That Fit Friend is supported by its readers. I [Jake] run this site myself and buy the gear reviewed. If you purchase through my site, I may earn commissions on sales. Read more here!
I really enjoyed the first iteration of the Bare XF, in its current form, that is. For me, it was a huge leap forward from their Bare XF 210 V3, which was great shoe no doubt, but tended to run a little too narrow.
Despite my love for the Bare XF, there were some quirks with it that kept it from being a good all-around barefoot shoe that I recommend for everyone. Sure, it performed well in the gym for a specific type of ask/fit and its daily wear performance could be so-so.
The Bare XF V2 is another major improvement over its predecessor for Inov8 both in terms of construction and versatility. The reworked midfoot construction gives it solid lockdown. The improved boot makes it a bit more comfortable. Overall, the XF V2 is a breath of fresh air, but that’s not without a few things to keep in mind before buying.
Inov8 Bare XF V2
$120
Pros
- Good for beginners
- Solid option for CrossFit
- Lightweight and sock-like fit
Cons
- Rounded heel will be so-so for some
- Sizing is a bit off
- Not the best for 4E+ width feet
Best For
- Cross-Training
- CrossFit
- Casual Lifting
- Barefoot Beginners
- Short Runs
Specs
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 0mm |
| Weight | 7.8 oz (size 10) |
| Width | Wide |
| Lifting Threshold | ~455 lbs |
| Run Distance Threshold | 800-meters tested |
Who Should Buy the Bare-XF V2?
- Barefoot Shoe Beginners: If you’re new to barefoot shoes, the Boomerang footbed in the XF V2 makes this a great option to start with. It gives you a little more cushion to help you acclimate.
- Sock-Like Fit Lovers: If you like your shoes to have more of a sock-like feel that really hugs your foot, these hit that feel nicely. They’re low-profile and the upper wraps the foot well.
- Narrow, Medium, and Slightly Wider Feet: If you have a narrow to 3E foot width, you’ll love how these fit. If you need more width and want to try Inov8, go with the Bare XF Pro.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Bare-XF V2?
- Barefoot Pursists: If you prefer maximum ground feel and as little stack height as possible, these are going to be too awkward for you. You can remove the Boomerang insole, but the footbed underneath isn’t finished. Grab the Bare XF Pro, Notorious Lift Radix, or Vivobarefoot Primus Lite 3.5 if you want a lower stack height.
- Flat/Less Tapered Lovers: If you need a shoe with a less aggressive midfoot taper, this will be a pass for you. The taper isn’t super noticeable, but with wider feet, there will be some spillover. These also have the rounded heel and sole, so the stability may be a miss for some.
- Exceptionally Wide Feet: If you have a 4E+ foot width or wider, these are likely a no-go. They’re too narrow, and sizing up won’t fix it.
Sizing & Fit
About My Feet: I have a normal arch/instep and my feet come in at an E/EE width. The length of my left and right foot are consistent with one another, and I size as a true US 10 for most companies’ sizing charts.
Relative Sizing Thoughts
- Narrow Feet (<D): True to size.
- Medium (D): True to size, or size up a half size for more toe box room.
- E and EE: Size up a half size.
- 3E: Size up a full size.
- 4E+: Skip altogether.
I ordered my normal size 10 and honestly should have gone up a half size. These run short. I had less than half a thumb’s width of space in the toe box. They weren’t so short that they were unwearable, per se, but they definitely got uncomfortable when I started really pushing and driving into the toes. I had to be more intentional with my sock choice in these.
Width-wise, they fit my E-EE wide feet perfectly. I do think width will be a limiting factor in these for some. Additinoally, I think most everyone should size up a half size in the Bare-XF V2. If you have a 4E+ foot width, go up a full size or skip these altogether.
Performance Assessment
Lifting: 8.1/10
I really enjoyed these shoes, for the most part. If you’re a barefoot purest, you’re not going to like these as much as I did. The Boomerang insole gave me the perfect amount of cushion without sacrificing too much stability and ground feel. I was able to go heavy on all of my power and strength work, moves like cleans and squats without ever feeling unstable. Even more dynamic efforts like walking lunges, I had the right amount of ground feel for what I look for.
Again though, if you’re a barefoot purest, what you gain in comfort from the Boomerang insole, you sacrifice in maximum ground feel. These aren’t going to be the pick if you’re more focused on powerlifting or the Olympic lifts. But for the generalist that still likes to push the weight, these are a great pick.
Be careful, though, if you have exceptionally wide feet. I have an E-EE foot width and I found myself pushing the limits of the XF V2’s lockdown during some of the more dynamic movements. If your foot is much wider, you’ll definitely spill over the sides.
Cross-Training and CrossFit: 8.5/10
This is really where the XF V2 shines. The reworked MET cradle along the midfoot provides so much more support than the original Bare-XF did. The forefoot is light and breathable and moves with your feet instead of fighting against them.
The Boomerang insole is a nice addition here as well. In addition to the added comfort, it has the right amount of rebound and pop to it. It’s great for all of the jumps and cuts and sled pushes that you’ll do. The MET cradle really comes into play here for rope climbs too. The addition of the TPU rope guard on the medial and lateral sides helps these grip ropes like a champ.
One word of warning: if your box programs a lot of burpees or other prone-to-get-up style movements, get a darker colorway. I went with the lighter grey and it got dirty very quickly from rubbing on the floor during burpees. It’s not the end of the world, the mesh upper cleans up pretty easily, it’s more annoying than anything else.
Short Runs: 8/10
I feel like I should give a caveat off the top here. As much as I enjoy a good barefoot shoe (I have been leaning a bit more towards the transition models recently though), I don’t prefer to run in them. My feet get beat up enough from my daily life and training that running in barefoot shoes isn’t a stress I need to add in.
With that said, the XF V2 does a decent job for shorter intervals that are worked into a WOD or a quick pre- or post-workout treadmill effort. I do like these for running more than some of the other barefoot shoes I’ve tested. I just don’t like to do a ton of miles in barefoot shoes.
Daily Wear: 8/10
The only hang up I have with wearing these for daily use is I got the sizing wrong. If you size them properly (go up a half size if you have a narrow through EE foot width), these are great. The minimal branding and sleek aesthetic help them pair with just about anything and they’ll look great going from the gym to the grocery store or taking the dog for a walk.
If you do plan on wearing them out and about in the city a lot though, get a darker colorway or be ready to clean them up regularly. They almost seem to attract dirt and they start to look grungy quick.
If you have flatter feet or need extra volume in the forefoot, be careful with how much and in what context you wear these out of the gym. They’re not so constricting that they’ll be uncomfortable, especially if you wear them a bit looser. But if you like to wear your shoes tight, they cross that line into constricting pretty quickly.
Construction & Materials
For my US size 10, the Bare-XF V2 weighs 7.80 oz and has a heel-to-toe drop of 0 mm.
There is an extended outsole that comes up the toe box for a bit of added protection. The upper is a very breathable mesh that wraps from the tip of the forefoot through the midfoot. At the midfoot, the mesh is covered by a rigid TPU MET cradle. The MET cradle extends back to the heel, which is a low-profile, padded mesh boot.
There is a light internal toe guard for more structure around the toe box. It has five core eyelets with a sixth for lace lock. The tongue is a padded mesh and it is gusseted.
Underneath, the outsole is a full rubber tread with a Meta-Flex groove in the forefoot for added flexibility and mobility. Inside, the Boomerang insole is removable. It is a high-density, beady TPU that provides a solid amount of cushioning and comfort.
Final Thoughts: Would I Get Again?
The Bare XF V2 is a solid leap forward from Inov8 if you’ve been eyeing a barefoot shoe for CrossFit and cross-training. The MET cradle is more aggressive, in a good way. And overall, the V2 maintains a nice, flexible feel without sacrificing lockdown or stability.
This is the perfect shoe if you’re interested in exploring barefoot shoes, too. The Boomerang footbed provides a great level of comfort while still giving you most of the ground feel you’d get from a true barefoot shoe.
The populations that should avoid this shoe are the barefoot purists, super wide-footed folks, and those who like a flatter-feeling shoe.
This is definitely a shoe I’ll be buying again. Only next time, I’ll size up a half size for a better fit.
Add a Comment