If the trails you run are steep and rugged then the La Sportiva Akyra Trail Running Shoes are for you. La Sportiva put together a shoe that will you give the traction, support, and performance you need when you hit it hard.
La Sportiva Akyra Trail Running Shoe Details
- Breathable air mesh upper wrapped in a supportive exoskeleton
- Shock absorbing midsole made of cushy, dual-layer EVA
- Trail Rocker sole includes an Impact Brake System for increased traction
- 9mm drop
- Sizes: 38 – 47.5 (half sizes)
- Weight: 11.35 oz (330g)
- Price: $140
Time to get aggressive
The La Sportiva Akyra Trail Running Shoes are tagged to be aggressive and made for the steeps. La Sportiva built in 9mm of sole drop. This is a little more than you’ll find on your “typical” shoe. What it provides is some help with foot position when running on steep trails. I didn’t necessarily like it when the terrain mellowed out though.
The sole is aggressive. Deep lugs help provide traction, especially when the going gets steep. La Sportiva included the “Impact Brake System”. This is fancy for “reversed lugs” to help dig in when running down. Seems to work fairly well. The sole also includes a little bit of rocker which helps with the heel-to-toe roll.
The Akyra felt narrow, especially with the drop and on the raised platform. Overall forefoot height is 16mm and the heel 25mm. What does this mean? Taller shoe and more cushion. I’m used to lower profile shoes so when I put them on for the first time it felt like I was wearing platforms. The height is a factor of the EVA midsole. While I’m not a fan of the height, I did appreciate the cushion when flying downhill and when the trail gets rocky and rough. I didn’t experience the foot fatigue that can come when running more minimalist styles.
The uppers are airy. Even in black, the mesh performed well venting and helped my feet remain cool. One of the big downfalls of a lot of mesh is it can stretch and make the shoe loose where your feet can slide around and cause blisters. The Akyra combats this with an exoskeleton built into the mesh to provide structure and support. You get airflow and support…the best of both worlds.
Lacing up, the Akyra is comfortable. The tongue is thick and allows you to cinch down the laces without them digging into the top of your foot. I’ve used shoes in the past where the laces are prone to untying. The laces on the Akyra are are grippy and I haven’t had them untie a single time. It’s a small thing, but for me, the small things can make or break a shoe.
The Good
- Strong traction
- Good support
The Bad
- Too much drop when running anything other than steep
- Shoe runs a little narrow
The Bottom Line: La Sportiva Akyra
If you’re an aggressive runner who focuses on steep terrain, these shoes are for you. Ample mesh will help keep you from overheating in the warmer months.
Buy Now: Available at Backcountry.com
