Is the La Sportiva Prodigio 2 the best all-round trail shoe in La Sportiva’s range? After 250km in the Chilterns and Alps, we put it to the test to find out where it really sits alongside the Pro and Max…
I’ve been testing the La Sportiva Prodigio 2s since May, both in the Chilterns and in the Alps, across everything from dry summer trails to technical alpine terrain.
But the biggest question is this: why are you going to want this shoe?
We had the original Prodigio, then the Prodigio Pros, and more recently the Prodigio Maxs. So, with all these options in the range, what makes the Prodigio 2s interesting?
Putting the Prodigio 2 into context
The original Prodigio was the genesis of this series and represented something of a game changer for La Sportiva’s trail shoes, particularly when it came to racing. The original Prodigios were comfortable, but the rest of the range has taken that concept to another level.
I’d still argue that the Prodigio Pros are one of the best trail racing shoes out there. They’re incredibly lightweight, cushioned and responsive – and, dare I say it, it’s even possible to PB in them on the road.
But back to the Prodigio 2s.
I’ve put these through their paces over approximately 250km, testing them in the mountains on technical descents and long climbs, as well as here in the Chilterns over the dry hills of summer.
So where do the Prodigio 2s sit within the range, particularly when compared with the Prodigio Pros and Prodigio Maxs?
The Prodigio Pros are, as I’ve already mentioned, excellent racing shoes – super lightweight, with plenty of cushioning to keep you moving quickly and comfortably. Then there are the Prodigio Maxs, which take things in a different direction. They’re more robust, offering maximum cushioning and greater protection for those long days when you’re out on the trails from morning to evening.
The Prodigio 2s definitely feel like an upgrade from the original. They’re noticeably more comfortable, with improved cushioning and grip, making them a much more versatile option. But exactly where they fit into the Prodigio family – and which type of runner they’re really aimed at – is where things get interesting.
This is how La Sportiva describes them:
“A versatile all-rounder ready for anything from easy-going trail runs to gruelling endurance races, the Prodigio 2 trail running shoe delivers sure-footed, powerful performance on all kinds of terrain.”
So, how did I find them?
What I found them great at
For me, the Prodigio 2s really came into their own at middle distance – anything up to several hours on the trails.
They were super responsive and stable on steep, rocky alpine descents, as well as on dry, gravelly terrain. The fit was excellent and, after a few runs, I found the cushioning seemed to improve further as the shoe settled in. They’re lightweight, comfortable and, interestingly, I found myself reaching for them in situations where previously I would probably have chosen the Prodigio Pros instead.
Compared with their predecessor, they’re an absolute game changer. The improvement is significant enough that it’s almost difficult to compare the two shoes. However, if you’re looking to run an ultra or expect to be on your feet for significantly more than several hours, you may wish you’d opted for the Pros or Maxs instead.
But there’s another way of looking at it. If you’re using your shoes for a lot of training, why wear out your racing shoes? The Prodigio 2s make a great everyday training shoe, allowing you to save your Prodigio Pros for race day – and, importantly, save a bit of money in the process.
I’ve found the whole Prodigio range to have exceptional durability. However, let’s face it: cushioned shoes eventually lose some of their bounce and tread, and I notice the difference immediately when I switch into a fresh pair. That’s true of pretty much all of the super-lightweight shoes currently on the market.
With their more durable FriXion Red sole, the Prodigio 2s should offer good longevity, albeit with some compromise in terms of grip compared with a more aggressive outsole.
And when it comes to weight, there’s very little penalty. They’re only around 15–20g heavier than the Prodigio Pros, yet they’re around 25% cheaper.
That makes them a very appealing training option – leaving you with a bit more money in your pocket and, hopefully, a fresh pair of Prodigio Pros ready for your next race.
What didn’t I like?
There’s not a huge amount I didn’t like about the Prodigio 2s.
However, I’ve come to love the integrated gaiter on the Prodigio Pros. If you’re running rocky trails, it really is a game changer, keeping debris out of the shoe and meaning you don’t have to stop halfway down a descent to empty out your shoes. I also prefer the upper on the Pros, particularly on warmer days, where I find they offer better airflow.
These are relatively small criticisms, though, and for the role the Prodigio 2s are designed to fulfil, they’re certainly not deal-breakers.
The La Sportiva range
So, where does the Prodigio 2 fit into the wider La Sportiva range?
For me, it looks something like this:
- Bushidos – super-technical, rocky terrain. There’s still nothing quite like them.
- Mutants – fantastic for muddy terrain. We haven’t seen much of that recently, so you’ll just have to take my word for it!
- Prodigio 2 – dry, mixed and rocky terrain. This is now my everyday trail shoe.
- Prodigio Pro – lightweight, fast and responsive. This is my racing shoe.
- Prodigio Max – maximum cushioning and protection for those all-day trail adventures.
That, for me, is where the Prodigio 2 makes the most sense. It fills a very useful gap between the lightweight race-focused Prodigio Pro and the more robust, highly cushioned Prodigio Max.
The technical stats
• Stack height – heel: 34mm
• Stack height – forefoot: 28mm
• Drop: 6mm
• Lug height: 4mm
• Weight: 265g
• Sole: Dual-density FriXion® Red outsole, designed to provide extra durability at the heel and additional grip through the midfoot and forefoot
Conclusion
If you don’t currently own a pair of La Sportiva trail shoes, the Prodigio 2 is a great place to start. They may not be quite as cushioned as their cousins, nor quite as fast as the Pros, but that’s not really what they’re trying to be.
Instead, they’re a versatile everyday, middle-distance trail shoe that offers a really good balance of comfort, responsiveness, stability and durability.
And at this price point, I think they represent excellent value, particularly when compared with many of the other premium trail shoes on the market.
For me, the Prodigio 2 has found its place: the shoe I reach for when I’m heading out for a few hours on dry, mixed and rocky trails, while saving the Prodigio Pros for race day.
And perhaps that’s the answer to the question we started with: you want the Prodigio 2… because it might just be the most versatile member of this range.
Written by Simon James
