La Sportiva Mutant Review – Trail Running Shoes

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La Sportiva – Innovation with Passion

La Sportiva Mutant First Look and Style

Out of the box the La Sportiva Mutant Trail running shoe gave me several immediate reactions. My first thought was, ‘wow those are big’ but then I realized it was just because I have big feet. The color and design snap at first sight making them attractive to the eye. I admit the design is quite loud for me but the more I wore them, the more I liked them and owned them.  The lacing takes control over the whole shoe ensuring they are a snug fit when you first put them on your feet. Once on your feet and you feel the comfort that go with the design you will be pleased.

Technical Design

The La Sportiva Mutant’s are certainly designed to be a solid shoe with plenty of support throughout the ankle and sole. The sole is made from La Sportiva’s proprietary rubber they call FriXion which is a sticky moldable rubber that seems to be durable yet maintain the soft characteristics I like in a trail shoe.

The outer and inner materials are a mix use of airmesh and a non-abrasive material called Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU), which is a manufactured light material that remains strong in cold temperatures. The use of the airmesh is what I imagine keeps the shoe light and extremely comfortable. The below image captures where the overlapping ‘tongue’ of the La Sportiva Mutant is linked to make sure the shoe remains tight throughout your run. The top portion of the shoe is made of the airmesh material however I found my feet to be rather hot in the warmer temperatures, which doesn’t bother me until I get home and take them off.

Inner Lace makes a nice tight fit

Key Attributes

• Strong colors, good design make the shoe scream excitement
• Thick sole protect your feet during those rugged long runs
• High ankle line keeps plenty of support and comfort
• Inner sole and airmesh inner liner keep this shoe light and comfortable
• Strong FriXion® sole takes a beating and maintains a soft ride

Final Thoughts for La Sportiva Mutant

Overall I was very impressed with this shoe. Prior to reviewing this shoe I had my eye on trying them as my next shoe and had heard many different views on their performance. If you are a minimalist runner, these are not for you, however if you like a solid, tight shoe that gives plenty of sole and ankle support the La Sportiva Mutants are a dream for your feet. For the quality and comfort of this trail runner the MSRP is well worth the buy. Sportiva.com

Size Reviewed: 13

MSPR: $130