Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide
Valyermo, California
La Sportiva Jackal II Trail-Running Shoes - Men's
$114.73Compared to $165.00* Save 30%
Built for mid- to long-distance trail runs and races on more technical terrain, the men's La Sportiva Jackal II trail-running shoes are breathable and cushioned for comfort on your off-road miles.
Key Details
Trail-Running Shoe Type
Rugged-Trail
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm)
7
Running Shoe Cushioning
Maximum Cushion
Rock Plate
Yes
- Recycled sandwich mesh uppers with no-sew thermo-adhesive TPU reinforcements
- Medial and lateral mono-burr mesh increases breathability for maximum ventilation and comfort
- Updated tongue construction reduces weight; updated lacing design allows for a higher level of forefoot volume adaptability
- 100% recycled laces
- TPU toe caps
- FLEX inserts
- 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
- Durable FriXion® XT 2.0 dual-compound rubber features Impact Brake System™ and 3.5 mm lugs for traction
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 | Maximum 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/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 |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 3.4 oz. |
| Gender | Men's |
| Sustainability | Contains recycled materials From a Climate Neutral Certified brand |
La Sportiva Footwear - Men's
| 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 |
Sizing Notes
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.
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
PERFECT Shoe for the John Muir Trail
Anonymous1 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.
Anonymous
San Diego, CA
7 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
26 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
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
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
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
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
MO BigDawg
Received free product
Warrensburg MO
La Sportiva Jackel II
2 years ago
This is a quick review on these shoes, I hope to update later, as these are not a winter shoe for Missouri. With that said, I have put 15 miles or so on them. These shoes have the airflow of any shoe I have owned and therefor really look forward to the summer in them. The grip on the trails is very good and I love how light they feel. No complaints there. I would rate the comfort 8/10, one side of the shoe tongue being fixed was interesting at first, but no big deal. The only complaint I have is they are slightly on the small size, so you may want to get the size larger than you are used to. Also, they are true on width. If you have a wide foot like my boys, do not get these. Overall I really like these and I look forward to may more miles in them.
Age:55–64
Yes , I recommend this product
NW Guy
NW WA
nice shoe. zero quality control on sizing
2 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.
Height:6'0"
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 11.5
Weight:175–200 lbs.
No, I do not recommend this product
papyrcat
Received free product
Annapolis, CA
Tackles rough terrain with ease
2 years ago
Wearing these is like being bequeathed a set of Hermes' winged sandals. They propel you forward with only the slightest suggestion on your part, and encourage you to continue well beyond where you may normally have fallen short. Break-in time was non-existent. These were comfortable from step one, and stayed that way. Even when dodging gopher holes and fallen tree limbs I never had any protrusions into the footbed or trouble with grip. They're a nice light weight and you'd hardly notice they were there if not for the added spring in your step while running. Not bad to look at, either. Not overly technical or obtrusive and still pretty slick in design, you wouldn't feel horribly out of place walking around town after a run. I used these mainly on rough trails after the week long storm that wracked the coast and apart from them eventually getting a bit muddy I can't say I noticed anything to complain about. They slip on easy yet stay laced and fit well, the grip on the terrain is outstanding (plus the outsole looks cool) and they make running a breeze with nice padding and push on each step. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for a lightweight pair of runners to roam the backwoods in.
Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Rachet3
Received free product
Leesburg, VA
Great Shoe, Just an Odd Toe Box
2 years ago
I really love the shoe for trail running/walking. The outer sole has amazing grip and is strong and hard so it can last against rough terrain. The top of the shoe is breathable and super lightweight. The laces are "full" and springy so it makes tying the shoe easy (unlike other brands where the laces are literally like "shoe strings"). The colorway I received was incognito so not much to mention in terms of style here. The only negative I have about the shoe is the toe box. It is extremely roomy and it feels odd to me. It makes the feel a bit clunky and the look a bit like a clog. Ultimately, this comes down to personal preference as I've never used a road racing shoe with a large/roomy toe box.
Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Jstodda
Texas
Solid shoe, terrible durability
2 years ago
Wanted to love these SO BAD. I prefer a semi minimalist style shoe when hiking but needed CERY secure feel and grip for a week in Zion NP. After 1 week these shoes are SHOT. Tread is nearly gone, sole detaching (the red section from the rest of it), and already the toe box is peeling. The laces stick to literally ANYTHING on the trail. Fit wise I got blisters on the middle toes due to a very strong toe box and a tighter fit. Even with Injinji toe socks which has never happened before with ANY shoe I have used. Grip was REALLY good, feel was firm but comfortable and the lacing system was snug. I wish SO BAD these were even partially durable, but they gotta go back. Shoes should last longer than a week.
Age:35–44
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'0"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 10
Running Experience:Experienced
No, I do not recommend this product
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