The La Sportiva Prodigio Max: Trail Tested & Reviewed

There’s something about slipping into a pair of trail shoes  that look as good as they feel, and the La Sportiva Prodigio Max had me at hello. 

The colourway in Hibiscus/Malibu Blue is pure joy – bold enough to stand out, yet easy on the eyes. But okay, shoes aren’t just about looks, and the Prodigio Max promises a whole lot more for ultra enthusiasts with its maximum cushioning, long haul comfort, and enough technical bite to keep you moving forward when the trails start getting tough. 

The Prodigio Max are a tall stack shoe, around 37mm in the heel and 31mm in the forefoot, giving a 6mm drop, and it truly delivers on what La Sportiva call their XFlow Endurance midsole, a nitrogen-infused eTPU core wrapped in an EVA cage. In real terms, that means it’s a shoe that feels lively without being sloppy. Early miles felt firmer than expected, almost like the shoe needed to be woken up, but once it warmed into its stride, the bounce really came through.

This is a max-cushioned shoe, and yet it doesn’t feel like I’m running on marshmallows. There’s structure here. The broad base gives stability in the forefoot, so when the terrain shifts from buttery smooth fire trail to jagged rock gardens, the platform keeps you grounded. Quick pivots and dance-like footwork on technical scrambles takes a little more effort, but that’s the trade-off. You can’t have big plush comfort for the long haul and also expect featherweight agility. 

On descents, the Prodigio Max came into its own. That cushioning absorbs the relentless pounding, and the FriXion Red outsole – with 4mm lugs and a clever mix of sticky rubber in the middle and tougher compound around the edges – bites into just about everything. I absolutely felt secure on dry rock and hardpack dirt, and even wet slabs didn’t spook me. 

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The upper in this shoe is a different beast altogether. La Sportiva have used what they call a Comfort WIRE construction, which is a mesh base reinforced with TPU embroidery. It’s sturdy and protective, with a decent toe cap to keep rocks from ruining your day. I totally appreciated the lockdown: no heel slip, no sloppy movement, and enough support through the midfoot to stop me swimming around inside the shoe. That being said, the toe box has good roomage (is that even a word?), which is a blessing for forefoot splay late into a run. 

The gusseted tongue does its job beautifully, staying put without bunching and keeping grit and gravel out, which meant I didn’t have to stop mid-run for annoying shake outs. The laces themselves are classic and straightforward, but surprisingly effective, cinching down easily and holding tension well with the ability to do an ankle lock. No re-tying required. 

Durability also appears excellent so far. After some solid mileage, the midsole hasn’t collapsed, the outsole still grips like day one, and the upper shows only cosmetic wear. Others have reported these shoes easily lasting 500 miles or more, and from what I’ve seen, I believe it. That matters, because this isn’t a cheap shoe. You’re paying premium price, but you’re getting premium protection, comfort, and lifespan in return. 

And look, the Prodigio Max isn’t going to be for everyone (not every shoe is, right?). If you’re chasing long days out, starting out in the world of ultras or are already deep into endurance racing, or have planned out big training blocks where leg and foot preservation is the goal, this shoe absolutely shines. 

I finished runs in the Prodigio Max with fresher legs than expected, and that for me is worth more than flashy marketing promises. Plus every time I catch a glimpse of that Hibiscus and Malibu Blue combo, I can’t help but smile. 

The Low Down

Great for: Ultras, fire trails, gravel, compact dirt, moderate technical terrain

Not so great for: Muddy clay, highly technical scrambles

Ideal foot type: Neutral 

Test terrain: Compacted dirt fire roads, pea gravel, dry grass, rocky outcrops

Vitals

RRP: $319.95 AUD / $349.00 NZD

WEBSITE: lasportiva.com 

Conditions: Shoes in Hibiscus/Malibu Blue provided for testing by La Sportiva