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The Inov-8 Fastlift 360 is a weightlifting shoe known for its consistency in the gym and its lightweight construction. This model has a lot of construction features that help support
As a fan of the lightweight Power G 380, I was excited to put the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 to the test. Overall, I thought the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 performed well for heavy squats and cleans, and I enjoyed this shoe’s stability.
Compared to some of the market’s other weightlifting shoes, I feel like the Fastlift 360 is a model worth considering. There are a few areas where this shoe falls short like its performance for wide feet, but I’ll expand further on this below.
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Who Should Invest In the Inov-8 Fastlift 360?
The Inov-8 Fastlift 360 is a good weightlifting shoe for lifters with all levels of experience in the gym. This weightlifting shoe is a good option for beginners and experienced lifters in need of a model for squats and weightlifting.
I like the stability that you get from the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 and the TPU midsole built with Inov-8’s signature POWER-TRUSS technology gives you a locked-down, secure, and stable feel when lifting in these shoes.
Additionally, the weight of this is also a perk. The Fastlift 360 is one of the lighter weightlifting shoes on the market, so I also think these can be a good option for functional fitness athletes that like to wear lifters for workouts that are more dynamic in nature.
Overall, the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 is a good shoe to explore for various athletes in need of a stable weightlifting shoe. My only concern with this shoe is that it runs fairly narrow and it’s not going to be the best option for wide feet.
Inov-8 Fastlift 360
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- Squats
- Weightlifting
- Functional Fitness Athletes
Falls Short
- For Wide Feet
Inov-8 Fastlift 360 Pros
There are a few key things to enjoy and like about the Inov-8 Fastlift 360. Below are the main pros that I like with this shoe.
- Consistent Performance for Squats and Weightlifting
- Lightweight Model for Fast Foot Turnover
- Great Option for Narrow Width Feet
The first thing to like about the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 is that it’s a consistent weightlifting shoe that doesn’t have a ton of performance-related faults. This shoe performs well for squats, weightlifting, and other accessory exercises where you want a heel wedge.
This shoe features a TPU midsole and heel and it’s built with Inov-8’s POWER-TRUSS technology. These components help this model remain stable under heavy weight and the POWER-TRUSS heel cage does a good job at locking down the heel.
The midfoot strap over the midfoot of this model also does a good job of providing you with additional midfoot security. I don’t think heel slip will be an issue in this model whatsoever, which is why I also like this shoe for functional fitness training contexts.
I think if you’re a beginner looking into weightlifting shoes or an experienced lifter, the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 will do a good job for you. This model’s heel height sits at 16.5mm or .65″ which is also a height that should also resonate with a wide range of lifters.
Another thing to like about the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 is its weight. The “360” in this shoe’s name stands for its weight in grams. Compared to other weightlifting shoes, the Fastlift 360 is on the lighter end of the spectrum.
When it comes to foot turnover in the Olympic lifts or for dynamic workouts that you might be tackling in functional fitness workouts, I think the weight of this shoe will support your performance in a positive way. Plus, if you like lighter shoes, then this will be a nice perk.
The last thing to like about the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 is its fit for narrow feet and those that like snugger and more athletic-fitting shoes. Not everyone likes the bulkier feel of the Reebok Legacy Lifter 2 and Rogue Do-Win Weightlifting Shoes.
If you fall into the camp of wanting slimmer or snugger shoes, you should enjoy and resonate with the fit of the Inov-8 Fastlift 360. This shoe won’t be for everyone, but for those it works well for, I think you’ll really enjoy the specificity of this model.
Inov-8 Fastlift 360 Cons
The Inov-8 Fastlift 360 is a strong weightlifting shoe and it doesn’t disappoint in many contexts, but there are still a couple of cons to note about this model.
- Narrow Fit, Not Great for Wide Feet
- Midfoot Strap Could Be a Little Better
The first drawback of the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 is its narrow width and overall fit. This shoe works really well for narrow and neutral-width feet, but for wide feet, you’ll want to pass on these shoes.
This shoe features a “4” on Inov-8’s fit scale, which indicates that it’s wide-ish (for Inov-8 shoes, the scale runs 1-5, 5 being the widest), but still not the widest they offer. And note, I find the Inov-8 fit scale to run fairly narrow despite having a range of widths.
That being said, I think wide feet will be limited in this model, especially around the toe box. I actually found these a little snug until they broke in after two weeks and I have a neutral width foot. I would worry about spilling over in the toe box if you have wide feet.
The second drawback with the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 is the midfoot strap and its long-term durability. While this strap does a good job with security and it has a good length, I worry about its health long-term.
This strap on this runs a little more narrow compared to the strap on something like the Reebok Legacy Lifter 2 and it has a finer velcro texture. The texture of this strap could be problematic over time, especially in dustier gyms.
I’ve had my straps on old weightlifting shoes that were similar to this model lose their grip over time due to dirt getting into the velcro loops. This shouldn’t be a complete deterrent for this shoe, but it’s something to keep an eye on if you plan to invest in them.
I think this will be more prevalent for anyone who works out in smaller weightlifting gyms and CrossFit boxes that can be prone to being a little dusty.
Performance
To break down the performance of the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 weightlifting shoes, I’ll discuss how these shoes perform in different training contexts. I’ll talk about their performance for squats, weightlifting, and other accessory exercises.
This way, you can cross-reference your needs with these shoes to make sure they fit the context of your training wants.
Testing the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 for Squats
For squats, I enjoyed the Inov-8 Fastlift 360’s performance and think it should work for most lifters in need of stable shoes for squatting. The TPU midsole and heel in this model don’t compress whatsoever and the removable insole in this shoe is thin.
The culmination of these two construction features gives this shoe a nice base to lift on. The sole in the forefoot of this shoe also runs pretty thin compared to models with this forefoot soles like the Nike Romaleos 4, so if you like a bit more ground feel, then I think you’ll enjoy this aspect.
The rubber outsole in this shoe also did a good job of preventing slip issues on different surfaces. Whether you’re squatting on rubber gym floors or wooden platforms, I don’t think grip will be an issue with these shoes.
My only complaint with these for squats, which was a con I mentioned above, is their forefoot width. I would prefer a little more width through the forefoot because the current toe box in this model felt a bit limiting for fully splaying my toes.
Testing the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 for Weightlifting
In the context of weightlifting, I like the Inov-8 Fastlift 360’s performance for three key reasons. First, is the forefoot flexibility and meta-flex tech used in this shoe. If you like flexibility in your shoe’s forefoot, then you’ll enjoy this construction feature.
This shoe broke in relatively easily and you get a nice level of ground feedback with the forefoot of these shoes. Second, I enjoyed the weight of these shoes and how “athletic” they felt when catching cleans and trying to be faster with my feet.
I like that these shoes never felt heavy or clunky, even when getting more fatigued in longer sessions. Third and lastly, the upper construction and midfoot strap did a good job of promoting overall foot security. Sans the width issues, this shoe performed well for weightlifting.
Testing the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 for Accessory Exercises
For accessory exercises, I liked the Inov-8 Fastlift 360’s performance for the most part. The lightweight construction and breathable upper are the star players of this shoe for accessory exercises like split squats, leg press, and hack squats.
I also think this shoe can be a viable option for functional fitness athletes that want a weightlifting shoe that they can wear for workouts where you’re transitioning from heavy strength movements to exercises that are more dynamic.
Personally, I’m not a fan of using weightlifting shoes for these training contexts, but if you’re planning to do so in any pair of weightlifting shoes, the Fastlift 360s are a good option.
My only complaint with these shoes for certain accessories like quad-biased walking lunges is that the toe box’s upper can dig a little into the top of the foot, and you’ll notice this on the backfoot when moving the toes through a deeper range of flexion.
Inov-8 Fastlift 360 Sizing
Regarding sizing, the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 should fit true to size for those with narrow and neutral-width feet. This model’s length runs true to size and its midfoot and toe box run fairly narrow.
I think if you fit into those foot width categories, then you’ll thoroughly enjoy the snug and athletic fit that the Fastlift 360 delivers. That being said, if you have neutral-width feet and like a little more room in your toe box, then you may want to size up a half size.
If you have neutral-width feet and like more toe box width or if you have wide feet, I’d suggest passing on this model. There are multiple models with wider toe boxes like the TYR L-1 Lifter and Rogue Do-Win Weightlifting Shoes and I don’t think you’d enjoy how restricted you’ll feel in this shoe.
- Inov-8 Fastlift 360 Sizing Thoughts: Narrow and neutral-width feet, go true to size. Wide feet, pass on this shoe.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions on the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 weightlifting shoes, drop a comment below.
Price Breakdown
For the Inov-8 Fastlift 360, you can expect to pay $190 USD. This price point is in line with other premium weightlifting shoes, and I find it to be pretty hit or miss for this model.
If you resonate with the sizing in the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 and you want a lighter pair of weightlifting shoes, then the price can make sense in this model. I also think this shoe will do well for those wanting a pair of shoes for functional fitness.
Conversely, I do find the price point for this model to be a little high for what they offer. I’d suggest looking around for Inov-8 promo codes or sales if you want to invest in them. That’s what I did and it saved me around 15%, which makes this model’s price point much fairer.
Inov-8 Fastlift 360
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- Squats
- Weightlifting
- Functional Fitness Athletes
Falls Short
- For Wide Feet
Construction Details
The construction of the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 has remained unchanged over the last few years. Below are the most important construction details to note about the Inov-8 Fastlift 360.
- Effective Heel Height: 16.5mm/.65″
- Weight: 13.15 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Rubber Outsole
- Metaflex Tech In the Forefoot
- POWER-TRUSS Heel Cage
- TPU Midsole/Heel
- Mesh and Synthetic Upper
- Midfoot Velcro Strap (Metal Loop)
- 6 Core Eyelets
If you have additional construction questions about the Inov-8 Fastlift 360, drop a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Do the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 fit true to size?
Q:Are the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 good for squats?
Q:What is the effective heel height of the Inov-8 Fastlift 360?
Takeaway Thoughts
The Inov-8 Fastlift 360 is a good weightlifting shoe and it has a consistent performance that should resonate with a wide range of lifters. I could see this model being best for functional fitness athletes and weightlifters wanting lightweight shoes.
I like that this shoe is a no-frills model that delivers all of the construction features that you’d want out of a good weightlifting shoe.
I don’t think the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 will be a good model for those with wide feet and I do find their price point to be a little hit or miss for what they are.
If you have additional questions on the Inov-8 Fastlift 360, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).
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