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Inov-8 has been long involved in functional fitness with its unique take on cross-training shoes. The Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 is the perfect example of a cross-training shoe that takes a different approach to performance.
Personally, I’m a fan of the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3s for a variety of reasons. They’re stable enough for heavy lifting and also versatile enough to use for things like casual trail runs. With this cross-training shoe, the devil’s in the details and we’ll cover those details below.
- Who Should Buy the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3?
- Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 Pros
- Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 Cons
- Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 Performance
- Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 Sizing and Fit
- Price
- Construction Details
Check out my video review below of the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3s for a visual analysis of this model. Also, check out my cross-training shoe calculator if you’re uncertain which model to go with!
Who Should Buy the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3?
If you’re someone that loves having flexibility in their cross-training shoes, then I’d highly suggest looking into the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3. The dynamic fascia band in this model gives the outsole a more “barefoot” feeling and you can tackle literally any task in these.
If you’re a lifter or athlete that likes versatility and thrives in shoes that feel “minimalist” in nature, then I think you’ll really enjoy training in the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3s.
Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3
Best For
- Agility Workouts
- Plyometric Training
- Athletic Training
- Recreational Lifting
Falls Short
- For Cost-Efficiency
Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 Pros
There are three major pros and construction aspects that I really like in the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3.
- Dynamic Fascia Band
- POWERFLOW+ Midsole
- Flexibility
- Lightweight Construction
The first characteristic that I really like about the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 is the dynamic fascia band on the outsole. This construction aspect provides the outsole with a more “natural” feeling and is designed to replicate the fascia anatomy on the foot. Basically, it gives you a really grounded feeling when performing activities.
To piggyback off the dynamic fascia band, this model also utilizes Inov-8’s POWERFLOW+ midsole tech. The midsole of this model does a really good job at walking the line between responsiveness and stability.
The third standout benefit of this model is just how flexible it is. The midsole and outsole construction on this model is designed to provide you with a very grounded feeling and this is easily noticeable when training in versatile settings. I personally love this model for plyometrics and light trail runs (running on dirt/gravel).
The final pro that I think comes along with the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 is just how lightweight they are. The 235 in the name of the shoe stands for this model’s weight, AKA 235g (.51 lbs). Compared to other cross-training shoes, this model is incredibly lightweight which feeds really well into the shoe’s versatility.
Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 Cons
Despite liking this model as a whole, there are certainly a couple of cons that I could see other athletes and lifters having.
- May Lack Stability for Some
- Minimalist Feel
While I personally have never experienced stability issues in this model, I could definitely see others not necessarily liking the more minimal midsole and outsole material. If you liking a slightly higher stack under the forefoot and heel, then I think you might find that the overall material used in this model is a turnoff.
Another potential con I could see others having with this shoe is the more “minimalist” style construction. This shoe feels very athletic and almost like a sock at times, and I know that’s not everybody’s preference in footwear. If that sounds like you, then I could see you having some issues with how this shoe fits and feels.
Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 Performance
I’m going to break down the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3’s performance into lifting, agility/plyometric, and day-to-day/shorter run categories below.
Lifting
I personally love the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 for lifting and really enjoy the lower-to-the-ground feeling they provide. For me, they feel plenty stable and I’ve trained up to 450 lbs in them with minimal issues with compression. I think the midsole and outsole construction are thoughtful in construction and they do a fairly good job in compound and accessory exercises.
The only potential drawback I could see others having with this model is how flexible they are, as I know some lifters and athletes like a more rigid feeling shoe for lifting.
Agility and Plyometrics
When it comes to agility and plyometrics, this model is one of my all-time favorite cross-training shoes. The dynamic fascia band gives this model a really awesome anatomical feel and really lets you ground the feet and grip the floor. In addition, the POWERFLOW+ midsole does a really good job at providing a responsive feeling.
If you love more athletic-fitting shoes that feel like socks on your feet, then I think you’ll really enjoy this shoe for plyometrics and agility training.
Day-to-Day and Shorter Runs
On a day-to-day basis, this model is okay. It will get the job done for things like errands and some casual daily wear, but it’s likely not going to be the most comfortable option for long-term wear especially if you’re working on your feet all day.
For shorter runs, I think this model is solid. It feeds really well into forefoot running and the outsole construction gives you a lot of ground feedback. This model also excels for things like sprints.
Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 Sizing
For this model, most lifters and athletes should be safe going true to size. Inov-8 models generally fit pretty narrow, but they gave this model a “5” rating on their sizing and fit scale, which does indicate that this model is slightly wider for their shoe construction.
Personally, I would still classify this model as a more narrow-fitting shoe, but it doesn’t feel limiting or “suffocating” in its construction.
Price
For the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3, you can expect to pay around $140.00 USD. This is definitely not the most cost-efficient cross-training shoe on the market. However, I do think its proprietary fit and feel can be justified for those that love more athletic minimalist fitting shoes.
Plus, I’ve had my pair for over a year now and they’ve done fairly well with durability across the board.
Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3
Best For
- Agility Workouts
- Plyometric Training
- Athletic Training
- Recreational Lifting
Falls Short
- For Cost-Efficiency
Construction Details
Below, I’m going to provide the construction specs and details that Inov-8 provides on their site for this model. If you’re interested in a more visual breakdown of this shoe’s construction, then skip to 5:45 in the video above!
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm
- POWERFLOW+ Midsole
- Mesh Upper Construction
- Dynamic Fascia Band Outsole Construction
- Inov-8 Rubber
- Weight: 235g
Personally, I like the construction of this model and you can tell Inov-8 was thoughtful in how they built this compared to prior models.
Takeaway Thoughts
To be honest, I still think the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3s are one of the better cross-training shoes in 2021 for plyometric and agility training. They do a fairly good job with lifting, too, but where I think they excel the most is in responsive and shoe flexibility-driven exercises.
If you get this model, do note, they’re going to fit a bit more narrow and athletic, so keep that in mind before investing!
Hi Jake! How do you feel about the 235v3 compared with the 210v3? I’m really torn between them, so I thought to check with you on your thoughts, especially on:
– Grip (do they slip on lifting wooden platform)?
– Toe box width (I notice they’re both rated as 5 by Inov8 but there are differing reviews as to how wide they really feel)
– Any difference when using them for running, sprinting jumping? I know the 210 is True Barefoot, but the 235’s cushioning and heel drop is so minimal I thought I’d ask anyway.
Thank you!
Both are solid, but different due to the midsole you get in the 235 V3. That model is more minimalist than most training shoes, but there’s still a big difference between them and a true barefoot shoe.
1. Neither have slip issues.
2. Moderate width. Even a 5 at Inov-8 isn’t that wide. I’d describe these as having a neutral width.
3. Pretty big difference. The midsole despite being smaller in the 235 V3 still gives these more a traditional training shoe feel compared to the 210s. That being said, if you’re not used to barefoot shoes, then the 210s will take longer to acclimate to and adjust to as they’ll provide less cushion for plyos, sprints, etc!