La Sportiva Prodigio Pro

With its sights set on the most demanding mountains, the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro is designed for runners seeking maximum performance on technical terrain without sacrificing comfort over long distances; in fact it sits a step above the Prodigio 2 in cushioning and responsiveness (and also in price). The Prodigio Pro is what happens when the Italian brand decides to take its mountain know-how further: premium materials, refined construction and a feeling of luxury that might just justify the price, the best of the best.

The upper uses Power Wire technology with a premium mesh that offers an extremely secure, snug fit, ideal for technical terrain where every millimetre counts. The fit is narrow, typical of La Sportiva, so runners with wider feet would suffer too much and are better off looking at other models. The tongue has its own padding built in lengthwise for extra comfort, cushioning sudden movements, while the high collar keeps out dust and annoying small stones, although the material can feel somewhat stiff on steep climbs. The construction is robust and durable, built to withstand the punishment of hard training and racing.

The midsole debuts XFlow Speed foam, a dynamic combination of nitrogen-infused supercritical TPU (inner core) and EVA (outer shell) that offers excellent energy return without sacrificing comfort. With a 6 mm drop and 34/28 mm geometry, the ride is agile and lively, especially in the forefoot. The integrated rock plate protects without adding excessive stiffness. The FriXion White 2.0 rubber outsole with 4 mm lugs provides exceptional grip in both dry and wet conditions, while keeping La Sportiva's characteristic durability.