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I have spent a lot of time with La Sportiva’s Prodigio line. I reviewed the Prodigio Pro and Prodigio Max, so I was curious to see where the new Prodigio 2 would fit.
The Pro is the fast and aggressive option. The Max gives me more cushioning and protection for long days. The Prodigio 2 sits right between them.
After putting plenty of miles on the Prodigio 2, I think La Sportiva found a good balance. It feels comfortable enough for long runs, stable enough for technical trails, and responsive enough that I do not mind picking up the pace. Let’s take a closer look.
A Much Better Fit with the La Sportiva Prodigio 2
The fit surprised me. La Sportiva shoes often feel narrow to me, but the Prodigio 2 gives my toes more room without making the shoe feel sloppy. I can spread my toes naturally, while the midfoot still holds my foot securely.
I also really like how low my foot sits inside the shoe. Instead of feeling like I am standing on top of a thick stack of foam, I feel connected to the trail. That gives me a stable feeling when I move across rocks, roots, and uneven ground.
The wider forefoot also makes sense for longer runs. My feet tend to swell as the miles add up, and I would rather have some extra room than spend the last few miles thinking about my toes.
This is one area where I prefer the Prodigio 2 over the Prodigio Pro. The Pro feels more focused on performance, while the Prodigio 2 gives me a little more comfort and room.
Cushioning That Does Not Feel Mushy
The Prodigio 2 uses La Sportiva’s nitrogen infused XFlow foam. The shoe has 34 mm of foam under the heel and 28 mm under the forefoot for a 6 mm drop.
I would describe the cushioning as comfortable without feeling overly soft.
The Prodigio Max has a more cushioned and protective feel. I really liked that for long training runs, but the Max also feels less nimble. The Prodigio 2 gives me better ground feel and makes it easier to move quickly through technical sections.
The Prodigio Pro still feels more responsive when I want to run fast. The Prodigio 2 does not have the same snap, but it gives me a better balance for everyday trail running.
That is really the theme of this shoe. It does not try to be the best at one thing. It tries to do everything well.
The La Sportiva Prodigio 2 is Surprisingly Nimble
The Prodigio 2 looks like a fairly substantial trail shoe, but it does not feel that way when I run. I can move around rocks and roots without fighting the shoe. It changes direction well, and I never feel like I am trying to steer a big, heavy platform.
That was one of the biggest differences I noticed compared with the Prodigio Max. The Max rolls over rough terrain really well and gives me plenty of protection, but I prefer the Prodigio 2 when the trail gets technical and I want to move quickly.
I still prefer the Prodigio Pro for racing and hard efforts. It feels faster and more energetic. For everyday trail runs, though, I think the Prodigio 2 makes more sense.
The La Sportiva Prodigio 2 Upper Works
The upper uses a durable mesh and recycled materials throughout several parts of the shoe. I found it comfortable almost immediately.
The tongue stays centered while I run, and the extra lace points help keep everything in place. I never felt pressure from the laces, and I like the amount of padding around the ankle.
The toe area also gives me enough protection for normal trail running. I have hit plenty of rocks with my toes over the years, so I appreciate having some extra protection up front.
One thing I noticed compared with some other La Sportiva shoes is how comfortable the Prodigio 2 feels right out of the box. I did not need a long break in period before I wanted to take it on longer runs.
Traction Is Good, Not Aggressive
La Sportiva uses its FriXion Red rubber with 4 mm lugs on the Prodigio 2.
On dry dirt, rocks, roots, gravel, and packed trails, I have been happy with the traction. The outsole gives me enough grip for most of the trails I normally run.
Mud is a different story. I would not pick the Prodigio 2 for deep, sloppy mud. The 4 mm lugs do not give me the same confidence as a more aggressive outsole.
For an everyday trail shoe, I think the compromise makes sense. The outsole works well on firm surfaces without making the shoe feel awkward when I run on smoother trails.
Prodigio 2 vs Prodigio Pro
I still prefer the Prodigio Pro when I want to run fast. The Pro has a more aggressive feel, and I like it for technical terrain and racing. It feels lighter and more responsive when I push the pace. I wrote more about that in my La Sportiva Prodigio Pro review.
The Prodigio 2 gives me more room and a more relaxed ride. I can run easy in it, go for a longer run, or pick up the pace without feeling like I am using the wrong shoe.
If I were racing a technical 50K, I would still grab the Pro.
If I were going out for a normal trail run without knowing exactly what conditions I would encounter, I would grab the Prodigio 2.
Prodigio 2 vs Prodigio Max
The Max is still my choice when I want maximum comfort and protection. I liked the Max for long runs because it gave my feet plenty of cushioning. I also liked how well it handled rough terrain. You can read more about it in my La Sportiva Prodigio Max review.
The Prodigio 2 feels more versatile to me. It gives me enough cushioning for long runs while feeling more nimble and responsive than the Max.
For a long hike or an ultra where comfort matters more than speed, I would still consider the Max.
For daily trail running, the Prodigio 2 gets the nod from me.
What I Like About the La Sportiva Prodigio 2
- Comfortable and roomy forefoot
- Secure midfoot fit
- Stable platform
- Good ground feel
- Comfortable cushioning
- More nimble than the Prodigio Max
- More comfortable than the Prodigio Pro
- Good traction on dry and mixed trails
- Comfortable right out of the box
- Good option for daily training and long runs
What I Would Change
- I would like deeper lugs for muddy trails
- The forefoot could use a little more energy
Final Thoughts on the La Sportiva Prodigio 2
The Prodigio 2 makes more sense to me after running in it.
At first, I wondered if La Sportiva really needed another shoe between the Prodigio Pro and Prodigio Max. Now I understand where it fits. The Pro is the fast option. The Max is the comfort and protection option. The Prodigio 2 is the middle ground.
I like the wider fit, stable platform, ground feel, and overall versatility. I can use it for everyday trail miles, longer runs, technical trails, and faster efforts without feeling like I am asking too much from the shoe.
It will not replace the Pro when I want to race, and it will not replace the Max when I want maximum cushioning. But if I could only recommend one of the three to the average trail runner, the Prodigio 2 would be my choice.
At $170, I think La Sportiva found a very good balance between comfort, protection, traction, and performance. For more info or if you would like to check out a pair for yourself, visit lasportivausa.com. Also available from rei.com and amazon.com.
