Our review of the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro. Spoiler this ultramarathon runner says it’s now one of the best shoes she’s ever tested.
La Sportiva shoes are made for performance in mind so the snug fit is meant to maximize sensitivity and power transfer over rough terrain. When training for or running ultras, a toe box that is roomy is a must for me and I’m very picky about what shoes I choose to train and race in.
I’ve recently tested two other trail shoes with a built in gaiter and the Prodigio Pro is my favorite so far! Easy on and off plus it cups the heel nicely!
This latest version of the Prodigio is designed to be lighter and more responsive with a secure fit. This shoe is an excellent training and racing shoe that offers excellent grip and feel out on the trails! The Prodigio Pro is built for performance!
Who Is It Good For?
- Wide Feet: Roomy fit but maybe not the best option for wide feet.
- Heavier Runners: The cushion and responsiveness of this shoe would feel great.
- Technical Trails: You will love these on rugged terrain.
- Long Runs: Great shoe for long runs thanks to the cushioning.
- Front of the Pack: The responsiveness and grip are a perfect combo for speed.
This shoe is probably one of the most comfortable shoes I currently own!
The toe box is roomy, the cushioning is nice and responsive, the collar around the ankle is super soft and not restrictive at all. The built in gaiter worked nicely at keeping out debris and the extra padding around the heel kept my foot from slipping or rubbing. This shoe was comfortable both on and off the trail!
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro Overview
Once I took it out for a run, I was instantly pleased with the energy return and cushion. In fact, I had to double check the specs on the shoe because I thought maybe it had a carbon plate.
It does not have a carbon plate but this shoe would definitely feel fast for trail races!
The new XFlow™ Speed midsole maximizes reactivity and energy return by combining nitrogen infused TPU for the core and EVA for the cage. The ultra grippy FriXion®XF 2.0 rubber offers unbeatable traction over most terrain.
I tested out this shoe on all kinds of terrain!
From the granite and rocky surfaces in the Sonoran Desert to the rough lava rock and slick mud in Hawaii and this shoe passed with flying colors! Excellent grip without excessively large lugs which meant I could transition to packed dirt and asphalt without any problem or discomfort.
The outer material on the upper has all of these lines on it, kind of like a web, called Power Wire which offers support and and stability. Soft enough to not create any creases or hot spots, but firm enough to keep your foot in place while navigating tough terrain.
I always say that if I’m out on a run and not thinking about my shoes, that is a good thing.
The laces stayed tied and my foot felt secure. Nothing was rubbing and I trusted the outer sole to grip and keep my feet in place while taking the next step.
The Prodigio Pro has such a different look from other shoe models made by La Sportiva. The color way and style was a total surprise when I opened up the box. A wider appearance with more cushion, plus a built in gaiter…say no more! This shoe also felt surprisingly light despite it looking bigger than other models.
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro Specifications
- Weight: 7.9 oz women’s, 8.9 oz men’s
- Stack Height: 34mm
- Heel Drop: 6mm
- Available in 1 color
- Not available in wide
- Available at: lasportivausa.com for $225.00
Quick Take
- Roomy toe box with no rubbing or slipping
- Soft cushion with a responsive bounce
- Excellent grip across most surfaces (even wet)
- European sizing, so smaller increments in size
- No wide options available
- Not ideal for muddy runs where you need deeper lugs
I really like the look and feel of this shoe! In fact, I wore them in the airport and plane when traveling to Hawaii! I really didn’t have room to pack all of the shoes I needed to bring so I chose to wear them and they were so comfortable!
I cannot say that I’d usually choose to wear trail shoes when traveling but these felt great! It’s a bonus that they look so good, too! The colors are not overly flashy and the cushion felt good on my feet!
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro Fit
I was not sure about how I would feel about the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro trail running shoe since I’ve always had the notion that this brand is known to run narrow which does not always agree with my wider feet. However, upon taking the shoe out of the box and slipping it onto my feet, I could tell right away that we were going to be besties and log a lot of miles together. What a nice surprise!
La Sportiva uses European sizes, which are smaller increments than US half sizes. I received a pair one half size bigger and they fit perfectly.
The toe box offered a roomy fit and I had no rubbing on my toes, yet no slipping. I did use a heel lock when lacing up the shoes, and I’m glad this shoe offers the extra lacing holes at the top for a nice, secure feel.
The support through the arch and mid foot feel good, nothing overly padded. The tongue is attached to the collar/gaiter on the shoe and it is nice and stretchy which makes the shoe easy to get on and off. Since it is attached it also does not have a tongue that will shift around while on the run.
The stack height and drop felt great!. Nothing too crazy that felt like it would trip me up when walking around or running on a trail. There was enough flexibility in the shoe to move comfortably while still feeling stable on challenging terrain.
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro Feel
This shoe offers nice bounce, stability, cushion and speed. It really felt like the total package. It was comfortable on technical trails, transitioned to hard pack or asphalt well, and was fine for walking around in an airport all day.
This shoe offers such a great design and fit. The soft, built in gaiter is a nice feature that functions really well. It does not come up too high and actually worked with both ankle and crew socks.
In addition to the built in gaiter, it has a terrific fit in the heel with no slipping. It was padded inside of the heel cup and offered a secure fit. I like the extra protection over the front of the shoe for the toes, too.
The Power Wire technology and mid-foot wrapping provide a precise fit, enhanced stability and powerful energy transfer. The enhanced heel rocker promotes faster landing and turnover while the forefoot rocker maintains the same geometry as the original Prodigio. The heel has this angular design that looks nice and felt not overly clunky when running.
Rubber metatarsal protection wraps the midsole from the outsole enhancing the stability over unstable surfaces.
The knit collar/built in gaiter is soft and fits around the ankle to keep debris out. The padding within the heel cup provides a secure fit and prevents slipping. La Sportiva nailed the fit around the heel with this shoe!
Similar Shoes to the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro
We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:
- Hoka Tecton X3 is similar with a built in gaiter but has a carbon plate and a higher price point. The gaiter comes up higher on this shoe and works best with crew or longer socks. It has slightly less cushioning but is very responsive. It’s also a little harder to get on and off, which is not fun when racing an ultra.
- Arc’teryx Vertex Speed also has a built in gaiter and is in the same price range as the Prodigio Pro. It lacks the padding inside of the heel but has a nice fit and overall cushioning. The collar is also higher on this shoe and works better with longer socks. Not as easy to get on and off as the Prodigio Pro but still has a responsive feel on the run!
Our Verdict
That’s right we gave it an almost perfect rating and if you saw the ! we removed from the review you’d understand this was a stand out! We like the grip, the versatility, the feel underfoot. It checked all the boxes.
What to read next?
- Best Hoka Trail Running Shoes
- Best Trail Running Shoes (updating shortly with this shoe!)
- Our Top Picks for Trail Running Headlamps
- Gear Checklist for a 100 Miler
Running Gear Perfect for Sweaty Adventures | July’s Gear Round-up
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