Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

This product is not available.
From short jaunts to all-day adventures, the men'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.
Shop similar productsImported.
View the La Sportiva Jackal Product LineView all La Sportiva Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
---|---|
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. 5 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials From a Climate Neutral Certified brand |
34 EU | 35.5 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 | 43.5 EU | 44 EU | 44.5 EU | 45 EU | 45.5 EU | 46 EU | 46.5 EU | 47 EU | 47.5 EU | 48 EU | 48.5 EU | 49 EU | 49.5 EU | 50 EU | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Men's | 2.5+ | 4 | 4.5+ | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 6.5+ | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 8.5+ | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 10.5+ | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 12.5+ | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 14.5 | 15 | 15.5 | 16 |
U.S. Women's | 3.5 | 5 | 5.5+ | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 7.5+ | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 9.5+ | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 11.5+ | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 13.5+ | 14 | 14.5 | 15 | 15.5 | 16 | 16.5 | |
EU | 34 | 35.5 | 36.5 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 45.5 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 47.5 | 48 | 48.5 | 49 | 49.5 | 50 |
Mondo | 24 | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 | 28 | 28.5 | 29 | 29.5 | 30 | 30.5 | 31 |
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.
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
I enjoyed using these mountain running shoes on the trails because they were light enough to not think about, yet gave me the support I needed to not twist my ankle on uneven tread. I had also never tried the laceless styles in running shoes and was super impressed as how comfy they could be while allowing me to never worry about a lace potentially coming untied and tripping. I used these during the intense rainy days on the Los Angeles trails and was really impressed with the great stability they were able to have in clay muds and the ease in giving them a quick cleaning after a dirty run. I was have trouble taking shoes off after a muddy run, but the laceless technology along with the flexible straps allowed me to remove them with ease before hoping in my truck. I would definitely recommend these mountain running shoes
I love these shoes. I have worn many trail shoes and none have been like these, that made me a bit leery. I usually wore Hokas or Atltras shoes that are wide and cushy. These aren’t either but they are so much more. They are firm but not too firm. I have worn them on road runs up to 4 miles and they are good. They shine on the trails though! The firmness makes it so you don’t feel the rocks and roots. They grip the trails even on a muddy run and an icy day. The thing that sets these apart are the boa lace system. I want this on all my shoes. It makes it quick to get in and quick to get out. For the trail the boa ensures that twigs and grasses don’t get stuck on your shoes. I am an outdoor environmental teacher and lead 4-6 miles of hiking daily in addition to trail running. These shoes are going to be my new work shoes!
The Jackal II Boa could have been a really great shoe. The mid sole is comfy and the Boa laces can add so much to the fit of the shoe. After 60 miles and less than a month of owning the shoe the upper started to break apart starting with the mesh and continuing on through the other sections. The Right shoe developed a squeak upon every step around 80 miles, this didn't cause any notable changes to the feel of the shoe but definitely made it less enjoyable to run in them. After about 150 miles the shoes are completely falling apart. If this shoe retailed at a lower price point I'd feel okay giving them three stars but being unable to get more than 200 miles out of these before the upper dissolves makes them a solid two.
Size up- I’m typically a 11.5 or 12 and I’m a 12.5 in these. Really solid, snug fit with the combination boa plus flexible upper section. Great traction in mud and snow. Very comfortable shoe for running/hiking.
I tested the La Sportiva Jackal II Boa Trail-Running Shoes - Men's. The design is very unique, there is a buckle/fastener system instead of regular shoe laces. This design has advantages, tightening is quick and easy and you can fine tune to comfort or purpose. It does make the shoe a little bulky, however. And the upper stretchable fabric provides a great fit, but makes it difficult to get your foot in, especially if you are in a hurry. Other than those initial differences from a more traditional shoe, the support is great, they are light weight but provide substantial ankle and arch support, they grip everything, and stay cool. I used these run on trails and pavement, walks around the neighborhood, and running errands all day. They truly shine on the trail, providing perfect rebound and able to handle rough terrain with ease. Ultimately, the design was a bit of a barrier, especially for quickly putting them on. The size was also smaller than expected, size a half size up for these.
These shoes are awesome. Great fit for my narrow feet, especially with the new tie system. I enjoyed walking or running. The treads have solid traction, even on wet surfaces. I’d definitely recommend them.
These were exciting to try out! The soles grabbed the snow and mud quite well. The BOA fasteners instead of traditional laces are pretty cool, nor entirely sure I'm sold on them yet. The slip on design of these is a little awkward to put on for me.