Before I get stuck into this La Sportiva Bushido 2 review and how they perform while trail running, I’d like to quickly talk about the history of the company.
It’s always nice to understand the level of experience and craftsmanship that goes into producing the products that you are going to be wearing for so many miles out on the trails.
La Sportiva was founded in 1928 by Narciso Delladio in Italy, so it’s safe to say they’ve been in the mountain equipment game for a long time.
La Sportiva possesses a strong passion for the mountains and the environment which is why there is always a consciousness of what kind of impact their factory has on the outdoor world.
This really resonates with Trail & Kale as a brand and lifestyle.
The La Sportiva Headquarters is located in Ziano di Fiemme, a small mountain village in the heart of the Italian Dolomites.
So the tradition and heritage of handmade footwear live on in this magical alpine valley existing in the shadows of jagged limestone peaks and glaciated valleys where alpine masters such as Bonatti and Messner plied their craft.
The Dolomites also happens to be the perfect place to test their products, we know because we have run around the region ourselves.
When I first tried on the Bushido II shoes, it was clear to me that a lot of experience and thought went into their design.
On first impressions, they felt snug, lightweight, and super grippy. They felt so good in fact, I felt I had to drop what I was doing and take them straight to the trails of Marin, California.
Here’s my run on Strava (with extra pictures of the Bushido 2 shoes). Why not join our Strava club while you’re there? 🙂
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Now, Let me try to explain why I enjoy running in the Bushido 2 trail running shoes so much.
Not sure where to start with trail running shoes? Here is my definitive list of the best trail shoes for running.
Bushido 2 Fit & Design
The Bushido 2 fit feels comfortably snug, due in part to their design and also because the sizing of these La Sportiva shoes come in a touch smaller than some other brands like Brooks Running, On, and Inov-8.
Having said that, they fit me well and feel more responsive as a result. Some of the snugness also comes from the padded tongue/inner sock feature.
When I talk about the Bushido 2 feeling snug, I don’t mean they are too tight, but rather that they feel like they have stretch and are more form-fitting than some other running shoes. ‘Race ready’ if you will!
La Sportiva shoes are built on European half sizes which are smaller increments than US half sizes.
This gives them five extra sizes per size run, which gives you a better fit! You can check your size using the La Sportiva shoe size chart.
There’s also very good cushioning in the midsole too, which is something that many high-performance mountain running shoes seem to lack.
The Salomon S-Lab Sense, for example, is a more minimal shoe with not too much padding underfoot.
Don’t get me wrong, the S-Lab Sense are excellent shoes that I love, but I do think that if you can squeeze in some extra cushioning without sacrificing on weight or by adding a higher heel drop, then bring on that cushioning as it’s going to make those long runs more enjoyable.
Bushido 2 Upper Construction
The Bushido II’s upper has a slip-on construction that wraps your foot like a sock without compressing or exerting pressure points.
There’s also localized, breathable mesh fabric that stretches to allow your feet to swell and contract as they warm up or cool down during a run.
La Sportiva is using a rubberized material for some areas of the upper for support and also strength in the shoe build.
What I love about this particular material is that it’s very flexible and will not create any pressure point because of it is being molded in a particular way.
There’s a finger loop for slipping the shoes on, and also a toe cap, designed to protect your feet, should accidentally kick a rock on the trails, it happens!
Padding around the heel area is soft and comfortable.
The side walls don’t rise too high either, which give me more flexibility in the ankle/achilles heel areas without unwanted rubbing.
Here’s how I fix Achilles heel pain by the way if you’re suffering from it now.
The Bushido 2s solid heel cage locks my feet in place solidly, really important when navigating gnarly terrain at speed.
I have every confidence in the responsiveness of this shoe. With all this said, the La Sportiva Bushido 2 upper construction is excellent!
Bushido 2 Inner
There’s an inner sock that attaches the padded tongue to the forefoot area which adds to that slipper-like fit of these La Sportiva trail running shoes.
This keeps the tongue in place and prevents debris from coming between your foot and the shoe walls. It also reduces the risk of chafe as there are fewer seams inside.
Bushido 2 Tongue & Laces
Briefly mentioned earlier, the tongue is very well padded, more so than on many other trail running shoes that I have tested, but the padding is localized.
It’s an unusual design and material but it’s very effective at locking your foot in place while maintaining top comfort levels. The laces look good and stay tied up with just a single knot during a run.
Bushido 2 Outsole
There’s so much grip on the Bushido 2s and it’s that sticky type of grip (the best kind)! I’d liken it to some of Salomon’s high-performance running shoe outsoles.
It’s a material that may wear down a little quicker than some other rubbers but wow, it really does grip well.
When in doubt about shoe longevity vs performance, I’d personally suggest going for performance over longevity, especially when it comes down to having an effective braking system that will provide extra control, responsiveness, and ultimately, your safety while out on the trails.
The outsole has a good rock-plate too which helps reduce discomfort when running over sharp rocks.
Bushido 2 Drop & Weight
There’s a drop of 6mm from heel to toe. It’s a happy medium for runners who like a minimal drop and others who prefer more.
I’m a fan of keeping the drop as low as possible as it helps to improve my running form due to the more natural footfall.
Having 6mm on the La Sportiva Bushido 2 feels great for me.
Weighing in at 298g the Bushido 2 is a pretty lightweight racing shoe, especially considering all the protection you get that’s essential for most runners on the mountain trails.
Bushido 2 Toe Box
The toe box is medium width and feels nice and airy due to the breathable upper material.
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In Summary
My current favorite trail and mountain running shoe, the La Sportiva Bushido 2 is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a high-performing trail running shoe with a combination of responsiveness, stability, and comfort with excellent protection and impressive traction.
They offer enhanced cushioning while also providing the user with a stable, lightweight, sticky, and aggressive outsole.
The performance and protection on technical terrain, are impressive, to say the least. At $130 the Bushido 2 is a fantastic buy!
I have awarded these shoes an Editor’s Choice Award, and they currently sit pretty high up on our Best Trail Running Shoes roundup.
Tthe Bushido 2 is also available at the following stores:
Backcountry.com
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$77.50 | See Deal |
Rei.com
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$99.93 | See Deal |
Amazon.com
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$129.90
1
new
from $129.90
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See Deal |
Sportiva.com
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$130.00
out of stock
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See Deal |
Would you recommend these shoes for ultras between 50k and 100k? I am looking for a specific shoe for those distances.
Hey Rui! I certainly would run over a 50k in these shoes! I’m really impressed with how they feel and perform!
One of my concerns is the stiffness of the outer sole. Was this something you noticed? The reviews I read were about Bushido 1, so things might have changed.
The Bushido 1 was a stiffer shoe for sure. This one feels more stripped down and race-ready and I found the flexibility to be good. Some shoes flex all along the bottom, but these flex only where they need to, which is under the forefoot of the shoe, where the feet actually flex.
It’s a good coincidence that you have S/Lab Sense 7 in your Trail Shoes for 2019, since those are the ones I use right now, but going to a bigger distance, with potential rougher terrain, I am afraid I will get my feet mauled. It’s also a coincidence, that the 3 shoes I have in mind for +50k are all in your list: the bushido 2, sense ultra 2 and speedgoat 2. I guess your pick would still be the bushido 2 for bigger distances and the S/Lab for 5k to Marathon distance?
You must have good taste! 🙂
Bushido 2 or Salamon Ultra 2 ( https://www.trailandkale.com/gear/best-trail-running-shoes/#ultrarunning ) for ultra’s and yes the s-lab sense for 5l to Mara.
Gunpoint situation, Bushido 2 or Salomon Ultra 2? ?
haha oh god. Both!? Up to 50k, the bushido, maybe the Ultra 2 if you’re doing more of those even longer races of 50miles/ 100k…
I think ultimately you’ll need to see how they both feel for you. The most comfortable will be the one for you to take to that 100k race. They are both great shoes.
Btw, how’s the fit for you? I think I will struggle to find a place to try the Bushido. Is the sizing equivalent to S/Lab Sense 7?
Yes, it feels consistent with the Sense 7
Seems like there are some improvements to the Bushido. I have the women’s Bushido I, I’ll have to find a review of the women ‘s Bushido II. I loved the Bushido I so much that I bought two pairs! I’ve taken them on some pretty rugged terrain including some gnarly backpacking trips and have been impressed not only how they feel, but also how well they handled all kinds of rough terrain. Thanks for the review.
Hi Tiff!
Glad you enjoyed the review and thanks for letting me know! It really is a great shoe, I’m going to be reviewing the La Sportiva Kaptiva soon, so stay tuned for that one too 🙂
-Alastair
Hi. When are you going to do review on the La Sportiva Kaptiva? I’m deciding between these and the Bushido. Would you say the Bushido 2 and Kaptiva are capable of 100 to 160km races? I have used the Mutants and these were awesome and took a beating as well. I know these are two different type of trainers, but I’m interested in these new releases. So would really appreciate your advise. Thanks. Neil.
Hey Neil!
I’m hoping to review them in the next couple of weeks, I’m going to be putting them through their paces on the trails during that time. On first impressions, they are every bit as good quality as the Bushido II, and they fit just as well, so I’m confident they too will be a good shoe. Would a first look YouTube video be of any use? I can probably get one of them out much sooner.
-Alastair
Oh and with regards to distance, I haven’t gone that far in the Bushido 2 yet but I can tell you they are one of the most comfortable trail shoes I’ve worn so they probably would hold out very well on that distance.
Thanks Alastair 🙂 yeah first look/thoughts video is a good idea. I have narrow heal, high arch but do like a little room in the area. So i am a bit concerned on that point, but willing to give one of these ago 🙂 on sizing I’m uk 10.5 in Salomon, but for the mutants im uk 11, so suspect i would need an 11 in these, or so you think a 11.5?
Sizing is an odd one with La Sportiva. I’m a size UK 8.5 which is usually a US 9. I now live in the US, so I have these in a US 9, but the label lists the UK size at an 8 and do fit pretty snug (that’s not to say they are too small though!). So if you’re going by your usual UK size, I’d say these should fit pretty accurately.
Hi Neil,
As promised, here’s a first look at the La Sportiva Kaptiva! Hope it helps a bit! 🙂
https://youtu.be/jSsGBbgfai0
-Alastair
Great stuff! Thanks Alastair, appreciated. I really like they colour scheme as well 🙂 really want to get my hands on a pair of these, but not sure when these will come out in Europe,. Have sent an email to Sportiva querying that 🙂 Thanks and all the best on the trail! 🙂
Hi Neil,
Quick update, here’s my full review of the La Sportiva Kaptiva: https://www.trailandkale.com/gear/la-sportiva-kaptiva-review/
Best,
Alastair
Meant to say ‘toe area’… Missed a word lol
Hi Alastair! I think it isn’t your firs La Sportiva shoes 😉 remember Aosta.
Oh yes! But I didn’t wear those on our trail adventures! 🙂
Hi, wondering how these feel on the road?
I usually have to run to / from the trail, or use sections of road to connect trails (in the UK). Just tried these on in store this evening and they felt good, new to this game so don’t know what to look for yet. Really appreciated your review!
Cheers.
Hi Claire,
The Bushido 2 performed well on road sections too as the midsole cushioning is really good. You can’t go wrong with this shoe, I’m still loving it! 🙂 Let me know if you have any other questions and please feel free to look around our website for more trail running and adventure inspiration. 🙂
-Alastair
These seem like they would be a direct competitor to the Salomon XA Elevate how does the midsole cushion toe box width stability and sizing compare.
Thanks
Hi Adam,
It actually feels more comparable to the Salomon s-Lab Sense shoes, but with extra midsole cushioning. Here’s my review of the XA Elevate if you fancy a read: https://www.trailandkale.com/running/salomon-xa-elevate-review/ – Toe box is pretty similar to both Salompm shoes.
Alastair
First up comments, just arrived in France and headed for the Alps, been running in Hoka Torrents and deceived to give the Bushido 2 a bash as we can’t easily get them in South Africa….only covered 20km in the Bushido but my initial feeling is that’s it’s the best fit and most comfortable trail shoe I’ve tried to date so really excited about them
Hi Zane,
I felt the same when I first tried them too! Glad you’re enjoying them!! 🙂
Alastair
Hi Zane – apologies for the random out of nowhere reply, but how do the Bushido 2 compare to the Torrent in terms of width in the forefoot and how deep the heel cup is? Thanks in advance! Ewan
Hi Alastair,
Nice review! Between the Kaptiva and Bushido 2 which one has the more narrower toe box?
Thanks,
John
Thanks John! I’d say the toe box width is very similar on both of these shoes.
-Alastair
Just bought my first pair of La Sportiva shoes. Went with the Bushido 2 because of your review. Did a 16 mile trail run over various terrain. They worked great! I was worried about the sizing but no problems. I have a 50k coming up October 5th. It’s on some very smooth trails. Wondering if I should use these or buy the Nike Pegasus trail. Thoughts?
Hey Even,
They’re both excellent shoes but the Nike Pegasus 36 Trail is extremely good over smooth trails too due to the midsole cushioning and comfortable road shoe feeling.
-Alastair
Hi! Nice review! I have some Achilles tendonitis lurking and found the stiff upper heel collar padding in the Akasha a bit annoying. Does the Bushido have similar padding? Same size as Akasha?
Hey Fredrick,
The Bushido, have a relatively low heel padding area which makes them goo dif you have the dreaded Achilles tendonitis lurking, it’s a reason I like them myself. The Nike pegasus 36 Trail are even better due to the shaping of the padded heel collar. Here’s my review of that one if you fancy a read: https://www.trailandkale.com/gear/nike-pegasus-36-trail-review/
-Alastair
Hi Alastair, I use to run on trail roads with uneven surfaces with small loose rocks and sometimes mud.
Other times I Hike for about 15 miles and run some distances too.
I use neutral running shoes to set my soles in.
What shoes you recommend me?
Thanks
Hi Jaime,
So you’re going to want trail running shoes for hiking and running on trails. Here’s our buyer’s guide for those: https://www.trailandkale.com/gear/best-trail-running-shoes-buyers-guide/
Best,
Alastair
Hi there im looking to use this as an ultra light walking shoe on a 260 mile hike, how do you think these will handle it?
Hi Ciaran,
I don’t see why not, they are great trail shoes. Which hike is it that you’re planning?
-Alastair
Hello ! Just discovered your website, tons of great reviews !
I’m not a trail runner, just a regular hiker who is looking for a great pair of trail runners to cover between 10 to 20 miles a day with a bag ranging from 10 to 20 pounds, either in the mountains or in the backcountry.
I don’t know which one to buy between the Bushido 2 and the Akyra, I’m leaning toward the Bushido 2 but I read a lot that the Akyra would be more suited to long day than the Bushido.
What are your thoughts ?
Thanks !
Hey Jeremy,
Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with the Akyra but I can tell you the Bushido 2 are a great shoe for putting in miles on technical terrain – so they should be pretty good for your usage.