Customer Reviews inov-8 F-Lite™ 230

First, let me extol Zappos for the most amazing customer service ever ever. Buying these shoes online with all the size variances usually has me returning a shoe for another size, unless I've worn that shoe and model before and know it exactly. This is what happened with this shoe despite my intense researching the size...I only say it is 1/2 size larger because it is larger than Nike and Adidas (especially) sizing, by about a half...in fact they are tight on, but Nike and Adidas are sadly a half size small in most their shoes, so my calling these a half size large is for relative comparisons...though I'd say they are very slightly larger than you might expect if you use your dress shoe size (mine is 11.5, and a 12 fits me in these, while a 12.5 in Nike and Adidas would fit me if those brands made 12.5's, which they don't). That all said, if you want a light great styled breezy athletic/casual shoe, this is amazing! I personally run in true minimalist shoes, meaning 0 mm drop from back to front, and this has about 6mm drop, so I would not run in it unless you are transitioning to minimal. Since I will not run in them, and did not buy them for that, I cannot talk to durability and running quality, though they feel really light and super comfortable. The styling and fit is amazing. It is the shoe I've been looking for from an L.A. year round casual use perspective. Meaning black, warmer weather so the breezy circulation is superb, the styling doesn't have the trend of the moment look, but very classic. And enough support to casually walk around. I wear them with jeans, and they'd be great any time, even my 5 hour photo treks anywhere from concrete to whatever...except perhaps sand, beach or dusty trails as they will get sand or dirt in them by the permeable and airy upper. You can't go better if this is what you'd like, though I wouldn't wear much in climes under 60 degrees unless you are in non-dusty/non-H2O environs and have very warm socks. Back to Zappos...unbelievable...at the UPS station I found the size I got to be a half size too large. Zappos faxed the UPS station a free return label so I shipped it back there, took the exchange order at no cost...they did tell me I'd not get it the next day as I was ordering after 3; however, in fact I did get the replacement the very next day (today). I wouldn't expect that speed of return, and I'm sure Zappos wouldn't want you to...but they do try and you may get a surprise if exchanging a shoe. I'm a confirmed shopper of Zappos, and wearer of this shoe!

I've had these shoes for over two years now, and I am so happy with them I feel it's time to write a review. I have put these shoes through the ringer, literally climbing mountains, running on all different terrains, put them through countless crossfit and metcon style wods/workouts, I've completed two tough mudders in them, as well as just wearing them as regular shoes for walking around in. Besides heavy wear on the outside of the midsole on the right shoe from numerous rope climbs, the shoes have aged beautifully. The outsoles on Inov-8's just don't wear down, unlike Nikes or other brands that need to be replaced a couple times a year. If you are on the fence whether or not to get a pair, don't hesitate! Even when you get them covered in dirt and mud you can just hose them down and wash and dry them with a load of jeans or towels and they'll come out good as new! Hope this review helps, and keep it up Inov-8!

This is my second pair of Inov's. My last pair had a little less of a profile and honestly I can't really tell the difference. Great shoe for P90X or Cross-Fit.

Used for high-impact cardio workouts. Excellent shoe. Not quite like working out barefoot, shoe provides the perfect amount of stability. Will definitely buy another pair when current pair wears out.

Awesome shoes for crossfit. Really happy with my purchase. Great price. Great service!

Great bare bones work out shoe. This shoe fits without any of the extra padding you'd find in normal work out or running shoes, so it takes a bit of getting used to, but once you're used to using your feet the way they were meant to, you never want to wear another shoe.

Extremely light shoe. Stylish enough to wear with jeans or casual slacks. Runs a little narrow, but fits well if socks are not too thick.

I was looking for a shoe for the gym and for light hiking and I found it! These were comfortable right out of the box. I recently put them to the test scrambling on a barely marked Hawaiian hillside trail and now think even more highly of them. This is also is a great looking shoe! I had never heard of this brand before, but I am most impressed.

God, are these ugly, but they sure are comfy! perfect fit, and decent enough support - this shoe is the one I've chosen over lots of others for training.

So I have been doing P90X for a while and just started Shawn T Focus 25 and had problems with my feet and doing all the plyometric jumping. My feet would hurt so bad, it was hard to complete the work out and doing in barefoot was ruining the soles of my feet. After reading reviews of folks using these for cross fit, I thought I'd give them a try. Let me tell you, I am in love! I have no foot pain at all while wearing them and so much stability! I have high arches and was a bit worried bout these and lack of support but it's been just the opposite! I can power through my workouts. My husband started doing Shawn T with me and is complaining about the same foot pain. I recommended these. Yes, they are expensive but if you plan of sticking to ShawnT and P90X, they are a must and well worth it! You can't beat the next day free shipping and returns too so if they don't work, send them back. They do run a little big so I got the next size down then usual. I'm very happy with my purchase.

First thing I noticed about the shoe is how comfortable it is. It fit my foot like a glove with a tad bit of extra room at the toes but only enough to give them room to breath. Haven't gone running or anything in these yet but I am excited to. Build quality seems a tad low and might wear quickly, but otherwise a great pick.

Inov cross fit shoes are my very favorite shoes to train in. When I wear them I forget I have shoes on! They run true to size and offer just the right amount of support.

I was quite hesitant to purchase athletic shoes online but Zappos makes it risk free. Not only do you get free shipping both ways (if necessary) but there are multiple images of the shoes and a very helpful video. The shoes were received promptly and I am very pleased with them. The fit is excellent and they are as light as a feather. I was a little surprised that the tongue, which appears quite large in the video, turned out to be very short-barely long enough to grab onto prior to tying. Would I buy them again? Yes, I would!

I ordered these as a stopgap while waiting for a pair of Oly lifting shoes, I am glad I did! I ordered them half a size smaller than my usual and they fit perfect . I have long narrow feet and these are awesome! If you have a truly medium to wide foot they might be a little uncomfortable. I used them last night for clean/jerks and snatches, I have not run in them yet. They are a solid base for lifting but I am not sure I would want to run very far in them, they seem sort of halfway between 5 finger shoes and the Brooks PureGrits I normally use for trail runs. If all of Inov8's shoes fit like this, I need a few more! Oh.. And the usual hassle free ordering and speedy shipping we all take for granted from Zappos! It's easy to forget how easy these folks make things for us.

I bought these for weigh lifting. They are light but sturdy, extremely comfortable & supportive. You can certainly do cardio in them also. I love them!

Great overall training shoe. I have had most of the cross training inov8 and this by far was the best. I use it mainly for crossfit and it is awesome.

I do Crossfit 4-5 times a week and I love my Inov-8 they have all the support that I need for my training they are light and very comfortable. I did order half a size smaller and they fit great. Another added plus: They are a very Nice Looking and Comfortable shoe.

Put these sneakers on the moment they arrived and didn't take them off for the rest of the day. They fit the contours of my feet perfectly. I think I've found my new favorite training shoe!

Very happy with this shoe. It ties up tight and feels very secure on the foot, with little or no sliding around inside the shoe. Good for deadlifts, as it's low and flat and secure on the foot. The rubber on the bottom also provides great traction: If you wear these shoes for something like squatting, you can really screw in your feet and achieve torque without actually sliding or rotating on slick/chalky floors. The toe box is a bit long, but I don't think I could have gone down a size and still had proper fit. Overall, very happy with my first Inov-8 purchase.

I bought these shoes for cross fit and they are great. they fit true, are durable and very stable. I even have been running in short distances in them and they have worked great.

I bought these to work out in, not run because of the flat soles. I found myself wearing these everywhere. I have even ran in them and they are great.

One of the most comforatble shoes I've ever purchased! I wear these very day at work on tile floors; the tie style with narrower construction make these fell very secure on my feet. The sleek sport styling and lack of tropical colors so popular in sport shoes make them suitable to wear with our non-denim dress code. I plan on buying another pair.

When my son came to visit, I noticed he had these shoes on and they were quite worn from constant wearing. So I ordered him another pair before he moved overseas, as they might be difficult to get in his size (Size 14). He was very pleased and and once again Zappos service was amazing! Thanks Zappos!

These shoes are perfect for cross training. They grip well, and running short distance is great. I highly recommend them!