La Sportiva Prodigio Max Review

Maximalist shoes always catch my attention as they promise to deliver comfort for my old bones. As the sweet spot on the Prodigio line, the La Sportiva Prodigio Max aims to deliver consistent comfort for long-distance athletes needing maximum comfort and efficiency.

La Sportiva Prodigio Max Features:

• XFlow™ endurance midsole provides maximum cushioning and long-distance comfort
• Uppers use Comfort Wire durable TPEE polyester with TPU yarn overlays
• Instep stability wrapping system for technical terrain
• The Max sole package features a wide platform and medium rocker design
• 6mm drop with 31mm toe and 37mm heel stack height
• Weight: 12 oz. each (45.5, actual)
• MSRP: $185

Maximum cushioning from Italy

La Sportiva has the Prodigio, Prodigio Max and Prodigio Pro trail runners in their lineup — each one varies in stack height, uppers, midsole and weight, but share the same 6mm drop and 4mm lugs (with different rubber for the Pro’s. While the Prodigio is more streamlined and the Pro is more “pro,” the Max is the one that has my name on it, because I can always use extra cushioning these days.

Of course, we can all thank Hoka for leading the charge with lightweight, comfortable maximalist trail runners. I still vividly remember the first time I saw someone running in them. From a distance, it looked awkward, but now they just look normal. With that, La Sportiva’s previous entries in this market haven’t really hit the mark, but the Prodigio Max has a lot more of what we would all expect from a maximum-cushioned trail shoe.

While the obvious star of the show is the midsole, I’m going to start with the uppers. These things are burly. Using Comfort Wire durable TPEE polyester material, they feel bulletproof. Durability has proven to be a reality as these uppers are able to take on the most technical conditions without even batting an eye. Brush, loose rocks and all sorts of trail debris are no match for these uppers. While there is no DWR treatment to fend off rain, the material works great to shield my feet from blustery-cold winds. I’ll definitely be opting for these on cold, dry trail runs this winter because they get toasty in the sun. Comparatively, I’d say these are a lot like the Salomon Thundercross.

The uppers are lightly lined, which dramatically improves overall comfort, but comes at the expense of summer breathability. That instant cozy comfort does add warmth during mid-summer runs, so I’d definitely peg these as 3-season options. Lacing is top notch. The combination of eyelet guides and standard laces make cinching these up an absolute dream. After having tested some great shoes lately that had the BOA Fit System or laces that required tedious cinching, it’s awesome to slip into the Prodigio Max with zero-fuss and easy lace-up.

It’s also worth noting that the gusseted tongue stays in place and aligned. Aided by the center lace loops, there’s no wander in these tongues and they adeptly keep scree out. I’ve paired them with several lightweight socks from Swiftwick, Jogology and Voltage for the best fit, performance trail feel.

I love how the Prodigio Max has exceptional instep support using lateral banding that’s permanently embroidered into the uppers. Stability is definitely a strong suit of these shoes and it comes from the uppers all the way down to the trapezoidal, maximalist midsoles. A wide toe box sitting on top of the XFlow™ endurance midsole further enhances the feel of the uppers. The midsole is built for cushioning over long distances — not necessarily high-speed efforts.

Hitting the trails

My test loops consist of dedicated singletrack, double track and some road approaches. For good measure, I always throw in some hiking and dog walks along the way. If I could sum these up, I’d call them journeyman shoes. I’ve taken the Prodigio Max’s on long and short test loops consisting of flat trails, rolling terrain and steep ascents/descents. It’s pretty dry around here, so most of the trails have been loose and rocky.

Thinking about each stride, the quality of the uppers continues throughout. Everything works well together to propel me forward across all terrain. Climbing, the FriXion® XT 2.0 outsoles shine. Each step is met with solid traction and forward momentum. Off-camber trails are also solid and stable. When it comes to descents, that same trail hold stays true as I can confidently head downward with style. Any mud that’s been captured in the lugs has removed itself in due time.

There are certainly faster shoes out there, but these feel at home at moderate paces where the cushioning can perform its best. I do notice the 6mm drop as part of the forward momentum they provide. Rolling from impact to toe-off feels natural and smooth (in a traditional running shoe sense), thanks to the built-in rockered outsole design. The low swing weight is also worth calling out as these feel lightweight with every stride.

Some midsoles are built for rebound — propelling you to the next step. These are tuned equally for both cushioning and rebound. In my testing, that just means you can expect consistency. Admittedly, the cushioning isn’t quite as soft as the most comfortable shoes and not as responsive as the fastest ones. They are just good, old-fashioned predictable trail runners with a consistent feel. After long distances, I definitely feel fresh and ready for more.

Fit: I’m wearing the size 11.5 (45.5), which is my usual size in La Sportiva and other brands.

Buy Now: Available at Backcountry.com