7 Best La Sportiva Trail Running Shoes in 2023
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us.
Why trust us
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 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.
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
La Sportiva Akasha II
91
Superb!
What makes it the best?
The Akasha II is a trail running shoe from La Sportiva that lives and breathes ultras. Taking protection up a notch, it can tackle just about any mountain terrain that is demanding and unpredictable. Even better, it's a much-improved ride from the first version, delivering a livelier, more responsive performance that's plenty enjoyable.
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
Today's best price
Men
Women
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$175
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$175
Backcountry
Free shipping
$175
REI
Free shipping
$175
Outland USA
Free shipping
$175
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$175
Best La Sportiva trail running shoes with wide toebox
La Sportiva Cyklon
87
Great!
What makes it the best?
Almost like a hybrid between hiking boots and trail shoes, the La Sportiva Cyklon is a "step-up" from its popular sibling — Mutant. It's designed to tackle mid to long-distance runs in the mountains and is also suitable for fast-paced hiking or speed walking in highly technical terrain. If you're expecting a fast, nimble trail shoe, that's NOT the Cyklon. It's anything but speed-inspiring.
Pros
- Multisurface traction
- Secure midfoot fit
- Great lockdown
- Protective midsole
- Excellent heel hold
- Supportive
- Painless
- Light
Cons
- Stiff ride
- Not breathable
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Backcountry
Free shipping
$139
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$185
Outland USA
Free shipping
$185
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$185
La Sportiva trail running shoes with best cushioning
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II
87
Great!
What makes it the best?
The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor comes back with the second edition and it’s as great as the first one. It’s not light for sure, but it’s actually much more than just a trail running shoe, as its huge amount of protection, stability, and traction make it a fantastic option for any terrain and any day out in the mountains.
Pros
- All about protection
- Superlative grip
- Excellent comfort
- Great for long days
- Very stable
- Durability is above average
- Doubles as a hiking shoe
Cons
- Definitely heavy
- Warm in summer
- Quite rigid
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Backcountry
Free shipping
$93
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$98
Outland USA
Free shipping
$155
REI
Free shipping
$165
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$165
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$195
Best La Sportiva trail running shoes for long distance
La Sportiva Karacal
85
Good!
What makes it the best?
A training sibling to the race-oriented La Sportiva Jackal, the La Sportiva Karacal is crafted for long days in the trails and mountains. Its intended purpose is to stabilize and keep your feet comfortable in ultrarunning endeavors, and the Karacal does just that. However, if you're looking for a trail shoe that's a top choice for winter days, this is not it.
Pros
- Reliable traction
- Comfortable fit
- Cushioned and protective
- Breathable
- Stable
- Spacious toe room
Cons
- Stiff
- Not for cold weather
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Free shipping
$97
REI
Free shipping
$115
Backcountry
Free shipping
$117
Outland USA
Free shipping
$145
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$155
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$155
Best La Sportiva trail supination running shoes
La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX
83
Good!
What makes it the best?
If you're constantly struggling to get through those long treadmill sessions during winter, meet your new best friend—the Cyklon Cross GTX. Its top-tier weatherproofing, solid lockdown and aggressive grip are the stuff winter dreams are made of. This snowmobile of a shoe takes you as deep into the trails as you please, without having to worry about nasty falls and frostbitten feet.
Pros
- Keeps feet winter- and water-ready
- Easy-to-use lacing system
- Offers a precise lockdown
- Immaculate grip
- Accommodates crampons
- Comfortable upper
- Provides slight ankle support
- Good ground feel while remaining protective
- Ideal for mid- to long-distance trail runs
- Incredibly durable
- Cushioning does not harden in the cold
Cons
- Quite a narrow toe box
- Gaiter needs some getting used to
- Lacks responsiveness
- Expensive
Today's best price
Men
Women
Backcountry
Free shipping
$184
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$245
Zappos
Running Warehouse
Best value La Sportiva trail running shoes
La Sportiva Mutant
88
Great!
What makes it the best?
The La Sportiva Mutant is an aggressive trail running shoe that’s versatile and stable. It’s ideal for off-road trails, racing and mountain running. With the stability, protection and impressive grip of this shoe, this shoe will not disappoint even if used in different types of terrain.
Pros
- Very grippy
- Sturdy construction
- Protective
- Stable
- Snug fit
- Breathable
- Quick and easy lockdown
Cons
- Stiff
- Narrow up front
- Expensive
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Backcountry
Free shipping
$86
Amazon
Free shipping
$96
REI
Free shipping
$115
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$124
Outland USA
Free shipping
$155
Most popular La Sportiva trail running shoes
La Sportiva Wildcat 2.0 GTX
80
Good!
What makes it the most popular?
The La Sportiva Wildcat 2.0 GTX is a waterproof trail running shoe that is very reliable when used on snowy surfaces. The updated version provides enhanced stability, cushioning, and comfort. It is a great partner for daily running activities. Given the positive and negative comments from the users, the Wildcat 2.0 GTX still needs a few improvements.
Pros
- Excellent adaptability
- Sturdy
- Grips on snowy terrains
- Waterproof
Cons
- Narrow
- Inefficient underfoot cushioning
- High-end price
- Heavy
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Backcountry
Free shipping
$132
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$155
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$175
REI
Free shipping
$175
Outland USA
Free shipping
$175
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$175
Comparison of the 7 best La Sportiva trail running shoes
+ + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best | ||||||||
| CoreScore | ||||||||
| Users rating | ||||||||
| Experts | ||||||||
| Best price | ||||||||
| Ranking | ||||||||
| Popularity | ||||||||
| # of colorways |
