I lucked into a second-hand pair of La Sportiva approach shoes last fall at a local thrift store. I’ve seen the brand around before (on a lot of my guide buddies), but I’d never tried them out for myself until now. What I’ve found is comfort and grip on a variety of terrains. But because I’m still in the market for new hiking shoes this spring, I thought I’d take some time to review a few La Sportiva hiking shoes.
Article Overview
La Sportiva TX4 Mid GTX – Unisex
Weight: 16.2 ounces
Footwear Height: Mid
Closure: Lace-Up
Waterproofing: GORE-TEX
Best Use: Mountaineering and Alpine
The TX4 Mid GTX is designed for mountainous terrain. The upper part of the shoe is crafted of leather with 1.5 mm PU Techlite Rand and a rubber toe cap. The midsole is constructed of traverse-injection MEMIex with an STB control system. The outsole is manufactured using Vibram Mega-Grip traverse technology with an impact brake system.
This hiking shoe is GORE-TEX lined to ensure breathability and water resistance. The shoe’s Vibram sole provides increased traction and ‘stickiness’ on slippery terrain and the STB control system upper wraps the midsole of the shoe to provide improved stability on traverses. It also wraps the foot for a precision fit.
La Sportiva Women’s Akasha
Weight: 9.8 ounces
Footwear Height: Ankle
Drop: 6 millimeters
Closure: Lace-up
Waterproofing: N/A
Best Use: Hiking and Trail Running
The Women’s Akasha is made for mountains and roads. The upper part of the shoe is crafted of PU Leather. The midsole is constructed of dual-injection, shock-absorbing MEMlex EVA. The Akasha is well-known for winning the 2015 Editor’s Choice award from Trail Runner.
This is a highly supportive and well-cushioned hiker/trail runner. La Sportiva tested and settled on this design to provide superior protection on challenging terrain. The cushioning of the Akasha reduces the impact forces acting on the feet, legs, and back by up to 20 percent with each step on the hard ground.
La Sportiva Men’s Lycan
Weight: 9.5 ounces
Footwear Height: Ankle
Drop: 6 millimeters
Closure: Lace-up
Waterproofing: N/A
Best Use: Hiking and Trail Running
The Men’s Lycan is also designed for mountains and roads. The upper part of the shoe is crafted of Air Mesh and the midsole is constructed of injection-molded EVA. This closed-toed hiking shoe is also a great trail runner and offers a breathable but cushioned design.
Designed specifically for running on rugged mountain terrain, the Lycan is also an excellent lightweight mountain hiking shoe. It offers breathable mesh with microfiber reinforcements that are coated with abrasion-resistant material for added protection.
The Lycan also boasts an injection-molded EVA midsole with an external structure for shock absorption and features a quick-lacing system and wider volume forefoot for maximum comfort.
La Sportiva Women’s Bushido
Weight: 8.8 ounces
Footwear Height: Ankle
Drop: 6 millimeters
Closure: Lace-up
Waterproofing: N/A
Best Use: Climbing, Running, Trail Running, Adventure Racing
The Women’s Bushido is designed for trails, mountains, and roads. The upper part of the shoe is crafted of AirMesh with thermal adhesive microfiber and high-frequency welded ripstop.
The midsole is constructed of compression-molded MEMlex with a 1.5mm dual-density compressed EVA Rock-Guard in the forefoot and a TPU shank. The outsole is manufactured using a dual-density FriXion XT V-Groove with an impact brake system.
This award-winning trail runner and adventure racing shoe offers the best in breathability while also holding up to rugged terrain and hour-upon-hour of use.
The Bushido boasts outsole lugs with rounded edges that wrap over the midsole for improved traction and stability on uneven terrain. It also features an internal ‘slip-on construction’ designed to fit your foot like a sock without causing excessive pressure.
La Sportiva Men’s Wildcat 2.0
Weight: 14.15 ounces
Footwear Height: Ankle
Drop: 12 millimeters
Closure: Lace-up
Waterproofing: GORE-TEX
Best Use: Trekking, Running, Hiking, Trail Running, Adventure Racing
The Men’s Wildcat 2.0 is made for trails and mountains. The upper part of the shoe is crafted of AirMesh with a trail cage, a TPU transkinetic heel stabilizer, and UreTech reinforcements. The midsole is constructed of MEMIex with nylon-molded, flex-transfer shank and 2.4mm LaSpEVA. The outsole is manufactured using FriXion AT with an impact brake system X-Axis.
These La Sportiva hiking shoes are designed to give you the nimbleness, stealth powers, and total emotional detachment of a Wildcat! They offer a stretch GORE-TEX lining for a comfortable fit and increased waterproof protection. The Wildcat 2.0 also features an aggressive outsole that bites into the terrain to guarantee excellent traction.
Now Get Hiking!
La Sportiva has been a trusted brand in the outdoor world for almost 90 years. They remain committed to bringing “you the best technical products to explore the outdoors.” And now that you have these new hiking shoe options at your disposal, it’s as simple as finding the next trail you want to explore!
Speaking of, be sure to check out my Tips and Trails page for some excellent spring trail recommendations and tips including tent maintenance, campsite selection, water filtration, and much more!
Let’s Connect!
Do you have experience with La Sportiva hiking shoes? I want to know about shoes that have (or haven’t!) worked for you in the past! Also, if you decide to purchase shoes after reading this review, I’d love to know how you like them after you’ve broken them in!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this review of these La Sportiva Hiking Shoes and I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments section below. I’ll be quick to reply to any questions, comments, or concerns you feel like sharing!
About The Backpack Guide
As The Backpack Guide, I’m always looking for new trails and wildernesses to explore and I’m also interested in the experiences of others in the wild. If there is one thing I am sure of it’s that we can all spend more time enjoying and connecting with Nature.
Feel free to reach out to me directly (email below), or share your latest adventure or backpack by tagging @thebackpackguide on Instagram and Facebook!
Hike On, My Friends!
The Backpack Guide
Comments
I’m digging the Men’s Wildcat 2.0. I hunt is some rough arid terrain and have been looking for an aggressive lightweight shoe.
The reviews on this shoe look really good. Any idea how well these shoes hold up and how quickly they break in?
Anyway, I need something that can handle some wetness…these are the best option I have seen so far. Do you have any other recommendations in this price range?
Author
I just bought a pair of Akasha’s which are treating me amazingly so far. I haven’t tested them in any wet weather quite yet, but I’m about to embark on a 6-day backpacking trip in them starting tomorrow, so I’ll gladly update you on my thoughts in the aftermath of that trip!