Bushido III GTX

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

Also a big fan! Prodigo pro for fast days, bushido 3 gtx for slush and snow. NOTE I have to wear a FULL size bigger LaSpo than what I wear in hoka/nike/saucony

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.

I’m new to using trail runners for hiking and first got the La Sportiva Bushido 3 because I heard people recommend them for narrow feet. They fit snugly and don’t give me any blisters which is awesome, but I have fairly high arches and would love a bit more cushion/arch support and a bit wider toe box. I tried the Topo Traverse recently but they weren’t quite narrow enough and started giving me blisters on my heel. For road running shoes, I have the New Balance 860, which fits me well. Any fellow narrow feet hikers have shoes that they recommend? I plan on asking the staff at REI too, but it’s helpful to get more than one opinion. Thanks!

Thanks! I have looked into adding insoles. Unfortunately the bushidos are so minimal that I can’t add much cushion without it causing the heel to no longer be secure - even the superfeet run were too thick.

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.

Oh! This is my foot! I have a pretty narrow mid foot as well though. I love La Sportiva, Bushido III for technical distances under 10-15ish miles and Prodigio Pros for longer stuff. The only downside to them are the laces are absurdly short. I also have some Mount to Coast T1s but you can’t do a heel lock on them. I love everything about the shoe otherwise.