The La Sportiva Prodigio Max is built for those long, rugged days when you need a shoe that’ll stay composed no matter how rough the trail gets.
It’s an all-mountain, ultra-distance trail cruiser, that manages to feel stable and predictable even with all that protection underfoot.
This isn’t the most breathable or agile trail shoe around, but it’s one of the few maximal options that still feels well controlled on technical terrain.
After plenty of miles, I see it as a steady workhorse, made for mountain ultras, adventure days, and anyone who values sure-footed comfort over quick turnover agility.
Key specifications
- Price: $185 at REI.com (women's available here)
- Weight: 10.8 oz (306 g) – for size US (M) 9
- Drop / Stack: 6 mm (37 mm heel / 31 mm forefoot)
- Upper: Comfort Wire TPEE polyester mesh with TPU embroidery + TPU filament toecap
- Midsole: XFlow Endurance (dual-foam system: nitrogen-infused eTPU core + nitrogen-infused EVA outer cage)
- Outsole: FriXion XT 2.0 dual-compound rubber with 4 mm Laspo™ lugs
- Extras: Stability Wrap instep system for power transfer and control, 3D mesh lining, vegan construction
Alastair Dixon
Sizing and fit
They fit snug, which is typical for La Sportiva when you follow US sizing; I recommend going up half a size for most runners, it's what I did, and I'm happy with that decision.
The heel and midfoot wrap securely, while the forefoot gives enough space for swelling during long efforts.
The tongue runs on the shorter side, and heel lock isn't the best, unless you do some fine tuning to your laces. That said, the short tongue does make doing racer’s-loop lacing method less effective as you'll feel lace bite.
Once dialed in, however, my feet do feel secure within the shoe.
There's also plenty of padding around the collars, and heel counter, although the collars do sit very low, offering little support to your ankles.
Performance review
The XFlow Endurance midsole is the highlight here.
It combines a nitrogen-infused eTPU core with a nitrogen-infused EVA carrier, and the result is a ride that’s balanced rather than bouncy or plush.
Alastair Dixon
Out of the box, the foam feels firm, but after a few runs, it softens into a smoother, more forgiving stride that rewards consistency.
There’s no need for a rock plate, as protection is already excellent, and the midsole keeps enough flex to climb naturally and roll through flatter ground with ease.
Transitions on the Prodigio Max feel surprisingly fluid for a max-stack shoe.
The rocker geometry works well on rolling terrain, keeping momentum without feeling forced.
The wide platform delivers great stability, which is something you can feel when fatigue sets in on long runs. It does, however, make the shoe feel bulky in twisty, highly technical sections.
I’d call it planted rather than nimble, and that does affect what type of trails these will be best for.
On dirt and gravel, the FriXion XT 2.0 outsole grips with confidence.
The 4 mm lugs bite well into rock, dust, and even slick surfaces, while staying smooth on harder paths.
It’s one of those outsoles you can trust on mixed terrain, including short paved links between trails.
The upper deserves mention too.
The Comfort Wire fabric feels extremely tough, making it ideal for big-mileage training blocks or mountainous ultras.
It keeps the midfoot nicely locked in, though ventilation is limited. On hot days it runs warm, and once wet it takes a while to dry off.
Still, the durability and structure will likely make up for that trade-off when you’re deep into the miles.
Where the Prodigio Max falls short is heel lockdown.
The collars sit a bit low for a shoe with this much stack, and a longer, more padded tongue would help support a more secure racer's loop heel lock lacing setup.
A slightly firmer heel counter could also improve security on steep descents. But overall, the ride is smooth, stable, and confidence-building.
It's protective enough for 100-milers, yet versatile enough for long training runs on varied surfaces.
Alastair Dixon
My verdict
The La Sportiva Prodigio Max is the dependable ultra-distance option in La Sportiva’s Prodigio line. It’s not built for PR-chasing like the Prodigio Pro, but for logging endless miles without beating up your legs.
If you’re heading into a long ultra, mountain adventure, or multi-hour training block where comfort and protection matters most, the Prodigio Max is the type of shoe you want beneath you.
With better breathability and a refined heel fit, it would be very close to perfect for a shoe in this category.
