Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Delivering a blend of cushion, response and traction, the women's La Sportiva Akasha II trail-running shoes excel on technical terrain and high-mileage outings.
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View all La Sportiva Women's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
---|---|
Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 6 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 31 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 25 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | AirMesh/TPU exoskeleton |
Lining | AirMesh (heel only) |
Midsole | 3 mm LaSpEVA/dual-injection MEMlex EVA |
Support | TPU STB inserts |
Outsole | FriXion XT 2.0 rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 2.4 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
Sustainability | From a Climate Neutral Certified brand |
33 EU | 33.5 EU | 34 EU | 34.5 EU | 35 EU | 35.5 EU | 36 EU | 36.5 EU | 37 EU | 37.5 EU | 38 EU | 38.5 EU | 39 EU | 39.5 EU | 40 EU | 40.5 EU | 41 EU | 41.5 EU | 42 EU | 42.5 EU | 43 EU | |
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U.S. Women's | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 5.5+ | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 7.5+ | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 9.5+ | 10 | 10.5 | 11 |
EU | 33 | 33.5 | 34 | 34.5 | 35 | 35.5 | 36 | 36.5 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 |
Mondo | 24 | 24.5 | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 |
For boots: Add one half size to your street shoe size. You should be able to slip one finger behind your heel when you are standing up with the boot unlaced and your toes touching the front. If the boot is too short, your toes will get smashed walking downhill. Too long and your heel will slide up and down and give you blisters.
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I love these trail runners, pulling me running local trails, and then decided to take them on a 5-day backpacking trip around the base of Mount Hood, Oregon. Issues performed well in sand, uphill climbs, muddy descents, and through river crossings. I had no blisters even after hiking in them wet for 6 hours. I sized up from my usual hostilities aside. These shoes had plenty of toebox room, and dried out overnight. I wore gaiters with them. I hand washed them after our trip and they turned out pretty clean again. Love them!
This shoe is great for trail running because of its stability and rigidity. It feels almost like wearing a hiking boot, but with a very flexible and comfortable upper that makes the fit nice. There's a feeling of stretchiness as I tighten the laces that makes the shoes fit snugly and comfortably around my feet. My only complaint is that for running, it's almost too stiff. If you're regularly using really rugged, technical trails, this might be perfect for you. But I wanted a little more flex in the sole (even though this might compromise some of the sturdiness that the shoe provides). I will definitely use these for hiking and for more rugged or slippery trail runs.
This shoe was great in all conditions tested (dry trails, mud, snow). I have not worn it on any steep or technical terrain yet, as it is still winter Colorado, but the bottom feels very grippy so I expect it will handle well. I barely noticed the shoe on my foot while in use, and it did not cause any noticeable rubbing or sore points. The shoe fits true to size (I usually wear a 9 and have normal width feet). I like that the sole is thick enough to prevent feeling rocks through the shoe, but not too thick so that it feels unstable.
These shoes are my bomb-proof shoes. The bone in the ball of my foot is angled outwards so I have to wear orthotics or risk ankle injuries and La Sportivas are the only trail runners I've tried that fit my orthotics perfectly. I typically run very technical trails and have never had these shoes slip or had my ankle roll while wearing them--they are super stable. They are surprisingly not heavy though they are pretty chunky. I previously ran long distances in the Jackal but switched because the pointy toe was getting caught on the tops of rocks. The toebox on these guys is pretty round and spacious. I have already put in over 100 miles in them and have not felt nor seen a difference in them since they came out of the box, except that they are no longer white. I think La Sportiva shoes fit narrow, more "skinny" feet the best, so just be aware of that. I also wear a 9.5 typically and have these guys in a 41!
These shoes were not for me. I usually wear a normal width shoe but the foot box on these was so narrow that my feet started to go numb after walking for about 20 minutes. I would suggest maybe sizing up, but then you risk of heel blisters from too much length. The shoelaces are also way too short, I could barely make a double knot. The tread on these is incredibly hefty, which may be good if you plan on using these on scree or sharp rocks. For me, the super rigid and thick sole felt like trying to walk in my XC ski boots. Also the white color started to stain the second I stepped in some mild mud. Why white?! I’ll be sticking with my Altras for now.
I have bought and tried on probably 40+ shoes in the last 6 months, but struggled worse than ever to find shoes a good fit. I've had these for a couple months now and worn on regular day hikes or walking my pups on the road and trails. These are very comfortable so if you like more cushion these do the trick. It did take my feet a little time to adjust to the fit, but I'm very happy with these. They look great on, as well. I usually wear an 8 in other shoes/brands, but find in La Sportiva that 40.5 seems to be the best fit for me.
A white trail running shoe? I have worn the Akasha since 2018. My favorite but the color options are lacking. I love the men's black but still when I look at the the choices in the EU, it's just not fair. More options please, La Sportiva. And no on the white. Mine were brown after the first run.
My initial impression on this shoe is that it is very cushioned. I wear a size 8 or 8.5 depending on the shoe. I got these in 8.5 and they are still pretty snug. I was initially concerned about my heel slipping out, but that wasn’t a problem. These shoes are comfortable for walking and running both on pavement and on the trail. I did notice that my toes got a little sandy on the trail, but I guess that’s a give and take with the breathability. I’d give these shoes a 5/5 if they had a bit more toe room. Otherwise, it’s a great shoe.
Really loved these shoes from the first time I took them on the trails! They were comfortable starting from the first run and didn’t require any breaking in. I usually do 3-4 mile runs about 2 or 3 times per week on terrain with a lot of small pebbles, larger rocks, roots, and dirt. I was impressed by how grippy the lugs are and felt like I had really good traction even on loose terrain like gravel. I’ve done 10+ runs in the shoes and the lugs still look pristine, albeit a bit dusty. The shoes also feel really sturdy and absorb shock well, which makes running in them a joy.
First of all, I LOVE La Sportiva. They make a solid product that lasts well beyond other brands. This pair is really comfortable right out of the box, and after a few weeks of testing them out I can say that once again I'm impressed with the quality. The traction on the bottom is great for muddy days and the toe protection prevents injury against rocks. I also really love the yellow/white combo, which is not usually found on a women's shoe. Definitely recommend if you're looking for solid trail runners!