Wilderness Running Company

Posts Tagged ‘trail running shoe review’

La Sportiva Raptor Review

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

La Sportiva Raptor

I’ll admit it: this one surprised me.

When I was first introduced to the Raptor last summer at Outdoor Retailer, I immediately thought of it as Wildcat’s Evil Twin. The similarity between the two shoes was obvious. It seemed like the Raptor looked a bit meaner than the Wildcat and, as I became familiar with the details of the Raptor’s design, I expected it to act a bit meaner than the Wildcat. Still, they look so much alike and have so much common DNA I wondered how different they could really be. You might say I expected the differences between the Raptor and the Wildcat to be more than cosmetic, but not much more. That isn’t really how it turned out.

The Same Platform
(Full Wildcat review here.)

The Raptor is built on the same last, called the Tempo, as the Wildcat. La Sportiva accurately calls out the fit of this last as medium/wide. As a point of comparison, both shoes are considerably more spacious, especially in the heel and midfoot areas, than Sporties built on their Racing last (i.e. Skylite, Crosslite, and Fireblade). So both the Raptor and Wildcat are better choices for runners who have wider feet and/or like to provide for more in-run foot swelling.

The Raptor and Wildcat also have the same basic midsole specs, in terms of both thickness and density. Neither of these are low, flat shoes. Rather, they are built to absorb plenty of shock, especially in the heel. This level of shock absorption can come in handy for some of us all the time (heel strikers), and for pretty much all of us some of the time (during descents, especially long, steep ones).

TPU Heel Stabilizer

The final similarities worth noting are relatively minor: both the Raptor and Wildcat have a TPU heel stabilizer cup and a debris guard between the laces and tongue.

Things Get Interesting

The Raptor differs from the Wildcat in three significant ways.

Upper (f/ TPU Lace Cage)

1.  Instead of a very airy (and somewhat delicate) mesh upper, the upper of the Raptor is made of a more rugged mesh with synthetic leather overlays along the sides of the shoe. These changes add significant protection and durability while sacrificing a bit of breathability. The overlays also provide a solid anchor for the TPU lace cage.

2.  The Wildcat has a 2.4mm EVA cushion in its footbed, which is one of the main sources of the shoe’s relatively plush ride. In designing the Raptor, La Sportiva dropped this element. The result is a significantly firmer, and slightly lower, ride. (Click here to view a cross-section of the Wildcat midsole, including the layer of EVA cushion.)

Outsole

3.  The outsole of the Raptor is made of Frixon XF, whereas the Wildcat — and the rest of Sportiva’s mountain running lineup — features Frixion AT. What does that mean? If you are familiar with any of Sportiva’s other trail running shoes, you already know that an outsole made of Frixon AT equals a very sticky shoe, befitting the company’s cross-disciplinary expertise in climbing shoes. Well, the XF compound is even stickier. It is the same compound Sportiva uses in their approach shoes, and is just one category short of what they use in their flat-out climbing shoes. In other words, the Raptor outsole is seriously sticky.

Trail Manners

In many respects, the Raptor actually behaves a lot like shoes in the “tank” category: its chassis offers a very firm, stable ride, while its upper offers enough protection for even the nastiest trail conditions. The medium-wide fit provides plenty of room for swelling, which the TPU lace cage balances out by enabling a very snug fit all the way around the mid-foot.

This profile is (obviously) very different from the Wildcat, which is more of a plush, lightweight cruiser that really shines on fireroads and other lower-leverage terrain. Where the Wildcat is one of the more pavement-friendly trail shoes around, you won’t really appreciate the Raptor’s virtues until you put it through the ringer. The hairier the trail, the happier these shoes are.

And then there’s this: unlike most tanks, the Raptor is a very, very light shoe, weighing nearly the same as the Wildcat, which is roughly the same as the racy Fireblade and only slightly more than the even racier Crosslite. Interesting twist.

My Opinion

Under most conditions, I personally prefer “less shoe” to “more shoe.” As in, relatively flat and relatively firm. But sometimes I want a bit more heel cushion for long, hard descents. And sometimes, when the outing is likely to include a serious dose of bushwacking, I like a bit more protective upper. On those occasions, the Raptor is quickly becoming my shoe of choice: it’s everything I want from a burly shoe, but significantly lighter and more nimble than what I usually expect from such a rugged shoe.

The Raptor has the same roomy foot environment as the Wildcat, but the lace cage allows me to all-but-eliminate any squirreliness that might come from quick, twisty steps over very technical stuff. Adding considerably to the confidence-inspiring feeling of the Raptor is the XF outsole compound. The Raptor is easily the stickiest trail running shoe I’ve ever laced up — an absolute joy on any trail surface where grip is at a premium. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself wondering if it’s possible to literally climb walls in them.

My go-to “test lab” includes a semi-long, extremely technical descent on slickrock. In the Raptor, I find myself throwing caution to the wind and taking dicey sections faster than I’ve ever dared before. I just point ‘em downwards and hang on tight!

Wear Note

This was not a long term test (only about 50 miles) so I cannot say anything definitive about the Raptor’s durability, which has been one of the few criticisms I’ve heard of the Wildcat with any consistency. (This should really not be terribly surprising, since the Wildcat design is optimized for relatively low-leverage terrain.)

There is little doubt in my mind that the upper of the Raptor will withstand serious abuse. Less clear, in my mind, is how the midsole will hold up.

Generally, a less dense midsole like that of the Raptor/Wildcat will break down noticeably more quickly than shoes with very dense midsoles (e.g. Fireblades). Less dense midsoles feel “cushy” out of the box, but lose that feeling with the lost “dead space” that comes from repeated impact. This phenomenon is especially noticeable with most road shoes.

So it might seem the loss of “that cushy feeling” should occur with the Raptor at about the same rate as it does to the Wildcat. However, remember that the Raptor does not have a 2.4mm EVA footbed, as the Wildcat does. It’s entirely possible that the breakdown of this particular feature represents a significant part of what Wildcat owners experience when they notice a loss of cushion as the miles accumulate. For that reason, I suspect that the Raptor midsole will retain, over time, more of its cushion (or lack thereof) than the Wildcat. But it’s too soon for me to say for certain.

Manufacturer’s Specifications

Price: $110
User: Unisex
Claimed Weight: 12.28 oz/ 348 g
Last: Tempo 2
Fit: Medium/Wide
Upper: AirMesh/ Synthetic Leather/ TPU Lacing Harness/ TPU Transkinetic Heel Stabilizer
Lining: Mesh (back half and tongue only)
Midsole: MeMlex/ Nylon Molded Flex Transfer shank
Midsole Height (MM): Heel: 28 mm Toe: 16mm Delta: 12mm
SOLE: FriXion®XF/ Impact Brake System™ X-Axis™

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Raptor Store Page (Unisex) >>

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Trail-Specific Shoes, Part 2

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

In part one of this topic, we looked at the main factors beginner trail runners should consider when deciding whether to opt for trail-specific shoes. This post, also intended to help beginners navigate the world of trail running footwear, outlines from the ground up the main design differences between road and trail running shoes.

(Although beginner trail runners should be aware of the ongoing debate regarding barefoot running, a discussion of that topic is beyond the scope of this post.)

Context

Let’s first briefly revisit the obvious but important point that wilderness trail surfaces aren’t like typical paved or concrete running surfaces. Road running is done on surfaces that provide a consistent, predictable landing pad, while high-leverage trails do not. High-leverage trails are often covered in moisture or loose dirt, or littered with stationary obstacles like roots and rocks. The vertical slope and horizontal tilt typical of high-leverage trails pose additional challenges.

What does this mean for shoe design?

For starters, it means the organizing design principle for trail shoes is fundamentally different from that of road shoes. The “problem” road shoes are designed to solve is at the intersection of repeated hard-surface impact and the individual runner’s biomechanics. Given the nearly identical impact of each foot strike, the primary risk of injury to a road runner is obviously that of repetitive stress.

The approach taken by road shoe designers is to provide considerable cushioning, which is often supplemented with features intended to manage the idiosyncratic running action of different types of runners. Over time, road shoes have evolved into the categories motion-control, stability, and neutral, which are fairly well-defined and understood by most experienced runners.

By contrast, trail running shoes are designed primarily to respond to the trail itself and only secondarily to the runner’s profile and running style.This makes sense for a few reasons.

First, wilderness trails are almost always softer than pavement or concrete, which reduces the impact force of each footstrike. There’s simply less call for cushion.

Second, the biomechanics of the runner’s stride are largely thrown out of their normal repetitive consistency by the trail’s constantly changing nature (unless it’s a really boring trail). Running on some trails looks a lot less like what you see at the Boston Marathon and a lot more like what you see during a punt return at a football game.

Finally, traversing unpredictable wilderness trails at speed considerably increases the risk of injury from a single violent trauma like a sharp poke to your sole, a twisted knee or ankle, a stubbed toe, or a fall.

With this background established, we are now ready to explore the technical differences between road and trail running shoes.

Outsole

Having good traction makes all the difference when you come to a slippery, treacherous section of trail: good trail shoes allow you to confidently attack terrain you otherwise would have to tip-toe gingerly across. Since trail shoes need much better traction than road shoes, their outsoles typically are made from much stickier rubber compounds.

Most also have fairly substantial lugs designed to hook up in loose dirt conditions. However, a deep-lugged tread is not a universally desirable characteristic. Larger lugs sometimes translate into a higher, less stable ride. Also, for exceptionally smooth trails and those featuring a heavy dose of rock, a relatively bald outsole will provide more shoe/trail contact and, therefore, better traction. Beware, also, of lugs that are spaced close together, since mud will tend to get packed in the spaces between them, whereas wide-spaced lugs will be more likely to shed mud. For these reasons, I generally recommend selecting a tread design that provides as deep a lug as the terrain demands and no more.

The rubber compounds used in the outsoles of trail shoes are, as a rule, much denser than those of road shoes. This greatly improves durability and provides a protective barrier between your foot and sharp objects.

Midsole

The midsole of trail running shoes tends to be more protective yet less cushioned than road running shoes. This is primarily a function of the density of the materials used, but the midsoles of many trail shoes also incorporate a rock plate.

Many trail running shoes have a relatively thin midsole, which reflects the preference, nearly universal among trail runners, for a lower, more tactile feel of the trail surface. A thicker midsole adds height and reduces stability, which dampens trail-feel and makes twisted leg joints more likely. In addition to riding lower than comparable road shoes, trail shoes tend to be a bit wider than their road cousins for the same reason.

The combination of a low, confident ride and dense midsole materials means that a trail shoe will generally feel considerably stiffer and more stable than a comparable road shoe. For this reason, it is common for a trail running shoe that feels “in tune” on a technical trail to feel a bit stiff on pavement. It’s a bit like driving a Jeep.

Upper

The uppers of trail shoes also feature a variety of distinguishing elements. One of the most important is the stout toe bumper built into trail shoes. The violence of a stubbed toe mid-trail run is impressive. When it happens — and it will happen — you will be glad to have just a bit more protection where it counts. Most trail shoes also feature a gusseted tongue or “scree guard” to prevent debris from infiltrating the shoe.

Since water is a common element on many trails, the use of Gore Tex or other waterproof membrane is more prevalent in trail shoes than road shoes. However, most trail runners prefer to manage water not by trying to keep it out of the shoe, since that is often futile, but by opting for an airy, well-draining, quick-drying upper.

If you aren’t sure whether your trail conditions call for Gore Tex, consider the rule of thumb that a waterproof upper is better at managing snow and general slop than repeated crossings through shin-deep water.

Bottom Line

All the individual choices that go into the design of road and trail running shoes add up to a pretty significant difference in the way they each perform. In general terms, trail shoes tend to offer a ride that is noticeably lower, firmer, and more stable than road shoes. They also offer improved traction and protection…but not cushion.

Although trail shoes tend to be heavier than comparable road shoes, due primarily to the density of the materials used in their mid- and outsoles, there are plenty of models of hardcore trail shoes that are not particularly heavy or “hiker-y.” Although it is hard to generalize, the typical weight difference between a trail running shoe and a comparable road shoe is in the range of 1-2oz.

That said, when it comes to choosing a trail shoe, I would suggest that trying to link a given road shoe to its trail counterpart is a nearly pointless exercise, since the categories distinguishing trail shoes are considerably less clear-cut than for road shoes and relate to terrain as much as to the biomechanics of running. Like learning any new language, your fluency in trail will really improve as you are able to skip the step of translating in and out of road.

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Obōz Ignition II Review

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

By Stuart

oboz-mens-ignition-2-right-rg

First some info from the Obōz website:

The Ignition II is an updated version of the shoe Outside Magazine calls “Rookie of the Year”. The dynamic bootie construction wraps around your foot to keep trail debris out while the forefoot cage locks your foot down to provide a secure fit.

  • Synthetic Leather and 3D Air Mesh Upper
  • Dynamic Bootie Construction
  • Floating Forefoot Cage
  • 3 Part Midsole
  • Dual Density EVA
  • EVA SupeSkin Plate
  • Nylon Shank
  • Ignition Outsole; 2 Density EVA Midsole – higher density heel perimeter for stability, lower density elsewhere for cushioning
  • Underfoot EVA SuperSkin for torsional stability and stone bruise protection under the metatarsal heads
  • Heel TPU clip for stability and upper/outsole integration* Multi-directional high friction outsole
  • Graded nylon shank for lateral and torsional flex control
  • Strobel Lasted
  • 3D Injection Molded Asymmetrical External Heel Clip; our external heel counters are 3 dimensionally injection molded. Unlike a flat molded heel counter common to most outdoor footwear, they provide long term support, motion control and heel lock. The heel counters are engineered gender specific to account for the differences between men’s and women’s feet: different heel-toe/heel-ball length ratios, different forefoot/midfoot girths, different Achilles heel attachment points, and different feet entirely.
  • BFIT Tri-Density Footbed; our B-Fit insoles are designed with multiple densities of foam, providing support throughout the plantar fascia, and a defined and formed heel cup, these are after-market quality insoles, installed as original equipment.
Picture 001

After 50 Dusty Miles

I have over 50 miles on these shoes now, which is not a lot, but, as a guestimate, about 10-15% of their useful life of 400 miles.

The shoes are well constructed and gender-specific. They have a ventilated mesh upper which is composed of two different types of fabric. Rather than eyelets for the laces, they have loops which are located on the top of the eyestays that are in turn secured around the quarter panel to the sole of the foot and heel cup. There are four eyestays that extend under the mudguard that rises up from the outsole of the shoe. The final loop at the toe end of the shoe removes the option for gaiters which initially was a deterrent, given my love for Dirty Girl Gaiters (the idea of a gaiter is to reduce debris from entering your shoe and causing irritation/blisters). There is a solid toe cap which seems to be double layered for extra protection. I sized up half a size to an 11 and they fit great out of the box. They have quite a roomy toe box and, despite their narrow look, they fit my foot very comfortably. The heel is not restrictive and the cupping is nicely supportive without pinching anywhere.

Picture 002_large

The Unique Bootie Design

The most unusual feature of this shoe is that there is no tongue. The opening for the foot is a elasticized opening that is designed to envelop your foot (see above). The top of the ‘tongue’ sits at the approximate height as it would do normally and is soft enough to roll/fold with the motion of your foot. There are well-secured loops (I gave them a good tug) on the tongue and heel to allow you to get your foot in.

Picture 003_large

Grip Pattern

The sole has a solid grip pattern and is perfectly comfortable when walking on concrete and tarmac. I wore these around the house etc. for several days prior to taking them to the trails. Above, you can compare the sole pattern with a retired pair of Wings. As you can see, they have plenty of grip and a nice torsional shank. The shoe is not overly cushioned, and the ride quite low, which is a combination that might appeal to anyone who is trying a more minimalist approach to trail running footwear. They keep you in contact with the trail nicely and you can feel your way along without exposing your foot unnecessarily, but provide enough protection to absorb the gnarlier of obstacles. The weight of the shoe is well within the usual ranges that you’ll find for trail shoes at 13.5 oz.

Socks_feet_large

Clean Feet!

Of specific interest was the shoe’s ability to resist dust and sand entering through the uppers. Typically after a long run, my socks and feet look like I have been running without socks, so I was pleasantly surprised to see how well my Ignitions resisted dirt. I wore these on Sunday night and fully expected to see the usual dusty dawgs once I removed my shoes, but, after removing my shoes, my socks and feet were actually remarkable clean! This is a great feature, as debris in your shoes can be an absolute nightmare, as most trail runners will tell you. However, this may mean that they are a little warm, although this is not something I have specifically noticed.

Given the nearly complete absence of water at the peak of a southern California summer, I have not been able to yet test the shoe’s water resistance or drainage.

So, in conclusion, if you are looking for a pair of trail shoes and the thought of parting with $120 (retail price for a pair of XT Wings) makes you blanche, the Obōz Ignition II could be a great alternative. Comfortable out of the box, gender specific, great at keeping trail muck out of your shoe, not too bright (if you’re looking for a more neutral color), and grippy on the trail. What’s not to like?

Ignition 1

Women's Ignition II

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Men’s Ignition Store Page>>

Women’s Ignition Store Page>>

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Vasque Aether Tech Review

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

By Gretchen

I’ve been in search of the perfect trail shoe for a number of years now. During my first several years of trail running, I typically ran in road shoes. I simply couldn’t find anything I liked as well as my Asics. In the past two years, I’ve finally developed a respectable quiver of shoes: some for road, some for technical trail, some that can handle either one, and some for snow or wet weather. The trail shoes each have an area where they shine, but they also share a common feature: I haven’t been entirely happy with any of them. Enter the Vasque Aether Tech.

w aether tech chili_1

After consulting with the folks at Wilderness Running, I decided to check out the Vasque line with their award-winning Aether Tech, (winner of Outside’s 2008 “Gear of the Year” and Runner’s World’s 2008 “Best Debut” shoe awards).

The AT falls under what Vasque calls its Performance Line — shoes “geared for shorter distances at an aggressive pace.” As an ultra runner, you’d think I would have tended more toward their Endurance Line — shoes “built to handle great distances with ease.” As it turned out, I found the AT’s to handle technical trails at an aggressive pace, as well as great distances with comfort.

As a side note, I also have an appreciation for those who take the time to choose unique and appropriate names for their products, so I wondered about the word “aether.” Not only is it a reference to the Greek god of upper air and light, but in physics it is “a theoretical, universal substance believed during the 19th century to act as the medium for transmission of electromagnetic waves. The aether was assumed to be weightless, transparent, frictionless, undetectable chemically or physically, and literally permeating all matter and space.” So…I’m thinking “light and fast,” right? Turns out to be a perfect description of the Aether Tech.

Vasque as a company places a lot of importance on the perfect fit. Although that’s certainly not unusual for a running shoe company, they did a great job of helping me understand how this works, and actually delivering that perfect fit. Here’s their entertaining, yet educational, video on the ultimate fit:

These are the important features of the Vasque Aether Tech:

The Arc Tempo Last

The AT is built on Vasque’s Arc Tempo last, boasting an athletic fit and promoting quickness and agility over technical ground. The asymmetrical curve is suited for those with high arches, and places the foot in a more powerful position during toe-off. It has a medium volume heel and a tapered toe box. Here’s another of Vasque’s videos, this one outlining the differences between the Arc Tempo last and their Perpetuum last used in their endurance line:

Women’s-Specific Fit

All of Vasque’s women’s shoes are formed on a last that is adjusted to fit women specifically. This means it has a narrower heel pocket, more support in the instep, an adjusted heel-to-ball ratio, and higher arches. (Thank you, Vasque!)

Boa Lacing

The unique lacing system is probably the first thing you’ll notice about the Aether Techs. I have to admit I was skeptical at first. I tend to shy away from things that seem gimmicky or fad-ish. (Remember the Reebok Pump? They too, thought it was the end of the shoelace era.) Everything I read about the Boa lacing system claimed that it delivered a “glove-like” fit. As much as I hate the cliche, it’s 100% accurate, and I love the fit.

When my husband first saw the shoes he declared, “Oh, they have snowboard laces!” I was immediately more confident about the technology. After all, snowboarders basically revolutionized the ski industry in the 90′s. Why shouldn’t they do the same for other sports?

w aether tech lav

The Boa Lacing System

Boa technology was invented in 1998 by snowboarder Gary Hammerslag, who was tired of yanking all morning on his laces to get his boots tight enough for a float through fresh pow. (If you’ve ever worn old-school snowboard boots, you know exactly the pain and frustration I am talking about.) By 2001, Boa laces hit the snowboarding market, and now they are in use world-wide by athletes in sports such as cycling, running and golf.

In the Aether Tech, I found the lacing system to be brilliant for dialing-in the fit of my shoes. It offers smooth, even tension throughout the foot, and it’s easy to use. With the shoes on, push the knob in, and twist until the shoes feel good. I found that I liked to jog a few yards to let the tension even out, then re-tighten. To loosen, simply pull the knob out and pull up on the tongue.

The lacing system is also more adjustable than it might appear at first glance. Much like traditional laces, the AT’s Boa design allows you to add or subtract lace criss-crossing to dial in your preferred level of snugness up and down the length of the tongue. All that’s required is to disengage the Boa to create slack in the laces, then string the laces to the appropriate hooks. Experiment as necessary to find the right configuration.

Many folks I talked to seemed concerned that the laces might break, but they are made of aircraft-grade stainless steel and they seem pretty bomber to me. They are also guaranteed for the life of your shoes.

The Upper

The upper of the shoe comes in ether a lightweight mesh, or soft shell. Mine have the mesh, and I have no complaints about them. The high-breathability factor helped to keep my feet cool and dry. For wetter climates, the soft shell upper works to keep out the rain, as well as excess debris.

AT SS

Aether Tech Soft Shell (Men's)

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I am in love with my Aether Techs. During the past month I wore them for speed work, hill repeats and tempo runs on technical trails. They performed so well, that I could tell my confidence on technical terrain improved. I ran fast. (I really like running fast.)

I also wore them for several 30 mile trail runs on technical terrain without experiencing tired feet. These shoes may be marketed for “short, technical and fast,” but I would wear them in a 50 mile trail race in a heartbeat.

Here’s another interesting thing I experienced with my shoes. Normally after a run of 20 miles or more, I get blisters on the outsides of the balls of my feet and sides of my big toes. This isn’t because the shoes rub there, because they never do. It’s because of the way my foot strikes the ground. The skin right there wrinkles just a bit with each footfall, and eventually the skin layers rubbing against themselves cause enough friction for a blister. They’re usually not painful, but they do cause a nasty buildup of calluses that I am constantly fighting with my pumice stone. But this month: no blisters at all.

I think I finally found shoes that fit my feet so well that they actually changed the way my feet strike the ground. I couldn’t say exactly how my foot strike changed, but I am certain that it’s for the better. No Blisters. No tired feet. Happy runner.

So, are the Vasque Aether Tech’s for you? If you have medium to high volume feet, (or, like me, low volume feet and use custom insoles) and want a great-fitting, high-performance shoe for technical trails, then the answer is yes. Even if you’re a high-mileage runner, you’ll appreciate these shoes if you prefer a light shoe that offers a good feel for the trail. My only question now is, what do I do with all those other shoes?

AT gretchen

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Men’s Aether Tech Store Page>>

Women’s Aether Tech Store Page>>

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La Sportiva Wildcat Review

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

If I told you that you should buy trail running shoes from a company that specializes in wooden clogs and lumberjack boots, would you be interested? At first glance, probably not.

But if I went on to tell you that the company has a long history of producing durable mountain gear, and that they’ve expanded their original focus to include footwear for rock climbing, alpine hiking and adventure running, you’d be a bit more curious, right?

What if I continued to explain that the company has become one of the biggest supporters of ultrarunning over the past several years, sponsoring multiple race series and a team of elite trail runners? Or that they provide exclusive gear for the most hardcore mountaineers and high-altitude athletes all over the world? Or that the company’s shoes were worn by winners of the Western States and Hardrock 100-Mile races? You’d definitely pay attention then, wouldn’t you?

Readers, meet La Sportiva.

Sportiva

Considering that the company is relatively novel to many trail runners out there, it’s remarkable to learn that La Sportiva has been around for more than 80 years. They originated, and are still headquartered, in a small mountain town at the foot of the Dolomites in northern Italy. (Reflecting their origins, it makes sense that La Sportiva very seldom uses the words “trail running” for their gear – they prefer the phrase “mountain running”.) It has remained a family business that passes expertise down from one generation to the next, while collaborating with its sponsored athletes to push the boundaries of innovation for high performance.

They’re also a very generous company, as reflected in their extensive sponsorships (check that roster for this year’s Western States women’s champion and the Hardrock men’s winner), promotional efforts (they even have two blogs!) and race series awards – especially at a time when many other companies are withdrawing or limiting financial support of amateur athletes. I’ve wanted to establish a relationship with LaSportiva for quite some time, so I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to review two different shoe models from their current line.

Today’s review features the Wildcat, which is billed as a stable, neutral shoe – and the most cushioned shoe in the LaSportiva line.

wildcat

Men’s Wildcat

That description doesn’t mean the shoe is bulky – in fact, the immediate observation I had about both models (the Wildcat and the Crosslite, which will be reviewed next time) is how sleek and light they feel straight out of the box; they’re the shoe version of an Italian sports car. And it’s probably not a coincidence that LaSportiva shoes are endearingly nicknamed “Sporties” by runners who’ve used them. They trigger a primitive reaction of sorts – you put them on your feet, and you instantly feel like running fast.

The Wildcat weighs just 12 oz, with a low profile around the ankle, and a slipper-like feel through the forefoot aided by an even-tension lacing system and a thin, breathable sockliner. I felt like I could run a 50K in these shoes right out the door – they were instantly comfortable and responsive without any breaking-in period. Adding to the lightweight feel of the shoes are AirMesh uppers, through which you can literally feel air moving with each stride. The AirMesh provides this cool ventilation while preventing dirt and debris from getting through to your socks.

Wildcat_W_1

Womens’ Wildcat

Fortunately, being lightweight doesn’t sacrifice the shoe’s toughness. There’s a molded piece called a Transkinetic Heel Stabilizer at the back of the shoe to help with stability on rugged surfaces, and some rubber-dipped mesh for extra protection in vulnerable areas like the tip of the forefoot to keep clumsy runners from injuring themselves too often.

LaSportiva prides itself in its outsole traction, and the Wildcat uses their patented FriXion AT rubber which maximizes grip and responsiveness on the most slippery and treacherous terrain. Basically, the rubber is softer and stickier than the outsoles of most other shoes, but die-cut and angled in various directions throughout the sole to enhance braking and minimize slippage while also adding to the cushioned feel of the shoe.

traction

Men’s Wildcat

In practice, the traction control of the Wildcat is quite remarkable. I used these shoes during the first 30 miles of the Western States 100, on high country terrain featuring lots of loose rocks and long stretches of trail that were submerged in spring runoff. I didn’t have any missteps, and I felt so confident going through slick, rocky sections of trail that I frequently charged right down the middle of extended water channels that many other runners slowed to tiptoe around.

Overall, I was very impressed with the performance of the Wildcats, with a couple of caveats. The first is that, given my size (6’2″) and pronation tendency, the neutral support and low profile of this shoe takes some getting used to. I transitioned to the Wildcats from a pair of Montrail Hardrocks, and at first it felt like the foot equivalent of climbing out of a Hummer and into a Ferrari – you can definitely move faster, but you’re going to feel like you’re rolling all over the road for a little while. If you’re accustomed to a sturdier shoe, LaSportiva has a model called the Lynx which is built up slightly more than the Wildcat and marketed toward heavier runners.

The other drawback I found was that on the steep downhill sections of the Western States trail, I had a bit of contact on both sides of the toebox. Sporties use a narrower cut through the forefoot than most other brands (especially compared to Montrails), and although that slipper-like fit is generally very comfortable, it might be an issue on steep slopes if you have fat toes like me.

I was confident enough in these shoes to lace them up for Western States, but I was wary that the toebox situation might become a problem, so that was the reason for the shoe change I described in my race report. I had my “old reliable” Montrails waiting for me at Robinson Flat (mile 30) just in case I needed them – and when I arrived there, I didn’t have any blisters or major problems, but the concern was noticeable enough that I didn’t want to risk the next 70 miles and much steeper canyons that awaited. However, I’ve continued to wear the Wildcats since race day without problems – it’s only on those super-long, super-steep days that I might think twice about them.

If you’re looking for a very comfortable, durable, all-purpose trail running (oops – I mean mountain running) shoe that makes you feel like a speedster, and interested in supporting a dynamic company that invests time, effort, and money to the world of ultrarunning, the La Sportiva Wildcat will make an excellent addition to your gear closet.

Cross-posted at Running and Rambling.

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