La Sportiva Jackal II Trail Running Shoe Review
Grippy, stable shoes for technical terrain
October 19, 2024
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The La Sportiva Jackal II is one of the best trail running shoes you can get, if cost is not a concern. They are lightweight trail running shoes that balance foot protection, grip, and all-day comfort. Unlike other La Sportiva shoes that can feel too narrow for many runners, these shoes have a wider toe box that makes them ideal for long, ultra-distance adventures (though we love the all-day comfort for any length run). (The downside here is they also run small.)
The La Sportiva Jackal IIs perform well for anything the trail throws at you. The Jackal II BOAs, which utilize BOA dial lacing systems, are the “best upgrade” winner in our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guide due to their superb features at a slightly higher cost. The Jackal IIs also used to be our favorite overall men’s trail runner, but they’ve since been usurped by the La Sportiva Prodigio. If you want the La Sportiva model with the widest toe box, this is still the shoe for you, except perhaps their new wide model of the Bushido III.
While not the most expensive shoes we’ve tested, the La Sportiva Jackal IIs are above average in cost. However, its features cannot be beat for rugged terrain.
La Sportiva Jackal II
Men's
Women's
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Specs
Price: $165, $185 for BOA
Weight (per shoe): 9.7 oz (men’s), 8.6 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7 mm
Stack Height: 29 / 22 mm (heel/toe)
Closure Type: Lacing, with option to upgrade to BOA dials
Rock Plate? Yes
Sizing: Runs small (seriously—get a FULL SIZE bigger than other La Sportiva shoes)
Cushioning: Moderate
Ideal use: Rocky, technical terrain
Comparison table
| TRAIL RUNNING SHOE | WEIGHT MEN'S | WEIGHT WOMEN'S | CUSHION | HEEL DROP | STACK HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Sportiva Jackal II Men's Women's |
9.7 oz | 8.6 oz | maximum | 7 mm | 29-22 mm |
| Hoka Speedgoat 6 Men's Women's |
9.8 oz | 8.2 oz | maximum | 5 mm | 35 - 40 mm |
| Altra Lone Peak 8 Men's Women's |
10.7 oz | 9.15 oz | moderate | 0 mm | 25 mm |
| Salomon Speedcross 6 Men's Women's |
10.5 oz | 9.2 oz | moderate | 10 mm | 32 - 22 mm |
| La Sportiva Bushido III Men's Women's |
10.5 oz | 8.8 oz | moderate | 6 mm | 13 - 19 mm |
What we liked:
Durable
Great stability
Excellent traction
Comfort over long distances
What could be better:
We recommend trying them on or ordering a few sizes to get the fit right
Expensive
We tested the La Sportiva Jackal II trail running shoes on a variety of trails and conditions, in California, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona. Photo by Sam Schild.
How we tested
One of our testers took the La Sportiva Jackal II BOAs for a 12-mile, 8-hour, 8,000’ vertical gain ridge traverse in the Wasatch mountains for their first run out of the box. We’ve since spent hundreds of miles in these shoes, on trails in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. One tester even wore them on an Arizona Trail thru-hike! We also wore the Jackal IIs on road-to-trail runs, where we start on pavement and eventually end up on dirt or gravel surfaces, in order to test its crossover capabilities.
Features
The La Sportiva Jackal II trail running shoes offer exceptional grip on rugged terrain. Photo by Sam Schild.
Midsole/cushion
This shoe was designed by La Sportiva specifically with the long-distance runner in mind, so comfort over long miles is a key feature of these shoes. The EVA and Infinitoo PU in the midsole are supportive and comfortable.
Upper
The upper is highly breathable, which helps on those long, hot days. We also appreciate the comfort of the near-seamless construction of the upper. However, one of our testers noticed that she had to stop a couple times during a long run to adjust the tongue up and tighten the long laces of the regular (non-BOA) version.
Outsole and Traction
The Jackal II tread is some of the grippiest we’ve tested. The Friction AT 2.0 compound rubber of the outsole provides phenomenal traction on just about any surface. La Sportiva is a climbing company, and their proprietary rubber is known for being grippy. The trade-off is that these shoes have a stiffer feel, which can limit the feeling of quickness and agility on a run. At the same time, that stiffness offers great stability.
We’ve tested these shoes through quite a bit of snow, ice, scree, and rock scrambling, and appreciate the solid traction underfoot. They feel secure while hopping on rocks or making sharp cuts on a downhill switchback. However, one of our testers ran in the Jackal IIs in Tahoe and felt they didn’t grip the best on mud.
A close up on the outsole of the La Sportiva Jackal II and some wear. Photo by Sam Schild.
Foot Protection
These shoes feature a dual-density rock guard and stellar toe cap for added foot protection. This makes it one of the better options for trail running shoes when it comes to running on rocky terrain.
Toe Box
The Jackal IIs are much roomier in the toe box compared to other La Sportiva shoes, like the Bushido (even the Bushido III in wide). Our men's tester agrees that the Jackal IIs are wide for La Sportiva. This is good news for folks who have found La Sportivas to be too narrow in other models. Still, they run more narrow than shoes like Hokas or Altras, especially in the toe box. But even our die-hard Altra-using testers found the grippy benefits of the Jackal worth it for terrain that required scrambling or steep downhills.
Lacing
The La Sportiva Jackal II has a lace-up closure in their regular model ($165), or you can upgrade to the BOA lacing system for $20 more. We tested both, and found the BOA dials to work really well at securing the feet comfortably and reliably over long days on the trail. However, if the BOA version doesn’t fit your budget, you’ll still be happy with the regular lacing system. You just won’t have as much micro-adjustability in the toe box/foot area.
Treeline Review tester Sara literally dialing in the BOA fit in the La Sportiva Jackal II.
Sizing
We experience difficulty getting the correct size, and found the Jackal II BOA is not true to size, so you may need to try these shoes on to find what size is right for you. We recommend purchasing them at a retailer with easy and free returns like REI or Zappos
One tester already owned the La Sportiva Mutants, so ordering the same size for the Jackals made sense. However, when they arrived, they felt way too small and she got a full size larger than she would normally. (We’ve had this issue with the La Sportiva Bushido II too and learned better on the Bushido III.)
Fit/Comfort
The Jackal II fits wider than most other La Sportiva shoes, which tend to fit more narrow than most shoe brands. There’s plenty of room in the toe box for long days on the trail. The Jackal II also has an improved fit at the heel compared to the last model.
The Jackal II comes in both a BOA and standard lacing version. Photo by Sara Kruglinski.
The bottom line
The La Sportiva Jackal II trail running shoes are lightweight trail runners that offer excellent foot protection, traction, and comfort over long days on the trail. They are versatile and well-suited for everything from steep technical trails to long flat stretches on smoother trails, though we didn’t find them to be the best on muddy trails. These are our favorite shoes for long, ultra-distance trail adventures. But their all-day comfort also translates well to any-length run.
The features on this shoe were clearly thought out and designed with trail runners, particularly those who cover long distances or rugged terrain, in mind. The biggest issue was finding the right shoe size, which isn’t a big deal if you're able to try them on or purchase them at a retailer with easy and free returns like REI or Zappos. We think the La Sportiva Jackal II BOA is a great option for those willing to pay a little more for a “premium” running shoe.
Other shoes to consider
Salomon Sense Ride 5
Price: $140
Weight: 10.1 oz (men’s), 8.7 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8.3 mm
Stack height: 29.6 mm / 21.3 mm (heel/toe)
Closure type: Single-pull Lace
Cushioning: Moderate
Rock plate? No
What we liked: Comfort, versatility, price, great for day-to-day use, lightweight, no break in, traction
What we didn't like: Sizing can be tricky, laces are divisive, narrow fit
Like the La Sportiva Jackal IIs, the Salomon Sense Rides have been a tried-and-true trail running shoe for our testers for years. And also like the Jackals, they offer excellent cushioning and traction over a variety of terrains, from technical mountain trails to rolling, smooth trails.
This shoe offers a little more heel-to-toe drop than the Jackals, and weighs a little less (though not by much). They are, however, less expensive and are an excellent value.
Read our in-depth review of the Salomon Sense Ride 5 for more details.
Salomon Sense Ride 5
Men's
Women's
La Sportiva Prodigio
Price: $155
Stack: 34-28 mm
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6 mm
Weight (per shoe): 9.5 oz (men’s), 8.1 oz (women’s)
Closure type: Lacing
Cushioning: Maximum
Rock plate? No
What we liked: Responsive midsole, well-cushioned, stable upper, grippy outsole, excels on any terrain
What we didn’t like: La Sportiva Prodigio sizing is weird
The La Sportiva Prodigio is the most cushioned trail running shoe we’ve tested from the brand. This shoe has become one of our favorite shoes for any condition, as it has just the right amount of cushioning for long days on the trail while providing proper stability.
This shoe nudged out the La Sportiva Jackal II for Best Overall in our Best Men’s Trail Running Shoe guide for its overall comfort while navigating rugged terrain.
However, the Jackals better accommodate wider feet than the Prodigios, so if that is a concern, you may prefer the Jackal IIs.
La Sportiva Prodigio
Men's
Women's
La Sportiva Bushido Iii
Price: $145
Stack: 25-19 mm
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6 mm
Weight (per shoe): 10.5 oz (men’s), 8.8 oz (women’s)
Closure type: Lacing
Cushioning: Moderate
Rock plate? Yes
What we liked: Grippy, stable, low to the ground, comes in wide sizing
What we didn’t like: Not very much cushion, heavier, La Sportiva sizing is hard to get right
The La Sportiva Bushido III is one of the most stable-feeling shoes we’ve tested. This shoe shines in its traction and stability rather than cushioning.
La Sportiva Bushido Iii
Men's
Women's
Salomon Speedcross 6
Price: $145
Stack: 32 - 22 mm
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 10 mm
Weight (per shoe): 10.5 oz (men’s), 9.2 oz (women’s)
Closure type: Quicklace single-pull
Cushioning: Moderate
Rock Plate? No
What we liked: Amazing on mud and snow, great traction, Quicklace system is fast and gets a good fit, very protective, available in standard and wide sizes
What we didn’t like: Doesn’t cross over well to road, feels like overkill on flat terrain
The Salomon Speedcross 6 has an aggressive lug pattern for excellent grip, like the La Sportiva Jackall II. This shoe has a higher drop and weighs just under an ounce more per shoe. Both shoes perform well where traction is needed. The Salomon Speedcross earned Best Traction in our Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes guide, and the La Sportiva Jackal II won Best Upgrade in our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoe guide for its excellent traction and features at a higher price. Both are great shoes, and it comes down to personal comfort, sizing, and your budget.
Learn more in our in-depth review of the Salomon Speedcross 6 trail running shoes.
Salomon Speedcross 6
Men's
Women's
About The Authors / Why You Should Trust Us
Becca Downs
Becca Downs ran D1 cross country and track for Indiana University—Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) and continued racing everything from elite miles to an ultramarathon in her post-collegiate years. She earned a USATF Level 1 certification and coached boys and girls high school cross country and track in Indianapolis for four years. Becca then joined the IUPUI women’s distance coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach in 2020-2021.
She geeks out on trail running, track and field, and cries every time she watches a marathon (they’re just so beautiful!). After notching a few small FKTs under her belt in 2020, she was diagnosed with hip arthritis and now channels her passion for running into coaching, writing, creating training plans for her friends, hiking, and running when her hip allows it.
You can read more of Becca's work at her website or on her author page.
Sam Schild
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, trail runner, cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado. He’s been a runner since he was a child when he ran 5 days a week as cardiovascular training for soccer. As he grew older, he stopped playing team sports and focused on running and cycling.
After moving to Colorado a decade ago, he started trail running on the local trails. Since then, he has completed countless ultra-distance self-supported trail runs on trails throughout the American Southwest. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice, always in trail runners.
You can read more about Sam on his author page or his website.
