La Sportiva Jackal 2 Review: A Balanced Trail Shoe Built for Long Days

Introduction

La Sportiva has long been a familiar name in European trail and ultra running, and the Jackal 2 is its latest shoe aimed at comfort, grip and traction over longer distances on a wide mix of underfoot conditions. It has become a popular choice in the ultra scene, particularly among runners racing on the Continent.

Priced at £145 in the UK, it sits in the same bracket as popular long-distance trail options like the Saucony Xodus Ultra, Hoka Speedgoat 5 and Inov-8 Trailfly G 270. At 308g in a UK 10, it feels nicely balanced in hand rather than the heavy, clunky impression some earlier La Sportiva models left. One fitting note: La Sportiva shoes tend to size up small, and going up half a size (here a UK 10) produced a fit that suited the tester’s foot shape well.

Who This Product Is For

The Jackal 2 is aimed at runners who log long miles on mixed terrain and want a shoe that prioritizes stability, ground feel and durability over plush cushioning. Its spec reflects that mission: a 7mm heel-toe offset with 29mm of foam at the heel and 22mm at the forefoot, a 3.5mm multi-directional lug pattern coated in La Sportiva’s dual-compound FriXion Red rubber, and an EVA Rock Shield for protection on technical ground.

If you race or train over ultra distances and value being connected to the trail rather than floating above it, this shoe speaks your language. Runners who want a maximally soft, bouncy ride, however, should look elsewhere.

Main Strengths

The upper is the standout. La Sportiva uses a recycled sandwich mesh with mesh panels between overlays at the midfoot, heel and toe box, so breathability should be good. Fit and comfort impressed immediately: the heel cup and ankle collar felt super plush, lockdown around the midfoot was excellent, and the laces sat comfortably across the top of the foot. There is plenty of room in the toe box too, a welcome change from the narrow toe boxes common in recent releases, and the shoe still locks down well rather than feeling sloppy.

The outsole also delivered. On dry rocks and roots, the FriXion Red dual-compound rubber felt genuinely sticky and grippy, and the 3.5mm lugs handled dry, loose trails with good traction.

The midsole uses a dual-compound construction: firmer foam at the base for a stable, protective platform, softer foam higher up for plushness close to the foot, plus an EVA Rock Shield for technical trails. After a few miles of adjustment, the ride felt comfortable, stable and strongly connected to the ground. Notably, unlike some stiffer La Sportiva models of the past, the Jackal 2 retains some flex through the midfoot and felt responsive on undulating, technical ground, and it is nicely balanced rather than heel-heavy.

Build quality is another strong point. The overlays and reinforcements around the lacing system give the upper real substance, and the brand has a solid reputation for durability, with very few returns reported over years of retailing the shoes.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The cushioning is firmer than much of the current market. It is not uncomfortable, but it has a more traditional feel, and runners accustomed to soft, bouncy midsoles will notice the difference in the first few steps. That also leaves an open question about how comfortable the firmer ride stays over very long efforts.

The shoe’s fit runs roomy in both width and depth. The tester needed to pull the laces quite tight to get a secure midfoot hold, so shallow-footed runners may find the volume excessive, while those who need width and depth will appreciate it.

Two smaller quibbles: the tongue is standard rather than gusseted, which some runners have reported slipping around to the side (though it stayed put on this test run), and the 3.5mm lug depth may struggle in wet, muddy UK winters. A lug of around 4 to 4.5mm would make the shoe more versatile year-round.

Buying Advice

If you want a highly cushioned, very soft and bouncy trail shoe, the Jackal 2 will likely disappoint; its midsole is simply not designed for that experience. If you want stability, ground connection, a comfortable and roomy upper, and trustworthy grip on dry and mixed trails, it makes a compelling case, especially at ultra distances.

Plan to go up at least half a size from your usual fit, and if you typically prefer a shallow, low-volume shoe, try before you buy. Longer-run testing over bigger distances is the natural next step to confirm how the firmer cushioning holds up.

Conclusion

The La Sportiva Jackal 2 is a well-made, balanced trail shoe with a plush upper, a roomy toe box and genuinely grippy rubber, wrapped around a firmer, more traditional ride. It rewards runners who prize connection and stability over cloud-like softness, and it is a strong entry point for anyone whose long runs and ultra ambitions take them onto varied, technical terrain.