Prodigio Hike boots from La Sportiva deliver on speed hikes
21.8.2025
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Pictures: Siri Schubert
Do you appreciate lightweight footwear when you’re hiking? Find traditional mountain boots too chunky? Then the Prodigio Hike boots from La Sportiva might be for you. They’re a mix between trail running and trekking shoes and particularly well suited for speed hiking and moderate routes.
Speed hiking, which is athletic uphill hiking on winding trails, is booming. Italian mountain sports expert La Sportiva has added a hiking shoe to its Prodigio running shoe family for those of you who enjoy dynamic off-road activities.
Prodigio Hike boots feature many elements of the Prodigio and Prodigio Pro trail running shoes, which I’ve already tested. To find out what sets them apart and what features they offer, I tested them on forest paths, gentle trails and stony ground.
Fit and feel
One feature that impressed me right from the start is the integrated gaiter. It’s like a knitted cuff that hugs the ankle and prevents stones, pine needles, sand and dirt from getting into the shoes. During my hikes, I didn’t have to make any unwanted stops to remove any uncomfortable annoyances from my shoes.
As good as the protection is, the cuff also has one disadvantage: the shoes aren’t easy to put on. Fortunately, there are loops at the front and back to help you get them on.
Once you’ve managed to put them on, the shoes hug the midfoot well, while the toe box also leaves enough room if you have wider feet. However, the Prodigio Hike is small in terms of length. I recommend choosing a size that’s one or even one and a half sizes above your regular shoe size.
Thanks to the padding on the heel, your feet won’t slip up and down. This prevents unnecessary friction and prevents blisters. The tongue is connected to the inner material and stays in place that way. It’s padded in the upper area, which prevents the laces from cutting in. Thanks to its sock-like construction, the shoes provide good support and feel comfortable and natural.
Unlike the trail running shoes in the series, Prodigio Hike boots have a Gore-Tex membrane that keeps out moisture and dust. Despite the membrane, the shoes are breathable. My feet didn’t get particularly sweaty when I was out hiking in summer temperatures. That’s probably thanks to the mesh upper material, which is breathable thanks to its porous structure.
Lightweight with a curved sole
At 300 grammes for the women’s model and 375 grammes for the men’s, Prodigio Hike shoes are lighter than traditional mountaineering boots. At 35 millimetres at the heel and 27 millimetres at the forefoot, the sole has generous cushioning made of EVA foam.
The seat is neither too hard nor too soft. Overall, they feel a little firmer than the trail running shoes from the same series, but are still very comfortable to wear.
As soon as I unboxed them, I noticed a pronounced bend, also known as a rocker, in the sole at the forefoot. When I was hiking, I found it took a bit of getting used to for the first few kilometres, but I now appreciate the propulsion. The shoes feel fast and roll well.
Great grip and toe protection
The outsole with its 4.5 millimetre deep lugs offer good grip on trails and rocks. It’s pretty much non-slip in damp conditions. It’s made of Sportiva’s Friction Red material, a rubber compound that balances grip and durability.
To protect the toes, the outsole is slightly raised at the front. In addition, a thin layer of plastic surrounds the shoe between the sole and upper. It’s designed to prevent abrasion from stones, branches and undergrowth.
I tested the women’s model. The La Sportiva Prodigio Hike is also available for men in various colour combinations such as red-yellow or a more subtle grey-blue.
In a nutshell
Lightweight shoes for fast-paced hikes on moderate terrain
Prodigio Hike boots close the gap between hiking and trail running shoes. They’re lightweight, comfortable and offer more stability than the trail running shoes from the same series.
Useful features including a knitted cuff, which protects your feet against small stones and pine needles, and the arrangement of the tread studs have been adopted from trail running shoes. A Gore-Tex membrane provides protection against moisture.
Their fit, slip resistance and weight are optimised for athletic hiking. Overall, the Prodigio Hike shoe performs very well on easy to moderately difficult trails.
Pro
- Lightweight
- Athletic fit with wide toe box
- Non-slip and well cushioned
- Knitted cuffs protect against stones and dirt
- Gore-Tex membrane keeps moisture out
Contra
- Small fit
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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