Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

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From short jaunts to all-day adventures, the women's La Sportiva Jackal II Boa trail-running shoes can tackle all types of terrain—which is good if you're looking to explore the trails less traveled.
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View the La Sportiva Jackal Product LineView all La Sportiva Women's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
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Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Maximum Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 7 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 29 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 22 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Dial Lace |
Upper | Recycled mesh/TPU reinforcements/forefoot: recycled sandwich mesh/tongue and collar: ARIAPRENE |
Lining | Recycled mesh |
Midsole | Compression-molded EVA with Infinitoo polyurethane (PU) inserts |
Outsole | FriXion XT 2.0 rubber compound |
Rock Plate | Yes |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 3 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials 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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They looked really odd straight out of the box, but looked better once on my feet. These shoes don't have laces but instead have funky dials to tighten and loosen, which means they can't come untied during my run. The built in "gaiters" keep small rocks out? but feel odd as they are taller than my socks. These shoes have a higher heel than what I am used to. Support and cushioning was adequate, but I use custom orthotics will all my shoes so I may not be a good judge of this. Sizing was as I expected. They have a stylized futuristic look which is fun, but the white color with white mesh was not a good idea for trail shoes.
The caster closure system allows for such precise micro-adjustments, it’s really remarkable and creates a customized comfort experience. This is my first exposure to said system and at first I thought the thin laces might not be sturdy enough but they have really proven themselves! I think they will stand the test of time. Putting my hand inside the shoe the footbed felt rather hard and I doubted the comfort since I prefer a soft footbed… however once I stood up in these shoes I couldn’t believe how much cushion they provided. Walking around there is a slight sense of squishiness, which some may not like but I love! This will help in absorbing impact as well. The elastic cuff on the shoe felt a little too tight on my ankle at first but has since stretched a little to feel snug and supportive. I do have to wear higher socks since I don’t like the feel of the elastic cuff on my skin. Once walking around I noticed how much the soles gripped my kitchen floor, practically stuck to it, and that has proven to be amazing out on the trail and varied terrain. It makes for more confident running and a little less focus on foot placement which means more focus on the views and the rest of the surroundings! The sole also grips well in wet conditions which is nice when clambering over wet slippery rocks. I even had the opportunity to test them out on icy patches and they gripped much better than my old running shoes (not that I recommend running on ice!). I have narrow feet and high arches and generally need to add a little arch support to every shoe, and these are no different. I tried them on the first run without added arch support and that evening I could feel the tightness in my arches and inner knees that usually results from inadequate support. The next few runs I added a small foam arch under the current insole and that was perfect. I have pretty high arches so I don’t think this would be an issue for most people. I have sensitive, somewhat finicky feet and generally have to modify most shoes I wear, but this shoe allows for customization and adjustments on a level I’ve never experienced before, making them the most ready-to-wear shoes I’ve had in a while. They are more expensive than what I would usually spend on running shoes but now I see why... these feel like they really take care of my feet. I received this item for free in exchange for an honest review, and I have been truly impressed. I would purchase these again the next time I’m ready for new running shoes. I usually wear an 8.5 in casual shoes and a 9 in running shoes, and these are an accurate size 9.
These shoes have a great grip and did really well on the very muddy and very steep trail in Hawaii. I hiked down and up on the trail carrying 20 lbs baby in the front and did not slip or fall. The shoes are easy to put on and it's easy to adjust the tightness of the forefoot part so your feet are secure and nothing feels too tight. Walking on a muddy and slippery trail was easy and I felt stable, especially with a baby in the front. These shoes are also great for trail running- again, excellent and secure fit on challenging terrain. The only thing that may not work as great in the muddy conditions is the white color- my shoes got muddy and the mud stains did not come out after washing the shoes (not a big deal to me as the stability and comfort are more important).
I wasn't sure about these at first because going on they were VERY snug. For perspective, my feet are normal width, neither narrow nor wide. I was afraid they'd be too rigid on the trails but that proved not to be the case. The cushioning is firm yet comfortable and the tread seems just right, allowing me to run over roots and rocks without slipping. I really like the 2 button lacing system allowing me to vary the tension on my foot. The only thing I didn't like about these shoes is the lip(for lack of a better word) that comes up around the heel. On the one hand it kept more dirt and little pebbles out of my shoes than I normally get, and on the other, the few times a little pebble did get in it got stuck there and rubbed the back of my heel. All in all, I really like these shoes and my feet and legs feel good after a run in them. Oh, and they did stretch a tiny bit over a few runs, but are still snug...in a comfortable way.
At first glance, I wanted nothing to do with the goofy looking mostly white shoe with double boas that arrived on my doorstep. A very Euro-chic shoe, I admittedly wanted to find the first mud puddle I could to dump the shoes in. I decided to give them a chance though and found the double boa "lacing" system allowed for a more honed-in, reliable fit than regular shoe laces can provide. The show was overall more comfortable than expected. If La Sportive decided to make a zero drop version of this shoe I would be stoked.
These shoes did not give me blisters, I didn't really have to break them in. They have a lot of cushioning in the soles, I feel a little taller in them. I use them for trail running, and sometimes wear them to work where I am on my feet 10 hours a day. The only reason I left a 4 star over a 5 star is because...I do not like the design/color scheme. It's just not for me at all. I wish I liked the way they looked more because I'd wear them more often.
Wore these for 8 hours right out of the box. They fit like a glove literally. The higher ‘collar’ keeps dirt and gravel out of them, love that! Super comfortable and supportive and the BOA lacing system is the bomb.
Trail shoe is comfortable, good arch support, cushy sole and cute style.