The La Sportiva Prodigio Max riffs off of La Sportiva’s successful trail super shoe, the Prodigio Pro, by delivering a trail super trainer. Did La Sportiva get it right like they did with the Prodigio Pro? Let’s find out.
La Sportiva Prodigio Max
Release Date: July 2025
Price: $185
Men’s Weight: 10.4 oz. / 295 g
Women’s Weight: 9.1 oz. / 260 g
Drop: 6mm (37mm heel, 31mm forefoot)
Sizing: True-to-size (order your typical European size)
- Rundown: The La Sportiva Prodigio Max is a firmer, energetic trail super trainer with a durable, protective build that can handle both technical and long haul efforts.
Pros
- Firmer but protective cushion with some bounce
- High security upper allows for nimble running
- Durable, comfortable upper
- Wider toebox than most La Sportiva models
Cons
- Occasional slippage when sand covers hard surfaces
- Upper isn’t tall enough for some feet
- Not wide foot friendly
What is the La Sportiva Prodigio Max?
According to La Sportiva, the Prodigio Max is “Mountain Running shoes specifically designed for ‘Ultra’ enthusiasts who seek maximum cushioning, comfort, protection, and stability during their mountain excursions. Ideal for tackling all types of trails over medium and long distances, up to the most iconic and toughest trail running races in the world.”
I like the first part of this description because it’s easy to test. We can find out if the Prodigio Max has maximum cushioning, comfort, protection, and stability over medium to long distances. The last part is harder to test because access to the most iconic and toughest trail running races in the world is limited…but we’ll do our best to approximate the type of tests found there.
Cushion
Drew: The La Sportiva Prodigio Max sports [Editor’s Note: cringe] a firm but protective dual density midsole that breaks in nicely as the miles pile up. The midsole is made up of a supercritical nitrogen-infused ETPU core inside of an EVA cage. It doesn’t soften up to the level of current marshmallowy trail super trainers like the Hoka Mafate X or the Topo Vista, but ends up plenty protective with a smooth progressive rocker and some solid energy return.
The bit of bounce is helpful and allows the Prodigio Max to go fast when needed. But it’s underfoot protection and stability keep it ready for highly technical trails.
Sam: Like Drew noted, this is a stiffer midsole and doesn’t quite feel as soft as other max trainers. This is classic La Sportiva though; they want to keep stiffness underfoot to help you maintain ground control. It does soften up over the miles and will start to feel like the Hoka Speedgoats of old. I like it and it’s got plenty of foam for long days. The Prodigio Pro and Prodigio Max are a great 1-2 combo.
Support
Drew: The La Sportiva Prodigio Max has a large stack of foam underfoot with 37mm in the heel and 31mm in the forefoot but it’s incredibly secure.
The foot sits within the midsole at the heel and midfoot with the lateral midfoot sidewall doing good work around corners to keep the foot firmly on the footbed. That sidewall, when paired with the Comfort Wire TPEE Polyester upper (including TPU yarn in high leverage locations) really locks the foot onto the midsole and makes a high stack shoe feel nimble.
The upper also avoids any dead space which prevents unnecessary movement during uphill and downhill running. This does have some implications for accommodating various types of feet but we’ll get into that in the section focusing on the upper.
Sam: This is a supportive shoe for sure. It’s supportive and secure. Slightly low-volume, which can add some extra support if your foot isn’t too wide. The midsole adds to the support and allows a solid base for your foot.
Traction
Drew: The FriXion XT 2.0 outsole and its 4mm lugs on the La Sportiva Prodigio Max work well in most circumstances gripping rocks and handling wet/dry transitions.
The only issues I had with the outsole was some slippage where a thick layer of sand/dust blanketed a harder surface. That’s one of the trickier terrain types for trail shoes to handle. Luckily, there were only millimeters of slippage before the outsole lugs dug in and tacked onto the harder surface.
This is an outsole that’s better the more technical the trails (a common theme for La Sportiva and probably why it insists on calling trail running mountain running).
Sam: No notes here. FriXion is always reliable and will grab rocks super well. This is a mountain running company with lots of climbing heritage. It’s a solid outsole.
Upper
Drew: The La Sportiva Prodigio Max fits true to size lengthwise in my European size which is a ½ size up from my normal in La Sportiva’s US sizing. Choose your size based on your typical Euro size.
The upper is low profile sitting close to the top of the foot which may rule the shoe out for some tall footers or those with extra tall toes, however, my high instep and I still enjoyed the fit.
It’s not the most breathable upper but it didn’t run as hot as the Prodigio Pro. That said, the lack of breathability and the durable build of the upper do a fantastic job of keeping dust out. If you’re constantly running dusty trails the Prodigio Pro may be a godsend for keeping dust and dirt out of your socks.
Though the outside of the upper is dusty, it’s hardly showing any wear. It’s a hardy, sturdy upper that can take a beating. I appreciate when an upper is built tough enough to last as long as, if no longer than, the outsole and midsole. It’s a rare thing in today’s running shoe market.
Sam: It’s a sturdy upper, but, like Drew said, super low profile. I didn’t have an issue and have a high arch, but La Sportiva can be polarizing for certain foot types. It’s a rugged upper and on the stiffer side. The upper should last as long as any other part of the shoe.
Is the La Sportiva Prodigio Max wide foot friendly?
While the La Sportiva Prodigio Max is more accommodating than most La Sportiva models, as it’s built with a wider base and some helpful extra room in the toebox, it’s still not wide footer friendly. Wide footers should check out our list of Best Trail Running Shoes to find some better options.
Is the La Sportiva Prodigio Max worth $185?
The La Sportiva Prodigio Max delivers enough technology, cushion, and durability to justify the $185 price point. The $180-$190 range is where trail super trainers live these days and the Prodigio Max fits right into that group.
How to use the La Sportiva Prodigio Max
The La Sportiva Prodigio Max is best for long distances and long days on the trail. It packs the cushion, support, and durability to accompany trail runners on their craziest adventures.
La Sportiva Prodigio Max Summary
The La Sportiva Prodigio Max is a trail super trainer that, while it’s not the most accommodating shoe, brings protection, durability, and reliability in a package that can pick up the pace as needed, handle super technical trails, and go ultra long distances. This is a shoe many devoted trail runners will turn to for their most epic runs.
How does the Author Run?
Drew Whitcomb (age 43, 6’6″ 200lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races.
Sam Lohse (age 28, 6’0″, 170 lbs): Runs daily, sometimes morning/night doubles, with one rest day a week (typically). Hangs right around 40-50 miles a week in general unless in race-specific training. Races distances from 50K to 100 miles, almost always on the trails.
Disclosure
While La Sportiva did provide pairs of the Prodigio Max to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.
