Review: La Sportiva Bushido II

The original Bushido were my second pair of La Sportiva Mountain Running Shoes. I first wore Helios which were a super light weight shoe that had amazing trail feel. But at times I wanted to have increased protection for more technical and rocky trails – Bushidos provided that. The Bushido was a shoe that could handle everything from my local trails to Skyrunning courses both here and in Europe.

After feedback from La Sportiva ambassadors around the world they made some changes to improve the Bushido, and this year they released the much anticipated  Bushido II. These changes included reducing the stitching, improving the sock like feel, a new heel design for a more comfortable fit and an EVA layer for better cushioning and impact absorption.

So the Bushido II are an improvement on what was already a shoe with outstanding durability, grip and protection. The technical and aesthetic changes make this a go to shoe for rocky trails, off-trail, mountain & skyrunning.

FACTS & SPECS

Bushido II: super light, extra grip, aggressive shoe designed to ensure perfect stability and support on all types of off-road terrain. A technical & aesthetic evolution of the Bushido.

Thanks to the STB Control construction, the TPU skeleton placed laterally on the uppers, reaches down to wrap the midsole in the medial part, stabilizing the shoe. This solution creates a snug fit and greater overall stability thanks to the synergistic work of uppers and midsole, as well as the reduced weight of the product, avoiding the insertion of heavy stabilizers in the central part of the shoe. The FriXion Red double compound sole has different support surfaces: the rounded shape of the external lugs that rise sideways to touch the midsole, creates a gradual support angle with the ground, maintaining stability even in extreme foot torsion.

This allows you to run safely even on more technical terrain in the presence of roots, stones and branches. Maximum support on the medial part of the foot, freedom of movement and comfort at the toe. The result is a shoe that, in pure La Sportiva style, offers new solutions to meet the needs of the most demanding runners, rewriting the rules of the game with a totally new construction never seen before in trail running shoes.

+ Super-clean design with minimal stitching

+ Uppers with internal slip-on construction: wraps around the foot like a sock without compressing it or exerting pressure points

+ New heel designed for maximum comfort of fit

+ Reinforcements in thermoplastic film for resistance to rubbing and abrasion

+ EVA layer for better cushioning and impact absorption

+ The FriXion Red double compound sole has different support surfaces, guaranteeing maximum grip on all types of terrain.

SIZES: 38 – 47.5 (half sizes)

WEIGHT:  305g (Size 42)

LAST: Race  

FIT: Medium

UPPER:  Breathable, air mesh with thermoplastic film reinforcements, TPU medial skeleton placed laterally on rip-stop inserts.

LINING:  Slip resistant, breathable

MIDSOLE: Compressed EVA and Stability Control System

SOLE: FriXion® Red

DROP: 6mm

CUSHIONING: 7