Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Move swiftly along the trail with these La Sportiva trail-running shoes. Their ultralight uppers are durabile and breathable. FriXion® AT 2.0 rubber outsoles provide great traction.
Imported.
View all La Sportiva Men's Trail-Running Shoes| Best Use | Trail Running |
|---|---|
| Trail-Running Shoe Type | Light-Trail |
| Running Shoe Cushioning | Minimal Cushion |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 4 |
| Heel Stack Height (mm) | 20 |
| Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 16 |
| Footwear Height | Ankle |
| Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
| Upper | LYCRA® spandex cuff; HyDrain AirMesh; no-sew TPU reinforcement; mono-burr mesh and ripstop nylon panel inserts; thermoformed toe cap |
| Lining | Abrasion-resistant microfiber (heel)/wicking AirMesh |
| Midsole | 4 mm Ortholite® Hybrid™ insole; 4 mm LaSpeva cushioning; MorphoDynamic injection-molded MEMlex |
| Support | None |
| Outsole | FriXion® AT 2.0 compound; 2 mm deep VA Wave pattern lugs |
| Rock Plate | No |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Weight (Pair) | 15.4 ounces |
| Gender | Men's |
| Sustainability | From a Climate Label Certified brand |
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I got these Shoes 3 weeks ago, and they alredy starting to fall apart. I only wor them for everyday use, and i didn't run or hiked with them. In the ankle region the soft material, what makes the shoes more comfortable, looks like i have woren these shoes for 2 years. The overall quality is also not good at all. But still, the shoes are very comfortable
I've purchased 2 pairs of Helios 3s over the past 4 years. They're incomparable when it comes to comfort. I absolutely love them and wear them pretty much every day as a "gym shoe". Unfortunately the main issue with them is I think they are mislabeled, as everytime I take them out on the trails they simply don't hold up. Think of this shoe as a Nike Free type of shoe with the grip of a trail runner. They are incredibly lightweight and comfortable but this also comes with the sacrifice of limited support and almost zero cushion. As a result of these aspects you will feel every rock and root throughout your trail runs - and the upper ankle support just isn't there for longer distance runs. I actually think this shoe would be way better branded as a "trainer" or gym shoe. Like I said - I use it as a gym shoe everyday (I'm a PE teacher), so if you are going to buy it expect comfort but definitely don't use it out on the trails it won't hold up and you WILL have sore feet afterwards.
These shoes are lightweight, sturdy, and fast. I've had two pairs of these shoes and just ordered my third due to how good they are. These shoes have a smaller drop, which I personally like for trail running, but they still have plenty of cushion, especially on long downhill stretches. It would be cool if Sportiva made a newer version of these shoes though, with maybe a slightly stronger rubber compound, or thicker lugs. That being said, I'm still wearing my first pair of these shoes, which have survived two high school XC seasons, and countless miles of trail running, hiking, and bushwhacking while I've been in college for 2 years. As per most Sportiva shoes, they run about half a size too small.
I've had all three versions of the Helios and have liked every iteration including the SR "sticky rubber" model from a few seasons ago. I mainly use these for training runs, approaching, scrambling and everyday wear. The upper is super breathable and flexible while the cushioning minimal, responsive and comfortable. The outsole is sticky and low profile which makes it a great front range scrambler. The only downside is that without a rock guard, you feel everything underfoot. This can be tough on long miles. However, ground feel is unrivaled because of the minimal construction and the 4mm drop does seem to give it more protection than a zero drop barefoot style runner. Size up a half to full size from US street shoe.
I've had these for about a month now, they broke in nicely after a few hours. They widened significantly and seemed to mold to the shape of my foot. I have an average c width and normally wear 10.5 - 11 in most other shoes, a 45 fits me perfectly. Super light, secure, and excellent all-day comfort. I don't go on long runs in these, but I do just about everything else. Hiking, approaching, scrambling, etc. When it isn't raining or snowing, I almost always grab these shoes when I'm heading out the door.
The Helios series are hands-down my favorite running shoe by La Sportiva and these are my 3rd model, 5th pair. They aren't for everyone due to being extremely light and sensitive however, if you like the idea of bare-foot running, this is a very fun shoe to try! They will be lower on the durability factor for the sake of the light and quickness they feature so well. I most enjoy these for short-distance road and trail runs as well as casual everyday use. The important thing to note about these is that they don't support much weight. If I'm going for a long hike, I'll definitely choose a more supportive pair so my feet don't get too worked. Regarding size, I'm a US 10.5 with a wider midfoot and these run tight as most things do with Sportiva, however, Euro 45 is generally a safe size for me in the running and hiking shoes.
I've been using the Helios IIIs for training runs around my neighborhood and have found them to be a great option. They're light, breathable and really flexible. The strong energy return on each foot-strike has made them an efficient option for runs that include pavement before or after the trail. Happy to add them to the arsenal. Also loving the new black/red color!
Love the overall design. Upper is breathable, great for me being in the south. Tread was torrelent of varried terrain and mud. Laces are a little spongy so I could get a tight knot. Lightweight overall. My only complaint is the toe box being a hair too narrow. I've trained in earlier models and loved them as well. Even won a 150 miler in these so I'm a fan.
Still my favorite trail running shoe. I was so afraid the model was not made anymore. I put spikes on my old models and use them for my arch Canadian winter condition. Can throw to the garbages my oldies, so comfortable! And still, as I love minimaliste shoes, they are light but with just enough absorption.
I never used the Helios 2 but have been using the Helios 1.The Helios 3 is an excellent upgrade. Perfect out of the box. Sizing is the same as Helios 1. Upper and lacing is dialed in better. Better cushioning but still firm. If the sole is more durable, I'll be 100% happy.