Bushido III GTX

La Sportiva Bushido III GTX Light and provide great grip in various conditions.

https://www.rei.com/product/234656/la-sportiva-bushido-iii-gtx-trail-running-shoes-mens?sku=2346560005&store=38&CAWELAID=120217890018956084&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=110260850545&CATCI=pla-908557076159&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_2346560005%7C908557076159%7Cbrand_flag%7C11306320442&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11306320442&gbraid=0AAAAAD_DTlyy2wE2ptgWq01jz1jHAzBYs&gclid=Cj0KCQiAq7HIBhDoARIsAOATDxCizmFMoK8Bl52bbn347b6b005ToU5gUstAWdZJfsfemKtu5ZEkgkUaAr5YEALw_wcB I love these. Very comfy and has lasted a little more than one season so far. I play a 2-5 rounds per week.

YES. but. The new version the IIIs are falling apart waaaaayyyy sooner. I have holes in the sides after 100 miles, vs 2-300.

I only use boots if I need crampons. Scree, talus, bouldering is sooooo much better with the right trail runners. They are stickier and give you better feel for the rock. You are more nimble and quick to react. I’ve done thru hikes and off trail high routes in trail runners. I sometimes use running gaitors. The only real protection boots give is if shifting rocks hit your ankles. They don’t prevent you from rolling an ankle. I like La Sportiva Bushidos, which have a relatively stiff sole and a good rock plate. Not all trail runners have a rock plate.

If you're only hiking a handful of times a year, and your current boots get the job done, I'd say stick with what you got. Hard to say it's worth the money for you. The main benefits of trail runners are lightness and ventilation. My non gtx runners can be submerged in a river and be mostly dry in minutes. I believe your boots are already pretty light, so I don't think you'll notice much difference in terms of weight unless you're really pushing long distances. Even then, I personally don't notice a huge difference between my la sportiva bushido 3 shoes and ultra raptor 2 boots. I think there's a 3-4 oz difference on each foot, and there definitely is a non zero difference, but not Earth shattering.

La Sportiva Bushido 3 for technical desert terrain. Amazing groundfeel, super toothy. The wide skirt at the back really helps with slippage.

I also had the Bushido IIIs and the outsoles were falling apart in less than a year.

I need shoes more for very fast hiking and mountain running. I have narrow feet. If I had to choose, I'd prefer stability and security at the expense of a little less comfort. The terrain is rather wet, with some rocks, grass, and also various wild terrains. I don't want GTX, so it would be nice if they dried quickly. I previously had La Sportiva Bushido 3 and was very happy with them, but they weren't very durable, so maybe there's something similar, but with a slightly longer lifespan. La Sportiva Mutant, Akasha 2 or something else? Thanks

The soles on my Bushido III lasted 3 months.

The soles on my Bushido III lasted 3 months. I don't know what their durability is supposed to be. Besides, the material is like curtains, so it doesn't look well for durability.