Inov-8 Road-X 233

Trail · Neutral · 8.8 oz · 6mm drop · 18/12mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Inov-8 Road-X 138 replaced it

How it ranks

The Inov-8 Road-X 233 rates in the 94th percentile overall among trail shoes. It rates highest on comfort.

Based on 4 runner reviews.

Exceptional

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (97/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 94% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

97/100
Overall

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (97/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 94% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

97
Comfort

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (97/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 95% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

97
Durability

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (94/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 91% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

94
Value

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (87/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 79% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

87
Appearance

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (82/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 63% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

82
Cushioning

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (72/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 34% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

72

What runners say

“They are exceptionally light with a roomy toe box.”
5/5 Full review
“Lack of cushioning over ultra distances contributes to leg fatigue.”
5/5 Full review
“Worn for 3+ years.”
CPGrun 5/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

25% 1/4

Reader Ratings

4 reader ratings
5/5
4
4/5
0
3/5
0
2/5
0
1/5
0

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–4 of 4 written reviews

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Jun 22, 2015

5/5

Overall

I thoroughly enjoyed running in the 233s. They are exceptionally light with a roomy toe box. Would highly recommend this shoe although the lack of cushioning over ultra distances would appear to contribute to leg fatigue.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

CPGrun · Apr 7, 2015

5/5

Overall

Excellent but being discontinued
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

CPGrun · Mar 22, 2015

5/5

Overall

I have worn this shoe for 3+ years now and couldn't recommend it highly enough. Sadly Inov8 appear to be ending their road running line so I'm going to have to change shoe once mine wear out.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

CPGrun · Mar 22, 2015

5/5

Overall

Excellent, not had one problem but sadly being discontinued after 3 years use.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Where to buy

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Alternatives

Other shoes worth considering.

HOKA Speedgoat 6

Speedgoat 6

Trail

98/100 rating

$79.88

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Shoe image placeholder
Shoe image placeholder
HOKA Speedgoat 6
Road-X 233
Road-X 138
Speedgoat 6
Current shoe
Choose a model
Best comfort / Best durability
Newest
Lightest / Best overall / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Trail
Trail
Trail
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.8 oz M
—
8.6 oz M Lightest
Stack
18/12mm
—
37/32mm
Drop
6mm
—
5mm
Release
2011
2025 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
—
—
$155
Best price
—
—
$79.88
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (94%)
—
Excellent (97%) Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (95%) Best comfort
—
Very good (86%)
Cushioning
Below average (34%)
—
Excellent (97%) Best cushioning
Durability
Excellent (91%) Best durability
—
Very good (86%)
Appearance
Above average (63%)
—
Good (77%) Best appearance
Value
Good (79%)
—
Very good (87%) Best value
Specific shoe

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Where the Inov-8 Road-X 233 sits

The Road-X line

Compare every Road-X version

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