When it seems that just about every shoe is getting a plate thrown into it, La Sportiva swings for the fences with this plateless racer. This shoe is every bit a “super shoe” as PEBA-based, carbon-plated competitors, but with the flexibility, durability, and traction to hold up on more technical terrain. The supercritical midsole features a blend of TPU and EVA, making it feel springy like a modern race shoe should, but it remains comfortable and durable for long, hard trail kilometres. And it excels on technical trails, where plated shoes often get tippy because the rigid plates snap in the direction of a rock or root when you step on them, rather than molding around those trail features.
The outsole grips to just about every surface, even on ice with a slight dusting of snow. And, like the Prodigio trainer that was released earlier, the Pro has a more accommodating fit than previous models from La Sportiva, especially in the forefoot. The sock-like liner and ankle collar still provide a secure lockdown, while your toes are able to spread out.
Key Specs
| Weight | 272 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Features | Bouncy |
Women’s
Key Specs
| Weight | 223 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Features | Bouncy |
While everyone says not to try new things on race day, I can’t help but make my first run in a trail shoe a long one. I finished off 2024 by debuting the Prodigio Pro in a local 50K race, with a mix of pavement, double-track gravel, and rooty singletrack trails. The cushioning was welcome on frozen pavement and dirt paths, while the 4mm lugs provided enough grip on singletrack climbs to keep me bounding up the rolling hills to a sixth-place finish. But you might want to go up a half size due to the rigid toe cap, which is thin but surprisingly protective. I ended up with blisters on the front of the longest toe on each foot. I’ve since run multiple marathon-plus distance runs in a half size larger with no issue.
—Pat Heine-Holmberg
