La Sportiva Prodigio 2

Without any big surprises, the La Sportiva Prodigio 2 (or Prodigio II) returns with a formula that already won people over in its first iteration: generous comfort from the very first kilometre, protective cushioning without losing ground feel, and the versatility to use it for both daily training and long races. After the success of the original Prodigio, which marked a change of philosophy at La Sportiva towards more cushioned shoes geared to ultra distances, this second version arrives with deliberately evolutionary tweaks: a roomier fit to better accommodate the forefoot, a reinforced heel for more stability, and an XFlow midsole of nitrogen-injected supercritical EVA that offers a softer feel without sacrificing responsiveness. The Prodigio 2 positions itself as an interesting option against rivals in the cushioned trail segment, especially for runners looking for a shoe that needs no break-in period. As for the price... well, it is a La Sportiva and you pay for that, you will not find them cheap.

The changes from the previous version are subtle but significant. The 3D mesh upper improves breathability without losing the characteristic protection: strategic heat-sealed overlays, a durable rubber toe cap and the ergonomic fit system that wraps the foot without strangling it. The padded tongue and traditional lacing ensure a solid lockdown at the heel and midfoot. If you liked the first Prodigio, you are going to love this one. If you never tried it because it seemed narrow, give it another chance: the roomier forefoot makes the difference.

The midsole is the heart of this shoe: a generous profile (34 mm at the heel, 28 mm at the forefoot) with a moderate 6 mm drop and the nitrogen-injected XFlow foam, which offers soft cushioning with notable energy return. There is no "dead" feeling underfoot here: there is protection for high mileage without losing the ability to respond when you pick up the pace. The FriXion® Red outsole, with a dual compound (harder at the heel for durability, stickier at the forefoot for traction) and 4 mm lugs, works wonderfully on hard-packed ground, dry dirt, gravel and moderate trails. It is not a shoe for deep mud or wet rock, but for 80% of everyday trail running it is more than enough. Ideal for mid-weight runners looking for comfort on long outings and high-mileage training, and for the versatility to use the same shoe on trails, moderately technical trails and fast transitions.