La Sportiva Mens Bushido II Trail Running Shoe

Product Information

Rigidity and stability are the attributes that both mountain and fell runners look for when searching for an appropriate running shoe that will fuel their passions. Update: We tested the La Sportiva Bushido in 2017, and it received an update in 2018/2019. It is now the Bushido II, and features an updated heel design, wrapping lugs, and an updated tongue. Shoes change often, and we do our best to keep up. We still think the original Bushido is a fantastic shoe, and recommend getting it on sale while you can, or trying on the new version. Bushido Specifications As expected, the tread was the first aspect of the shoe to show signs of wear, eventually wearing smooth towards the end of their life. What surprised me was just how grippy they remained, even in this sorry state! Their final run was along some particularly icy trails, I was expecting to be doing a lot of walking that day, yet much to my surprise I didn't fall once! The main points of wear with the upper was along the outside edges of the mesh panels, which did eventually begin to fray. Construction Right in the middle for trail runners: not heavy, not light. They are quite durable, so the extra couple ounces comes from that. I still love them just as much as the original Bushido, so much so that I am now onto my second pair of Bushido IIs and looking forward to abusing them for another year or so.

The La Sportiva Helios is relatively affordable; if you are a minimalist, then this is the shoe for you. Upon trying on the Bushido II, it was immediately apparent that La Sportiva boosted the cushioning compared to the past model. I had the opportunity to wear the original Bushido and updated version together at my local shop, so I put one on each foot to compare. While I was only on a treadmill, the difference was clear: the Bushido II felt noticeably more padded and springier underfoot thanks to its compression-molded EVA foam midsole. This is because the La Sportiva brand understands the value of safety and will never compromise for anything. FeaturesThe La Sportiva Ultra Raptor is built to last for thousands of miles, and that probably explains why it is also on the expensive side of the scale. This is because every runner out there in the La Sportiva clan knows that the Akasha running footwear is engineered with STB technology for additional comfort. Most of the trail runners from La Sportiva have cushioning units with liquefied beginnings that is injected into a mold. Next, they are formed and then cooled into the final piece. The injection molding process reduces air bubbles and material wastage, hence resulting in an appropriately shaped end-product. The Bushido is somewhat on the expensive side of the scale, but the features it comes with are worth the price tag.

Only a few numbers of people are aware that La Sportiva is a 250-person factory situated in a mountain village in faraway Italy. The dedicated team of designers and craftsmen are focused on quality over quantity and work day and night to maintain the remarkable reputation of the brand in the outdoor footwear industry. It can run, but it can swim, too. This was the moment I knew the Bushido would be a trusted partner for the following weeks in Montana and beyond. Digging Deeper Additionally, always look for telltale signs of wear on the outsoles of your runners. If your running shoes no longer feel right when you wear them, perhaps it is time to get a new pair. Breathability

La Sportiva Bushido II Outsole

When I talk about the Bushido 2 feeling snug, I don’t mean they are too tight, but rather that they feel like they have stretch and are more form-fitting than some other running shoes. ‘Race ready’ if you will! La Sportiva materials and workmanship are covered, but does not cover wear and tear, improper fit, improper use, or improper care. There is no implied life span of a shoe, due to the variables that can affect footwear. La Sportiva shoes are built on European half sizes which are smaller increments than US half sizes. The impact brake system also contributes by further reducing the effects of any hard landing when you jump, a common trait if you are a mountain runner.

Much of the design remains unchanged with the second edition using the same narrow, low-volume shape, the same outsole rubber and lug pattern, and the same 6mm drop. La Sportiva started with products for skiing, and then trail running, and mountain-climbing products joined the line of products. Soon, the company became famous for producing trail running shoes for men and women. So the tradition and heritage of handmade footwear live on in this magical alpine valley existing in the shadows of jagged limestone peaks and glaciated valleys where alpine masters such as Bonatti and Messner plied their craft. UPPER: Breathable air mesh with thermoplastic film reinforcements, TPU medial skeleton placed laterally on rip-stop inserts.

Secondly, whenever you wash your foot-apparel, endeavor to use only mild soap, cold water, and your bare hands – though you can use a brush with soft bristles – to clean up the areas that require extra scrubbing. Do not spin-wash your La Sportiva footwear, no matter what. This is because such action will damage your washing machine or the footwear itself. Last but not least, you should allow your La Sportiva footwear to air-dry only. This is not, in any way, meant to imply that you should expose your running shoes to the harshness of direct sunlight. If you do, the foam and the plastics will warp inevitably, and this will potentially shrink them in such a way that your La Sportiva footwear will not fit your feet well afterward. However, what makes the Helios SR running shoes extremely endearing to outdoor enthusiasts is its abrasion-resistance attributes. If you can – and you well should – always create the time to thoroughly clean your La Sportiva running shoes after you complete every activity. This is to prevent the congealing of unwanted stains and the hardening or caking of mud on your running shoes. Several outdoor elements can wreak havoc on the structural integrity of the La Sportiva fabric; therefore, keep them off your running shoes. One of the Bushido II's standout features is its supportive and extremely stable ride. The low-slung design and stiff construction allow it to power through rough sections of trail, and the snug fit offers a connected feeling between my foot and the ground (there was no movement between my foot and the shoe). Further, I’ve been especially impressed by the Bushido II’s confidence on off-camber surfaces. It’s worth noting that I do pronate a bit (my foot rolls slightly inward with each step), and I prefer a neutral shoe like the Bushido on variable terrain. Unless you have a major issue with significant pronation or supination (rolling to the outside edge of the foot), the Bushido II should provide ample stability on most trails.