La Sportiva Prodigio Max Review : 4 Comparisons including Prodigo Pro

Article by Sam Winebaum 

La Sportiva Prodigio Max ($165)

Introduction

The Prodigio Max is named out by La Sportiva because the extra technical terrain, deeper cushion sibling to the very good extra race targeted Prodigio Professional (RTR Assessment).  It’s positioned for lengthy powerful ultras comparable to Tor des Geants and Tahoe 200 however I’ve discovered it additionally equally efficient at far shorter distances and sooner paces on smoother terrain and even pavement.

With 3mm extra cushion than the Professional and a 37mm heel / 31mm forefoot stack peak, it shares the twin nitrogen infused supercritical foams midsole with the Professional with an eTPU core and EVA outer cage. The eTPU core is barely softer.

The higher is a pliable and dense TPEE polyester mesh (softer and thinner than Professional). It has TPU yarn embroidery (much like Professional)  for help and sturdiness. It contains a extra typical and really strong heel counter and tongue relatively than the Professional’s knit primarily based much less structured however lighter heel counter.

The outsole has 4mm lugs with a twin compound Frixion XT 2.0 make-up with stickier forefoot rubber for traction and firmer extra sturdy heel rubber. 

A “tank” of a shoe and a bit heavy at 10.5oz / 298g US9 with a large steady platform, I discovered it doesn’t compromise on underfoot safety or grip and has an opulent and excessive vitality return really feel with a clean rolling journey from its twin rockers.

In my testing I discovered It’s as much as any path tough or clean with a quick and energetic journey if not probably the most agile one as a consequence of its broad platform and excessive stack peak.

 

Execs:

Do all of it shoe with a deal with extra technical terrain that can be nice on simple trails, gravel and even street: Sam

Deep, energetic comparatively delicate and energetic twin density supercritical cushion: Sam

Very steady underfoot and supportive up prime with out “overdoing” it: Sam

Clean and efficient entrance and rear rockers with some flex:: Sam

Aggressive outsole that can be clean and quiet on agency terrain, even street: SamSnug, very safe higher with a broad toe field

Glorious mountaineering and trekking possibility: Sam

Very robust worth at $165 for its versatility and cutting-edge midsole and higher

Cons:

Virtually all ought to measurement up 1/2 a US measurement: US9 pattern is at EU42 and matches the best way my common US8.5 (41 ⅔-42) would: Sam

Want it was considerably lighter: Sam

Not significantly breathable: higher targeted on protecting particles out

Stats

Approx. Weight: males’s 10.5oz / 298g US9 US9 

Pattern Weight: 

     males’s  10.5oz / 298g US9

Stack Peak:  37 mm heel /  31 mm forefoot 

Platform Width:  90 mm heel /  72 mm midfoot  / 115 mm forefoot 

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Sportiva traditional colours on a giant and beefy platform this isn’t the same old agency low slung rock hopping close to method shoe feel and look most historically seen from a model the place modifications are sometimes minor and high quality tuning. 

Right here LaSportiva (together with the Professional model) have leapfrogged forward of a lot of the market with radical new approaches (for them and normally) to the higher and to the midsole (extra on that beneath).

The spec sheet calls out the higher as “Consolation Wire TPEE Polyester w/ Embroidered Polyester+TPU Yarn / TPU Filament Toecap”. A mouthful and never the same old” particles mesh” with a bunch of overlays and underlays. 

Basically we have now very dense and skinny, plasicky closed mesh as the principle higher product of the TPEE Polyester with skinny however substantial embroidered Poly/TPU help traces. 

The embroidery is extra in depth on the medial facet for help and likewise to take care of the integrity of the higher up entrance at its flex level with put on and tear. 

As they’re embroidered traces of yarn, and never floor sort overlays/underlays Sportiva can cowl extra of the higher with the help and safety but preserve a foot conforming wrap and entrance flex. 

The toe field advantages from this Consolation Wire tech large time. We’ve got a notably broad toe field with loads of room with the  non stretch mesh plus “wires” extending from lacing ahead offering nice maintain with extra “wiring” on the medial facet. 

Even the toe bumper will get wired as beneath the TPU toe cap we see wires knit in beneath the outer layer of TPU. 

Reasonably pliable, this development method doubtless additionally reduces toe bumper weight whereas rising long run sturdiness.

The highest of the tongue is a skinny leatherette that flares out a lace up for a superb wrap of the foot. This leatherette space extends down the middle of the tongue with an outdoor plasticky materials with inside a central layer of padding for the laces. 

The laces hook up with a skinny non stretch mesh internal panel with the tongue having a further stretch extra closed and thicker gusset which extends because the entrance lining of the shoe. 

The foot maintain is implausible. Snug, adaptable and safe. That stated there are quite a lot of layers right here and with the principle mesh closed the Max will not be probably the most breathable of footwear though a hike run on snow, mud and with stream crossing had me stunned how properly they drained.

The heel space and collars are extra typical than the knit rear of the Professional. 

We’ve got a strong principally inflexible heel counter with the foot embedded down into the midsole facet partitions. The padding is greater than enough, the collars will not be overly excessive and the help implausible,

The match.. As with all Sportiva the EU sizing is extra correct for me than the US sizing. I’m normally a US 8.5 / 41 ⅔ -42 relying on model. Right here the US9 is marked EU42 and the match is right for my slender to medium quantity toes. 

Within the Professional, I’m additionally US9 /EU42 and its toe field is noticeably decrease quantity and narrower in really feel, its grid-like mesh is stiffer and decrease feeling. Because the Professional is a extra race targeted shoe, my US9 is right though I do get a bit extra bunion strain than I would really like. I’m afraid sizing up within the Professional may make the much less structured and narrower platform rear of the shoe too shaky. ‘

Midsole & Platform

The Max has twin supercritical foams midsole with an eTPU core and a nitrogen EVA outer service. Sportiva calls the mixture an “XFLow Endurance Midsole”. The entire stack peak is a 37 mm heel /  31 mm forefoot, so 3mm greater than the Prodigio Professional. 

There is no such thing as a plate and up to now none wanted as with the large  stack peak and full protection 4mm lug outsole and its rubber plate there’s loads of  underfoot safety  whereas the shoe retains some flexibility.

The internal core offers noticeable softness (and is softer by spec and in really feel than Prodigio Professional’s). The Max has a really energetic return, among the many most energetic and pleasant of any 2025 shoe path or street. The firmer  outer service stabilizes the shoe with out making it overly inflexible.

The Max sits on a broad  90 mm heel /  72 mm midfoot  / 115 mm forefoot  platform with its sibling the Professional at 80 mm heel / 70mm midfoot  / 110mm forefoot. The platform may be very steady and decently nimble for such a giant shoe helped by the narrowish midfoot platform width.

There are solidrockers each back and front with a noticeable roll off each the heel and entrance of the shoe at any tempo whereas on the identical time the shoe has respectable flex for climbing and sooner paced flatter terrain working.

The midsole and platform are among the many most leg pleasant and enjoyable on any floor  I can recall in a path shoe and particularly so for such a giant stack peak and broader platform, but on the identical time the shoe stays steady, properly planted, and decently versatile. 

The softness and rebound of the central eTPU core is clearly felt (and extra so than within the Professional) but stability, safety and help will not be compromised. Compared to the lighter Professional, the midsole is softer whereas the platform will not be as agile and fast however is extra steady and constant on rougher terrain.  

Outsole

The outsole is twin Compound FRIXION® XT 2.0 with a sticky forefoot and a sturdy firmer heel model of the identical rubber, the heel being the yellow rubber

The outsole has 4mm lugs. It is a full protection outsole with no gaps to the midsole even at midfoot  (because the Professional has) The skinny full outsole plate and some lugs present protection (and a few safety) at midfood.

The lugs are extra aggressively formed and notched than the Professional’s  proven beneath whose lugs are barely broader involved space for a considerably smoother, sooner clean terrain journey. Each outsoles are remarkably clean and quiet on street as a result of geometry of the shoe: rockers, flexibility and lug distribution.

 

I took the Max for a rugged hike/run in very moist circumstances: rain, snow on the bottom, rock, grass and dirt and the grip was implausible. 

I additionally took them on reasonably technical forest single monitor with some roots and rocks and was happy they weren’t as “catchy” grabby of obstacles as some related outsoles may be.  

Taken on clean dry granite and gravel I discovered the journey and grip equally as efficient and particularly clean for such a giant shoe. And this outsole is notably quiet on pavement, sure seen, however not in the best way and likewise serving to ship some response and pop given the delicate midsole above and no plate within the combine.

Trip, Conclusions and Suggestions

It’s difficult to tug off a giant stack peak, broad platform and never precisely mild path shoe that’s nice and efficient to run (or hike) on any terrain, and even at sooner paces on the sleek. 

I’m positive they are going to be a best choice for these longer than common extremely races comparable to Tahoe 200 and Tor des Geants they have been designed for, and I might say they’re an outstanding alternative for the mid to slower pack on the mere 110 mile UTMB for lengthy hours on foot. 

Together with the Professional,  La Sportiva proves a inflexible “plate” carbon will not be a should have in a path shoe, and for all however prime elites at prime speeds in all probability finest omitted..

The mix of twin energetic softer foams, rocker geometry, very good higher and grippy and stabilizing outsole within the Prodgio Max be part of for one heck of a flexible path shoe. 

It’s as near a single shoe rotation as I’ve skilled  in the event you go on probably the most technical terrain at slower paces, need a future cruiser or racer, or want a day by day coaching shoe you’ll be able to depend on for any path, door to path with loads of excessive vitality return cushion. 

Whereas on the heavy facet at 10.5 oz, they’re additionally an outstanding and enjoyable street coach, actually.vAnd this with an brisk trendy supercritical foams journey that doesn’t really feel ponderous anyplace and runs lighter than its respectable however not the lightest weight. 

Whereas 1.3 oz heavier than the Professional at 10.5oz / 298g US9,, and I want someway it was lighter, I discover the Max to be a extra versatile shoe.  It has capabilities for the complete vary of path terrains and distances, though for shorter clean terrain speedy runs and sooner runners the lighter Professional can be a prime and complimentary alternative. 

With a 9 day trek within the Alps this summer season, The Max is, so far in 2025m my prime single decide simply as it’s for hikes within the tremendous rugged White Mountains of New Hampshire and quick 7 mile runs on rolling gravel at reasonable paces in addition to for the street. A most versatile trendy shoe!

Sam’s Rating: 9.5 /10 😊😊😊😊

Trip (30%): 9.5 Excellent journey with deduction just for shoe weight

Match (30%): 9.4 Very strong foothold with loads of lengthy, future/hike very safe room upfront, breathability in warmth is questionable so far as a consequence of higher development however for positive no particles will get via 

Worth (10%): 9.5 Versatile and really properly priced at $165

Type (5%): 9.6 Basic Sportiva colours, embroidered in no much less!

Traction (15%): 9.6  Excellent on technical and never in the best way on clean

Rock Safety (10%): 9.4 very respectable with no plate

4 Comparisons

Prodigio Max Stats

10.5oz / 298g US9 $165

Stack Peak:  37 mm heel /  31 mm forefoot 

Platform Width:  90 mm heel /  72 mm midfoot  / 115 mm forefoot 

$165. Obtainable August 2025

La Sportiva Prodigio Professional (RTR Assessment)

34mm heel /  28 mm forefoot

9.21 oz / 261g US 9

80 mm heel / 70mm midfoot  /110mm forefoot’

The obvious comparability is to its sibling the Professional. The Professional is 3mm decrease stack peak and sits on a narrower platform and is lighter by 1.3 oz / 37g on the identical US9.. 

Its higher is clearly decrease quantity upfront as a consequence of its stiffer coated mesh and extra embroidery help, its midfoot safer (and decrease quantity) as a consequence of its stretch knit tongue and its heel space not as steady however extra particles proof.

Outsoles are primarily related with the Professional having weight financial savings notches.

 The Professional is for me a extra smoother terrain race and coaching shoe as a consequence of its lighter weight and narrower platform. The Max is a significantly extra versatile all arounder at a lower cost but with the identical wonderful twin supercritical foams midsole development with the Max core barely softer and I discover each extra cushioned (3mm extra stack and the softer foam) and whereas not fairly as fast responding a extra nice journey. Choose one. For me it could be the extra versatile Max which may vary higher from probably the most technical terrain to street. Each show a plate will not be required for top efficiency.

Salomon Genesis (RTR Assessment)

9.63 oz / 273g (US9) 

30 mm heel / 22 mm forefoot ( drop spec) 

Platform Width:  85 mm heel / 70 mm midfoot / 115 mm forefoot

The favored Genesis is decrease stack peak and decrease weight than the Max sitting nearer to the Professional in specs and makes use of. It has a extra efficiency oriented higher and a decrease quantity one than the Max.  Its midsole will not be supercritical foam however related in softness however with notably much less return than the Max’s. Outsoles are related though I discover the geometry of the rockers and grip of the Max outsole superior on tough terrain as properly clean. 

Inov-8 TrailFly Max (RTR Assessment)

9.75 oz / 276g US9

males’s 35 mm heel / 29  mm forefoot (6mm drop spec) 

Platform Width: 85 mm heel /  60mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot 

Lighter by 0.5 oz,  at near the identical stack peak, the TrailFly has a supercritical single density foam midsole. It has a considerably denser, firmer and extra responsive really feel. Its outsole is grippier but not as properly built-in into the platform (flatter on the street with much less rocker) when the run heads to clean or agency and in contrast to the Sportiva’s is basically felt as a presence. Its higher is comparable in maintain till you get to the heel space the place the low collars don’t present the form of lateral help the Prodigio  does. Clear win for the Sportiva on this match up.

Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx (RTR Assessment)’

 42mm heel /36mm forefoot

10.6 oz /300g

90 mm heel / 85 mm midfoot / 110 mm forefoot 

Larger stack peak but than the Max, the Merrell weighs about the identical and sits on an identical platform width with its midfoot 13mm wider and its forefoot 5 mm narrower. It will get to its comparable weight with larger stack peak with a segmented MegaGrip outsole with this design (and internal and outer Flex Join midsole grooves) additionally serving to give respectable flex to the huge platform Its Matryx higher is comparable in match however doesn’t fairly have the sleek match of the Max. With a supercritical foam core in a service outer laye,r the journey is comparable though I discover the Max extra energetic and likewise extra agile in really feel. Each are cutting-edge “large” footwear that may transfer alongside sooner than one may count on.

Multi Tester Assessment and extra comparisons coming quickly.

Index to all RTR opinions: HERE

The Prodigo Max might be out there July 2025

Tester Profiles

Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Street Path Run. He’s in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th yr of working roads and trails. He has a a long time previous 2:28 marathon PR. Lately he runs halves within the simply sub 1:40 vary if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week principally at reasonable paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, mountaineering or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he’s not having fun with too many high quality New England IPA’s’

Samples have been offered at no cost for evaluate functions. No compensation was offered by manufacturers for writing this text. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and will earn fee on merchandise bought through purchasing hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are solely the authors’.

Feedback and Questions Welcome Under! Please tell us mileage, paces, race distances, and present most well-liked footwear