La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Running Shoe - Men's

My first pair of shoes from La Sportiva. looking for something that was going to fill the trail running/light hiking category. I've put a few runs on them (none to far) and some great day hikes and so far I've been nothing but impressed. When running, my feet stay locked in and comfortably cushioned from the often rocky PNW trails I've been on. (note: I use a pair of orange Super Feet insoles) The shoes feel light and breath very well with a good pair of running socks. They cross over to light hiking-and maybe some lighter, shorter backpacking-incredibly well. The soles are super tacky and provide awesome grip on mixed terrain.The shoe seems to be a bit more rigid than other trail-runners that I've seen, but for me that just means that I can use them more often. Overall, they have fit great and look sweet too. I would (will) buy a second pair when these wear out.

I stand by this 5 star rating, but buyers should beware that the soles won't stand up to pavement and will wear down extra fast when worn off trail in the city. Mine also squeak a bit which has been noticeable, but not distracting.

La Sportiva is the quiet giant in the shoe industry. They are sure to gain your attention however if you buy one of their products though. Their shoes are Italian made and the reputation precedes them. Light, durable, and incredibly comfortable. I have been wearing these shoes for a long time now and they are still looking and feeling great. If, and when it is time to get another pair, I will for sure get another pair of La Sportiva's as their quality, durability, and focus on design has sucked me in as a customer and supporter for good.

A comfortable light weight shoe that is really easy on your feet and legs while at the same time having great ventilation and a nice look. The shoe seems to run small; a 45.5 euro size fit my US size 11 . A 45 was too small.

Light weight , comfortable with excellent shock absorption, a great nice looking all round shoe. They tend to run slightly small. I am a size 11 which for me correlated with a 45.5 euro size.

Light weight , comfortable with excellent shock absorption, a great nice looking all round shoe. They tend to run slightly small. I am a size 11 which for me correlated with a 45.5 euro size.

I wasn't sure about these trail shoes because I was wanting them for running longer trail distances. I love the La Sportiva brand and have never had issues with them so I decided to try them out. Straight out of the box I was very pleased. Within a week I ran a 24 miler and they worked great. They are an extremely grippy shoe. For me the fit is good but I could see if you have a wide foot that they would be pretty snug. My foot is not very wide and they are slightly snug so be careful with that. They are not really waterproof but do dry fast. So, overall I'm really pleased with this shoe.

I've had a few different trail runners offered by La Sportiva - the Exum Ridge, the Sonic TR, and now the Wildcats. The Wildcats are the best by far. They're light, offer just enough support, but also have a minimal feel, and are stylish. Through training for the Chicago Marathon and an ultra in the fall, I've run both trail and road quite a bit in these shoes. They've held up and I love the fact that they've prevented me from some ankle sprains in the rocky CO terrain.

Okay these shoes are just about as good as it could get out of the box. The toe box area is ample and the heel cup is stable. The tread is great, not as good as the Fireblades—what is, very little to no slippage on climbs with loose rock and soft powdered dirt. I like these shoes for an every day trainer, I would still wear my Fireblades in a race. My feet cannot handle the lack of cushion in the Fireblades to wear every day. You can feel the rocks under your feet in these, not to the point where it hurts but it is a good low to the ground feel for a cushion shoe—unlike the Fireblades where you can feel it in the pain cave after a good 5 miles. The nice thing about these, is the don't roll when you hit a rock off-center like the Cascadia 4's have done. I am hooked.

These shoes breathe exceptionally well for warm trail runs. They grip fantastic and offer decent rock protection, not great but on par with other trail running shoes in this class. Flexible, lightweight and are kind to the feet.

I have low arches and narrow feet and they fit me well. As with all La Sportiva's I think they run about a 1/2 size small.

Just got out in these last night and got a quick 6 miles in. Roomy, good cruise control and cushioning. Didn't worry about anything while I was running up and down some steep fire trails. Maybe a little too much room as I'm used to tighter shoes but I think I'll like the change and haven't dialed in the lacing quite yet. Doing 16 in them Saturday so we'll see...

Good shoe, great price and they just work! Cool looking too!

UPDATE: Did my 16 and...performed flawlessly, a little too roomy still but I think that's my fault on the sizing. No foot discomfort, toe jamming, hard heel feeling, great shoe, going to get a 46 instead of 46.5 and hopefully be a little more dialed in.

UPDATE 2: Climbed Bear Creek Spire in the Sierras last weekend and got off route and had to down climb some 5.6-5.7 stuff and these shoes gripped like a rock shoe! Never felt scared or unsure, BRAVO!

Cheers.

I got a pair of these about 9 months ago and have loved them since. For running, around town, and backpacking these things have been great. I was worried the side walls would get eaten by all the rocks on trails here in Arizona but after all that time they're still in top shape.

I've used these for more than a year now and I'm thoroughly disappointed. These shoes are probably the least stable shoes I've ever used on uneven terrain. Every time I go out for a hike or run, it's a gamble on whether I'll role my ankle or not. My street shoes would be better equipped.

If you're running full-bore on somewhat even terrain, momentum will keep you somewhat stable, if you're just hiking or are on uneven trails, these shoes are outright dangerous.

They also have the worst grip of any shoes I've ever tried. I do a fair bit of scrambling to get to climbing starts, and these shoes are dangerous for those as well. I have to switch to my climbing shoes just to do scrambles everyone else does in their hiking shoes, because I'm afraid these will outright slip off some of the terrain I try, and leave me at the bottom with a broken neck.

Not recommended at all, unless you're only running flat fire trails.

So far I am really psyched about these shoes. They manage to be pretty cushioned and supportive with out being too heavy and stiff. They run a bit on the wide side, but the lacing system is really great for locking the foot down. Excellent shoe for running on very rugged terrain.

This is my third pair of Wildcats and I love these shoes as an alternative to traditional running shoes. I am a big guy and they still provide me with the support I need to go on quick little 3-4 mile runs as well as mid-range runs of 6-8 miles. These shoes are great for running or walking around on the hard terrain of Afghanistan so that should qualify them to use anywhere. These great shoes and the awesome deal backcountry gives to service members will keep me coming back for all of my outdoor needs.

Recently picked up a pair of the Wildcats to use as both a trail run and hiking shoe. These shoes are super light and durable. The mesh material on the upper region of the shoe allows for maximum breathability without skipping out on support. I have had the pleasure of doing my best to thrash and beat them up, but they have remained pristine and pretty. The sole is great and gives a necessary amount of grip when needed. I have put in numerous miles and have never felt a single pinch or poke. Do your feet a favor and pick a pair of these up! The black/green keeps it steezy on the trail.

Picked up this shoe and first run out the box was 15 mile trailrun. This shoe feels very similar to some road shoes, Ascis Nimbus, Mizuno Waver Rider. It has good cushion, protection with the toe bumper up front, and it's comfortable. If you are familiar with La Sportiva this shoe is higher volume than the Fireblade and has more room in the toe box for what it's worth.

I originally purchased the gore tex ones and they completely fell apart on me. I returned them and got these in exchange. Very happy that I did, These are light and fast. Also very breathable. I think they will last me a long time.

I've put about 150 miles on these puppies since they arrived a month and a half ago, on everything from blacktop (so-so) to super-gnarly all-fours terrain (great) and I have to say that these are the best rail runners I've ever had. They breathe well, a very stable on chunky terrain, and they grip the slippery stuff like a boss. Like any non-gortex shoe, when the trail turns into a river, these get wet, but all told they perform well when soaked. The only downside that I've seen is that they don't shed mud really well, but that's the tradeoff for having such a nice knobby sole to negotiate rocky terrain. I'm sold.

you can see a longer review here: http://sittingstone.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/gear-review-la-sportiva-wildcat/

I been running in these for about a week. I am pretty pleased, they grip the ground better than any other shoe I own. They also breathe very well, i can feel the wind between my toes. Toe box is a little larger than i'm used to, but there is probably a reason for that I cant foresee.

I am very impressed with these shoes. They have the protection that I need in a rugged trail shoe, but they are flexible enough in the upper that they don't hurt my feet and they ride like a dream. I've been using them on the rocky trails of the Wasatch Mountains, and I'm very pleased with the way they handle the tough terrain and leave my feet feeling pampered. I often have problems with blisters and abrasions on the tops of my boney feet, but these shoes didn't give me even the hint of rubbing anywhere--very unusual for me. I'm going to have to stock up on these babies!

The Wildcats from La Sportiva have been my training and racing shoe for the last two years. Normally wear them for the first 50-miles of my hundred milers. I use them on the road too.

I ran in these shoes last season, and put a few hundred rugged miles on them in the Wasatch. All the good things others are saying about them I also found to be true, but I did find one real problem with them. The mesh upper is highly susceptible to tearing if you catch the outside of your foot on a root, branch or rock. I had tears on both shoes not too long after I got them. The inner liner on the uppers held out for quite a while, but eventually it tore too, destroying the integrity of the shoe. All other parts of the shoe held up well, and I could have gotten another 100 miles out of them if the uppers had remained intact.

The wild cat delivers. The shoe fits very snug and secures your foot. The frixion outsole offers noticably improved grip and gives you more confidence that your foots not goin to slip out. The mesh upper is heavy duty and holds up well. The rubber toe cap is very nice when climping any rocks or crawling around. The cushioning is very good and there is ample arch support so you can run trail and road fairly well, but they really shine on trails. One really nice thing is that they dont get extremely heavy when soaked and a lot of the water seems to drain out as you run, so running through water and creeks is no problem.

Having been a Brooks Cascades lover for several years now I was amazed at how well this shoe performed. I don't advise doing this - out of the box I put a 15 mile run and the next use was for 75 miles. The toe box was ample (I have wide feet) and the tread was perfect for the rocky, muddy trails I ran on.

Not only do these handle a trail, they handle paved surfaces too. They require very little break in and also double as a good hiking shoe.

I thought Salomon shoes were good. No, they suck compared to these. These are; lighter, better cushioned, skin and toe friendly, rock grabbing and better looking.
I've been using these to trail running, street running and hiking. I wear boots for longer, heavier hiking for the support and durability, but for everything else.... I go in these.
I want to wear these everywhere for everything, but they are smelly because of all the sweat I produce while wearing them. Which means..... I have to buy another pair.

Awesome shoes! Absolutely no problems, great support and control, and excellent traction. I put about 75 miles on these shoes, and then ran with them in the VT50k. Not a single blister or hot spot even after a slogging through the mud for more than 6 hours.

Only thing to keep in mind is that these run small...I had to go up a full size from my road shoes (Gel Kayanos) and if your feet swell at all you may even want to go up 1 1/2 sizes.

This is the best trail shoe I've ever had. It may be a bit heavy if you are running competitively, but otherwise the stability, cushioning, protection and comfort are sensational. I run and hike in mostly warm climates and the breathability is excellent as well. And if they do get wet, they don't gain weight and they dry fast. Additionally they look super cool. If you get some you won't regret it!! Going on my third pair...

Good fit, very stable, but a little heavy. Good sock fit prevents debris from getting in your shoe. Good shoe for trails, but not a great deal of cushion for runs with combination trail/asphalt.

Super comfortable, great arch support, easily accept insoles, last a long time, even with sawdust and welding spatter hitting them all day long. Comfortable to run in in the woods and stand in at the workshop.

I got these shoes to serve a multitude or purposes. I run ~30 miles/week on concrete and mild trails, but I use my Nike Free 3.0s. I tend to use my trail runners for hiking, backpacking, and approach shoes for climbing rock. So far I have used these on a mellow 12 mile hike with my father and brother for their first time to break them in before a trip to yosemite. As per usual, they felt weird before they started to break in, which didn't worry me.

The Yosemite trip had a few couple mile approaches on variable terrain, and some class 4 scrambles, which I did with these shoes. Obviously they are not the best approach shoe in the class 4 stuff, but most everywhere else they worked well. I ran some good trail stuff for a few 1/2 mile stints here and there just to see how I liked them. They hugged my feet well, and had good traction. I would probably suggest them to other people who wanted a full-support trail running shoe, or a lighter hiking shoe.

La Sportiva runs small, and I can feel it. I wear a size 10, and ordered as such, but I can definitely feel the snugness of the shoe, which I prefer, but some might now.

Enjoy

On a trip to Telluride I bought a pair of La Sportiva Wildcats. Put them on and did a 13 mile hike in rough, steep terrain with water obstacles and then did a 6 mile trail run the next day in similar terrain. Never had a problem with breaking them in, not even a hot spot. First time ever buying a La Sportiva product and they have a customer for life!!!!

Out of the box and on the trail, I liked these shoes. They have a super-unique ride: straight down the middle neutral, almost hyper-neutral, and a really nice roll from heelstrike to forefoot. (I'm a heel to midfoot striker).

The one complaint I have - and it proves more and more annoying the more I use these - is the incredible lack of forefoot traction. Downhills for me feel good in these - the heel cup is dialed and the tread design is adequate. But the uphills... hell, sometimes in the flats if you're really kicking... these things lose a small but totally perceptible amount of ground with each stride. It's contact, slip, go, contact, slip, go.

So all in: I like/love a lot about these shoes, but the forefoot tread design is a dealbreaker for me and will push me to another shoe for my next purchase.

These Wildcats are outstanding. I just ran a 50 mile trail race and I had zero blisters or hotspots. My toes were even dirt-free which speaks to the design og the shoe and how well it keeps dirt out it. I've been running ultramarathons on mostly trails for a while and I see myself running in these Wildcats for a long time. They were outstanding in fit, traction, stability, & protection.

They feel great right out of the box! They do what they are supposed to do without any long explanation. Comfortable...... felt tall when I tried them on but running was super comfortable. Sizing was right on for me despite reading others issues. Wear 11 ordered 11 perfect! I would recomend to anyone.

Fit like a glove. No hot spots or blisters. Very comfortable for running or casual wear. Great grip up or down the trails.

The La Sportiva Wildcats are great shoes. They offer good support for their weight and are some of the only shoes that accommodate the bone spurs on the back of my heals (haglund heal). The US sizing seams about a 1/2 size to small but the Euro size seams right on the money. 45.5 = 12 US instead of 46 = 12. These shoes have sticky traction and good all around protection.

I like the free feel of this meshy shoe for the flats, but if you are thinking about running any terrain with moderate to steep descent, I would recommend looking elsewhere. I have run this shoe for about a month 1/2, distances up to 26 miles. I think the traction is good as most La Sportiva's, but the translation to the foot is not secure. I got my first blister in 3 years running laps on Mt. Wire. The problem is on the descent, the forefoot is just not secure with exclusively mesh support. I would re-tie the shoe multiple times on runs and still feel like she was getting loose in the corners. Probably good for Midwest rollers, but not a mountain trail shoe. More Miles!

These are my first pair of trail running shoes. Before I have always trained in some sort of road trainer like Asics. These la sportivas have made the transition very easy on me and my legs. Great support and I feel fast on the trails.

I'm new to trail running and this is the third shoe I've tried after running a bit on Lafuma and TNF shoes. By far, the Sportiva is the best for me. I've got a very wide forefoot and the toebox gives me plenty of room without being sloppy. The shoe is soft and cushy - once in a while on some rocky dry trails I've wished for a bit more rock protection under the ball of my foot but generally these have done great. I wear an 11 street shoe and the 44.5 was the ticket for me. So far I have about 50 miles on these - but I'm no ultra runner so probably have taken them out 8-10 times.