The La Sportiva Prodigio. All images: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

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 every day, regardless of the terrain.

I’ve at all times been a fan of all-around path footwear that provide door-to-trail runability with out sacrificing safety or path traction. Regardless of path operating’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 every day runs on much less inspiring terrain.

My historical past with La Sportiva footwear is that they excel on the type of terrain that populates my Instagram reels because the fashions normally have a glove-like match and unbelievable traction. Nonetheless, on the subject of operating 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.

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La Sportiva Prodigio Higher

A lateral view of the La Sportiva Prodigio.

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 will even make the most of an excessive amount of materials, notably across the ankle collar, to maintain according to the premium really feel of the shoe. This typically results in extreme weight, water retention, and sweaty ft.

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 challenge. The heel collar is skinny and pretty inflexible so I might see how some runners have skilled discomfort on their ankles. Maybe I’m mitigating the consequences by sporting 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 gives respectable safety for catching a toe. Total, the open mesh appears very breathable operating in excessive warmth, and the higher doesn’t retain water after creek crossings.

I really feel like the most important 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

A medial view of the La Sportiva Prodigio.

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 delicate on the identical time, particularly within the forefoot, which nonetheless options ample cushioning given the 6-millimeter heel-to-toe drop.

I’d 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 just some brief runs.

The Prodigio does have a slight rocker form and general a a lot wider footbed than what I’ve skilled prior to now with a La Sportiva shoe. The mixture of the broader platform and responsive — extra agency than delicate — 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 operating on pavement, given the delicate responsiveness of the midsole foam.

La Sportiva Prodigio Outsole

The outsole of the La Sportiva Prodigio.

The Frixion Crimson materials on the La Sportiva Prodigio outsole feels minimal and unobtrusive whereas operating on easy terrain. La Sportiva makes use of a softer and grippier rubber on the interior lugs, and the outer lugs are manufactured from 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 like that this shoe virtually has a street really feel, and the outsole doesn’t get in the best way. Nonetheless, when going up steep and free terrain, the Frixion Crimson rubber is confidence inspiring.

La Sportiva Prodigio Total Impressions

A high view of the La Sportiva Prodigio.

For my part, the La Sportiva Prodigio is palms down the most effective shoe that La Sportiva has ever made for basic all-around path operating. I believe it is a shoe that may very well be worn for path runs of any distance, and the midsole appears to be sustaining its pop and resilience.

In case you are a runner in search of a shoe that doesn’t really feel too specialised for specific terrain, I’d positively counsel attempting these out.

If you happen to’re excited by attempting 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. matches me completely on this shoe. The final consensus appears to be that the Prodigio runs a bit small, so it’s finest to strive it on if you could find a pair.

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