Our verdict
A training sibling to the race-oriented La Sportiva Jackal, the La Sportiva Karacal is crafted for long days in the trails and mountains. Its intended purpose is to stabilize and keep your feet comfortable in ultrarunning endeavors, and the Karacal does just that. However, if you're looking for a trail shoe that's a top choice for winter days, this is not it.
Pros
- Reliable traction
- Comfortable fit
- Cushioned and protective
- Breathable
- Stable
- Spacious toe room
Cons
- Stiff
- Jens Jakob Andersen
best La Sportiva trail running shoes
The La Sportiva Karacal might benefit you if:
- A shoe ideal for long-distance efforts and fast hiking in the mountains is what you are after.
- You are looking for footwear that offers adequate comfort for post-race recovery runs.
- You need a trail companion grippy enough on surfaces like rocky trails, muddy sections, icy terrain, gravel-packed terrains, and mountains.
La Sportiva Karacal: Made for ultra distances
One of the most critical factors in finding a well-suited trail running shoe for ultra distances is comfort, which is EXACTLY what the La Sportiva Karacal delivers. It's light, breathable, very protective, and has loads of forefoot volume for sufficient wriggle room.
The versatility of the La Sportiva Karacal
If you want a versatile shoe, that's the Karacal. From rocky, muddy, icy, and loose trails, the shoe can handle it all.
The La Sportiva Karacal's platform
The Karacal uses a highly protective rock plate that shields the foot from harsh ground elements like rocks and roots;
It also has a Dual-density EVA midsole that serves as another layer of protection while adding stability on uneven surfaces.
updated 10 Mar 2023
From rocky, icy, gravel-packed, to muddy surfaces, the shoe provides exceptional traction.
"Best in class," is how mountain racers find the grip of the Karacal from La Sportiva. From rocky, icy, gravel-packed, to muddy surfaces, the shoe provides exceptional traction.
Cushioned and protective
The upper is very secure, especially on steep technical terrain. This is because of the structured heel cup, padded heel collar, and snug midfoot lockdown.
Testers have NOT experienced any blisters nor does the shoe have any abrasive spots. The upper is also highly breathable.
