Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide
Valyermo, California
La Sportiva Janji x La Sportiva Jackal II Trail-Running Shoes
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Highly cushioned and breathable, Janji x La Sportiva Jackal II all-gender trail-running shoes are ready for easy jogs and all-day adventures, with an eye-catching design to turn heads on the trails.
Shop similar productsKey Details
Trail-Running Shoe Type
Rugged-Trail
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm)
7
Running Shoe Cushioning
Moderate Cushion
Rock Plate
Yes
- Janji collab "Tectonic Shift" design on the uppers is inspired by the colorful, ever-changing landscapes trail runners set out to explore
- Recycled mesh uppers with no-sew thermo-adhesive TPU reinforcements
- Updated tongue construction reduces weight
- Medial and lateral mono-burr mesh increases breathability for maximum ventilation and comfort
- Updated lacing design allows for a higher level of forefoot volume adaptability
- 100% recycled laces
- Durable TPU toe caps
- Midsoles are made with a combination of EVA and Infinitooâ„¢ polyurethane (PU) inserts for a balance of long-distance cushion and trail stability
- 1.5 mm dual-density compressed EVA rock plates for underfoot protection
- Durable FriXion® XT 2.0 dual-compound rubber features Impact Brake Systems™ and 3.5 mm lugs for traction
- Manufacturer recommends sizing up a full size from your typical trail-running shoe size
Imported.
View the La Sportiva Jackal Product LineView all La Sportiva Men's Trail-Running Shoes| Best Use | Trail Running |
|---|---|
| Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
| Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 7 |
| Heel Stack Height (mm) | 29 |
| Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 22 |
| Footwear Height | Ankle |
| Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
| Upper | Recycled sandwich mesh/mono-burr nylon inserts/TPU reinforcements |
| Lining | Recycled mesh |
| Midsole | Compression-molded EVA with Infinitoo polyurethane (PU) inserts |
| Outsole | FriXion XT 2.0 rubber compound |
| Rock Plate | Yes |
| Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 3.4 oz. |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Sustainability | Contains recycled materials From a Climate Neutral Certified brand |
La Sportiva Footwear - Unisex Adult
| 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 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 45.5 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 47.5 | 48 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Men's | 2 | 2.5 | 2.5+ | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 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 |
| 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 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 13.5 | 14 | ||
| 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 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 45.5 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 47.5 | 48 |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Great trail shoe
suzb2 years ago
Received free productTook these for a couple of runs in the santa monica mountains after rain and they were super comfy and super grippy. Previous trail shoes were hokas, and in comparison these shoes are very narrow, and not as cushioned. So, a great responsive shoe for someone with a narrower foot, but a little too narrow for me. Pic w Hokas for comparison, both shoes are womens 8.
suzbReceived free product
Los Angeles CA
30 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
nice shoe. zero quality control on sizing
NW Guy2 years ago
I am usually an 11 or 11.5, and a 45.5 in other LA SPORTIVA shoes. I ordered a 45 and a 45.5, both too small. I then order a 46 and a 46.5, both are too big, but the 46.5 is slightly smaller than the 46. There’s a big just in sizing from 45.5 to 46. And the sizing on all 4 pairs seems odd. Nice shoe, but it’s a shame the sizing is messed up. If you get lucky with fit then maybe try it out, but order a few sizes to be sure.
NW Guy
NW WA
27 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
San Diego, CA
PERFECT Shoe for the John Muir Trail
1 year ago
My wife and I just did 222 miles of the John Muir Trail in summer of 2023 and these shoes performed amazingly. We had to rock scramble, ford multiple rivers, go over crazy steep snow crossings, navigate through downed trees from multiple avalanches and these shoes were above and beyond comfortable and the best choice I could make. After river crossings, they dried quickly. My BEST advice is do what I did and get a much larger size. I typically wear a size 11.5 mens and I got a size 13 in this shoe. Perfect. I'm actually wearing them now, since I'm going for another hike after I post this review. You will love these shoes.
Age:55–64
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'1"
Average Weekly Mileage:30+ miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 11.5
Running Experience:Experienced
Yes , I recommend this product
Lunarabbit
Received free product
Asheville NC
Great find for many outdoor adventures
2 years ago
These shoes felt quite protective yet still pretty light. I do a ton of hike/trail runs where ya hike steep uphills and run the flats n downs and it had good grip in several terrains of slick rock and decent showing in sloppy snow. Toe box seemed wider than usual for la sports which was great for me as it wasn't super wide in the midfoot I did have one issue on the right side heel rubbing even with lacing with heel locks etc. But this is common for my right foot which is a hair different size than left. I'm going to try double socks next as I like the general feel of these shoes out on the trail. Nice cushion without feeling unstable. Overall check your personal fit at REI but I think they are a great trail run option.
Age:35–44
Yes , I recommend this product
Flaco
Received free product
Nashville, TN
Amazing traction!!!
2 years ago
These shoes have some of the stickiest soles ive ever used. They grip dry rock, wet rock, mud, and turf. Even wore them to work one day and they gripped a wet, steep, metal ramp amazingly well. They are also very protective with the large toe guard, and are a very stable platform. I always felt confident in them when making sharp turns and changes of direction due to the stability, support, and excellent traction. Because the great support & stability they are a pretty firm on the cushioning and will never be mistaken for having a plush ride. They are also a little tight in the fore foot. I took them out running one day and hiking a couple times after that. As a trail runner i found it a little heavy and hard on my feet for running on flat single track in middle tennessee. After that i used them as hikers on a 5mi & a 7mi day hike. In this role i liked them much more. They protected my feet and i knew could count on the grippy soles. Overall if you need an aggressive trail runner for tough terrain these are worth a look.
Age:35–44
Yes , I recommend this product
suzb
Received free product
Los Angeles CA
Great trail shoe
2 years ago
Took these for a couple of runs in the santa monica mountains after rain and they were super comfy and super grippy. Previous trail shoes were hokas, and in comparison these shoes are very narrow, and not as cushioned. So, a great responsive shoe for someone with a narrower foot, but a little too narrow for me. Pic w Hokas for comparison, both shoes are womens 8.
Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Naked Bird
Received free product
Costa Mesa, California
Overall amazing quality, but the toe box is snug
2 years ago
Arrived: Dec 26, 2022 Size: 8 1/2+ Color: Black Clay Item: 56J-999909-41.5 - Jackal II Me: Male, age 63, weight 161 to 163, height 5'7", shoe size 8 1/2 standard. Running style is light to moderate trails. Basically, decomposed granite trails, hard packed dirt, single track, and rocky terrain. All my current activity shoes are a normal size 8 1/2, racquetball: Ektelon NFS, cycling: Pearl Izumi-ALP, and running: Salomon Ultra Pro with 477 miles (which I retired today). All these shoes never required a break in period. I've stuck with Salomon’s for running because they work right out of the box. This info will be justified shortly. December 26, 2022, Break In Run My first impression of the Jackal II, the toe box is a tiny bit snug. My big toe felt tight in the shoe (my toenails are properly trimmed). This could be that a longer break in is needed. The Jackal II shoes I received are a "+" size, but I really think it was a bit too small. A few hours after my break in run, I still felt a slight compression pressure on my big toes. My other toes felt perfect. The upper part of the shoe is very lightweight, like my Salomon’s. Your feet will like the mesh sides as it helps keep your feet a bit cooler. I assume they will dry quickly if you are running in damp or wet conditions. The material might be Gore-Tex (I'm not sure). Other than my big toe being tight, the rest of the shoe felt wonderful. It fit my very normal and average foot nicely. There is a loop on the heal which is helpful for pulling on your shoes. The tread design is slightly more aggressive than my Salomon’s. I do like the Jackal II tread. The shoe appears to me for light to medium trail running, perfect for my style. I found other trail shoes to be too heavy and stiff and they end up straining my shins. The Jackal II have a nice flex to them, especially in the toe box area. The construction appears to be very nice quality and the heat seaming is very nice quality. Taking out the insert, you see nice stitching, that's typically better quality than simply gluing. Overall, they look nicely made. I'm very impressed. With any new activity shoes I get, I immediately pop in Super Feet inserts. With the Jackal II, I kept them stock and used the stock inserts. I did notice while running there was more "cushion" than what I'm used to. Initially it's not a bad thing, and I kinda liked it. I do think I will like the extra cushion in the sole as I get more runs in. I'm sure my knees will be happier. The heal rise seemed small (flatter), again this is perfect for me. My break in run today was 3.62 miles and on my normal trail run through a nature preserve at the end of my street. I was initially concerned about how tight my big toes were in the toe box, my other toes were happy. I could fell the tightness, but it seemed to loosen up after a bit. I think maybe more miles it should stretch to fit my big toes better. I did a short run because of the tightness with my big toe. The tongue is fairly thin and was very comfortable on my first run. It has just enough padding so you don't feel the shoelaces. These shoes also use shoestrings. I got really spoiled by the Salomon’s quick lace style. Now I got to learn how to tie my shoes again. Jackal II do not use the standard grommets, I do like the style used on the Jackal II, as it gives a better fit to the top of my foot when laced. I also used the standard lacing pattern that came with the shoe. I've never felt the need to use the extra (top) lace hole to tighten the shoe around my heal. The shoestrings also have a bit of flex to them. I can see this as being very helpful. On occasion I sometimes overtighten my shoes and you can feel it down the road. These shoestrings will give you that slight flex and not be overly tight. And they are wide, so the load is spread over the tongue. The Salomon’s are very thin lacing, and you can feel the pressure if you over tighten. The overall color is black! Yea....I'm so tired of flashy bright neon-colored shoes. The design appears to be done to minimize weight, add function, and very a pleasant appearance. I'm looking forward to putting more miles on these, with the hope that my big toes will adapt. Unfortunately, Southern California has had rain every day from Dec 27th to today, Jan 4th. And rain is expected until Jan 8th. This means all trails are mud and it will take a week for them to dry out. Once the weather gets dryer, I will update my review, especially on the snug big toe issue I am having.
Age:55–64
Yes , I recommend this product
BendHiker
Received free product
Bend, OR
Excellent traction!
2 years ago
The pros: I’ve hiked with these over several different terrain types, and they are really grippy! I maintained good contact with the trail in dusty, rocky and even muddy conditions. In some of the steeper sections of my hikes I rely on solid traction, and these deliver. They also look good—it’s nice to find a hiking/trail shoe that isn’t neon. The cons: Definitely order at least a half size up if you are used to shoes with a wide toe box. I usually run and hike in zero-drop shoes with a wide toe box, and these are not wide. Because I had to go up a half size, my heel ended up slipping more than I would have liked, causing some hot spots on longer treks. Overall, though, a really solid, lightweight hiker with fantastic traction—perfect if you don’t have wide Hobbit feet.
Age:35–44
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 9
Running Experience:Experienced
Yes , I recommend this product
Nat
British Columbia
Perfect shoe for a hike through Chile
1 year ago
Wow, I don't usually write reviews but this shoe amazed me. I chose it for my second season hiking in Chile along the GPT and despite a couple of visits with a zapatoria for some top toes stitching it lasted the whole trip, AND my feet were happy (most of the time). In Chile choosing a shoe is next to impossible because you hike through such different terrain/weather and it is VERY rare ONE pair of shoes lasts the entire time, especially trail runners. Basically I was able to go on trail runs in Santiago, hike volcano's, ridges, some snow and bush in central Chile and then finish off in Pantagonia where it is cold (I bought them slightly big so I could fit waterproof socks on for the cold parts in Pantagonia and that worked well). In the store I found them to be much roomier for my toes than the popular Hokas, and for me foot comfort is number one and they did the job bcs they are made with a wider toe box. Second to comfort they were very breathable, quick to dry and had la sportiva traction. The traction eventually wore off by the end but that was expected, the sole itself was still in excellent shape. I am usually an 8.5 but I sized up to Euro 41, I am so sad my size is no longer because I would have loved to by more pairs for the future:(
Age:25–34
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'7"
Average Weekly Mileage:30+ miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 8.5
Running Experience:Experienced
Yes , I recommend this product
MichelleL
Received free product
Reno, NV
Solid Shoe for the Trails
2 years ago
My first impressions of the Jackal II are that it's a light shoe, coming in at just under 1 pound, with an ample toe box and solid materials that engulf your feet. The shoe provides breathability, as well as waterproof material in the tongue and the wear was comfortable right out of the box. I took this shoe on some winter trail runs, so we experienced plenty of snow, mud, ice and packed dirt. The sole of this shoe is very grippy if you're going to be boulder-hopping and it provided good traction in the mud and snow. There was not a lot of cushioning in the sole, as well as arch support, so I might use this more as a light hiking shoe, rather than a trail runner; I like a bit more cushioning for runs. My feet felt fine during and after the trail runs, so the shoe is comfortable enough for trail running, it just depends on your preference. Definitely go up a half-size from your usual shoe size to protect your toes from getting squished on downhills.
Age:55–64
Yes , I recommend this product
jth
Tennessee
Poor quality
1 year ago
After I finally had literally run through all of the Montrail Rogue Racers I had purchased in 2014, I went on search of a new trail shoe (specifically a 100 mile trail shoe) in 2020. Took some time but had found the Jackal and after making a few adjustments to sizing was confident it could be my new shoe. Since 2020, I've had 8 pairs of Jackal v1. I'm always skeptical of changes and subsequent versions but was happy to try the Jackal v2 this year. Broke them in for about 10 days before a 100 mile race so they only had about 35-40 miles on them for the race. While I felt they were a little "sloppier" feeling (and going down 1/2 european size from v1), I had a mostly successful run on technical and wet trails without ever having to take my shoes off. However, I did notice they were significantly worn (pictures attached) in heel cup and other areas circled. This was only after about 140 miles. In comparison, I was able to get through 3 100 mile races in the same pair of Jackal v1 in 2021. I am writing because this past week I unpacked the Jackal v2 with 140 miles on them for another 100-mile go around. I figured mostly cosmetic issues with the wear in heel cup and upper and would be able to get me another 100 miles. I was wrong. Fortunately, this race starts with a 35 mile loop (and was a relatively local race to which I drove (so I had a pair of Jackal v1 (with 250 miles) in my car)). I needed the v1. When I had filled my water bottles and was about to head back on to the course without any other support, I felt like I had mud on one of my shoes. I was wrong, part of the sole had come unattached and was flapping. Ugh. Fortunately, I had the v1 and switched into them and was able to finish the last 65 miles of the race in the v1. Very disappointed in the quality of Jackal v2. Maybe just an anomaly but will be hesitant to purchase another pair and I guess the quest for a trail shoe will continue.
Age:45–54
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'6"
Average Weekly Mileage:30+ miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 8
Running Experience:Experienced
No, I do not recommend this product
Pbaioni
Arlington VA
Great shoes
1 year ago
This are the most comfortable and adaptable trail shoes I ever had. I am using it for long and short trails both technical/rocky paths and easier ones. It is very light and have a good traction, the mesh is quite breathable which makes is even more comfortable. The only issue is its sizes, it does not run small, I would say it runs very small. I am usually 9.5 or 10 and my jackal is 11.
Age:55–64
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 9.5
Running Experience:Experienced
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