How the La Sportiva "Prodigio Pro" performs in varied terrain
3/6/2025
Translation: machine translated
With the "Prodigio Pro", Italian mountain sports manufacturer La Sportiva wants to shake up the trail running scene. Is the hype justified? I tested the new running shoe.
Few shoes have recently raised such high expectations as the Prodigio Pro from La Sportiva. After being presented at the UTMB ultra trail event last year, it was launched on the market a few weeks ago.
With a new midsole and an upper material with the promising name «Power Wire», it is said to be suitable as an all-rounder for almost all trails - from soft forest paths to technical terrain. Whether that's true?
A test on varied, technical terrain
To find out, I put the Prodigio Pro through its paces at a downhill workshop organised by the trail running coaches from Up2Peak. The route on Lucerne's local mountain Pilatus leads through varied terrain - perfect for a test.
Source: Up2Peak
From gravel paths to winding, rooted trails and rocky passages. From grass paths and scree to snow and mud. In short: the route has everything a runner's heart desires. And challenging shoes.
We, a group of six runners and two coaches, cover around 1000 metres in altitude over 4.5 kilometres on the ascent and 1800 metres in altitude over around 11.5 kilometres on the downhill.
Later, to complete the test, I ran the half-marathon distance with the Prodigio Pro on field and forest paths as well as several times between ten and 15 kilometres in hilly terrain. Without giving too much away: All in all, the shoe performs very well and leaves little to be desired.
Source: Up2Peak
To understand what makes the La Prodigio Pro so capable in different conditions, it's worth taking a closer look at its characteristics.
A look at the features
The Prodigio Pro has little in common with its predecessor and namesake, the Prodigio. From the upper to the sole, almost everything is new.
With a weight of around 240 grams (women's size 40), it is light for a trail running shoe. And this despite the fact that it has quite a high level of cushioning with a heel height of 34 millimetres and 28 millimetres at the forefoot.
The six millimetre drop is acceptable for trail running shoes, but I don't think it should be any more than that, otherwise forefoot running becomes more difficult. The risk of injury from twisting your ankle increases when running off-road on your heels.
Source: Up2Peak
The outsole is made of La Sportiva's grippiest rubber compound, the proprietary Frixion White, with four millimetre deep lugs.
Source: Siri Schubert
So-called super foam gives the XFlow Speed midsole its special properties. This is nitrogen-infused TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), a special foam mixture that combines cushioning, reactivity and stability.
The upper material is made from a synthetic mesh called Power Wire. It reminds me a little of knitted dental floss. It is quick-drying and breathable, so you won't get too warm in the shoe. After an accidental step in the stream or a run through wet grass, the shoe is quickly dry again.
Source: Siri Schubert
A soft, sock-like layer surrounds your foot on the inside. This is very comfortable because nothing rubs or chafes. The heel is well padded and the tongue is connected to the inner layer. It is also padded so that the laces don't cut in.
Source: Siri Schubert
I'm really impressed by the integrated mini gaiters in the form of a raised cuff, which reliably keep out stones, dust and pine needles. Unplanned stops to remove annoying intruders from your shoes are now a thing of the past.
Fit: a first impression
The shoe should provide sufficient support for technical runs. The toe box is cut wide, but the less stretchy upper material means the midfoot is tightly wrapped. If you have a narrow or medium-width foot, this can be very comfortable.
I have fairly wide shoes and a high instep. That's why the shoe is a little too tight for me, especially on longer runs. This may also be due to the fact that I tested the women's model. Women's models usually have a slightly narrower cut. You can find the men's model here:
The padded tongue doesn't give me the desired comfort, but makes the shoe even narrower. As the insole is glued to the midsole, I can't remove it to create extra space. The lacing can be adjusted to some extent, but the laces are too short for wide feet to use the last hole for heel lacing. If you have a high instep or wide feet, the shoes may also be too tight for you.
Source: Up2Peak
What I also miss is a lace garage to store loops and ends safely. It reduces the risk of snagging and ensures that the loops, once tied, don't come undone again.
Out onto the trails
My training runs take me over hill and dale, scree and rock. And the shoe performs well on any surface. The outsole offers excellent grip. It even holds on muddy ground and wet stones. This provides safety. Thanks to the outsole, the shoe is suitable for almost any trail running adventure or race.
Source: Up2Peak
The midsole offers good cushioning without feeling too spongy. With 34 millimetres of cushioning in the heel area, it is also well suited for long runs. However, the comfort comes at the expense of ground feel: if you - like me - appreciate very direct ground contact and want to feel the ground clearly, the cushioning is a little too generous.
The midsole is very flexible, especially in the forefoot area. This makes running on stony ground easier, as the shoe adapts to the ground and prevents you from twisting your ankle. At the same time, you have slightly less stability than the previous model, for example.
The shoe does not require a carbon or stone protection plate. This makes it suitable not only for competitions, but also for everyday training. I don't miss the plate on my test runs, as the padding means that even larger stones don't press painfully on the sole of my foot.
In a nutshell
A versatile running shoe for varied trails
This shoe is a true all-rounder for different conditions and requirements. It is suitable for technical trails, but also for training runs on easier paths.
With an extremely grippy outsole, the shoe is also suitable for wet surfaces and stony paths.
The midsole is slightly softer than that of its predecessor, the Prodigio. Whilst the cushioning offers more comfort, I would prefer a slightly firmer sole with more control. But that's a matter of taste.
The fit is well suited to narrow and medium-width feet. If you have a high instep or wide feet, the Prodigio Pro might be too tight.
The laces are a little short, which is why you may not be able to use the extra hole for heel lacing. There is also no lace garage.
The synthetic upper material is robust and abrasion-resistant. It does not soak up water. As it is not very stretchy, it provides good support.
The integrated gaiters made of soft knit are my favourites. Annoying stones and pins in the shoe are a thing of the past.
Overall, the Prodigio Pro is a shoe that fulfils high demands. It will certainly be seen at many trail running events and ultra runs. However, it will not completely turn the world of trail running on its head.
Pro
- Suitable for different conditions
- Outsole has very good grip
- Integrated mini gaiters keep stones away
- Upper material is robust and dries quickly
- Good cushioning without becoming spongy
- as light as a competition shoe, but also suitable for daily training without a carbon plate
Contra
- Narrow cut, not suitable for everyone
- No shoelace garage
- High damping comes at the expense of ground feel
Header image: Up2Peak
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
