When it comes to trail running apparel, finding clothing that performs consistently across changing conditions is just as important as choosing the right shoes. For this review, the RunUltra team were given several key pieces from the INOV8 range to put through their paces, on everything from short training runs to long days in the hills. The test lineup included the VENTURESHELL Jacket, RACEPAC 20, AIRLITE 2-in-1 Shorts and ACTIVE PRO Tights, covering a range of weather conditions and distances. Over several weeks of use, they were assessed for comfort, practicality, durability and performance to see whether these products live up to the demands of trail and ultra runners.
INOV8 Ventureshell Jacket – ANNA BUCKINGHAM
What does INOV8 say?
Venture further with the VENTURESHELL JACKET, a 3-layer waterproof hiking jacket for hardcore protection in heavy rain. Boasting a 30K HH waterproof rating, the VENTURESHELL lets you press on, even when the weather forecast says no.
The ultimate companion for fast-paced adventures, the VENTURESHELL JACKET also has a 30K MVTR breathability rating, meaning that it is highly breathable and lets moisture exit the shell. The breathability of the jacket is assisted by zip vents for when you want to cool down quick.
Cut with a hike specific fit, the VENTURESHELL is designed to be worn over base and insulating layers, while still allowing stretch and freedom of movement.
Inspired by the infamous climate of our Lake District home, the VENTURESHELL is a waterproof that can handle whatever the weather throws at you.
Spec and features
- Waterproof 3-Layer Fabric With 30K HH Rating
- Highly Breathable With 30K MVTR Rating
- Adjustable hood
- Regular Fit
- Weight – 380g
Pic from INOV8 website
What does Anna say?
I have had so many waterproof jackets fail on me, I was beginning to think a true waterproof doesn’t exist.
I had heard real mixed reviews of the lightweight sister of this jacket so I really wasn’t holding my breath that it would survive testing in what feels like the wettest months ever in Eryri.
Typically after a week of testing the jacket we had a heatwave, so testing was paused briefly. It has come back out for wave 2 of the monsoon season and honestly it now rarely leaves my hill pack.
Appearance wise, there’s not much to say. It’s a black waterproof jacket. Inoffensive and genuinely does what is says on the tin.
To me it sits comfortably in the gap between lightweight running jacket and a sturdier mountain jacket and manages not to compromise on either when put to the test. The fabric feels durable without being rigid and doesn’t sound like a plastic bag when you put it on.
I tested a size 8 which is roomy enough to put over layers, it has a longer cut than a lot of the more run specific jackets I have worn but this doesn’t compromise the packability of it. I really like the long sleeves with Velcro tightenings which are great to layer over gloves without water pooling into the gloves or mitts – which is really appreciated in more mountainous conditions, especially when wind is blowing rain into every gap it can find.
One of the first things (and my favourite feature) that struck me was the excellent hood! It goes up and stays up, and it actually covers your whole head. It can be sinched, but to be honest, it doesn’t really need those fittings. In a driving wind it stayed in place and allowed me to keep my hands free rather than having to hold the hood down over my forehead.
I have tested it extensively on dog walks and have used it run guiding in the mountains as well as some mountain rescue call outs. It is now my go to for rainy conditions where a mountaineering jacket is overkill. It performs really well in the wet and humid conditions we have been experiencing – I have managed to stay dry from both the rain and sweat.
What would I change or like to see?
A wider variety of colours! Other than that, I don’t have anything bad to say about this jacket.
For the price tag of £235 I feel this is good value for money for a sturdier jacket that you expect to wear during a race. I have paid similar amounts for lightweight race jackets that have failed on the first outing.
Where would I use this?
I think this fits perfectly in a steady mountain running day, or walking. I would definitely carry it for something like The Spine. It isn’t your super lightweight fast moving jacket but it isn’t trying to be.
After significant wearing it hasn’t yet been reproofed and in a torrential downpour yesterday walking the dog I came back dry and ready to present on Teams without frizzy wet hair.
Anna Buckingham is an ultra runner in North Wales and Centurion Running Coach. She has competed in races such as the Tor Des Geants and the Dragons Back Race. Winning The Winter Spine Race and Grand 2 Grand are some highlights and her favourite event is The OMM, where she can usually be found every October.
Anna gives this jacket 5 stars!
INOV8 Racepac 20 – Richard Bailey
INOV8 Racepac 20 in blue colourway
I am sure I am not alone in noticing that out on the trails there are often two distinct types of runners, those that are minimalist kit carriers and those that take everything including the kitchen sink.
Having had a lifetime of working in the hills and especially in all weathers I often fall into the latter category but not actually taking a kitchen sink, it just feels like it at times!
Some runners only take precautionary back up kit for races, to pass the mandatory kit check list – even then I have wondered at some kit sizes and quietly thought, “it might tick the box, but in a difficult situation the warm top that on paper did pass the kit check, in reality is not going to keep hypothermia at bay” – even in May 2026. As an aside, own up – who forgot to pop a 50p into the heating meter this year, as I write this review in the Peak District in mid-May, it’s decidedly chilly!
Running packs and belts are offered by all the top manufacturers and also some unobscured makes. As with all performance gear I would strongly advise on the maxim – buy once cry once, quality gear isn’t cheap, but when out on the trails in diminishing conditions the last thing you want is kit failure.
Big sky’s and lung blowing ascents – High Cup Nick, Cumbria
I will be absolutely clear, I was advised to go with the Montane Gecko VP 12+ when I first started getting more adventurous on my adventures and have no regrets with this choice, it has weathered and shows signs of use which to me adds to its effectiveness and reassuring quality, it’s like taking an old friend out. But there have been occasions when I have needed more space capacity and I have added an OMM belt bag too, simply because I required a little more room and I don’t like a pack that’s straining at the zips – this might indicate more on the fact that friends that I run with know that I carry kit, so they go light and I am the sherpa puffing at the back, until they are happy with my snack share when they get the hunger wobbles.
When RunUltra asked if I would like to trial the new INOV8 Racepac 20 I jumped at the chance. I have numerous kit made by INOV8 and have found it of top quality with a great pedigree of being designed by those with a real trail running knowledge, which makes their kit work when required.
Key features of the Racepac 20 include –
- 11 pockets
- 20 litres of room (in practice I could expand on this)
- Foam back panel (didn’t find this excessively sweaty)
- Multiple adjustment bungees (comfy to wear, minimal bounce)
- Soft flask and hydration bladder compatibility
- Non zippered expandable pockets for easy access of waterproof and snacks
- Pole attachments for front and rear storage (I found the rear storage ineffective)
- Sustainable, recycled materials used in its manufacture
- Weight in a medium – 342gr
- Price £90
With three attractive colourways, I went for the blue, but light green and black are also available, all look great and will soon get covered in waves of sweat salt anyway, so colour was no real deal breaker in the great scheme of things for me.
The inner mesh material of the pack was comfortable in use
I found the front soft flask pouches deeper and more generous than the Montane, advertised as each holding 500ml flasks, I am sure you could go with bigger flasks if required. The rear hydration bladder area is very well designed, with a Velcro strap to hold the bladder in position and some great open-ended flaps to thread the drinking tubes through to prevent them flapping around like a comedy rubber snake and hitting you in the face on fast descents. If your choice was to use a hydration bladder, the soft flask pouches would easily hold waterproof top and bottoms for easy access if required.
The zippers all have a great pull tag on them pre-installed; I needed to add these onto my Montane pack to aid operation when winter running and fingertips have refused to work properly due to the cold. One concern is that the main rear compartment has a zip running vertically in orientation, I had no issues with this, but I have a, probably unrealistic, feeling that the zip might unzip and end up spilling the pack contents out on the trails – totally irrational, I am sure.
Great zipper pulls, suitable for cold fingers
The internal bungee configuration is quite ingenious to allow cinching up of the pack when a full load of kit isn’t required – I completed a great run up and around High Cup Nick in Cumbria, with only around 10 litres in this pack and thanks to the cinching, bounce or content movement wasn’t an issue, the pack was extremely comfortable in use.
Adjustable bungee for a “no-bounce” cinch
Now I have already alluded that my main “go to” pack is a Montane Gecko, I have used it extensively in many training sessions and races, and I, like everyone else I suspect who runs with a pack, instinctively knows exactly where everything is on that pack. But with the INOV8 and a different front pocket layout design, I found some frustration when the zippered pocket on the front is located on the right-hand side and not an option of the left – this is my usual area of choice for small power bank charger, emergency Kendal Mint Cake supplies and mobile phone in my Montane. I know with time I would adjust to a different kit storage position with the INOV8 pack, but I suppose it emphasises that you need to carefully consider what and where you need to carry equipment, simply so that you don’t have to remove your pack and spill all the contents out when looking for your stash of rescue jelly babies or map.
In the key features bullet points I highlighted that the poles could be attached at the rear of the pack, in a horizontal orientation. I found this impossible simply because, whilst the loops are made from a stretchy fabric, in practice they didn’t stretch enough to fit my poles into them – I would have preferred an elastic bungee and toggle set up. If I take my poles, I generally prefer them up front alongside my soft flasks, there is a top toggle set up, but again the lower pole keeper is just a loop of stretchy material again – my preference would be bungee and toggle for both.
I found the rear pole loops too tight to easily deploy and store my poles in
So, we come to my overall thoughts on the INOV8 Racepac 20. The front pocket configuration niggled me a little, but that’s only because I am used to a different set up of familiarity with my kit – remember all of us that passed our driving tests with a manual gear shift car, then bought automatics, then jumped back into a manual again – it just takes a bit of a mindset juggle, but in reality is no deal breaker.
I love the available room in this pack if needed but equally can run with it half full and cinch everything down with minimal pack bounce. I have heard that the sizing is described as on the generous dimensions, I am a medium with the Montane pack and find it a little snug at times when fully loaded, the INOV8 in a size medium has a little more room and is better sized for me – but as with all clothing items try before buying or make use of any return policy from suppliers – petite sized lady athletes might find a size small a little roomy, with no option of an extra small?
Weight wise I though both bags I have were comparable in weight, but after getting them on the kitchen scales the Montane in a medium (12 + ltr) is 285gr and the INOV8 in a medium (20 ltr) weighs 342gr – again no deal breaker for me, unless you are a competitive runner that might consider removing insoles from shoes and replacing thick laces for thin, in a bid to get the weight down for a podium victory – not sure that Jack Scott did this or found an issue when he sailed to his amazing victory on the 2024 Spine Race using this very same pack – don’t think you need a finer pedigree to highlight that this is a custom pack well up for the job its designed for.
For longer days or harsher conditions when space is needed to carry more kit, hydration and food securely and with confidence that straps aren’t going to fail, I would certainly recommend this pack – now I just need to decide on a longer trail race to really test it’s and more importantly my capabilities…
Scoring
- Design – 8 out of 10
- Features – 8 out of 10
- Performance – 10 out of 10
- Value – 9 out of 10
About Richard: Working in the moorland and rural sector has always kept me fit, but structured training opened the door to more competitive trail running. After a series of Peak District trail races, I progressed to the ultra distance, finishing second in the V50 category at the September Lap 2025. December 2025 brought a significant step up in physical demands with the Scott Cheviot Goat, thankfully, years spent working in exposed upland landscapes proved every bit as valuable as the miles in my legs. Now competing in the V55 category, I’m looking ahead to the next challenge.
INOV8 ACTIVE PRO TIGHT – Megan James
The INOV8 ACTIVE PRO Tight Women’s is unapologetically built for winter. Designed with Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro fabric panels, these tights are aimed squarely at runners heading out in grim conditions where warmth and weather protection matter more than shaving grams. I tested the women’s UK 6/XXS during long ultra training runs for the Northern Traverse, as well as hiking days in snowy Scottish conditions, and there’s no doubt these are among the most heavy-duty running tights I’ve worn.
Technical Features
INOV8 uses Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro waterproof fabric panels across the thighs and hamstrings, offering 20k water resistant and 20k breathability fabric. The tights also include two zero-bounce hip pockets and pole/jacket carry loops, both useful additions for long trail days or multiday events. Weight is listed at 240g, with a main fabric of 75% recycled polyester and contrast fabric of 100% polyester.
Fit
Straight out of the box, the fit felt impressively tailored. Despite my shorter legs, there wasn’t excess fabric bunching around the ankles, which is often a problem with winter tights. Taller runners may find they come up slightly short though. Once on, the tights provided a snug, close-to-body fit that felt secure and warm without restricting movement.
However, getting them on was surprisingly difficult. The stitching around the waistband has very little stretch and, with no waist zip to help entry, pulling them over the hips felt like a worse that getting into a wetsuit. It almost felt as though the seams might split while getting dressed on first wearing (although not so much after that once the stitching had already stretched). I suspect this is more of a design oversight than intentional compression.
Unfortunately, during longer runs I also experienced some sagging around the crotch and the waistband slipping down slightly — a common frustration with many running tights for me, but disappointing for such a technical tight.
Performance
These tights really come into their own in cold, wet weather. The brushed lower-leg fabric feels thick and insulating, making them ideal for snow, icy trails and harsh winter conditions. During testing in rain and sleet, water beaded impressively well on the outer fabric. They’re not fully waterproof tights that would pass a kit check, but they definitely keep you drier for longer than most standard running leggings.
That said, once they eventually became saturated in prolonged heavy rain, they held a lot of water and noticeably increased in weight. In truly awful weather, you’ll still want waterproof overtrousers ready before they fully wet out.
The lack of ankle zips is another downside for ultra runners. Mid-race sock changes become awkward unless taking off the trousers which is not ideal at check points. Zipped ankles remain one of those features I wish more brands would use for long-distance use, and are featured on other INOV8 tight models.
Verdict
The ACTIVE PRO Tight excels as a true winter running tight for harsh mountain days, freezing temperatures and miserable weather. Warm, protective and sleek-looking, they’re ideal for runners who prioritise weather resistance over lightweight running feel. The awkward entry, lack of ankle zips and tendency to sag slightly during longer outings stop them short of being the perfect tight for me, but for cold-weather ultra training they remain a strong option.
Megan James is a lake district based ultra distance runner and England Athletics qualified fell run leader. Running for local club Eden Runners she spends her time competing in local fell races as well as numerous ultras including Dragons Back, Cape Wrath and Arc of Attrition. Most recently becoming the 6th lady to complete the Lake, Meres and Water challenge she likes nothing more than a big adventure with friends out in the mountains.
INOV8 Women’s AIRLITE 2-in-1 Shorts – Faye Johnson
Introduction
I have been testing the INOV8 Women’s AIRLITE 2-in-1 Shorts over the past few weeks, putting them through their paces in a variety of conditions. I’ve used them extensively for my day-to-day training, but the real proving grounds were during a 50km trail ultra and a 25km mountain race. Finding the perfect shorts for long distances can be a challenge, so I was keen to see if these could go the distance.
Features
- 2-in-1 Design: Integrated inner liner to prevent chafing and provide extra support.
- Performance Fabric: Lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying polyester to keep you cool.
- Slim Fit: Fits comfortably without restricting freedom of movement.
- Rear Storage: Back pocket with a zipper for essentials.
- Visibility: Reflective details for better visibility in low light.
- Length: 3-inch inseam (approx. 7.5 cm).
Review
When I put these on, the first thing I noticed is that they are true to size and just fit well. They are proportioned really well and fit comfortably everywhere, from the wide waistband to the under short, which is exactly what you want before toeing the start line of an ultra. While INOV8 highlights the slim fit and breathable fabric, the real test is always out on the trails.
One of my biggest pet peeves with 2-in-1 shorts is the liner riding up. Happily, the inner short on the AIRLITEs stays perfectly put, no matter the terrain or pace. Even during the steep, aggressive climbs of my 25km mountain race, there was absolutely no annoying bunching.
The storage on these shorts is a massive standout. The brand mentions the back zip pocket is good for “keys or gel,” but I actually found it to be brilliantly large! It’s impressively roomy—big enough to stash a phone, a small windproof jacket, or/and my sunglasses. Additionally, the leg pocket on the inner short is incredibly practical and became my ideal, easy-access spot for food, fuel, or my phone during the 50km ultra.
PROS:
- Exceptional Storage: The surprisingly large back zip pocket and the highly practical inner leg pocket give you massive carrying capacity for long runs.
- Perfect Fit: True to size, well-proportioned, and exceptionally comfortable.
- No Riding Up: The inner short stays firmly put, eliminating chafing entirely.
CONS:
- Length: At a 3-inch length, runners who prefer a slightly longer short for coverage might find these a bit short.
Conclusion
These are absolutely my “go-to” shorts now, particularly for longer runs and races. The combination of chafe-free comfort, reliable fit, and unbeatable storage makes them a top-tier choice for trail and ultra runners. I rate these really highly and will undoubtedly be relying on them for all my upcoming long-distance events.
Other products to try plus a price comparison
If you are weighing up your options for 2-in-1 trail running shorts, here is how the INOV8s stack up against the market:
- Salomon Sense Aero Stow 4 Inch Women’s Shorts (£74.99 RRP): A slightly longer, premium alternative with excellent 360-degree stow options.
- INOV8 Women’s AIRLITE 2 in 1 Shorts (£64.99 RRP): The shorts reviewed here.
- Under Armour Velociti Pro Women’s 4″ 2-in-1 Shorts (£50.00 RRP): A solid mid-range option with a slightly longer inseam.
- Kiprun (Decathlon) Run 900 Ultra 2 in 1 Shorts (£34.99 RRP): A great budget-friendly alternative with built-in carrying capacity.
The Company’s Sustainability Stance
For the eco-conscious runner, INOV8 takes its environmental impact very seriously. They have formally measured their full carbon footprint (including all supply chain impacts) and set ambitious carbon reduction targets. Notably, they have launched RENOV8, a circularity project focused on repairing and reselling clothing and equipment to give gear a second life and keep it out of landfills. They have also begun recycling end-of-life shoes, highlighting a strong, ongoing commitment to becoming a more sustainable, circular business.
Scores:
- Design: 10/10
- Features: 10/10
- Performance: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Faye gives these shorts 5 stars!
About the author: Faye Johnson is an experienced running coach in the realms of both road and trail running, and a competitive athlete having raced over multiple distances in the UK and abroad. Faye is a coach with our partner Maximum Mileage Coaching.
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Photos courtesy of INOV8 or the reviewer’s own.
