La Sportiva - Prodigio Max

LS Prodigio should fit the bill for you. Light shoe, fun, great outsole and nimble enough for techy stuff. If your mud is heavy clay you'll struggle to find a shoe that deals with it well, though - clay is impossible.

Bushidos are a good choice. It might take you a bit of time to get used to the lower stack height if you're used to a more maximal shoe. Consider the Prodigio. More cushion, but not enough to get in the way or lose precision. Outsole is a combo of Frixion Red and Megagrip so it's nice and sticky.

Try the La Sportiva Prodigio. It's a new model this year aimed at ultra runners. Wider/higher volume forefoot, a bit more cushion, but still the same great grippy outsole that you'd expect from LS.

La Sportiva Prodigio. Enough cushion for ultra distances, comfy, responsive midsole with good energy return, grippy outsole, and low enough stack height that you retain groundfeel and proprioception. They're a great shoe for technical stuff.

LS Prodigio, Merrell Agility Peak and Topo MTN Racer as my go-tos. LS Bushido for techy shorter stuff. Saucony Peregrine ST for mud. Old pair of Cascadias with screws for the snow and ice.

There are two potential problems with high stack shoes when it comes to lateral stability. First, they're just higher off the ground, so even though they typically have a wide base, it still affects stability since you're essentially on a platform above the ground. The second and potentially more important thing is that the thick layer of foam drastically reduces proprioception. If you can't feel what's under your feet, your brain can't react to it quickly enough and your body is more likely to become unbalanced = twisty ankles. Your proprioception in high stack shoes is trainable as you get used to the shoes, but in my case and I think for many other people, it'll never be as good in a high stack shoe as it will in a more moderate one. You could consider the LS Prodigio. Good cushioning, but they still feel close to the ground and precise.

The newer ones, the Prodigio line, are definitely roomier than the older models. I would never have been able to be comfortable in LaSpo ten years ago, but now I have three pairs and I love them. Definitely size up at least a half size from your usual though.

Came here to say this, obvious choice for OP as long as the price is within their range. The Prodigio Max is also slated to come out later this year and it's even more cushy.

I actually find that making sure you have a good fit around ankle and midfoot does more to 'save your toes', especially where moving forward downhill is an issue. For example, I recently discounted the Nnormal Tomir due to excessive forward slip, even when trying on. I've never experienced excessive 'swelling' in the forefoot per se either. Does it actually happen to you? My only consideration in forefoot is width to splay, and then a thumbs width gap at the end of the toes. I do have a slim ankle/midfoot so getting a shoe that doesn't move around has been difficult at times, as I always need mine to feel more like a running shoe than a specific 'ultra' shoe. The best one recently is the Salomon Genesis, as well as the La Sportiva Prodigio. Proper locked in feel at the back, comfy in the front.

Given your experience with Salomon and Brooks combined with the desire for stability: Try Salomon Genesis or Brooks Catamount 3. The Genesis is one of Salomon's most stable trail running shoe I've had, while the Brooks Catamount runs incredibly well and stable on moderate trails. The Genesis is softer and has better grip, while the Catamount is more responsive. Horses for courses, really. Since you also have La Sportivas: I can recommend looking at the Prodigio, which is a well rounded shoe that I like picking up for versatility in terrain that is mixed.

Bought a pair a month ago, my first La Sportivas.  Tried them in the store and fell in love.  Had them for 2 weeks and liked them so much I ran Chuckanut 50k in them after only a few short runs.  It was a muddy shit show and the shoes were great. No idea how they perform in the desert, and no idea about longevity, but so far I love this shoe.  I come from topos and altras, and usually have trouble with fit.  Everyone says half size up, but I tried both and stayed true to size.  YMMV.

I ran in the Pro's today, just an easy 5k to test them out and I did get the same size as my reg Prodigos annnnd I need to exchange them for half a size up. They seemed fine when I put them on but once I started running they def squeeze my toes in a bit too much and I felt sore on the base of my foot afterwards. That is just my personal experience, you may have a different experience due to foot shape, etc.

I used the La Sportiva Prodigio when I had a carry-on only trip last summer. Worked in mud and didn't wear out too much on pavement either!

Or the Prodigeo is excellent too

Colorado trail/mountain runner here. I would prioritize what you think would be most suitable for your running and backpacking adventures. The truth is most trail running outsoles will perform adequately on class 3 scrambling. Some outsoles are better than others (Vibram, VJ shoes, La Sportiva). I would avoid really max cushion shoes if you’re really worried about scrambling performance. If you like La Sportiva, def give their Prodigio a look, that’s more of their mountain running shoe some cushion for backpacking

La Sportiva Prodigio 👌

Rocking these as well but really not a fan! Not burly enough for tech terrain and not very fun for rolling forest trails. Love my genesis but missing that forest shoe

asphalt and mud? both end of the range... why not buy 2 pairs (cheaper ons maybe or from last years collection - who cares about the color?) I would guess that a pair specialized on dry ground with 3-3.5mm profil could be at half price better for your need than an expensive one that wants to fitt every condition at once. than ad another pair for wet and muddy condition maybe with less bumber/thinner sole (sorry but english is not my fav language) I have asics cumulus for asphalt <-- number 24 or 25 should be cheap already La sportive prodigio for dry conditions adidas soulstride flow gtx for wet conditions <-- have been very cheap on sale so maybe there is n o need for the newest hightech one fits all at the crazies coloring if you choose them wisely for different usecases. your daily runner should be your best shoe. all my shoes also work on asphalt. I also have Salomon sensride 5 with Currex Run Pro insoles, but after a lot of streching and more knowlage i think they are one number too small and I only wear em when i am not running know. They also fit all conditions for me.

I would really only recommend boots if you are going to encounter a lot of snow, or if ankle support is critical for you. I have done lots of hiking in boots and trail runners and can say I have had way less issues with trail runners. They are much lighter which makes a big difference on long days. Regarding a specific shoe, would recommend La Sportiva Prodigio personally. Pretty universal fit, good amount of cushion, and they are very durable. I have also tried various Altra shoes before, which are maybe a fraction more comfortable, but they have gotten shredded to bits in terrain where the sportivas remain like new.

My regular prodigios have been wearing very quickly on the rocks in the Vegas desert. The outsole is smooth at the forefoot after 100 miles.

La Sportiva Prodigio do have wide toe boxes. They are a delight to walk but after more than 2000km the soles are really getting thinner 😢🤣 When raining I use them without the inner soles but with waterproof socks by Dexter. Now getting colder it put some wool socks first and then the waterproof Dexter socks.

Look at the Prodigio line of shoes of la Sportiva. Their toe boxes are wider than most and they have a good tight fit for your heels. You can use a runners knot but I don’t that because of their well fitting.

Since a few weeks I have the Prodigio of La Sportiva. They are a delight to walk. Very light weight with a mesh upper, so you can feel the wind blowing over your feet 🤣 Can’t recommend enough. Read that La Sportiva is working on another model of the Prodigio.

I might buy another pair of shoes by La Sportiva for the winter though 🤣

I have done 30k of a mix of off trail and on with scrambling with 4k ft gain and >7k ft decent in a day on them and they seemed to do fine. That was mostly more hiking speed other than some jogging when I could. I could’ve been more comfortable at the end of the day but then again I loved the stability when I was in the scrambling parts. If I did that again, that would be the shoe I chose again. I am seriously considering them for a 28k mountain running race in the fall that has almost 8k ft of vert because of how technical the trail gets. I may also look at La Sportiva Prodigio Pro for that race because I like the normal Prodigio for longer runs (but not technical or too steep because of the upper). Normally if I doing those types of distances, I am doing more hiking than running, so the Bushidos seem great for that. The race will be a long one for me. If I was running that long, I may want something with more cushion, but I am old now! 🤣 I feel like for hiking, the Bushidos would still be my go to for now.

They are wider and have more room so they feel a little bigger. Not as snug as Bushidos (I have same size in both). That seems to be a good thing for longer runs though. I have a narrow foot so La Sportiva works well for me. They are also pretty light and well padded - run great. The only downside I see is the uppers are kind of hard plastic and it digs into my ankles on steeper grades. Love them for longer runs as long as the grade is not too steep because of that. I am looking into the Prodigio Pros for that one reason - the uppers look different. Hope that helps!

Yes, Salomon and La Sportiva fit narrow feet better than many other popular brands. I recommend La Sportiva Prodigio or Salomon Genesis if you want a bit more cushion.

Salomon S/lab Genesis is my choice for ultra long distances. I like La Sportiva Prodigio and Prodigio Pro too.

A lot of people recommend highly cushioned shoes like Hoka Speedgoat or Nike Zegama, but in my opinion if you want to improve your technique and agility when running on technical mountain terrain you should learn to run in moderately cushioned shoes because they provide a better degree control and feedback. Also you are much less likely to twist ankle or have other injuries when you are lower to the ground and better feel the terrain. My current favorites are NNormal Kjerag and Salomon S/lab Ultra 3. If you need a bit more cushion - La Sportiva Prodigio or Salomon Genesis. And if you need to go on a very rough mountain terrain - La Sportiva Mutant.

I don't think there is a shoe that is comfortable for long runs and stable on a technical terrain at the same time. You have to sacrifice one thing or another. When the stack is increased for comfort, that inevitably makes the shoe higher off the ground and therefore inherently less stable. I wore a lot of similar shoes to the ones in your rotation. Recently I have been moving away from Hoka. I have a very large number of shoes in rotation, but if I pick shoes that I gravitate towards the most, currently it would be the following 3 shoes: 1) NNormal Kjerag - very natural, stable, and has a great ground feel. I can wear it for up to 50k if it isn't too rocky. My first pair has about 320 miles and it still feels great and the outsole still shows not that much wear. Normally I wear shoes for up to 300 miles, but this one definitely has a lot of mileage remaining. My second pair of Kjerag has 60 miles. 2) Salomon S/lab Genesis is my unicorn shoe for longer ultras of up to 100M or shorter runs on gnarly mountain terrain. It fits me extremely well, like a sock with no hotspots. Even though it isn't the most cushioned shoe, it seems to work really well for longer distances. And while it isn't the best shoe for really technical terrain, it can handle it decently well. I like this shoe so much that I bought 4 pairs in the last 2 years. 3) La Sportiva Prodigio is a great choice in between the two above choices. It can handle technician terrain better than Genesis but it isn't as comfortable. It is stiff when new but softens considerably after the first 30-40 miles. The foot lockdown is excellent. I have two pairs of Prodigio and am looking forward to trying a new Prodigio Pro, which should be a more direct competition to S/lab Genesis.

As others said these are two very different shoes. Bushido is low stack and narrow, but good for really technical terrain, including scrambling. Prodigio Pro is much higher stack and more unstable because of that, and much wider, to the point that it is too wide for me. The ride is nice and energetic, however I think it is best used on runnable terrain. I really enjoyed running rocky dirt roads in it where it swallowed rocks very nicely. I'd have to be far more cautious running in Bushidos on the same terrain. I also really like regular Prodigio, that is perhaps closer to Bushido than Prodigio Pro, and it fits me a bit better.

Prodigio is a good balance of cushion and responsiveness, and stability. I like them overall. I ran in my second pair yesterday, which I have just bought on labor day sale with 25% off. It was a fairly rocky terrain, and the shoes were protecting my feet well. However there is one issue - when the pair is new the upper is quite stiff around the ankle, and that causes some discomfort. With my first pair I found that that goes away after 30-40 miles. Also I could feel the high stack as some instability in sharp turns, but that improves after 30-40 miles too. I used the first pair a few weeks ago on a trail run with several miles of complete off-trail with a talus field, bolder hopping and super technical and steep terrain overall, and I felt confident the entire time.

Salomon Slab Genesis and La Sportiva Prodigio. I like a light upper and a cushioned midsole with lots of grip. Both are larger in the toe box than traditional La Sportiva or Salomon.

I found them very comfortable right out of the box. Mine have 300 miles on them and still lots of life left, which is pretty good for a trail runner. The reported stiffness might be bc they’re low cushioning. I like this as I like being able to feel the terrain beneath my feet so I can respond faster. This has only been a problem once, when my footpad started aching after 5,000 ft of vertical descent on a steep trail with tons of giant rocks instead of dirt. For extremely long steep descents I got the la sportiva prodigio- way more cushioning, slightly wider toe box, but only 3.5 mm lugs so not as great in thick mud (vs I think 4.5 on the bushidos)

Isn't this an ultrarunning shoe, not a high route shoe? Its got a lot of cushioning and a huge rocker which is pretty bad for a high route.

Its actually more the rocker profile that would put me off vs the cushioning. I love rocker for actual running, but think it's bad for a high route or anything technical. Maybe if they want to stick la sportiva, then the jackal ii has a wider last and also a lower stack than the prodigo, though i actually prefer the fit of the mutant because the spiral tongue. I feel like the spiral tongue locks the heel in so well you can size up no issues or loosen the laces loads to give more volume without it slipping.

I can't comment on foam specifics, but it's by far the fastest-feeling shoe I've used. It doesn't seriously come alive until <6min/mi paces on very techy, very steep downhills, but it's still much more inspiring than pretty much every other shoe I've tried on more casual paces on flat hardpacked single track. That said, the only other "superfoam" shoe I've tried is the Sportiva Prodigio. IMHO, the biggest gains you can get for techy terrain are 1) dropping weight and 2) having a good lug pattern with sticky rubber. The Kjerag ticks these two boxes better than everything I know. Trail supershoes, unless you're running on firmly packed dirt the whole race, aren't as effective anyway because of how much energy the ground absorbs.

I second the Mutants, I’ve ripped them up low fifth class solos and they’ve performed great, same goes for the prodigio. Love La Sportiva 👌