La Sportiva Jackal II - Women's Review

Weighing just under 8 ounces per shoe in women's US size 6.5, the Jackal II is ready to tackle middle-distance mountain adventures with ease. Its 10 mm heel-toe drop and snug heel cup provide stability, while its Frixion XT 2.0 outsole helps keep you stuck to the terrain beneath you.

Performance Comparision

Foot Protection

The Jackal II has an embedded rock plate, a 0.19-inch insole, and 5.56 mm lugs — a stack full of features that provide great underfoot protection. The Mono-Burr mesh upper keeps feet cool on warm days and expertly deflects sand and trail debris. When it comes to water, the upper saturates rather quickly. Since the Jackal does not provide a ton of cushion, any water that gets into the shoe drains within minutes, allowing your feet to remain comfortable. The materials of the Jackal are quick to dry after being fully submerged, making this a great shoe for summer runs when you know that wet feet are inevitable. Our testers had no problems with blisters or hot spots while running through streams. The toe cap of the Jackal is incredibly functional at protecting rocks from busting up your toes. However, the interior of the Jackal is not very plush, so ramming your toes into the front of the shoe on downhills can hurt. We recommend wearing thick running socks or buying a half size up to compensate for this if the other features appeal to you.

Traction

The thick and sharp-edged outsole of the La Sportiva Jackal II is the main component that makes this shoe so mountain-ready. Made of rigid and durable Frixion XT 2.0 Rubber, this shoe excelled on every surface it was tested on. While no shoe can grip with 100% accuracy, the Jackal is a shoe that we trust on high-alpine adventures where slick granite faces abound. The exterior edge of the outsole boasts a teeth-like pattern, with multidirectional points ready to clamp down on the earth beneath your feet. The depth of the lugs prevents the Jackal from being a good crossover shoe, but if agile mountain running is what you want to do, this might be the perfect shoe for you.

Sensitivity

While not abundantly sensitive, the Jackal provides just enough trail information to allow your body to react as you run. With a heel stack of 30 mm and a 10 mm toe drop, the forefoot shoe rides on the lower end of average compared to some of the plusher options available on the market. This provides a relative degree of underfoot sensitivity. Though the Jackal's outsole hardness ranks well within average at 66 - 69 on a 100 scale, per our in-house spec testing team, the outsole feels incredibly rigid in real-time. Our lead tester prefers a slightly more flexible outsole because of the trail information it provides. Personal preferences aside, the Jackal II is a great trail running shoe for the runner who wants to feel confident and informed about the trail beneath them while staring down the face of an incline.

Stability

The Jackal II offers an element of agility that many shoes with traditional heel-to-toe differentials do not. The toe box of the updated Jackal is a bit wide, giving your toes space to flex and splay as they see fit during your runs. We have found that some toe box real estate can go a long way when relying on your body to create intrinsic stability. This space is coupled with a comfortably snug heel cup for strong stability. While the heel lift in the Jackal is noticeable, the shape of the heel cup encourages strong lateral stability, making this shoe one of the more capable options when it comes to technical downhills. The lacing system creates a comfortable locking sensation, adding to the Jackal's overall stability.

Comfort and Fit

The Jackal II rides like an old-school trail shoe in that it contains no apparent comfort features. This shoe is all business, and it shows from the moment you slip it on your feet. With a hard-compact insole, scantily plush tongue, and rigid toe bumper, this is not a shoe we recommend for runners who want to spend full days grinding out trail mileage. The Jackal is up for the challenge if your running goals center around middle-distance speed on technical trails. Our primary gripe regarding the comfort of the redesigned Jackal revolves around its toe bumper and insufficient interior cushioning. While this shoe excels on technical downhills, the experience is marred by the abrupt impact of toes against the toe cap when attempting to moderate speed. Mile after mile, this sensation becomes uncomfortable. Even still, the Jackal is a shoe we recommend, provided that your trail runs will be single digits in length.

Weight

The women's size 6.5 Jackal tips the scales at 7.90 ounces per shoe, placing it on the heavier end among the trail shoes we've assessed. Nevertheless, thanks to its protective attributes, this weight remains manageable and doesn't impede comfort on the trails. The bulk of the Jackal's weight is concentrated in its outsole, making it suitable for rugged terrain. However, we suggest exploring lighter options if you're seeking footwear tailored for more moderate landscapes.

Should You Buy the La Sportiva Jackal II

While the Jackal II offers specific comfort attributes, it doesn't receive our universal endorsement due to its somewhat specialized comfort profile. If the Jackal's features match your trail running objectives and preferences, it's a reliable choice that will accompany you through your training journey and beyond. Despite its appealing qualities and the love we have grown to have for this shoe, we acknowledge that the Jackal may not cater to every runner's distinct comfort and terrain requirements.

What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?