Customer Reviews inov-8 F-Lite™ 230

These shoes are fantastic. The first time I put them on, I hated them. The forefoot bent funny and the laces were super stiff. However, once I broke them in (only took one wear), I love them. These are perfect for Crossfit and lifting. I've done everything from clean and jerks to box jumps to 2 mile runs in these. I wouldn't do any longer distance because there's no support (these are literally flat), unless you're into the barefoot running trend. The flat sole is great for Olympic lifts and the quick crossfit movements (jump roping, box jumps, etc.), and they're super light so they won't weigh you down. My only wish would be for softer, less stiff laces and a more feminine version. I found these run really true to size and run bigger than most athletic shoes. I wear a 7.5-8 in street shoes and an 8.5 in athletic shoes (Nike, Adidas, etc.), and I wear an 8 in these.

I'd tried Five Finger shoes and they were painful during box jumps and my jump rope would get stuck between the toes all the time. Inov8's were recommended by lots of people at my Crossfit and now I see why. They are the perfect shoe. They're flat enough for lifts but comfortable enough to run in. They are also incredibly light! I have a narrow foot and the heel/arch fits snug. The toe box is wide, but not too wide like the Nike Frees.

I love these shoes for CrossFit. I used to get painful horrible shin splints running during the workouts, but with these I have been running 5K races, doing triathlons, and running in the workouts without any problems at all. They are very flexible, very light, and the minimalist design helps correct your running form naturally. Plus they are super hot! When I wear them around town, I get nothing but compliments.

If you are looking for minimalist shoes that are comfortable (like slippers) but are not ready to move to toe socks/shoes then these are perfect. I wear them everywhere and can feel my feet, ankles and calves getting stronger. I get nothing but great comments about how good they look and everyone wonders what the brand is. I will definitely buy another pair. True to size and comfortable for a 6 ft 2 in, 200 lb male to run and do crossfit workouts.

Super light shoe. Great for running. Have also used during adventure races. Dries quickly. Would recommend to those who want an extremely light shoe for doing activities.

Very light weight shoe, can barely feel it on my feet. Did not require any break-in time. Nice construction, and nice foot appeal. I got the bright pink ones, and they do make a fashion statement, even when you are out pounding the pavement.

If you're into CrossFit, then these shoes will be perfect for you. They're great for the Olympic lifting - allow you to feel the ground as opposed to running shoes that have too much cushioning. On the other side, they offer enough support for when you do need to run.

Just the sweetest trail racing shoe around. Fast! Love Inov-8 durability and structure for a nice ride on the trails for stability and rocks. So happy with this purchase. Thanks!

Amazing shoe, perfect for CrossFit, do every WOD in them. Love them! Used to have to wear orthopedics for high arches, these fit perfectly and those are no longer needed. Highly recommended!

Great shoe for the variety of crossfit activities. I like it better than the 5 fingers that are so popular now. Really happy with my purchase except I would've purchased down a half size.

Aqua isn't a good color for men, take my word for it. The shoe is comfy and feels pretty functional.

I purchased this shoe for Crossfit, and it has been great. It is extremely light, breathable, and is great for weightlifting and running. This weekend I wore it nonstop for ten hours at a competition without any issues. There is not a lot of cushioning on the bottoms, on purpose, which makes this shoe in the "barefoot running" category, meaning you have to focus on running with the balls of your feet to avoid heel striking. This will make your calves and other small, neglected muscles in your legs ache after the first few times (in a good way). Highly recommended. The only con is the price, but in this case, you are paying for quality. I generally wear a size 12 and had to return them for an 11.5. I also have wide feet.

I love these shoes. I would order a pair in every color. I originally got a 7 and they were a half size too big so I had to send them back and get a 6 1/2. Zappos is so easy to work with though that it was no big deal and I had my new shoes a a couple of days.

The shoe is a gift so I can't really comment on it but I can comment on Zappos amazing customer service. They upgraded my order to overnight shipping for free and I had my shoes ready to be gifted the next day! Zappos is the best!

I bought this shoe for gym/training and short runs on the strength of the reviews here. For those purposes, it is superb--better than anything I've had in recent years. Between the feather-light weight and extreme breathability, it feels like I'm not wearing anything. Despite being ostensibly a trail running shoe, these are just fine for a quick 5 miles or so on pavement as well. The low heel profile is great for weightlifting, as long as you don't need something with a lot of ankle support for really heavy squats, etc. Never would have found this brand without Zappos or tried them without the reviews here, but will definitely buy Inov-8 again.

Great shoe. I ran a 10k in them and never had a shoe feel so good. They are light and comfortable.

Absolutely love my shoes. They're lightweight, comfortable and look great. They're perfect for CrossFit. I always have people asking me what kind of shoes they are and where I got them. I highly recommend them! I recommend them so much that I even bought a second pair.

These are the 3rd pair of F-Lite 230's that I have owned. I love them and will continue to buy them as long as they sell them. They are a fantastic minimalist shoe but remember if you are not used to running on a 3mm footbed then take time to work your feet in. Run some short distances on grass or another soft surface and increase as you become used to running on your forefoot. I've gone so far as used them for a 10K. If you are a Crossfiter like I am then I recommend nothing else but these. They're perfect for what we do. The transitions from a run to a standard lift are so much easier with these. These are MetCon killers and you will feel much more confident with your oly lifts in these than in a standard running shoe.

These Inov-8 shoes are super comfortable, a great choice if you are looking for a natural product without artificial support. They look great, too.

I love these shoes! I feel like I am not wearing a shoe and very comfortable. I use them at Crossfit!

I do Crossfit in these shoes and they are great very light weight and snug. I love them for light power lifting the 195 are better due to the thin sole.

Bottom line, if you have not worn a pair of Inov-8 yet, you just don't understand. There are just no words, you have to experience it. There is nothing I could write to describe how perfect they are. Comfortable, true to size, LIGHTWEIGHT, breathable, durable, stylish and the list goes on. This is my second pair. They are minimalist shoes, but regardless of your arch, minimalist shoes are GOOD for you. Once you try a pair, you won't wear anything else.

I bought these shoes for CrossFit and they are great! I use them for running, lifting, box jumps, and just about anything. I usually go up a half size in running shoes but I would not recommend that for these shoes. There is plenty of toe room so go with your normal shoe size. If you have Chucks, then the fit is very similar. There is not much arch support, however, it is a great transition shoe from the average bulky running shoe.

Pretty much the greatest shoe ever made. Zappos had my shoes shipped out only a few hours after I ordered them, and about 2 days later they were at my door. Positive experience all around will have me ordering again in the future.

Overall a very good workout shoe. They're built well, and breathe easily. I had a pair of Nike Kayoss shoes before, but the sole was a bit too thick. I also considered the Nike Free, but the lateral support on the Nike shoes wasn't as comfortable to me. I find the Inov-8 shoes perfect for Crossfit-style workouts and lifts. My only complaint: not many color options (something Nike definitely has done well).