Our assessment of the La Sportiva Prodigo Max, a companion to our prime path shoe of the yr.
Between ankle rolls, instability, weight, and lack of path really feel, I’ve at all times been skeptical of maximal stack peak path footwear. The La Sportiva Prodigio Max will be the shoe to vary my thoughts.
In brief, the Prodigio Max is a model of La Sportiva’s Prodigo Professional path supershoe designed for long-distance consolation. That was truly our stand out path shoe of the yr, so it’s bought large footwear to fill!!
Sportiva markets the Max because the “final companion” for a number of the world’s hardest ultras, just like the Tor Des Geants or the Tahoe 200 – races I’ll by no means run.
After placing it by means of its paces throughout quite a lot of terrains and distances, I can confidently say that you just don’t have to race lengthy ultras – or ultras in any respect – to fall in love with the Prodigio Max.
- Broad Toes: Whereas wider than different European footwear, this shoe is probably going not the appropriate selection for somebody with actually vast ft.
- Technical Trails: The FriXion rubber gives nice grip on rocky terrain however this shoe doesn’t fairly have the lugs for unfastened grime or gravel surfaces.
- Lengthy Runs: With max-cushion assist, the Prodigio Max is designed for lengthy runs and races.
- Entrance of the Pack: This shoe is designed for lasting consolation, making it a terrific possibility for runners chasing podiums (or citing the again of the pack) at longer ultras.
La Sportiva Prodigio Max Overview
The latest within the Prodigio line options some key adjustments from its high-speed cousin, the Prodigio Professional. Notably, La Sportiva elevated cushioning including 3mm of stack peak.
The shoe feels surprisingly agency for the quantity of cushion. Not rock onerous, not tremendous squishy… sort of Goldilocks softness that gives consolation with out feeling like your foot has sunk in.
To make sure stability on a taller shoe, the Prodigio Max rocks a wider forefoot, making it a cushty possibility for a greater diversity of foot sizes. With these adjustments comes a heavier weight (the boys’s shoe weighs 1.5 oz extra).
These adjustments make the Prodigio Max the right possibility for the lengthy haul: lengthy coaching runs, mountain adventures, and – sure – the longest ultramarathons. Whereas the longest run I took them on was solely 12 miles, it was to shut out an enormous coaching week, and my ft felt no worse for put on. In truth, my ft felt so good, I used to be unhappy to cease operating!
One factor I liked about this shoe was the sturdy base.
Another excessive stack footwear I’ve tried have felt actually unstable, like my foot was going to slip off of the platform, inflicting ankle rolls – however I’ve had no ankle rolls and even shut calls in my time testing this shoe.
In contrast with another high-performance mountain footwear (just like the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4), the Prodigio Max has a considerably looser match. This made it really feel much less responsive when rapidly shifting from rock to rock.
Regardless of this – and regardless of the stack peak – I used to be pleasantly stunned by how effectively I used to be capable of really feel the path (and the rocks I stepped on).
The mid-foot higher is de facto sturdy and designed to maintain out particles. It felt a bit of stiff initially however broke in rapidly, although it’s much less breathable than mesh.
The rocker, whereas extra delicate than another footwear (such because the Hoka Speedgoat), offers the shoe nice vitality switch when shifting at a sooner clip. The rocker does make the drop really feel a bit of larger than it’s (6 mm). I’ve to be careful for my achilles due to an outdated case of tendinitis, however have had no points in these footwear.
Lastly, the entrance prime half (that darker black band) is strengthened which feels prefer it gives some extra safety from tripping over rocks, sticks, and so forth. And also you’ll discover it has a reasonably commonplace dimension toe bumper as effectively for these of us who find yourself catching our toe steadily.
La Sportiva Prodigio Max Specs
- Weight: 10.4 oz Males’s, 9.1 oz Girls’s
- Stack Top: 37 mm
- Heel Drop: 6 mm
- Accessible in 4 Colours
- Not accessible in vast
- Accessible on www.lasportivausa.com for $185
I’m removed from a fashionista, however these are a number of the cleanest wanting footwear I’ve run in. The primary time I wore them, I bought a number of feedback about how nice they appeared. And with 4 colours accessible, yow will discover one to match any wardrobe.
Purchase La Sportiva Prodigio Max
Fast Take
- Wider forefoot to accommodate the upper stack peak
- Nice for lengthy distances
- Rocker has nice vitality return
- Not good for individuals who want vast footwear
- Not for unfastened grime or gravel trails
- Much less responsive than different high-performance path footwear
La Sportiva Prodigio Max Match
That is undoubtedly not a shoe for a large foot however the wider base in contrast with the Prodigio Professional is extra accommodating of a medium-width foot.
Equally, the shoe sports activities a roomier toe field than I’d count on from a European model. I usually must re-lace my footwear to forestall my toes from going numb however have had no points utilizing the out-of-the-box manufacturing facility lacing.
As soon as tied, the shoe feels actually safe. I didn’t expertise any heel carry nor did I discover my foot swimming round within the midfoot, even when pushing off of angled rocks. Generally, the shoe responds effectively to my foot, bending in the entire proper locations with out creating any strain factors. The tongue is skinny however cut-out within the center – no ankle blisters or scrapes right here!
Comparable Footwear to the La Sportiva Prodigio Max
83%
For those who’re logging lengthy miles on packed grime or rocky terrain, the Prodigio Max delivers a really perfect steadiness of consolation, responsiveness, and stability. Whereas it’s not the most effective match for trails with crushed gravel or unfastened grime, it’s a standout selection for mountain runners – whether or not or not you’re operating lengthy ultras.
Who Tried It?
Hello there! I’m Alyssa, a path runner and sports activities dietitian primarily based in Golden, Colorado. By winter, I log about 15-20 miles per week whereas mixing in cross-training on (fats and thin) skis. By summer season, I’m profiting from all that Colorado has to supply, logging 30-50 miles per week, chasing mountain views and steep vert. For ramblings about operating, photographs of my border collies, and my favourite vitamin suggestions for runners, comply with me on Instagram @alyssaoutside_rd or attain out to me at www.peaktopeaknutrition.com.
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