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The Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 is a seriously unique cross-training shoe and delivers some proprietary Inov-8 construction specs. This model was built on the promise of being incredibly tough and durable due to its graphene construction.
With a higher heel-to-toe drop and unique upper construction, the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 is certainly a cross-training shoe worth exploring. I’ve really enjoyed my time training in this model for a few key reasons.
FYI: This shoe has been discontinued. Inov8 has a new lineup of trainers called the F-Fly, F-Lite, and F-Lite MAX. I’ve reviewed all of these models; they’re designed to offer a variety of stability and responsiveness.
- Inov8 F-Fly: The most responsive, more hybrid-focused trainer.
- Inov8 F-Lite: The do-it-all shoe that has a blend of stability and responsiveness for lifting, CrossFit, and cross-training.
- Inov8 F-Lite MAX: The most stable option built for CrossFit and lifting, built with a TPU insert.
Inov8 has also updated its barefoot shoe from the Bare-XF 210 V3 to just the Bare-XF. Why this name change? I’m not sure, either.
Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 Quick Thoughts
The Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 is a training shoe that tends to either land on the money for athletes or be a total miss. For example, this shoe’s fit, bootie-style construction, and TPU midfoot cage are acquired tastes.
Regarding fit, the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 has a fairly wide toe box and tapered midfoot with a bit of arch. This shoe is awesome for athletes who like a little arch support and ample room to splay the toes.
In the gym, the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 has been stable enough for my 300+ lb squats and 500 lb deadlifts, and its midsole has done a fairly good job at being responsive for my cross-training and CrossFit tests.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6mm
- Weight: 12.2 oz (size 10 men’s)
- Stack Height: 8mm Forefoot/14mm Heel
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Width: Regular/Medium
Who Should Buy the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300?
The Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 is a great option for anyone who prides themselves on having a highly durable cross-training shoe that is also super versatile.
This model does a fairly good job in most activities and Inov-8 has stated on their site that they’ll even provide you a refund within 30 days if you don’t like this shoe.
If you’re interested in trying a new type of cross-training shoe and want to explore the graphene construction in this model, then I think the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 is worth a try!
FYI: This shoe has been discontinued. Inov8 has a new lineup of trainers called the F-Fly, F-Lite, and F-Lite MAX. I’ve reviewed all of these models; they’re designed to offer a variety of stability and responsiveness.
- Inov8 F-Fly: The most responsive, more hybrid-focused trainer.
- Inov8 F-Lite: The do-it-all shoe that has a blend of stability and responsiveness for lifting, CrossFit, and cross-training.
- Inov8 F-Lite MAX: The most stable option built for CrossFit and lifting, built with a TPU insert.
Inov8 has also updated its barefoot shoe from the Bare-XF 210 V3 to just the Bare-XF. Why this name change? I’m not sure, either.
Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 Pros
Throughout all of my testing, I’ve found three pros and benefits that come along with the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300.
Pro 1: Upper Is Durable
The first pro with the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 is the shoe’s overall durability. The knit upper does a really good job at remaining breathable while also resisting abrasion and the TPU cage around the mid-foot adds to the model’s ability to resist friction from things like rope climbs.
The graphene throughout this model also adds to the durability of the shoe as a whole. Graphene is a type of material that is known for being thin, but incredibly durable and is an allotrope of carbon.
Pro 2: Midsole Has Good Stability
Another pro of the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 is its stable midsole and outsole construction. This model is a good bet for lifting and has a slightly higher heel-to-toe drop that feeds really well into exercises like squats, cleans, and snatches.
I’ve worked up to around 450 lbs in this model and noticed it has limited compression which is great for heavy WODs and general strength training.
The final pro that I like about this model is its bootie construction. The bootie construction form fits the foot really well and adds a nice level of maneuverability to the shoe as a whole.
Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 Cons
There are a couple of cons that I’ve noted with the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 cross-training shoes.
Cons 1: Mid-Foot and Bootie Construction
The first con that I could see others having an issue with this model is the bootie and mid-foot construction. Some lifters and athletes prefer separate tongue construction, so if bootie-style construction is something you’re not a fan of, then I think you could have a problem with this shoe’s construction.
In addition, the TPU mid-foot cage that serves as the eyelets on the lateral and medial sides might also be a problem for some lifters. It can feel a bit tight for lifters with wider feet.
Con 2: Higher Price Point
Another drawback to this cross-training is its price. The normal asking price of this model sits around $150 USD which is far from cost-efficient for many athletes and lifters.
Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 Performance
Overall, I really enjoy the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 in my training sessions. It’s a good model for tackling a wide variety of activities and it’s fairly durable in doing so.
Lifting
When it comes to lifting, I enjoy the higher heel-to-toe drop (6mm) that this model offers as it gives a nice firm heel to sit into on various exercises.
I think that’s a major perk of this model, and it can be super beneficial for lifters who don’t like using minimalist heel-to-toe drops in their cross-training shoes.
On top of the higher heel-to-toe drop, I also really like this model’s midsole and outsole construction. The outsole is stable and has a graphene component, giving it a firm and durable feeling.
The midsole is stable, yet slightly responsive, too, so it supports external loading well with limited compression.
Agility and Plyometrics
This shoe does pretty well across the board for agility training and plyometrics. The responsiveness of the midsole adds a nice layer of bounce when jumping and bounding and the meta-flex construction in the outsole adds a nice bounce in the forefoot.
Another perk of this model, which has agility training and plyometrics, is the lightweight, breathable upper. The bootie construction I think helps this performance characteristic.
Day-to-Day and Shorter Runs
On a day-to-day wear basis, I actually really like this model. The responsiveness in the midsole and the higher heel-to-toe drop make this shoe comfortable for longer periods of wear and it’s fairly comfortable to stand in, so you can wear them to work and they’ll be comfortable all day.
For shorter runs, this model also does a fairly good job. It’s not going to be the best shoe for runs over three miles, but anything less and I think you’ll really enjoy how this cross-training shoe performs.
Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 Sizing
For most lifters and athletes, you should be safe going true to size in the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300.
The length of this model is true and Inov-8 ranks this model a “5” on their size scale, which indicates that its last is slightly wider compared to other shoes they offer.
Construction Details
If you’re interested in the construction specs for the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300, I’m going to provide what I think are the most important below.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6mm
- Bootie Construction
- EVA Midsole
- Graphene Outsole Construction
- Weight: 300g
Takeaway Thoughts
Overall, I really like the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 and I think it’s cool that Inov-8 is trying to utilize other construction components like graphene.
This model is fairly durable. Now, is it as durable as Inov-8 says? That’s up for debate, but thus far, my model has held up well and continues to perform strongly across the board.
Sergey
For anyone wondering why bootie construction might be a con – it’s hard to get good heel lockdown with this construction if the bootie material is flexible enough (which it is). I just got a pair to try, and will be returning it because I can basically take the shoe off when it’s tightly laced. I don’t get much heel slip when just walking around (only a little bit), but the heel moves a little with every step, and it’s an uncomfortable feeling.
Great addition and point, my friend!