H1 by Mount to Coast — A road-to-trail option that is light, responsive, and feels fun underfoot, on both road and trails.
The two-zone lacing system is different, but I do like how the upper holds the foot. The lugs and rubber compound are smooth on the roads whilst providing ample traction on trails.
It is not made for rocky or technical trails, as I find the rocks penetrate the foam and impact on the underside of the foot - for context, I am roughly 90kg and a midfoot striker. For me, 2-4mm extra foam under the forefoot would have made this shoe perfect.
Prodigio Pro Running Shoe - Men's by La Sportiva — La Sportiva has not traditionally worked for my feet, being too "euro" in their last.
The Prodigio Pro was a very welcome change to this. A great midfoot hold, combined with a slightly wider, deeper toe box, means this shoe can fit a variety of people very well.
The upper weave is very robust and secure, showing no issues on cambered trails, which can cause the foot to slip and move around.
The foam is responsive and fun, but can feel a bit too soft for some on more technical terrain.
One of my runners found that, during a 100-mile event, their lower leg swelled slightly (common) and the ankle collar put a lot of pressure on their Achilles, leading to problems. This has been the only complaint from a fit/upper perspective of the 15+ people I have recommended this shoe to.
