La Sportiva - Prodigio Series

I was having ankle pain from over pronation and needed a shoe with stronger support, I ended up going back to my Sportiva Akasha’s and the pain started the let up right away. They’re a heavy shoe and may not fit your needs based on where you are but I like em! I also just got a pair of Sportiva prodigio pros that seem to be super cushiony but still supportive, but I only have 1 run on them

I found a pair in Italy when I was there a few weeks ago and they’re objectively the best shoes I’ve ever felt, however they don’t work with my feet-I get ankle pain in shoes that don’t have a super stable/supportive arch and heel. I wish I could use them but I can’t. Does anyone have any suggestions that feel like a blend between the Prodigio Pro and the Akasha? I love my Akashas, but my feet run very hot and they melt in them. A more breathable version of the Akashas with the same fit, cushion and support is what I’m trying to find! If anyone wants to buy my Prodigio Pro’s in a 45 EU worn twice for a total of maybe 10mi, let me know!

Reg prodigios and pros are the same size for me. If anything, there's more room in the Pros.

Just did a 30km out of the box with them on a real mix of terrain and they're amazing. They've somehow created my perfect trail shoe, absolutely incredible to run in. LS are a half size up for me (from Salmon, Inov8, Hoka etc) by the way but see you ordered them already.

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.

Shoes fit everyone differently so don’t know if there’s a best, but I have been loving my La Sportiva Prodigio Pros. Well cushioned, great grip, and love the sock-like upper

Prodigio pros for the win

The ogs were soooo good and grippy and fast but the pros def for like 50 mile and up are sooo light fast and responsive… def the best released shoes for a few years imo

The ogs were soooo good and grippy and fast but the pros def for like 50 mile and up are sooo light fast and responsive… def the best released shoes for a few years imo

In Hoka Speedgoat I wear an 11, but also feel fine in a 11.5. In the Prodigio Pros I went to a 45.5. I also bought a 46 which is a little bigger in the toes but still feels good (mostly want that for long races if my feet swell). According to La Sportiva a 45.5 corresponds to a US 12. So my experience for me was sizing up from a US size by at least a half, maybe a full. Hope that helps. (Btw, I have three pairs, love them.)

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!

I have around 200 miles on my second pair. They’ve performed as good as my Prodigio Pros. I‘ll use them for any type of trail, but don’t recommend for off trail stuff like talus or scree hopping. The rocker makes them wonky on that type of terrain. I’ll be using them for some multi day endeavors this summer. I recommend going a full size down. Not sure why they’ve got them sized like they do.

I have the same issue, the shoe gave me a tendonitis after intense hill sessions. I am very interested by any fix or feedback on this

Same! Hoping the T1s are a replacement for the OG Xodus. In the meantime, my feet are happy in the LaSpo Prodigio Pro - love this shoe. Ran a verty 50k in April and my feet never complained during or after. But high hopes on the T1! Fingers crossed.

Yes! Unless you have very sensitive feet, there's enough foam, protection from a thin plastic film, and the outsole is great but doesn't feel awkward on pavement if you have flat sections. Best trail shoe I've ever owned!

I absolutely love mine. I run a lot in the Alps with them and they are sublime.

New S/labs size down. I’m my actual street shoe size in those, a US 6, when I’m a 6.5 in every other Salomon model. I was fine with my usual 38 in the PP.

I never liked the Bushido, but have run in the Akasha and Mutant a fair amount. The Prodigio Pro fits my foot a lot like the Mutant but with a much more responsive midsole and more forefoot room. The Prodigio Pro isn't an evolution of any existing LaSpo shoe, though -- it's a much bigger forward leap. Responsive, sticky like the Mutant, nimble, and far more stable in the heel than the Akasha. Would I scramble low 5th Class in the Prodigio Pro like I do in the Mutant? Probably not on purpose... But long runs are a dream in them.

FWIW, the NNormal Kjerag still exists and that's a pretty modern but minimalist shoe that performs well in technical terrain. And surprisingly, the LaSportiva Prodigio Pro (a much cushier shoe than the Kjerag) does even better in techy stuff. That said, early reviews of the Mafate X sure make it sound more like a long distance gravel cruiser.

Or the Prodigeo is excellent too

My absolute favorite shoes for long haulers is Tecton x3 and I feel they are well worth their price tag. Only they don’t cut it on more technical terrain. That said shoes like Prodigio Pro are quite close.

I used to rock Altra shoes. But when I increased mileage uphill I got problems. Running on road gave no problems. Today I prefer 4-6mm drop over zero drop. Presently my favorite trail shoes are Tecton x3 and Prodigio Pro. I am keen to try out Norda 005 and VJ Ultra 3.

Give La Sportiva shoes a look. My favorite is the Prodigio Pro as it has some width to it.

I have the same experience with Saucony Edge. Great shoe but I also get blisters on my heels. I have therefore migrated to Hoka Tecton x3 for non technical trails and La Sportiva Prodigio Pro for more technical trails.

It all depends on the terrain. The Tecton is superior for cruising down non technical trails and here I would not go with the Prodigio Pro. Even though the PP has the same snappy fast feeling to it as the Edge.

To me they feel fast in the same way Saucony Endorphin Rift does. But the Prodigio Pros have much better control in technical terrain. I enjoy them a lot.

I do not have any experience with the Norda. The Tecton x3 is great shoe if things aren’t to technical. The Prodigio Pro is also great and it handles technical stuff much better

Sure, but there is more to it. The Tecton x3 gives me problems with low support from the upper and the high stack. But a shoe like Prodigio Pro seems much more stable.

Many says that the VJ runs flat to soon and that the Prodigio Pro is a better alternative. I haven’t runned the VJ U3 but love the Prodigio Pro. And today I ordered the VJ IRock 4 to test for more muddy trails, so I hope that the midsole will hold up in those.

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

I’ve run lots of technical alpine CO terrain up to 50k. I’ve found the Mafate Speed 4 and Xodus Ultra 2 to be comfortable and capable for long mountain days including scrambling. Merrell Agility Peak 5 also good. Speedgoat didn’t work for my foot but is a renowned mountain ultra shoe. I think pretty much any outsole will be capable in our dry climate and terrain, including some light scrambling- I would head to One of our great running stores in Denver metro and try on a bunch of pairs to see what feels good for your feet. Comfort is the most important factor for a long mountain day, more so than all the performance features *I do have a pair of Prodigio Pros that I intend to use for your stated purpose

These were great for me for shorter distances. Anything over ~20 miles the plate starts to put pressure on the balls of my feet. Wound up dumping them for the Prodigio Pro

These shoes fuck

I like mine but they *do not* dry quickly. The lack of strobel board also makes them squeak with the insole foam rubbing the top of the midsole foam when wet. Minor complaints and it’s a pretty great shoe. Oh, I do wish that there was bit more arch support.

Hoka Tecton X 3, and on technical trails La Sportiva Prodigio Pro

I just got a pair of the new La Sportiva Prodigio Pros and they’re the best new shoe I’ve tried in years

Have you looked at S/LAB Genesis, or the new La Sportiva Prodigio Pro? I've got 497 miles in my first S/LAB Genesis pair and still have them. Prodigio Pro is one of my top picks so far in 2025. Kjerag is very minimal underfoot - don't expect anywhere near Speedgoat level of cushion or protection with those. That's a completely different type of shoe. I just tested the MTN Racer 4 and I don't think it's a great update. There's a lot of protection underfoot but it got heavier and lost a lot of flexibility.

Thinking about purchasing these, but before I do… any thoughts? I know they’re a newer shoe, but how’s the longevity? How do they do in desert/sandstone types of terrain? This will be my first pair of La sportivas, just trying to get a good idea before I spend the money! (I am aware that it’s good to size up with these ones) Update: I purchased them. Im excited! Will report back when they arrive in the mail! 2nd update: just got them in, however I will exchange for another size up. Originally got 1/2 up from norm, and they’re still a little snug. I’d recommend maybe getting a full size up with these. I am hopeful that this will work! The toe box is wider than I expected and the shoes are very comfortable overall, just need slightly larger!

I switched to Sportiva Prodigio Pro and Scarpa Ultra 2 (just recently) - so far way better imo! I loved the Speedgoat 5s but the tread wore out quickly and these feel great on all terrains

Bought a pair, got a size bigger than my normal size. Fits perfectly but…..after 15 miles I started feeling a pain on the top of my foot. The tongue was killing my right foot, my left foot is fine. Any suggestions as I really want this shoe to work for me.

Fellow Haglund sufferer here. I have it on both heels, I ran long trainings and recent ultra in these shoes and it seems to do the trick: - VJ Ultra 3: I have half a size bigger so that my heel can move freely, it has great lockdown in the midfoot, which means that the heel can be looser and I still feel locked down - Salomon Ultra Glide 3: stiff heel counter but well padded and very flexible shoe (despite the stack), which means that when I flex my foot (on landing or uphill or at toe off), the shoe flexes with it and my heel does not “fight” the shoe and thus there is no pressure on the heel bump Generally I find that the more flexible shoe the better and as soon as the padding is there and protects the heel collar from my bump, it is OK. E.g. Prodigio Pro is flexible, the collar is not overly stiff but the padding is at the top and does not protect my bump from irritation.

Personally would go Prodigio Pro. Seems good value and a safe bet, but very capable.

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

I have a pair with 180km on and probably a third on pavement the rest on pretty hard gravel and dirt road and the rubber looks completely new. Got my second pair today another half size up for a 100k and putting one of each on I noticed that the foam on the „old“ one is a bit compressed and doesn’t feel exactly as springy as the new one but still great.

Where did you get the Prodigio pro for 174?! I’d totally pick up a 2nd pair for that price Why would you say not technical? I’ve worn them on technical trails and do feel solid and good grip. I worried about the higher stack and potentially rolling ankles but it does seem more stable than expected

I’ve gotten some good deal from them… but always end up just randomly checking them. Nice score! I’m out west and recently used them on a 35km/1600m race. I ended up with a very sore knee but I think unrelated. I HOPE! Otherwise I found them quite good and comfortable including navigating down double black diamond mtb trails

A lot of people will recommend a wide variety of different things. Some will say Speedgoat, some will say high stack is your enemy. Some will say Tecton, others will say plates will kill you. And then obviously there’s what does or doesn’t fit your foot. If you have the fitness to be doing this kind of an effort, then you probably have spent a good amount of time on trails, and have your own experience to draw from that will tell you what works for you, probably better than any of us can. Shorter answer that’s probably what you’re actually looking for: I would use my Nnormal Kjerag for this. Some other La Sportiva models could be ideal, like Prodigio pro or mutant perhaps. But definitely stay away from (in my opinion) Salomon rubber and definitely no cowboy boots.

These shoes are great except on sandy tracks. I bought a pair in Tasmania on holiday. The first time I used them on the Cape to Cape coastal track in Western Australia they filled up with sand within 3 km. Got in through the upper. Very disappointing as they felt great until the space around the toes was obliterated. As for size I went from a Speedgoat 5 wide US9.5 to Prodigio Pro US10.5. Not as wide as the SG5 wide but tolerable for my foot. I’ll be using these in NZ later in year and on local gravel but definitely not on the coastal runs. If the Prodigio Max has a different upper I will be tempted to buy a pair. I’ve just bought a pair of Norda 001. With my orthotic the Norda doesn’t feel as good as the Prodigio Pro but I haven’t run in the Norda yet. 

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.

Also here to say the prodigio pros are top notch!

The La Sportiva Prodigio Pro sounds like it'll fit what you want (but perhaps size up 1/2 size). It's a fun shoe that's well made, bouncy, and good for easy or faster trail efforts across all distances. The Hoka Speedgoat 6 is OK, but nothing standout either. I've also enjoyed the Topo MTN Racer 3 and Arc'teryx Norvan LD 4.

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.

The shoes aren’t even comparable. I recommend everyone stop running in the bushido for literally any other shoe. I like the regular Prodigio and I recommend it as a daily trainer, the Prodigio pro is phenomenal and is great for major workouts, races, and long runs. The Prodigio pro is much more a running shoe than the mutant or bushido. I have taken it on low 5th class but I wished I had my mutants the whole time. I also took my mutants on a long run and wished I had the Prodigio pro the whole time. It is all dependent on your needs.

I've run couple of ultra's in Xodus (first edition). Remarkable shoes if it comes to comfort. Very good allround shoes. But...Xodus 3 just as xodus 1 has a PWRTrack outsole which has terrible grip in wet conditions. I was literally trying to "jump" on dry parts of rock if this was possible.Big plus for rockplate and dual foam midsole. So finding good shoes for ultra will be very depending on conditions. I will however recommend LaSportiva Prodidgio pro. Amazing shoes with excellent traction.

You got a good discount on em eh? Let me know if you decide to sell them! FWIW I’ve been loving the Prodigio Pros (I’m a 12.5/46 in those) on dirt and gravel, up to light rocky trails (they’re absolute cruisers), though I typically like a lower stack for more technical rock hopping terrain, and with the races I’ve been eyeing for this summer (Tushars 100k and Ouray 50), I’m really wanting to check out the lower stack on the 005’s! But the PP’s seem like they would be absolutely killer for a non-techy trail 100 like Javelina.

Love my Prodigio Pros - probably the best trail shoes I’ve run in - sizing and is finicky though , I’m usually an 11 in most shoes and had to go to a 45.5 in the PPs which is a full size up. Ran a fairly technical 50k right out of the box and no issues.

I have both shoes , put about 50 miles in the Salomon’s and probably about 75 in the PPs. Salomon’s are on the shelf now , I struggled with technical trail confidence due to the stack height and they are also less grippy than the PPs. Like any La Sportiva, the PP are a narrow shoe but have been perfect for me so far , wore them out of the box on a 50k in Texas and they were great.

I own the Bushido III and Ultra Raptor II. I just bought the Prodigio Pro yesterday! Still breaking them in, so I will let you know my thoughts soon. I'm surprised a couple of responses said they don't like the Bushido, as it is my favourite trail runners.

My thoughts about the Prodigio Pro (as compared to Bushido III) after 10KMs: **Pros:** \- Prodigio Pro's XFlow foam provides much needed cushioning and impact absorption for longer distances (20KM+) \- Sock liner around ankle minimises rocks and twigs getting in the shoe \- Lighter weight than Bushido III \- Snug and solid heel lock! This is due to the 1-inch of padding behind the heel. **Cons:** \- Sock liner around ankle makes it difficult to take off and put on the shoes (especially on trail). \- The design of the grip and lugs is very basic compared to the Bushido III. Despite the Prodigio Pro (Frixion White) using the stickier and faster wearing sole, my initial feel is that the Bushido III (Frixion Red) provides better grip - especially when rock scrambling. Just look at the greater perimeter grip coverage, and the lug design, of the Bushido: [https://www.bike-discount.de/media/image/09/ed/76/La-Sportiva\_Bushido-3-Trailrunningschuhe\_56S999100\_1.jpg](https://www.bike-discount.de/media/image/09/ed/76/La-Sportiva_Bushido-3-Trailrunningschuhe_56S999100_1.jpg) \- Concerns about durability of XFlow foam. On my first 10KMs, the foam already took a strike from a tree root that left a gash on the side of the foam. If this happened to the Bushido, it would have bounced off the hard rubber. \- No GTX option. This is mitigated somewhat due to the higher stack height of the Prodigio Pros. Can cross shallow streams without intaking water. Yes, you can bring an extra pair of socks, but as I mentioned previously, the sock liner design discourages taking off the shoes. \- Power Wire (and sock liner design) feels like they run hot. Runs as hot as my Bushido III GTX. \- Inconsistent sizing. The length of the shoe is the same size as other La Sportiva shoes, but the 1-inch of padding behind the heel makes it a much tighter fit. Buying 1/2 size up for the Prodigio Pro as compared to other La Sportiva shoes, gave me the perfect fit. Overall, do I love the Prodigio Pro? Yes, they're a good balance between comfort and grip security. Are they the best shoe for all trails and distances? I think not. For damp trails with streams, I would prefer the Bushido III GTX. Also, for trails where leeches make their home, I would also stay with the GTX option as the blood suckers cannot wiggle their way through Goretex mesh. Distances under 20KM, the Bushido III would also be a strong contender as overall it really does feel like the better shoe for more technical trails (I'm assuming this is why people are considering Frixion White. Can do with any Frixion rubber for easy trails). Can really feel the trail and every rock. Distances 20KM+, I think the Prodigio Pro's good balance of comfort and grip just wins here. YMMV.

Quite a few differences between the two if you put the specs side by side, and what you prefer depends on what you’re looking to do and your feet/personal preferences. Both are geared towards longer efforts and I wouldn’t want to run on super technical terrain in either. I do not own the Salomon’s but just got the Prodigio Pros on clearance (somehow) for $174 CAD and I absolutely adore them. My favourite trail shoes I own and I’ll be contrasting them to some Norda 001s I have on the way. They have a decent rocker to them and pretty aggressive lugs, and the outer isn’t like anything I’ve seen on another trail shoe. It’s rugged and rubberized almost. Really nice looking shoe and crazy comfortable. The sleeve around the ankle that’s almost like a gaiter really locks your heel down, which I’m a fan of. One thing to point out is if you gamble on them without trying them on first: they fit small. If you put them side by side with my 9.5 US Salomon Sense Ride 5s you’d swear they were the same size… but the La Sportivas are 10.5+ US (EU 44). Go by your EU sizing in other shoes and bump up a half size, as the US sizing is off a full size from most brands. For reference my feet measure about 26.7cm heel to toe tip, 11cm wide at the widest points, and the EU 44s couldn’t fit more perfectly.

6’2” 215 here. I’m using Prodigio Pros right now and they are the best shoes I’ve used, hands down. The problem is finding them in larger sizes. I went through four pairs of Speedgoats but heard the fives had some quality issues, so I moved on to Altra Timps after those. They were… fine. Decent grip, nice toe box, but they started coming apart pretty quickly. I like having something with a higher stack height for anything longer than 20k I’ve got a pair of VJ Xtremes that I use for muddier or more technical trails, and the grip on those is insane, but they beat up my knees past 10 miles. I’ll probably grab some of their Ultras if I can’t find the Prodigios in my size again

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 the 001s and they are like a tank. Cushion isn’t over the top and comfortable enough for me. My only gripe is they are warm, I’m not going to wear them this summer. The kjerag fit my foot very well, but I need more cushion. If you like a lower stack shoe that could be for you. I’ve been using the prodigio pro and really like those, haven’t had any durability issues but I haven’t had them long. I’ll keep using those for the time being.

Gotta agree on the midsole. My first run in them was on a bit of street to the trail and I had to stop to make sure I wasn't in my road shoes. It is an incredible shoe.

La Sportiva Prodigio Pro.. trust me

Prodigio pro or 005 norda, Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra but be careful because they are not good for heelers or for technical routes

Best trail shoes: La Sportiva Prodigio Pro, Norda 005

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.

Great shoe. No one can speak to the longevity of the midsole yet as they are a new release this spring, but the outsole compound is LS' stickiest (thus softer) rubber compound so I wouldn't be using it on pavement or anything like that. It's got great energy return to the foam and is a very different experience than other LS shoes. I always size up from my usual size when buying LS, but these are higher volume than many other models which is great for longer efforts.

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.

Love my Prodigio Pros. Plenty of cushion but they still have lots of groundfeel. They're a fast shoe but still responsive. Great grip and great foot lockdown thanks to the heel collar.

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've put several hundred km on mine, including a 100M. Love them. They drain super fast and the heel collar really locks your foot in place while keeping out debris. One thing I will say is that if your feet swell a lot over the course of a very long ultra effort, the heel collar may become uncomfortable, but that's true of any shoe with a similar design and wouldn't be a problem for most people. They definitely hit it out of the park with this one.

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!

North Face Enduris 4 would fit the bill, although it holds onto water if it gets soaked. Prodigio Pro is an amazing shoe for any terrain

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.

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.

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.

No complaints here - really great shoe. Much more stable than I thought from looking at the foam slab. I’ve put 150k on a pair so far, mostly on rocky/chalky or tacky going. Absolutely zero visible signs of wear. I would say 500+ miles easy on the roughest going you can chuck at them. I haven’t tried them on sand, but I would say they probably won’t be a great shoe for very very thick wet mud, as when I was running flooded trails they didn’t drain quite as fast as others.

I’d try the La sportiva prodigio pro. Only had my pair a week or so but so far been really impressed. I can’t speak to how they’ll hold up over distance.

I have just about 400 miles in my prodigio pros. Durability has been awesome and the heel lock is quite amazing. I went to order another pair for a 100k in May to start with a fresh pair but they’re out everywhere. I do suspect these will be fine given another few weeks of hard training and then the race. Sizing is definitely interesting here and based on others reviews, I may be slightly different. I’ve run a few ultras and did all my training last year in the v1 Nike zegemas which were 10.5 US and 44.5 euro. I got size 11 / 44.5 in the PPs and they fit perfect. I almost felt like I had some Room in the toe box so I ordered a 10.5 / 44 and they were too snug. So if you’re running a solid shoe now and want to try them, take a look at the EU size on your daily’s now and consider that here.

I've got 30 miles on the prod pro's now and I've found them as stable or even more so than the saucony xodus ultra's v1 if that helps. I overpronate a touch on one foot so need something fairly stable and these have been spot on for me. They're not overly wide in the heel but where they have a core of softer foam surrounded by the firmer nitrogen infused EVA based foam and sidewalls I think that keeps them very stable.

I would size up by 1/2 size at least. I'm a UK 9 in saucony and adidas and wish I had gone for 9.5 in these.

I have Norda 001. They are alright, I enjoy them but as a women I don’t find they synch down in the mid foot as much as I would like. I also find issues with blisters on my toes despite toe socks, lube, etc. I think the hype is overrated but for some they are great. Definitely burly and I still run in them as part of my shoe rotation. Especially winter. Because if these isssues I got a pair of prodigio pros and like them. Wish I went up a half size or so since I do get some blister issues at longer distances. Synch down much better in the mid foot and feel rock solid on technical terrain. I had my first run in the MtC T1s this week. Lace system will require some dialing in but overall I like them so far. I have their road shoes and do all my tread miles in them an love them.

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 made a post about the 005 on r/runningshoegeeks. Not sure about your foot shape but I found the 005’s to fit slightly looser than the 001’s I’ve taken them out for a few more runs and have warmed up to em. I think they’ll be a good desert 100 shoe as they’re super light and have a tight mesh upper. Just tried out a pair of the Prodigio Pros on technical mountain trails and really enjoyed em. Much more of a race fit shoe - like a Salomon Genesis fit with a roomier toe box. Less platform under foot but more secure. The Prodigio Pros felt like they’d run warmer in the summer so if you’re a heavy sweater or the races are gonna be sloppy that could be a consideration. Both shoes are actually really advanced in terms of weight and midsole responsiveness so it probably comes down to what type of fit you prefer for a long race.

I have the exact problem and was thinking about cutting some of the padding as well... Such a bummer, since it is actually such a great shoe! Have you been able to manage the problem?

Cutting out the padding fixed the issue for me. No more lace bites since then :)

Have you tried and compared them to the Prodigio Pros? Really like them, but I am getting pretty bad lace bites from them unfortunately... Thought of the Kjerags as an alternative, but I am afraid the cushioning could be too little for me, since I really do need some...

I had the regular Prodigios and the fit was great. I’m used to wider toe boxes too. Apparently these are even wider/rounder. I’m hoping they work!! 

I've only put 8mi on them so far but the Mount to Coast T1s seem amazing. Very roomy toebox, I think the midsole cushion is perfect, easy to run in with a moderate amount of rocker. The build quality is really good and their midsoles are supposed to last a really long time (fingers crossed - theme below). Prodigio Pros are awesome, most fun I've ever had in a pair of running shoes. The only problem was that the midsole was toast by 100mi - maybe because I'm a heavier runner (200lbs). I get a pro deal on them and I would absolutely consider buying a pair just to use for a race. The final issue with these are that they've been out of stock for almost all common sizes for a while. VJ Ultra 3s are also very good. Very similar to the Prodigios in rocker, cushion, grip. The uppers are a little odd, and I had some rubbing on my ankle bone. Same problem with the Prodigio Pros though, midsole dead around 100mi.

I’m only 10 miles into the Prodigio Pros and they’re worth a shot. The lockdown is great, generous room in the toe box. Midsole feels pretty firm but more protective than original Prodigios. I felt like the originals didn’t have much foam in the forefoot either and these do. They also have a good roll through with the rocker. 

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)

20 is likely much, but compared to a SG5 (not your list of shoes) I’d say it’s a noticeable difference. I only had SG5 for a while. When I retired them I got the Tecton x3, and eventually the prodigio pro. Huge difference going from the sg5 to x3!! Maybe not 20 seconds but noticeable. I wouldn’t shut up about them for a while. But the x3 vs prodigio bro is much more comparable. I’m not a professional but my preference is the x3 for things that are more runnable and the prodigio pro for more technical climbing.

I was also underwhelmed during and after the first run of 13 miles in the 005, especially considering all the hype that had been building up since last year before the recent launch. I liked the lightness but the fit of the upper was a bit baggy going half-size up as Norda recommends, the midsole didn't feel as amazing as advertised, and the outsole's grip wasn't as confidence-inspiring as, say, on the 001, VJ Ultra 3, Prodigio Pro, or the Nnormal Kjerag or Tomir 2.0. Well, I've now logged around 50 miles in the 005 and I absolutely love it. This "super" midsole has come alive and the outsole can handle whatever I throw at it. I need to wear thicker socks and cinch down quite a bit to get a secure lockdown, but I don't get lace bite and it feels quite comfortable now. I'm interested in trying it in my normal TTS size because I still have plenty of room in front of the toes. I'm not saying that you should give the 005 50 miles to see if it will work out for you. If you don't feel it and don't think it's going to get better, you may as well move on. At first, the 005 felt like a lightweight road trainer in the vein of Rebel v4 or the Evo SL that had been adapted to trails, but those shoes are less than half the price of the 005. It felt good to run in something so light on the trails, but everything else felt kind of meh and I couldn't understand what the hype and the rave reviews were about. I took the 005 on a second run of around 15 miles with about 3,000ft of elevation again through all types of terrains and I started feeling the midsole getting more propulsive and responsive. I checked my watch and I was moving noticeably faster than the perceived effort, which is a hallmark of supershoes. I bombed the downhills which I wasn't so confident about doing on my first run like I would with the VJ Ultra 3 and the Prodigio Pro. The 005 was just as protective and stable while being more agile and nimble. The outsole grip which I wasn't so sure about felt a lot more secure. I was like, "Hmmm... I guess it's coming alive now for me to get what the hype is all about." After the third run of another 15 miles a few days ago, I was sold and grinning from ear-to-ear afterwards. It's light, fast and propulsive, responsive, stable, nimble, grippy, comfortable, and protective. It pretty much does it all in a very lightweight package. I haven't gone on a run over 15 miles, so I can't say how it will hold up over ultra distances, but I do plan a 50km run soon and a 90km race in the summer. My inclination is to stick with the Tecton X 3 for such distances, but I'm rotating the 005, VJ Ultra 3, and Prodigio Pro right now to see if one will come out on top. They are all great shoes, but the 005 being almost 1.5oz lighter than the TX3, U3, and Prodigio Pro does give it an advantage. I'd like to get to at least 100 miles and a 50k run in each before coming to a conclusion.

The Prodigio Pro is a great shoe. You may also want to consider the VJ Ultra 3. The PP does have a narrower fit. I went from my usual US men's 8 to 8.5+ (EU 41.5) and it's snug and very secure around the mid-foot. It's a more "classic" type of trail shoe than the 005, as is the Ultra 3. To me, the PP sits somewhere in between the two. I love all three, but the Prodigio Pro is probably the most versatile and best suited for 50\~100 mile distances.

There's definitely a hefty premium for the 005, which would only pay off if one can get around 650 *good* miles or close to 1,000km. I'd say getting $0.50 per mile a good value. I guess I'll see if the 005 can do that like the 001. In comparison, the Prodigio Pro (and probably the VJ Ultra 3 as well) is a bargain for all that it offers. It kind of reminds me of the Xodus Ultra 1 and 2 that I used to run in some years ago but *everything* on the PP is better: the upper, the midsole, the outsole, the responsiveness, the ride, agility, bounce, propulsion, stability, etc. Put that all together and PP's value quotient is off the charts.

I basically wore the same shoes as you do, and I can fully agree - it is an awesome shoe! 20s/km sounds a bit extreme though :D

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.

Prodigio Pro. One of the lighter weight trail shoes, super responsive, protective, great lockdown, great traction. Not enough cushion for a longer ultra but great for 50k and less.

I've never run in anything I thought had any significantly improved traction over the speedgoat. They use vibram which is tops for grip on wet rock IMO. You might look at La Sportiva (Prodigio Pro is a great shoe and maybe a bit more aggresive tread than the speedgoat), which also have excellent traction, or some other brands with good rubber like INOV8 and VJ, which also have some more aggressively lugged models.

It's an amazing shoe. Doesn't feel like a supershoe, so don't get your expectations set on that due to the price or some of the reviews comparing with trail super shoes. It's just super solid in every way. I expect to get 500-700 miles out of them, but that's just a guess, only have 30 miles on them currently. Size up a US half size.

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.

have the T1 and the Prodigio pro. overall the prodigio is the better shoe (for me), i would not wear the t1 for more than 30-50 miles unless its basically buffed single track, but on buffed single track the prodigio has more flow (for me) than the t1. the t1 is an amazing first debut for MTC. the tuned fit lacing is a gimmick which is why they also put in the box normal laces and when you swap them out the lockdown is decent. i enjoy running in both but the prodigio is much more versatile and appropriate for a hundred miler (if that’s your thing). more protection, better wet traction, slightly more energy return but more aggressive rocker. durability wise they feel similar to me, the upper has more high tech materials in the t1 but i have similar mileage on both and they are both wearing similarly. edit also i bought and returned the norda 5. absolutely no stability for highly technical terrain. the upper is like a really bad version of the kjerag. the kjerag is decent on technical terrain but its grip is not aggressive (haven’t tried the brut version). the norda is one shoe i really could just not descent steep technical terrain at all.

La sportiva prodigio pros are extremely good imo.

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 👌

Surprised no one's mentioned the Ultraflys, esp since you can easily find a pair for ~50%+ off! The ASU's can be found on the low too, but are way too unstable to be viable for anything remotely technical imo. The new Puma DNE Trail is better in every way if you want to be fast + nimble. And the Ultraflys for comfort, as they are the most wide foot friendly out of the big 3. I've also heard good things about the Tecton X3! _ Personal recommendations that might fit your needs: All of these models prioritize stability/ lockdown, featuring durable lugs + amazing grip (VJ Ultra 3 + Puma DNE Trail tied for best traction), while having more than enough cushion (without having to worry about bottoming out/durability issues) to carry you through the slog... All around ~30mm of stack (Prodigio Pro being the lowest @ 34/28mm, and VJ Ultra 3 the highest @ 38/30mm. *Prodigio Pro ft. supercritical TPU core (possibly aliphatic?) + EVA carrier. Arguably the best non-plated option, w/ durability + price taken into account! (Norda 005 takes the cake if not) My pick for mud + technical terrain, alongside PDX. ($195) *VJ Ultra 3 ft. supercritical TPU core + EVA carrier, plated. Tied w/ Ultrafly in terms of comfort and Puma in terms of grip. Smooth rocker. My personal favorite upper + pick for cold weather. ($190) *DNE Trail ft. ATPU + carbon fiber plate. Only a 6mm drop compared to road version's 10mm. World class energy return + Puma grip (only 3mm lugs, surprisingly durable tho). On the narrow side. Classic race style upper, one of my favorite iterations of Ultraweave. My pick for nimbleness, speed/agility. ($230) *Ultrafly ft. Pebax + carbon fiber plate. 38.5/30mm stack. Classic ZoomX feel out of the box (bounce + comfort), wide toe box. Supportive lightweight upper, albeit not the most breathable. Safe/protective underfoot feel. My pick considering price. Right behind Puma in terms of energy return.

Salomon S/lab genesis and la sportiva prodigio pro are great all mountain shoes.

S/lab Ultra is midsole is pretty dull and firm, while the PP is bouncy and soft.

La Sportiva Prodigio Pro is everything the S/LAB Ultra should've been. Top shoe of 2025 or maybe all time for me.