Inov-8 Fastlift 360 Review

The Inov-8 Fastlift 360 is a weightlifting shoe, which means a shoe with a firm raised heel that helps you squat deeper while keeping your chest upright. It is also built to move, which sets it apart from most lifters. Inov-8 is a British brand best known for trail running shoes, and that background shows in the focus on strength without bulk.

The name hints at the weight: Inov-8 names its Fastlift shoes for their weight in grams, so the 360 points to a shoe of roughly that weight. Inov-8’s US page does not list a weight, so treat it as approximate. Either way, it is a light shoe for a category where many models are built like small pieces of furniture.

It suits the CrossFit athlete and the gym-goer whose hour includes a heavy squat followed by a set of box jumps. It is a less natural fit for someone who only squats and wants the firmest possible base.

Inov-8 Fastlift 360 weightlifting shoe in black with a gum sole, side view. Image: Amazon

Specs

Here are the specifications for the Inov-8 Fastlift 360:

Pros

• It is light for a lifting shoe, so you can keep it on for the conditioning part of a workout instead of swapping shoes.
• The raised heel gives you the squat position of a lifter, with knees that can travel forward and a more upright chest.
• The external TPU heel cage stops the heel from squashing sideways without adding bulk under your foot.
• Meta-Flex grooves let the forefoot bend, so burpees, jumps and short runs are manageable.
• A removable insole lets you swap in your own if you use one.

Cons

• The heel is a strut-style structure rather than a solid block, so lifters working near a true maximum may want something firmer.
• The snug, narrow-leaning last means broad feet should look elsewhere.
• One midfoot strap gives less lockdown than the two-strap competition lifters.
• A flexible forefoot that bends every session will age faster than the stiff forefoot of a pure lifter.
• We could not confirm competition approval, so check your federation’s rules if you plan to lift in meets.

What makes the Fastlift 360 different: one shoe for the lift and the workout after it

The problem the Fastlift 360 solves is familiar to anyone who trains across disciplines. Lifting shoes are rigid and heavy because that is what makes them stable. Training shoes are flexible and light because that is what makes them usable. Doing both in one session has traditionally meant carrying two pairs.

Inov-8’s answer is to split the job inside one shoe. The heel is built from strut-style columns that Inov-8 calls POWERTRUSS, and you can see the open structure when you look at the back of the shoe. Think of it as a girder instead of a solid block: it holds a raised heel in place without the weight of a solid slab.

The forefoot does the opposite. Meta-Flex grooves let the front of the shoe bend where your foot naturally bends, so it does not fight you in a jump or a sprint. A traditional lifter blocks that bend on purpose.

An external TPU heel cage wraps the outside of the heel. Because the plastic sits on the outside, it helps stop the heel deforming sideways without adding thickness under your foot.

Who should buy the Inov-8 Fastlift 360

Buy it if your training is mixed. CrossFit and similar classes combine heavy squats, cleans and snatches with jumps, rope climbs and short runs, and this is the shoe built for that. Being able to keep the same shoes on from the barbell to the conditioning piece is the main reason to choose it.

It also suits people who dislike heavy lifting shoes. A lot of lifters find a traditional lifter feels like a boot. This one is lighter and more flexible, so it feels closer to a firm trainer with a raised heel.

Non-specialist Olympic lifters will like the stable base and upright squat position, plus the ability to move quickly in the shoe when a lift goes wrong.

Who should probably skip it

Skip it if all you do is squat heavy. A dedicated lifter with a solid heel and a rigid forefoot is the right tool for that job, and the Fastlift’s flexibility is wasted when you never jump or run.

Skip it too if your feet are broad. The last is snug and the width is a standard D, so a wide foot is better served by a lifter with more room. Do not size up for width, because extra length does not widen the shoe and can let your heel move. If squatting causes knee, hip or back pain that persists or gets worse, talk to a coach or a physical therapist before changing footwear.

These are better fits for those players:

• Reebok Legacy Lifter III: a tall, solid-heeled lifter for people who only squat and want the most immovable base (check price | read review)
• Nike Savaleos: a wide-based lifting trainer with a raised heel and a midfoot strap, for people who want to try a lifting heel without a competition lifter; Nike says to order a half size up (check price)

Not sure which gym shoe suits your feet? Our Free Shoe Finder can help you narrow it down.

Fit: true to size, snug, one standard width

SportsShoes lists the Fastlift 360 in width D and describes the fit as true to size, with UK sizes 6 to 14. Inov-8 sells in UK sizes, and some listings show US equivalents, so check the conversion before you order. A US men’s 9 is a UK 8, for example.

Expect a snug, athletic fit. Your foot spreads under load, so a shoe that feels merely snug when you stand can feel tight at the bottom of a heavy squat. If your toes need room, try a pair on or choose a lifter with a wider toe box.

The upper is ripstop with ballistic nylon overlays, which is lighter and less substantial than the leather or thick synthetic uppers on traditional lifters. That saves weight and makes the shoe feel like a trainer, with a trade-off in rigidity. Lockdown comes from the laces plus the hook-and-loop strap across the midfoot. Pull the strap tight before a heavy set, and loosen it for conditioning.

Inov-8 Fastlift 360 heel showing the POWERTRUSS strut structure and TPU heel cage. Image: Amazon

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Under the bar: a firm, raised base that still bends up front

For squats and Olympic lifts, a 16.5 mm heel is a proper lifting height. It lets your knees travel further forward and your hips drop lower while your chest stays up, which for many lifters means better depth and less strain through the lower back. Comfort and depth still depend on your own mobility and technique.

The heel does not squash. Inov-8 describes it as a structure for support and stability, and the forefoot is thin, so you stay close to the floor. That gives a direct connection to the ground and makes balance easy to feel. It is firm rather than cushioned, which is correct for lifting and less forgiving for jumping.

The compromise is at the top end. A strut-style heel is firm, but a solid heel is firmer, and a lifter working at a true maximum may feel a bit more movement than in a dedicated shoe. Most people who train rather than compete will not notice. A lifting shoe changes the angles you work from. It does not correct how you move and it is not a treatment for anything.

Grip and durability: sticky rubber, with a forefoot that will age first

The outsole is sticky rubber with shallow lugs, and it holds well on gym flooring and lifting platforms. Inov-8 says the rubber gives strong traction, which matters for rope climbs and fast movements.

Lifting shoes lead gentle lives compared with running shoes, so durability should be good for lifting use. The part that will age first is the flexible forefoot, since it bends every time you jump or run. How long a pair lasts depends on how you train.

Inov-8 Fastlift 360 outsole with sticky rubber and gum tread. Image: Amazon

Is the Inov-8 Fastlift 360 good for walking?

No. A 16.5 mm raised heel with no give keeps you tilted onto the balls of your feet, which helps a squat and tires you on a walk. Your calves and Achilles tendons do not get to lengthen the way they do in a normal shoe.

It is more walkable than a traditional lifter because the forefoot bends and the shoe is light, so crossing the gym or walking to the car is fine. Standing all day is another matter, because the thin forefoot gives little back on hard floors. For travel, distance walking or a shift on your feet, choose a cushioned walking shoe and keep this one in the gym bag. Our best walking shoes guide is a good place to start.

Fastlift 360 vs. a traditional lifting shoe

Here is how the two approaches compare:

Choose the Fastlift 360 if your session has more than one kind of movement in it. Choose a traditional lifter if you only squat and press and want the most immovable base.

For a dedicated raised-heel lifter and a wider gym-shoe comparison, see our Nike Savaleos review and cross-training shoe guide.

Inov-8 Fastlift 360 Alternatives

If you want a competition-style lifter, the Adidas Adipower 3 (read review) takes the opposite approach, with a solid heel built to stay put under a heavy bar. It is a better match if you want absolute rigidity and do not need to run or jump.

The Nike Romaleos 4 is a full competition lifter with two straps and a rigid forefoot. It is easy to find in stores to try on, which is useful if you want to confirm fit before buying.

Where lifting is the smaller part of your session, a cross-trainer such as the Reebok Nano X5 is the more sensible choice. It has a flat, firm heel that handles moderate loads and is far more comfortable for everything that is not a barbell.

Price and value

The Fastlift 360 is priced as a specialist shoe, in the same general range as other lifting shoes. What the money buys is a lifting heel and a flexible forefoot in one light shoe.

The value case is strongest if it replaces a second pair. Many people carry a lifter and a trainer, and one shoe that handles the squats and the conditioning saves money and hassle. The case is weaker if you only lift, because you would be paying for flexibility you will not use. Match the purchase to how you actually train.

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Final verdict

Best for: CrossFit and hybrid training, non-specialist Olympic lifting and anyone who has avoided lifting shoes because of the weight.

Avoid if: you only squat heavy, you want a solid unyielding heel or you have broad feet.

Fit: true to size, snug in a standard D width, with laces and a single midfoot strap; check UK versus US sizing.

Verdict: The Fastlift 360 is a useful all-in-one shoe for training that does not fit in one box. It pairs a raised lifting heel with a flexible forefoot at a low weight, and the trade-off is a snug fit and a heel that is not quite as unyielding as a dedicated lifter. Check the latest price.

Frequently Asked Questions for Inov-8 Fastlift 360