La Sportiva Jackal
Buy La Sportiva Jackal at today's best price (men's/women's)
7 minute read
Overview
The La Sportiva Jackal is a trail running shoe designed for rugged mountain adventures. This shoe is known for its durability and protective features, making it ideal for technical terrains.
Key Features:
- Frixion XT 2.0 Outsole: Provides excellent traction on various surfaces.
- Rock Plate: Offers superior underfoot protection from sharp rocks.
- Mono-Burr Mesh Upper: Ensures breathability and quick drying.
The La Sportiva Jackal is an ideal choice for trail runners who prioritize durability and protection for technical terrains. Its advanced outsole offers reliable grip, making it suitable for challenging mountain runs.
With an average review score of 76%, it's in the lowest rated 20% of similar running shoes. Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently in the most expensive 20% of running shoes today.
Verdict
The consensus on the La Sportiva Jackal
The La Sportiva Jackal is a robust trail running shoe designed for rugged mountain terrains. It excels in providing traction and foot protection with its Frixion XT 2.0 outsole and embedded rock plate. The shoe's Mono-Burr mesh upper ensures breathability, although it may saturate quickly in wet conditions. While the Jackal offers stability with its snug heel cup and wide toe box, it lacks plush comfort, making it less suitable for long-distance runs. The shoe's weight is manageable, but its rigid midsole may not appeal to those seeking flexibility. Overall, the Jackal is a reliable choice for technical trails, but runners should consider sizing up due to its narrow fit. For those seeking a durable and protective trail shoe, the La Sportiva Jackal is a solid option.
Comparable Shoes
The Salomon Speedcross 6 is a good alternative for those seeking a mountain-ready shoe with aggressive lugs. It offers excellent traction and protection, similar to the La Sportiva Jackal. However, the Speedcross 6 provides a more cushioned ride, making it a better option for longer runs.
The Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 is an equally capable trail running shoe with solid traction and a bit more comfort. It offers a more cushioned and flexible ride compared to the La Sportiva Jackal, making it suitable for longer distances and varied terrains.
The Saucony Peregrine 13 is a traditionally-shaped trail running shoe with strong traction and well-rounded comfort. It provides a more cushioned ride compared to the La Sportiva Jackal, making it a good option for runners seeking a balance between protection and comfort.
6 La Sportiva Jackal Pros & Cons
3 Pros
3 Cons
In Depth
Upper
The upper of the La Sportiva Jackal is made from Mono-Burr mesh, which ensures breathability and quick drying. This material helps keep feet cool and deflects sand and trail debris. However, it can saturate quickly in wet conditions, but it dries fast, making it suitable for summer runs where wet feet are inevitable.
Midsole
The midsole of the La Sportiva Jackal features a combination of compressed EVA foam (ethylene-vinyl acetate, a type of cushioning material) and Infinitoo PU (polyurethane) inserts. This design provides excellent cushioning and stability, making it ideal for long-distance runs. The dual-density foam and rock plate offer superior foot protection, ensuring a comfortable run on rocky terrains.
Outsole
The Frixion XT 2.0 outsole of the La Sportiva Jackal offers exceptional grip and durability. The aggressive lugs provide excellent traction on various surfaces, making it a reliable choice for technical terrains. The outsole's rigid and durable rubber ensures stability and confidence on high-alpine adventures.
Size/fit
The La Sportiva Jackal tends to run small, and many reviewers recommend sizing up. The shoe is designed with a wide toe box, providing ample space for toe splay, which enhances stability. However, the fit can be narrow, and the heel cup may feel uncomfortable for some runners. It's advisable to try the shoe on before purchasing to ensure the right fit.
Comfort
The La Sportiva Jackal is not known for its plush comfort. The shoe features a hard-compact insole, a scantily plush tongue, and a rigid toe bumper. While it excels in providing protection and stability, it may not be suitable for runners seeking a cushioned and comfortable ride for long distances. Thick running socks or sizing up may help mitigate some discomfort.
Cushioning
The cushioning in the La Sportiva Jackal is provided by a combination of compressed EVA foam and Infinitoo PU inserts. This setup offers excellent shock absorption and stability, making it suitable for long-distance runs on rocky terrains. However, the cushioning is not as plush as some other trail running shoes, which may affect comfort on extended runs.
Breathability
The Mono-Burr mesh upper of the La Sportiva Jackal ensures excellent breathability, keeping feet cool during runs. This material also dries quickly, making it suitable for summer runs where wet conditions are expected. However, the upper can saturate quickly in wet conditions, so it's important to consider this if running in consistently wet environments.
Stability
The La Sportiva Jackal offers strong stability with its snug heel cup and wide toe box. The shoe's design allows for natural toe splay, enhancing intrinsic stability. The lacing system creates a comfortable locking sensation, adding to the overall stability. The rigid midsole and heel cup shape further contribute to the shoe's stability on technical terrains.
Durability
The La Sportiva Jackal is built to last with its durable Frixion XT 2.0 outsole and robust upper materials. The shoe's construction ensures it can withstand the rigors of technical trails and rocky terrains. The rigid midsole and protective features contribute to its overall durability, making it a reliable choice for long-term use.
Grip
The La Sportiva Jackal excels in providing grip with its Frixion XT 2.0 outsole and aggressive 6 mm lugs. The multidirectional points on the outsole ensure excellent traction on various surfaces, including slick granite and rocky terrains. This makes the Jackal a reliable choice for technical mountain runs.
Flex
The La Sportiva Jackal has a relatively rigid midsole, which may not appeal to runners seeking a flexible shoe. The rigidity provides stability and protection but limits the shoe's flexibility. This design is suitable for technical terrains where stability is crucial, but it may not offer the same level of trail feel as more flexible options.
Who should buy the La Sportiva Jackal?
The La Sportiva Jackal is ideal for trail runners who prioritize durability and protection on technical terrains. It's a great choice for those who enjoy rugged mountain runs and need a shoe with excellent traction and stability. Runners with a preference for a wide toe box and snug heel cup will appreciate the fit of the Jackal. If you often run on rocky trails and need a shoe that can handle sharp rocks and uneven surfaces, the Jackal is a reliable option.
Who should not buy the La Sportiva Jackal?
The La Sportiva Jackal may not be suitable for runners seeking a plush and cushioned ride. If you prefer a lightweight and flexible shoe, the Jackal's rigid midsole and heavier weight may not meet your needs. Runners with wide feet or those who require a roomier fit might find the Jackal too narrow and uncomfortable. Consider trying the Hoka Speedgoat or the Altra Lone Peak for a more cushioned and flexible alternative.
La Sportiva Jackal: What's it good for?
The La Sportiva Jackal is well-suited for technical trail running and mountain adventures. Its durable construction and protective features make it ideal for rocky terrains and rugged trails. The shoe's excellent traction and stability are perfect for mountain running and scrambling. While it may not be the best choice for long-distance runs, it excels in middle-distance technical runs where protection and stability are crucial.
5 La Sportiva Jackal FAQs
Is the La Sportiva Jackal suitable for long-distance runs?
The La Sportiva Jackal is designed for technical terrains and middle-distance runs. While it offers excellent protection and stability, it may not be the most comfortable option for long-distance runs due to its rigid midsole and lack of plush cushioning.
Does the La Sportiva Jackal run true to size?
The La Sportiva Jackal tends to run small, and many reviewers recommend sizing up. It's advisable to try the shoe on before purchasing to ensure the right fit.
How does the La Sportiva Jackal perform on wet surfaces?
The La Sportiva Jackal features a Frixion XT 2.0 outsole with aggressive lugs, providing excellent traction on various surfaces, including wet and rocky terrains. However, the upper can saturate quickly in wet conditions, but it dries fast.
Is the La Sportiva Jackal suitable for runners with wide feet?
The La Sportiva Jackal has a wide toe box, but the overall fit can be narrow. Runners with wide feet may find it uncomfortable and should consider trying the shoe on before purchasing or exploring other options like the Altra Lone Peak.
What type of terrain is the La Sportiva Jackal best suited for?
The La Sportiva Jackal is best suited for technical terrains and rugged mountain trails. Its durable construction and protective features make it ideal for rocky surfaces and challenging trails.
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| bestDeal | Show prices | |||||
| priceBand | Price band | |||||
| released | ReleasedMar 2020 | Aug 2022 | Mar 2018 | |||
| expertReviewScore | Expert Review Score | |||||
| productAthletes | Pro athlete users+2   | +5   | ||||
| Weight | WeightM: 301 g W: 249 g | 11 g | M: 204 g W: 170 g | |||
| Forefoot | Forefoot19 mm | 23 mm | M: 18 mm W: 16 mm | |||
| Heel to toe drop | Heel to toe drop7 mm | 8 mm | 3 mm | |||
| Heel | Heel25 mm | 31 mm | M: 21 mm W: 19 mm | |||
| Brand | BrandLa Sportiva | Salomon | Hoka | Salomon | Salomon | Scarpa |
| Support Type | Support TypeNeutral | Neutral | Neutral | Stability | ||
| Pronation Type | Pronation TypeNeutral pronation | Neutral pronation | Neutral pronation | |||
| Strike Type | Strike TypeFore/Midfoot strike | Fore/Midfoot strikeHeel strike | Fore/Midfoot strike | |||
| Arch Type | Arch TypeHigh arch | High arch | High arch | |||
| Shoe Type | Shoe Type | Maximalist | LightweightLow drop | |||
| Rock plate | Rock plate | |||||
| Breathable | Breathable | |||||
| Techs | Techs | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex | |||
| Waterproofings | Waterproofings | Waterproof | Waterproof | |||
| Environmental Characteristics | Environmental Characteristics | Vegan Ⓥ | ||||
Common characteristicsMudSnow/iceTrail |
