La Sportiva Prodigio Evaluate – iRunFar

The La Sportiva Prodigio ($155) has been a shock and an absolute pleasure to check these final a number of months. With a extra accommodating forefoot match and mix of premium cushion, I discovered myself reaching for these footwear each day, regardless of the terrain.

I’ve at all times been a fan of all-around path footwear that supply door-to-trail runability with out sacrificing safety or path traction. Regardless of path working’s digital actuality of days spent prancing round on off-camber talus slopes and boulder-hopping above treeline, most of us within the 8 a.m. to five p.m. working world spend most of our each day runs on much less inspiring terrain.

My historical past with La Sportiva footwear is that they excel on the form of terrain that populates my Instagram reels because the fashions often have a glove-like match and unimaginable traction. Nevertheless, relating to working longer distances on much less technical terrain, I’ve by no means opted for a La Sportiva mannequin … till now.

The La Sportiva Prodigio has an precise weight of 9.3 ounces (264 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9.5, which inserts extra like a 9. They declare to have a 4-millimeter drop, primarily based on heel and toe stack heights of 34 and 28 millimeters, respectively.

Store the Males’s La Sportiva ProdigioStore the Girls’s La Sportiva Prodigio

La Sportiva Prodigio Higher

La Sportiva has opted to maintain issues svelte, however structured, with the La Sportiva Prodigio higher.

I typically discover that path shoe fashions aiming to supply a excessive degree of cushioning underfoot can even make the most of an excessive amount of materials, significantly across the ankle collar, to maintain per the premium really feel of the shoe. This typically results in extreme weight, water retention, and sweaty toes.

Not so with the Prodigio. A skinny and breathable higher with a reasonably inflexible heel collar will really feel light-weight and racey to most runners. I’ve heard that some runners struggled with the heel collar rubbing on this mannequin, however I’ve not had that concern. The heel collar is skinny and pretty inflexible so I may see how some runners have skilled discomfort on their ankles. Maybe I’m mitigating the results by carrying taller socks.

There are substantial welded-on overlays all through the higher of the Prodigio, which appear very sturdy and I haven’t seen any delaminating. A welded-on toe rand offers respectable safety for catching a toe. Total, the open mesh appears very breathable working in excessive warmth, and the higher doesn’t retain water after creek crossings.

I really feel like the largest distinction between the higher on the Prodigio and each different La Sportiva shoe I’ve worn is how roomy the match of the Prodigio feels. I favor wider toeboxes, and the Prodigio positively works for me as a bunion survivor. Moreover, the Prodigio’s higher will enable for foot swelling in an extremely occasion.

La Sportiva Prodigio Midsole

La Sportiva actually created a goldilocks midsole for the La Sportiva Prodigio, utilizing their new XFlow foam. This nitrogen-infused foam is responsive whereas feeling smooth on the similar time, particularly within the forefoot, which nonetheless options ample cushioning given the 6-millimeter heel-to-toe drop.

I might evaluate the Prodigio’s cushioning really feel to being softer than a Salomon S/Lab Extremely — see our Salomon S/Lab Extremely 3 overview — and a bit extra agency than a Hoka Torrent — see our Hoka Torrent 3 overview. My preliminary feeling was that the Prodigio was going to be a bit firmer than I like in a path shoe, however issues modified after only a few brief runs.

The Prodigio does have a slight rocker form and general a a lot wider footbed than what I’ve skilled up to now with a La Sportiva shoe. The mixture of the broader platform and responsive — extra agency than smooth — cushioning does give the Prodigio some stability, regardless of its claimed 34-millimeter stack peak. This actually permits it to be a door-to-trail shoe, and I had no issues working on pavement, given the smooth responsiveness of the midsole foam.

La Sportiva Prodigio Outsole

The Frixion Pink materials on the La Sportiva Prodigio outsole feels minimal and unobtrusive whereas working on easy terrain. La Sportiva makes use of a softer and grippier rubber on the interior lugs, and the outer lugs are product of a extra sturdy rubber. All the lugs are 4 millimeters, and as per traditional for La Sportiva, it is a grippy rubber that wears down slowly.

This outsole/midsole combo positively doesn’t run like a path shoe when on pavement or dust roads. I really like that this shoe nearly has a street really feel, and the outsole doesn’t get in the way in which. Nevertheless, when going up steep and unfastened terrain, the Frixion Pink rubber is confidence inspiring.

La Sportiva Prodigio Total Impressions

For my part, the La Sportiva Prodigio is arms down the perfect shoe that La Sportiva has ever made for common all-around path working. I feel it is a shoe that could possibly be worn for path runs of any distance, and the midsole appears to be sustaining its pop and resilience.

If you’re a runner on the lookout for a shoe that doesn’t really feel too specialised for specific terrain, I might positively counsel making an attempt these out.

In case you’re fascinated about making an attempt out the Prodigio, the sizing might be tough. I sometimes put on a U.S. males’s 10.5 and 44 E.U., and a measurement 44.5 E.U. suits me completely on this shoe. The overall consensus appears to be that the Prodigio runs a bit small, so it’s greatest to strive it on if you will discover a pair.

Store the Males’s La Sportiva ProdigioStore the Girls’s La Sportiva Prodigio

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