6 Best La Sportiva Trail Running Shoes in 2022

If you love to run on technical terrains, La Sportiva trail running shoes deserve a strong recommendation for their high-precision design. Although this brand sacrifices a little on the “high cushion” department unlike other brands like Hoka One One or Altra, if you look for more precise and confident traction, this is a reliable shoe on the trails.
La Sportiva offers a relatively wider range of trail running shoes with more emphasis on durability and grippy traction. We compile 20+ trail running shoes from the brand on our list and put all of them to a test.
If you’re looking to buy the best La Sportiva trail running shoe for your next race, this fantastic list is made just for you. Read on to see our selection of the best pairs in five different categories.
Overview of this guide
How we test trail running shoes
We don’t decide which shoe makes the cut by random. We take things seriously and get down to the nitty-gritties of each model of trail running shoe before we pick the best among them. A shoe testing facility is set up just for our series of comprehensive reviews to examine each shoe to the minutest details.
We adhere to the following rigorous process to make sure our choices are free from any bias:
- We buy each trail running shoe from the La Sportiva brand with our own money.
- We have a team of runners putting each model to the test by logging at least 30-50 miles. We record their actual experience to see how each shoe performs and other important factors.
- To see the hidden parts of the shoes, we go to our lab and cut each of them into pieces. We proceed to measure their parts and every aspect of the shoe including cushioning, breathability, waterproof system, and many others.
- We gather additional data from experts and reviews from regular trail runners.
Finally, to see how each model stacks up against other trail running shoes, we use the CoreScore system that reflects all the aggregated information above, ranging from 0 to 100 assigned to each shoe.
Best La Sportiva trail running shoes overall
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its user ratings because it has fewer than 50 ratings. It also has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few ratings unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 21% in trail running shoes
- Top 22% in neutral running shoes
- Top 16% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Grippy on wet, dry, and loose trails
- Lighter than the Akasha I
- No slips on uneven terrains
- Lively ride
- Mutes out impact
- Excellent heel hold
- Tongue stays in place
- Roomy toe box
- Protective toe bumper
- Sustainable upper
- Also for hiking
Cons
- Not for fast runs
- Lacks breathability
Verdict
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn morePros
- Protective
- Stable
- Responsive
- Balanced cushioning
- Grippy outsole
- Supportive upper
- Excellent traction
- Snug and secure fit
- Durable
- Well-cushioned
- Heel comfort
Cons
- Thick upper
- Non-gusseted tongue
- Tapered toe box
Verdict
Best La Sportiva neutral trail running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 22% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Very plush
- Solid comfort
- Stable
- Grippy
- Durable
- Secure lockdown
- Feels fast
- Breathable
Cons
- Narrow fit
- Not flashy or modern looking
- Break-in period needed
Verdict
Best La Sportiva trail neutral pronation running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 24% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Reliable traction
- Comfortable fit
- Cushioned and protective
- Breathable
- Stable
- Spacious toe room
Cons
- Stiff
- Not for cold weather
Verdict
Best value La Sportiva trail running shoes
Out of stock in all 55 shops
La Sportiva la sportiva trail running shoesCorescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its user ratings because it has fewer than 50 ratings. It also has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few ratings unjustly receives high scores.
Learn morePros
- Lightweight
- Fits like a glove
- Grippy on steep uphills
- Excellent adjustable fit
- No heel slippage issues
Cons
- Difficult to put on
- Not for downhills
Verdict
Most popular La Sportiva trail running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its user ratings because it has fewer than 50 ratings. This is to avoid that shoes with few ratings unjustly receives high scores.
Learn morePros
- Multisurface traction
- Secure midfoot fit
- Great lockdown
- Protective midsole
- Excellent heel hold
- Supportive
- Painless
- Light
Cons
- Stiff ride
- Not breathable
Verdict
What are the most popular La Sportiva trail running shoes in 2022?
- La Sportiva Mutant
- La Sportiva Ultra Raptor
- La Sportiva Akasha II
- La Sportiva Jackal
- La Sportiva Karacal
- La Sportiva Bushido II
- La Sportiva Kaptiva
- La Sportiva Akyra
- La Sportiva Cyklon
- La Sportiva Lycan GTX
- La Sportiva Wildcat 2.0 GTX
- La Sportiva VK
- La Sportiva Lycan 2.0
See all La Sportiva trail running shoes sorted by popularity
What are the cheapest La Sportiva trail running shoes in 2022?
- La Sportiva Ultra Raptor - from $91
- La Sportiva Bushido II - from $92
- La Sportiva VK - from $94
- La Sportiva Kaptiva - from $98
- La Sportiva Lycan 2.0 - from $100
- La Sportiva Jackal - from $105
- La Sportiva Akyra - from $113
- La Sportiva Karacal - from $130
- La Sportiva Mutant - from $135
- La Sportiva Lycan GTX - from $140
- La Sportiva Akasha II - from $150
- La Sportiva Wildcat 2.0 GTX - from $155
- La Sportiva Cyklon - from $160
See all La Sportiva trail running shoes sorted by lowest price