To me this shoe just gets so much right: A minimal stack shoe with a wide toe box, similar to the Altra Escalante series, with a foam that’s comfortable and yet firm enough to preventing it from bottoming out The roomy yet secure, dialled in, performance fit with a moderate drop like the Topo Athletics shoes The great soft and bouncy TPU insole like Saucony’s own PWRRUN+ you get in their daily trainers, or the ones you get with Craft shoes Light weight, with a great outsole letting you go anywhere and do anything And All of that for £100 here in the UK makes this a ridiculously good deal It’s definitely on my wishlist now!
I ran in the older Escalantes quite a bit. The Roadfly feels like a better fitting version with better foam. Inov8's Powerflow Pro foam is softer that Saucony's PWRRUN+ foam but less bouncy. It feels more rubbery and heavier. I haven't worn a Craft shoe in years, but I remember their EVAs being very plasticy.
Which is a good thing as Altras, especially the modern Altras, are way too wide and long. Comically in both. The new Escalante v4 was a major disappointment in fit. Altras in 2024 are NOT the same as Altras in 2011. Once Golden left...the company was no more.
@GrungeAct The wide version of the Roadfly specially has a medial weighting to the last. It puts more material under the medial side of the foot for added support but in a very targeted way. It’s actually quite interesting when you look at the two last side by side (it was impossible to really capture in the video).
"Any shoe that connects me to the road instead of the other way around is a shoe I can work with." - Anonymous runner😅 Good to hear you're starting to get the ball rolling on having conversations with different brands. It's also interesting to see more brands going back to lower stacks. Better tech is probably helping out there.
Better tech, better foams, learnings from one extreme to another. Running moves in cycles and usually you'll get the trend moving to an extreme (max stack everything) to something quite opposite (not saying we are going back to the minimalist/barefoot thing)...then usually somewhere in between is what works best. It's going to be an interesting next 3-5 years for running shoe evolution.
@@SagasuRunning Or like the 2000's was not max stack but max stability in the era having Motion control shoes that all but a few models like a New Balance model is still being made the same under same name as in 2000's and another from Brooks though is now more like a model from the stability lineup rather then a true motion control for big runners over 230 pounds/104 kilograms and need a stability shoe.
I’ve tried them on and found their lasts exactly as I described not how to do them in this video. Though there is a forefoot and heel curve to them. Both shoes I tried on are too wide and sloppy fitting for any type of running beyond a jog… not for me.
I have a “normal” width foot but a high arch and high volume foot. I was excited about trying Topos as so many people have raved about them and people often ask me about them in the comments. So I find a shop ther sold them when I was recently in the US and tried on both the Cyclone and Spector models and was massively disappointed with the fit. The foam was a bit too squishy for my taste as well but the fit issue was problematic. Way too much room in the shoe, especially the heel and midfoot with awful lockdown for my foot shape. I did try…
Sorry if I missed it but it would be good to know what size you are and how the Roadfly fits. Do you know your brannock device size? Did you have to go up a half or full size? And with an anatomically shaped running shoe is it better to not size up too much as too much space in toebox will give a sloppy fit?
I didn't mention it, intentionally, as anatomical shoes can fit odd. I wear a US Mens size 9 in nearly ever single brands running shoes but Nnormal (where I'm a US Mens 8.5). A Brannock device says I'm a US 9.5 (in lightweight toe socks), though I know from running in 9.5 shoes for years that is slightly too big for me (blisters and friction problems). I like a closer and more snug fit in shoes though....more of a "race" fit I guess. For the Roadfly I went US mens size 9. However, when I first put my foot in the shoe the tip of my big toe is just slightly brushing the front of the toebox. However, once I'm on the run that stops and I never feel the front of the shoe. If I was going to wear this shoe casually (I'm not), I'd go up half a size. Otherwise US 9 is the right choice for my preferences in both standard and wide.
It's interesting reading through the comments, the multiple suggestions of Topo and how they don't work for you. Personally, how you've described the fit and feel of the Roadfly is exactly how I feel on the fit and feel of Topo, with excellent heel and mid foot hold and natural feeling. Excited to see a new player in this anatomical toe box field and despite having plenty of shoes in the rotation right now, I'm very likely to add another 😂
See, I see that as a good thing. For too long there has only been one real option in this space. Topos move into road was good for those who like their product. Same for Inov8. It’s good to have some other options and approaches to these ideas. The more options for runners the better. However, on this channel I’m going to cover what I find interesting and what works for me. I try to be as broad as I can be but I definitely have preferences and a foot shape that doesn’t work everywhere.
Thanks for this review! I'm strongly considering trying out the new Inov8 last after reading your comments comparing them with Topo. Will you be reviewing the Trailfly too? I'm curious how the ground feel compares with the Kjerag.
I run in there trail fly G270 Tru for any distance. It’s great and this sounds like a real winner. now topo has a foot shaped toolbox and it’s slender in the midfoot and slender to heal also but they do that by having a pretty aggressive arch, which doesn’t work for me.
Topos lasts are the "too wide" type I mentioned. While they do have some care paid to the curve of the foot (in the forefoot and heel) they overall are way too wide and sloppy fitting. Inov8 is doing a much better job here. Plus I prefer Inov8s materials selections. I will have some Trailfly content in the coming weeks. Not the G270...but the base model, to start.
The inov8 insole is almost exactly the same shape as the Altra vanish tempo. But inov8 somehow made the volume around the ankle very low especially in the new Trailfly so it's a pass for me
But that is why it works so well for me…as well as the narrow midfoot. Not what Altra does. I’m fine with the room for the toes and the straight big toe…but I need a good fit in the ankle and midfoot to hold the foot and allow the toes to work. This is something Altra lasts have never really done for my foot, beyond the original Escalante circa late 2017 (due to the upper mostly). 🤷🏼♂️
Great technical analysis as ever. Looks ok for easy runs, I think its success will depend on its price point. I envisage it will attract runners who dont have multi shoe rotations and are looking for a durable shoe they can use for everything including races. I find it’s “xxxfly” model name curious… designed to sound like Nike’s legendary ranges but for those that may not otherwise be interested in buying them due to their limited purpose, low durability and high prices but they sonehow think they be getting some of the magic. I wonder if Nike may have something to say about that name.
The price point for the Roadfly is very competitive, especially in the UK. The shoe is very durable and very versatile. I'd comfortably use this shoe for most things and it will do well. As far as the naming, I asked...but haven't gotten a reply (yet). I know it goes a ways back for the brand "xxxfly" and the brand has/had other "xxxfly" shoes in their range. I don't think it's to play in the swoosh realm, that would have been shut down by the swoosh quickly.
@@SagasuRunning ok, I hadn’t realised Inov8 have the xxxfly naming in their mode range already. Fair enough… maybe they should sue Nike for stealing their naming!! Lol… I don’t think that would end well.
Thanks for the video, much appeciated. I have been looking for a shoe of this type for a while. How is it with stability, does it have some features that help? Is the the slightly wider base enough? Specifically asking from the point of view of a pronator.
Very good stability. Lots of medial support, in the arch and heel. I'd also recommend maybe looking at the "wide" version as well as that one has even more medial support (depending on your foot width and level of pronation).
Ok stick with me. This is my running shoe rotation. Peg 40 Vomero 17 Gel-Nimbus 25 Superblast 2 Hoka Rocket X Dragonfly 1 Takumi Sen 10 Bondi 8 This year I am getting the Air Zoom Vic 2’s, Vomero 17+18, and Vomero Plus. (Maybe Streakfly 2) Do you think it would fit in as a running mechanics shoe or would another shoe work better for my rotation.
I think any runner can benefit from a shoe like the Roadfly, a soild and simple EVA midsole with a great fit that allows the foot to move naturally. "Shoes as tools" and will let your feel how your foot is moving...as a compliment to really anything else you are running in.
Speaking of dense feeling, back in the minimalist days, I had a pair of low-stack-height road Inov8. I do not recall the model. (I think I blocked the shoe out of my mind). It was so dense and rigid that after only a handful of runs, I developed PF, that knocked me out of running for many months. That's my one and only (and last) experience with Inov8.
@Wings_nut I stuck with it until about 2014,then slowly started adding Adios and Streaks into my running, wore Vivobarfoots as casual shoes until about 2017… I still run in Lunas occasionally.
Yeah yeah good and fine... I got it But where is my carbon plate, where is my supercritical pebax midsole, where is my crazy heel bevel and my super early rocker, where is my cutout in the midsole and the super airy upper... I NEED THAT otherwise I cant finish my 4h30m Marathon, I swear! Actually a very interesting shoe, but where does it differ compared to the peg41 for example, except drop and footshape? Also dens EVA foam - my spider sense is tickling... Saucony and their very dense pwrrun foam sound similar, and it became so dense and "old" that they added a tpu sockliner their shoes to get the comfort out. I really dont like pwrrun foam. Otherwise I recently got the hyperion elite 4 for free - I know super weird comparison - but its also eva based, and I thought... oh well, eva can be good indeed, its very dense, kinda firm but it works. (I know its nitrogen infused but still base is eva). The sockliner thing do many brands now, Xtep does it entirely! Every "x" shoe of them does have a tpu/e sockliner in it, the Pro models even 2 different sockliners in different density. I'm a very big fan of that, its a point many brands ignored it for too long. For the Inov8 - there I have to say its a question of price. The Peg41 in sale is already 120bucks, the Peg Plus I have seen for 140already, its extremely hard to match this.
The Roadfly and my (beloved) Peg41 basically do the same thing and offer similar rides. Both have a dense underfoot cushion, though the Peg41 is softer and more bouncy (the Zoom Air adds to this). Both are capable for the same running, though I prefer the Peg41 for a broader range of paces, the Roadfly is no slouch. Both have similar durability, though I think the Roadfly will last longer given the outsole and materials. It's really a story about the last and shape of the shoe. I mentioned I like a more constricting fit for performance running and have no issue with toebox taper that is done right (Nike does it tight IMO) so the Peg41 gives me alot of training benefit. However, running in the Roadfly has really been insightful. Feeling my foot/toes move freely has really been insightful for working through mechanics and little quirks I have in my stride. "Feeling" my foot, unencumbered, has been great. This wihtout having to go into a barefoot shoe. I'd be quite happy to do the majority of my running in either of these shoes...but for now, I'll be using both as they both have their place in my weekly rotation.
I was a bit surprised of your gross oversimplification of barefoot shoes. I'm not a barefoot warrior in any way. But I too have run in barefoot shoes at times many years ago, and a barefoot last should be different and is almost impossible to compare because as you lace the shoe you pull it up in your arch(also very simplified). In a stiff sole like on the innov8 model this becomes impossible. So the last around the arch will have to be slimmer. IMHO. That beeing said, I find this shoe interesting and think it would be a nice fit for my foot. I also find it a bit strange if you claim it's impossible to do speed work in wide or barefoot shoes. Might feel like that to you and your foot. But that is certainly not the case for everybody. How will this compare to let's say low stack Topo shoes ?
In order to not go into a 30minute discussion on barefoot shoes I did oversimplify the point to offer the general comparisons between the three main approaches to lasts currently out there in non-barefoot shoes. I never said you "can't" do speed work in barefoot/natural foot shaped shoes. I said I prefer not too. I want a more constricting for for that. However, I've done speed work in many barefoot shoes (Vivo, Xeros and classic Altras) and it was fine but not my preference. I also went through a period (years ago) where I only did speed work or 100/200s barefoot, on any surface... I went down a deep rabbit hole on that one in the barefoot world for a while...it was an odd time. The Roadfly is a VERY flexible shoe. Not barefoot flexible, but it's also not trying to be. The Roadfly is not a barefoot shoe. Nor are Altras or Topos. Yet both those later brand still use a very wide last, with a too wide midfoot and sloppy fitting uppers...as well as way too much outsole materials underfoot making their shoes feel sluggish. The Roadfly is a much better mix of midsole tooling with an outsole shape that works well. I much prefer Inov8s engineering over anything Altra or Topo are doing. I also prefer Inov8s materials over either brand.
Topo lasts are exactly the type of last I point out as the issues here. They do have a little forefoot and heel inflare but overall are still too wide in the midfoot for any type of decent fit or performance running.
Inov8’s last is more natural fitting. Their uppers are better fitting too, especially in the midfoot and heel. Topos are just very boxy and the midfoot is too loose for my taste (Cyclone and Spector models specially).
To me this shoe just gets so much right:
A minimal stack shoe with a wide toe box, similar to the Altra Escalante series, with a foam that’s comfortable and yet firm enough to preventing it from bottoming out
The roomy yet secure, dialled in, performance fit with a moderate drop like the Topo Athletics shoes
The great soft and bouncy TPU insole like Saucony’s own PWRRUN+ you get in their daily trainers, or the ones you get with Craft shoes
Light weight, with a great outsole letting you go anywhere and do anything
And All of that for £100 here in the UK makes this a ridiculously good deal
It’s definitely on my wishlist now!
Significantly much more narrower and shorter than Altra though
@@jimjamthebananaman1 looking at the wide version, it seems every bit wide as the Escalantes.
What leads you to believe it’s much more narrow?
I ran in the older Escalantes quite a bit. The Roadfly feels like a better fitting version with better foam.
Inov8's Powerflow Pro foam is softer that Saucony's PWRRUN+ foam but less bouncy. It feels more rubbery and heavier. I haven't worn a Craft shoe in years, but I remember their EVAs being very plasticy.
Which is a good thing as Altras, especially the modern Altras, are way too wide and long. Comically in both.
The new Escalante v4 was a major disappointment in fit. Altras in 2024 are NOT the same as Altras in 2011. Once Golden left...the company was no more.
@GrungeAct The wide version of the Roadfly specially has a medial weighting to the last. It puts more material under the medial side of the foot for added support but in a very targeted way. It’s actually quite interesting when you look at the two last side by side (it was impossible to really capture in the video).
I bought a bunch of those insoles and, shipped them over. Amazing! Worth every cent. I'll have a look at these shoes. Nice work sir. Keep em coming.
Right, amazing insoles...really something special.
Best running channel on youtube
I appreciate that. Thank you for watching. 🤙🏻
"Any shoe that connects me to the road instead of the other way around is a shoe I can work with." - Anonymous runner😅
Good to hear you're starting to get the ball rolling on having conversations with different brands. It's also interesting to see more brands going back to lower stacks. Better tech is probably helping out there.
Better tech, better foams, learnings from one extreme to another. Running moves in cycles and usually you'll get the trend moving to an extreme (max stack everything) to something quite opposite (not saying we are going back to the minimalist/barefoot thing)...then usually somewhere in between is what works best. It's going to be an interesting next 3-5 years for running shoe evolution.
@@SagasuRunning Or like the 2000's was not max stack but max stability in the era having Motion control shoes that all but a few models like a New Balance model is still being made the same under same name as in 2000's and another from Brooks though is now more like a model from the stability lineup rather then a true motion control for big runners over 230 pounds/104 kilograms and need a stability shoe.
Great review, thanks.
Thank you for watching. 🤙🏻
Talking about foot shape lasts, I would recommend Topo Cyclone 2 & Specter 2. I believed that cyclone 2 would be something you would interesting in.
I’ve tried them on and found their lasts exactly as I described not how to do them in this video. Though there is a forefoot and heel curve to them. Both shoes I tried on are too wide and sloppy fitting for any type of running beyond a jog… not for me.
@@SagasuRunning Understandable, My friend with narrower feet describe more or less the same issue as well.
I have a “normal” width foot but a high arch and high volume foot. I was excited about trying Topos as so many people have raved about them and people often ask me about them in the comments. So I find a shop ther sold them when I was recently in the US and tried on both the Cyclone and Spector models and was massively disappointed with the fit. The foam was a bit too squishy for my taste as well but the fit issue was problematic. Way too much room in the shoe, especially the heel and midfoot with awful lockdown for my foot shape.
I did try…
Sorry if I missed it but it would be good to know what size you are and how the Roadfly fits. Do you know your brannock device size? Did you have to go up a half or full size? And with an anatomically shaped running shoe is it better to not size up too much as too much space in toebox will give a sloppy fit?
I didn't mention it, intentionally, as anatomical shoes can fit odd. I wear a US Mens size 9 in nearly ever single brands running shoes but Nnormal (where I'm a US Mens 8.5). A Brannock device says I'm a US 9.5 (in lightweight toe socks), though I know from running in 9.5 shoes for years that is slightly too big for me (blisters and friction problems).
I like a closer and more snug fit in shoes though....more of a "race" fit I guess.
For the Roadfly I went US mens size 9. However, when I first put my foot in the shoe the tip of my big toe is just slightly brushing the front of the toebox. However, once I'm on the run that stops and I never feel the front of the shoe.
If I was going to wear this shoe casually (I'm not), I'd go up half a size. Otherwise US 9 is the right choice for my preferences in both standard and wide.
It's interesting reading through the comments, the multiple suggestions of Topo and how they don't work for you. Personally, how you've described the fit and feel of the Roadfly is exactly how I feel on the fit and feel of Topo, with excellent heel and mid foot hold and natural feeling. Excited to see a new player in this anatomical toe box field and despite having plenty of shoes in the rotation right now, I'm very likely to add another 😂
See, I see that as a good thing. For too long there has only been one real option in this space. Topos move into road was good for those who like their product. Same for Inov8. It’s good to have some other options and approaches to these ideas.
The more options for runners the better. However, on this channel I’m going to cover what I find interesting and what works for me. I try to be as broad as I can be but I definitely have preferences and a foot shape that doesn’t work everywhere.
Thanks for this review! I'm strongly considering trying out the new Inov8 last after reading your comments comparing them with Topo. Will you be reviewing the Trailfly too? I'm curious how the ground feel compares with the Kjerag.
Yup...Trailfly review is coming in a week or two... stay tuned. I also want to know the answer to that questions RE: Kjerag.
Back to the future!
In some ways...yes, but with new tech in tow.
I run in there trail fly G270 Tru for any distance. It’s great and this sounds like a real winner.
now topo has a foot shaped toolbox and it’s slender in the midfoot and slender to heal also but they do that by having a pretty aggressive arch, which doesn’t work for me.
Topos lasts are the "too wide" type I mentioned. While they do have some care paid to the curve of the foot (in the forefoot and heel) they overall are way too wide and sloppy fitting. Inov8 is doing a much better job here. Plus I prefer Inov8s materials selections.
I will have some Trailfly content in the coming weeks. Not the G270...but the base model, to start.
The inov8 insole is almost exactly the same shape as the Altra vanish tempo. But inov8 somehow made the volume around the ankle very low especially in the new Trailfly so it's a pass for me
But that is why it works so well for me…as well as the narrow midfoot. Not what Altra does. I’m fine with the room for the toes and the straight big toe…but I need a good fit in the ankle and midfoot to hold the foot and allow the toes to work. This is something Altra lasts have never really done for my foot, beyond the original Escalante circa late 2017 (due to the upper mostly). 🤷🏼♂️
Great technical analysis as ever. Looks ok for easy runs, I think its success will depend on its price point. I envisage it will attract runners who dont have multi shoe rotations and are looking for a durable shoe they can use for everything including races.
I find it’s “xxxfly” model name curious… designed to sound like Nike’s legendary ranges but for those that may not otherwise be interested in buying them due to their limited purpose, low durability and high prices but they sonehow think they be getting some of the magic. I wonder if Nike may have something to say about that name.
The price point for the Roadfly is very competitive, especially in the UK. The shoe is very durable and very versatile. I'd comfortably use this shoe for most things and it will do well.
As far as the naming, I asked...but haven't gotten a reply (yet). I know it goes a ways back for the brand "xxxfly" and the brand has/had other "xxxfly" shoes in their range. I don't think it's to play in the swoosh realm, that would have been shut down by the swoosh quickly.
@@SagasuRunning ok, I hadn’t realised Inov8 have the xxxfly naming in their mode range already. Fair enough… maybe they should sue Nike for stealing their naming!! Lol… I don’t think that would end well.
@josephgonzalez_ lol…. I wonder how that one will work out. 😂
Thanks for the video, much appeciated. I have been looking for a shoe of this type for a while. How is it with stability, does it have some features that help? Is the the slightly wider base enough? Specifically asking from the point of view of a pronator.
Very good stability. Lots of medial support, in the arch and heel. I'd also recommend maybe looking at the "wide" version as well as that one has even more medial support (depending on your foot width and level of pronation).
Ok stick with me. This is my running shoe rotation.
Peg 40
Vomero 17
Gel-Nimbus 25
Superblast 2
Hoka Rocket X
Dragonfly 1
Takumi Sen 10
Bondi 8
This year I am getting the Air Zoom Vic 2’s, Vomero 17+18, and Vomero Plus. (Maybe Streakfly 2) Do you think it would fit in as a running mechanics shoe or would another shoe work better for my rotation.
It being the roadfly shoe
I think any runner can benefit from a shoe like the Roadfly, a soild and simple EVA midsole with a great fit that allows the foot to move naturally. "Shoes as tools" and will let your feel how your foot is moving...as a compliment to really anything else you are running in.
Speaking of dense feeling, back in the minimalist days, I had a pair of low-stack-height road Inov8. I do not recall the model. (I think I blocked the shoe out of my mind). It was so dense and rigid that after only a handful of runs, I developed PF, that knocked me out of running for many months. That's my one and only (and last) experience with Inov8.
I had something similar with Vibram Fivefingers… never again.
@@SagasuRunning Mercifully, that minimalist/barefoot trend disappeared as quickly as it started.
@Wings_nut I stuck with it until about 2014,then slowly started adding Adios and Streaks into my running, wore Vivobarfoots as casual shoes until about 2017… I still run in Lunas occasionally.
@@SagasuRunning 👍
Yeah yeah good and fine... I got it
But where is my carbon plate, where is my supercritical pebax midsole, where is my crazy heel bevel and my super early rocker, where is my cutout in the midsole and the super airy upper...
I NEED THAT otherwise I cant finish my 4h30m Marathon, I swear!
Actually a very interesting shoe, but where does it differ compared to the peg41 for example, except drop and footshape?
Also dens EVA foam - my spider sense is tickling... Saucony and their very dense pwrrun foam sound similar, and it became so dense and "old" that they added a tpu sockliner their shoes to get the comfort out. I really dont like pwrrun foam.
Otherwise I recently got the hyperion elite 4 for free - I know super weird comparison - but its also eva based, and I thought... oh well, eva can be good indeed, its very dense, kinda firm but it works. (I know its nitrogen infused but still base is eva).
The sockliner thing do many brands now, Xtep does it entirely! Every "x" shoe of them does have a tpu/e sockliner in it, the Pro models even 2 different sockliners in different density. I'm a very big fan of that, its a point many brands ignored it for too long.
For the Inov8 - there I have to say its a question of price. The Peg41 in sale is already 120bucks, the Peg Plus I have seen for 140already, its extremely hard to match this.
The Roadfly and my (beloved) Peg41 basically do the same thing and offer similar rides. Both have a dense underfoot cushion, though the Peg41 is softer and more bouncy (the Zoom Air adds to this). Both are capable for the same running, though I prefer the Peg41 for a broader range of paces, the Roadfly is no slouch. Both have similar durability, though I think the Roadfly will last longer given the outsole and materials.
It's really a story about the last and shape of the shoe. I mentioned I like a more constricting fit for performance running and have no issue with toebox taper that is done right (Nike does it tight IMO) so the Peg41 gives me alot of training benefit. However, running in the Roadfly has really been insightful. Feeling my foot/toes move freely has really been insightful for working through mechanics and little quirks I have in my stride. "Feeling" my foot, unencumbered, has been great. This wihtout having to go into a barefoot shoe.
I'd be quite happy to do the majority of my running in either of these shoes...but for now, I'll be using both as they both have their place in my weekly rotation.
I was a bit surprised of your gross oversimplification of barefoot shoes. I'm not a barefoot warrior in any way. But I too have run in barefoot shoes at times many years ago, and a barefoot last should be different and is almost impossible to compare because as you lace the shoe you pull it up in your arch(also very simplified). In a stiff sole like on the innov8 model this becomes impossible. So the last around the arch will have to be slimmer. IMHO. That beeing said, I find this shoe interesting and think it would be a nice fit for my foot. I also find it a bit strange if you claim it's impossible to do speed work in wide or barefoot shoes. Might feel like that to you and your foot. But that is certainly not the case for everybody.
How will this compare to let's say low stack Topo shoes ?
In order to not go into a 30minute discussion on barefoot shoes I did oversimplify the point to offer the general comparisons between the three main approaches to lasts currently out there in non-barefoot shoes.
I never said you "can't" do speed work in barefoot/natural foot shaped shoes. I said I prefer not too. I want a more constricting for for that. However, I've done speed work in many barefoot shoes (Vivo, Xeros and classic Altras) and it was fine but not my preference. I also went through a period (years ago) where I only did speed work or 100/200s barefoot, on any surface... I went down a deep rabbit hole on that one in the barefoot world for a while...it was an odd time.
The Roadfly is a VERY flexible shoe. Not barefoot flexible, but it's also not trying to be. The Roadfly is not a barefoot shoe. Nor are Altras or Topos. Yet both those later brand still use a very wide last, with a too wide midfoot and sloppy fitting uppers...as well as way too much outsole materials underfoot making their shoes feel sluggish. The Roadfly is a much better mix of midsole tooling with an outsole shape that works well. I much prefer Inov8s engineering over anything Altra or Topo are doing. I also prefer Inov8s materials over either brand.
there are far better shoes for that purpose. TOpo st-5 or flylite 5 e.g. THis is boring.
Topo lasts are exactly the type of last I point out as the issues here. They do have a little forefoot and heel inflare but overall are still too wide in the midfoot for any type of decent fit or performance running.
How are they far better? They look like very similar shoes
Inov8’s last is more natural fitting. Their uppers are better fitting too, especially in the midfoot and heel. Topos are just very boxy and the midfoot is too loose for my taste (Cyclone and Spector models specially).