPU film overlays that do a pretty good job of protecting the highest wear areas of the shoe, but don't do much to cushion your foot from an accidental blow or kick to trailside rocks or roots. The toe bumper is pretty thin, simply a doubly thick version of the overlay, so it is still critical to be careful how you step.
Traction
These shoes have incredible traction. The rubber outsole is made with the famous Graphene (G) grip, which combines graphene, the strongest textile substance known to man, with rubber. The idea is a far more durable outsole, and as far as the four (and counting) pairs of G-grip rubber shoes we've tested indicate, this stuff really does work. The outsole is littered with large, arrow-shaped lugs that are 4mm deep and have a large flat surface on top for better purchase on smooth, hard terrain. The sharp edges of the lugs also provide good bite into softer surfaces, although they aren't as aggressive as purpose-made off-trail shoes.
In the past, G-grip rubber felt durable but a bit hard and slippery to us, especially on brand new pairs of shoes, and we didn't feel like they gripped on rock very well. The compound has been updated, and we feel like the new version is not only far stickier, but also has some of the best rock grip of any shoe we've tested. We've taken them scrambling on 3rd and 4th class peaks in Colorado, and have felt super secure the entire time.
Stability
These are very stable shoes. They fit precisely, hugging the foot with little to no movement at all, so you can always be certain that you will land squarely on top of the midsole. The zero-drop platform also ensures that they don't feel tipsy due to a high heel counter, and so these shoes are great for technical terrain where stability is needed.
Inov-8 added 3mm of foam to the midsole to aid with cushioning, but we have a hard time noticing any difference when it comes to stability. While there are certainly minimalist shoes that ride closer to the ground, the idea is that these shoes aren't too minimal, so that you can take them anywhere you want to go. They still ride pretty low and are very stable overall.
Comfort
In our opinion, these shoes are pretty darn comfortable, but still not perfect. They are about 1mm narrower than previous versions but still don't feel narrow overall. They fit average to slightly wide in the forefoot, but unfortunately don't come in a wide version. While a few online reviewers claim that the shoes fit better for them if they sized up half a size, we felt like they fit very well true to size.
Most of the complaints about comfort in this shoe seem to revolve around the tongue. The tongue is totally flat, with no padding, with flat laces folded over the top to adjust the tightness of the shoe. We felt a slight crease or pressure point at the bottom of the tongue in our left shoe. This manifests as soon as we put the shoe on, but after a few strides, we don't notice it anymore. The upper in general is light and airy and breathes well — this is not a hot shoe. While we find these shoes to fit very well, and to be pretty comfortable, we admit that we've worn a few that are even more comfy.
Weight
We weighed our men's size 11 pair of shoes on our independent scale and received a reading of 20.9 oz. per pair. This is impressively light compared to the vast majority of shoes we've tested and worn.
Shoes this light and lighter tend to have made sacrifices and compromises to get to this weight, and usually lack the amount of underfoot protection one needs to run more than just an hour or two. These shoes differ from the norm significantly, as their very protective and nicely cushioned foam is designed to protect you for ultra distances, and we think very well can as long as your calves and feet are adjusted well enough to run in zero drop shoes that long. Light is right, and these shoes feel like feathers when wearing them.
Sensitivity
As we've already mentioned, the TerraUltra G 270 strike a nearly perfect balance of sensitivity and foot protection, such that you get the best of both worlds. Lacking a rockplate in the midsole, the foam compound protects while also allowing you to feel what you are stepping on, connecting you to your environment without simply deadening all feeling of what is beneath you.
These are not nearly the most sensitive shoes but are sensitive enough for this not to be considered a downside.
Value
Don't expect a bargain here, as these shoes come with a top of the line price tag. We assume that the extensive R&D that must have gone into developing the G-grip rubber is a part of why they cost more than most of the competition. That said, these shoes are very well made, and should last much longer than the average shoe because the rubber won't wear out. Despite the price, we feel they are both worth the money, and provide solid value over the life of the shoe.
Conclusion
The TerraUltra G 270 are an excellent zero drop shoe that strike a nearly perfect balance between trail feel and underfoot protection, while providing enough soft cushioning to keep you bouncing along for ultra distances. The G-grip rubber is the most durable we have tested, so your shoes should hold up for mega miles before needing to be replaced. If you love zero drop shoes, these are by far our favorites and the first ones we recommend to all of our trail running friends.
— Andy Wellman