La Sportiva Jackal 2 BOA Review: A Winter Trail Runner With Dial-In Fit

Introduction

The La Sportiva Jackal 2 BOA is a 2023 trail running shoe built for tough winter conditions, tested over a 25-mile run with 2,500 feet of climbing through snow, slush, and steep terrain. It finished with an overall score of 7.6 out of 10, which reflects a shoe that is impressively built but not without trade-offs, particularly in comfort and price.

At around $210, it sits at the higher end of the trail shoe market, so the question is whether the construction and the BOA dial justify the spend. For the right runner, it very well might.

Who This Product Is For

This shoe suits trail runners who face cold, wet, and wintry conditions and want a locked-in, protective ride. It handles steep ascents and descents well and performed confidently in snow and slush during testing. It is less suited to runners who want a soft, cushioned feel or a roomy forefoot, and it is not the best choice for road running or aggressive technical biting on dry rock.

Main Strengths

The BOA Dial Lacing System

The headline feature is the BOA lacing system: a dial you snap in and twist to lock down the fit. BOA has long been familiar from snowboard and ski boots, and it is becoming more common in trail footwear. The practical benefit becomes obvious in winter. Instead of stopping to pull off frozen gloves and relace the entire shoe, you simply pull over mid-run and tighten the dial a little. That small convenience proved genuinely valuable during testing, and the dial was never felt on top of the foot, a good sign for the design. Expect BOA lacing to appear in more trail shoes going forward, even if it makes less sense for road shoes.

Upper Construction

The upper is a sandwich mesh with recycled materials, built like a tank. Nothing broke down, no corners were visibly cut, and the construction kept snow and slush out completely. The toe box is well built for harsh conditions, and the collar has a unique, bootie-adjacent look. The weight scores solid rather than perfect, earning an 8 out of 10, which is respectable given everything built into the lacing system.

Durability and Ride Feel

The midsole is EVA with an insert and delivers a firm ride with good snap and response. Durometer readings came in around 52 to 53, which is on the high side. If you prefer a really soft trail running experience, this is not your shoe. If you value response, it delivers.

Durability looks excellent. A reasonable prediction is around 700 miles of use, and well-built trail shoes of this type have been known to pass 1,000 miles in some cases. Combined with the price, that longevity is worth weighing against the upfront cost.

Traction and Outsole Performance

The outsole uses a FriXion Red rubber compound and is very grippy. It performed well in snow, with no falls recorded during winter testing. One caveat: the lugs sit fairly close together, so more spacing between them would allow the shoe to bite harder on firm ground. Commuting to the trails on pavement in this shoe is absolutely fine, but it will not dig in aggressively like a more aggressive lug design.

Fit, Comfort, and Price Considerations

Comfort is a little low, but the fit itself is excellent. The shoe leans slightly narrow, which is typical of European brands like the Italian La Sportiva compared with American companies. Wide-footed runners should keep that in mind.

The price is the toughest part of the equation at around $210. The counterargument is longevity: nothing on this shoe is likely to break down quickly, so if it will serve you for the next six months of hard winter running, the math can work out. There is no obvious alternative to compare, partly because the BOA system makes it such a unique proposition.

Buying Advice

Buy the Jackal 2 BOA if you run steep, wintry trails and value a dial-adjustable, bulletproof upper with a firm, responsive ride. Skip it if you want a soft, plush cushioning experience, need a wide fit, or balk at the premium price for a shoe you will only use occasionally.

Conclusion

The La Sportiva Jackal 2 BOA scores 7.6 out of 10 on the strength of its durable recycled upper, grippy winter outsole, and genuinely useful BOA dial. It is not the softest or cheapest option, but as a tough, unique winter trail shoe, it earns its place and shows why dial lacing may be the next trend in trail running.