You could have been forgiven for thinking that La Sportiva had missed the rapid evolution in running shoe materials and technology over the past few years.
Renowned for solid, low-volume, firm trail shoes with minimal updates La Sportiva was destined to remain a niche brand best suited for running in the Italian Alps and Dolomites. Instead, the Prodigio range delivers a well thought out lineup with some great additions beginning with the standard Prodigio in 2024 and now the Prodigio Pro in early 2025.
I couldn't wait to get my hands on the sample pair and have taken them out over the Xmas holidays. I've tested them on a range of Port Hills rolling trail, steep and technical Vernon and Sugarloaf loops, forestry roads, a VK in St Arnaud and a 66km long run in the St James. After almost 300km am pleased to say I'm very impressed.
If you're new to La Sportiva I'd size up a half size from your usual euro # (I'm normally a 42 and am right on the end in this 42). With relief I've found the forefoot to be much broader than traditional La Sportiva with decent volume through the toe box, it is not a 2e width though.
The upper features a Tpu coated yarn- La Sportiva call this Powerwire. This upper won't hold any moisture and has a little give in it if it feels tight at first. I doubt this would be as durable as the Matryx uppers used in some of the top tier trail racing shoes but so far no issues aside from a couple of frays. There is some zonal heel padding but not suitable for anyone with a Haglund's deformity. The tongue is a knit, stretchy bootie construction, which also acts as a gaiter, is firm enough to assist giving a great lockdown and has a few strips of vertical zonal padding to allow you to really synch down those laces. A welded overlay on the medial side and slightly narrower fit through the midfoot in conjunction with the bootie and Powerwire upper give a secure fit. Even with the short fit I haven't had any toe issues running downhill or heel slip on the ups.
The Prodigio Pro has a rockered profile and the underfoot feel is both soft and really energetic. The shoes geometry- broad heel, a flared forefoot and sidewalls give it a stable base. La Sportiva's secret sauce is the supercritical tpu midsole and lack of a strobel board. Together these features help the shoe ride like a road supershoe, but without a stiff plate (a good thing in my mind for technical trails and longer distance running) and without being excessively stacked for technical trails.
Oh yeah, the outsole uses la Sportiva's FriXion X White, their stickiest rubber compound, in chevron 4mm lugs how good? Grip hasn't been an issue on any of the surfaces I've been and I don't expect it to be.
This shoe has a lot to offer to run your fastest at any NZ trail event, the only exception I can think of would be the mountain run at Coast to Coast where I'd prefer something firmer and/or less stacked. I feel the shoe would excel at trail marathon and above distances and especially more rugged courses where you'll get the benefit of the full package (grip/cushion/secure upper). I'm thinking this is my shoe for Shotover Moonlight Marathon/Ultra, Motatapu Ultra, Crater Rim Ultra and Ring of Fire (please come back 2026). I'll be lining up for my Tarawera miler in the Prodigio Pro because it's comfortably cushioned, has that really energetic ride and rocker, I don't want a plated shoe for that distance and if it's wet the grip will be a bonus.
