REASONS TO BUY
Sensitive
Stable
Confidence-inspiring
Good for technical terrain
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks cushioning
Better for narrow-footed runners
La Sportiva Bushido II - Women's Review
A snug-fitting trail shoe that offers solid traction and great sensitivity for extra technical runs
The rubber pattern atop the engineered mesh upper provides a strong fortress against sand and small rocks.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Our Verdict
La Sportiva knows how to make exceptional gear, and the updated Bushido II is no exception. From its incredible traction due to its FriXion XT V-Groove2 to its Ortholite insole, the Bushido is ready to take on the mountains. With a measured drop of 8mm and an AirMesh and ripstop upper, this shoe makes a great trail companion for all of your alpine romps. It's rigid and boasts epic traction that combines with its excellent sensitivity to make a running shoe that is protective, springy, and tough. It is a bit narrower and harder to break in than some of our more tried-and-true favorites, but once you get accustomed to the sensation of the Bushido II, it could become a great long-haul running companion.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The rigid Bushido II doesn't provide the underfoot cushion or lateral flexibility of many of our highest-scoring running shoes. But if it fits your feet comfortably, it is a tough workhorse that will have you scampering up steep granite faces with ease.
Performance Comparison
The Bushido II is one of our favorite shoes for rugged alpine running due to its traction and toe cap.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Foot Protection
The updated Bushido II has an exterior toe cap made of soft yet thick rubber; for us, it's a dream come true. It encases your toe tips in just the right amount of protection, and we love how it feels flexible in motion. This is especially well-balanced because of how rigid the shoe is overall. Some runners might prefer a more rigid toe cap, while others might prefer a softer option. For us, this toe cap provides the perfect balance between structure and flexibility.
We love the flexible protection of the toe cap on the Bushido.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The latticed rubber outer of the Bushido II is another great protective element, though this shoe didn't score super high in this metric. When combined with the thermal microfiber and AirMesh upper, it becomes pretty impermeable to sand and debris. La Sportiva does make a GTX version, which we did not test, but we assume it offers even more profound protection from the elements.
The sensitivity of the Bushido (right) is much higher than many of our favorite shoes. This makes it a great choice for trail runs that lack sharp rocks and features, especially if you are a runner who has sensitive feet.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The Bushido II has an integrated rock plate, which helps to disperse the feeling of being stabbed by sharp underfoot protrusions. Even when compared to less-plush running shoes on the market, the sole of the Bushido is pretty stiff and thin. While we love a run where you can get intimate with the trail, the lack of underfoot cushion translates to less overall protection. Heel strikers might have better luck in the Bushido over long distances because that is where more of the cushion resides. La Sportiva claims that the stack height is 19mm at its highest and 13mm at its lowest, but when we cut the shoe in half and measured (yes, we do that), we got 29mm and 21mm — pretty different. The measurements that manufacturer's report are not standardized in any way, so this likely accounts for the difference in our specs versus theirs. Either way, this is shoe retains its ground feel and sensitivity.
The rubber pattern atop the engineered mesh upper provides a strong fortress against sand and small rocks.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
The traction of the Bushido II is interesting, to say the least. The lug pattern and placement have stayed the same throughout recent years and are incredibly strong. However, the forefoot lugs all face forward, which leaves you susceptible to some slippage, most notably on loose downhills.
The forward-facing lugs cut down on the Bushido's ability to grip super slick surfaces.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Aside from that, we tested this shoe on dirt roads, hard-packed trails, over kitty litter, and snowy surfaces. In all these conditions, the outsole does a great job of grabbing and sticking to the surface.
Testing traction on a small snow patch in early Spring. The heel stomper works well for minor snow sliding fun while the lugs do well on some not-super soft surfaces.
Credit: Edward Kemper
The shoe is pretty rigid, making it easy to kick in a snow step for enhanced stability on technical surfaces. The Bushido II scored similarly to many other trail running shoes in this metric. The lug pattern offers a noticeably good mud shed, an understated feature we have grown to appreciate.
While not our top-scoring shoe, we love so many things about the updated Bushido by La Sportiva.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Sensitivity
This is one of the metrics where the Bushido II really shines. Because of its lower-riding profile, you are closer to the ground, which means you can feel the trail beneath your feet. Even with the integrated rock plate, the ground and its topography feel close.
The Bushido is a great choice if you desire a shoe that allows you to connect with the varying terrain beneath your feet.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Foot protection is “about right” for those who prefer a thinner shoe, and sensitivity is ample. You can feel where you place your toes, which ultimately helps you keep your balance and stay upright. While this is a technical shoe, it offers an immense sensitivity that we appreciate. This shoe can take a beating for many miles, but you might find that you have to condition your feet to get used to the impact.
It took some getting used-to to adapt to longer runs in the Bushido II (left). Ultimately, we are glad that we persevered through the break-in period and found our stride in these shoes.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
We love the stability of this shoe. It has a more rigid construction surrounding the midsole and outsole with integrated shanks in the heel. The outsole is fairly flexible back and forth but doesn't offer much lateral torsion, keeping your foot straight on the trail. This is huge for when your legs start to fatigue, and you default into using your arms as airplane wings for balance.
The 19mm stack height and 6mm drop combined with the strong lateral structure of the Bushido make for a comfortably stable trail running shoe.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The stack height is moderate, which aids in providing strong stability. We tend to think about stability going hand-in-hand with how low to the ground you ride — or how minimal the heel-to-toe differential is. In the case of the Bushido II, a 6-8mm differential aids in a very stable ride.
Where do you run-hike? Checking out this traverse to Red Mountain requires a shoe that is both stable and confidence-inspiring. The Bushido II can take on high and loose ridge lines with ease.
Credit: Amber King
Comfort and Fit
The compression foam in the midsole of the Bushido II is hard and quite responsive, which isn't always a sought-after feature in a trail runner. Overall, it's not seriously cushioned and is not the most comfortable. The fit is specific, and we love it since it works for us. Our narrow-footed runners like this shoe a lot, but it can also work for those with wide feet, as the upper is soft and flexible. La Sportiva also offers a wide version to further accommodate runners with different foot shapes.
The mid and front foot offer HUGE amounts of sensitivity as the cushioning is far from ample. The heel is more cushioned, offering more protection and less sensitivity in this area.
Credit: Amber King
Still, we hesitate to fully recommend this shoe to runners with wider feet. The toe box offers enough space, but so many trail running shoes are adding more space, so the Bushido comes up short here. Due to its rigid construction, it doesn't really give in after a few break-in miles, either. If it doesn't feel comfortable off the rack, it likely won't feel more comfortable 10 miles into a training run.
A look at the overall fit and profile of the still-awesome La Sportiva Bushido II.
Credit: Edward Kemper
The lacing system integrates a TPU overlay that completely wraps the foot for the right amount of tightness and precision. The arch has some support, and the heel cup fits nicely and is tight. We love that the collar is thick and well-shaped. There is no “extra” material inside the shoe, which contributes to its overall minimalistic feel. The tongue has a few cushioned areas to help it lie flat and protect the upper foot from the laces cutting in, but even that cushion is quite scarce.
A close-up look at the scant tongue cushioning. It provides just enough to be comfortable without anything extra.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
Each women's size 6.5 shoe weighs in at 8.14 ounces, which is pretty standard for the market today. Anything under 9 ounces works for us, though we often opt for speedy shoes that feel weightless underfoot. Despite its standard weight, the streamlined profile and snug fit of the Bushido II make it feel weightless once it is strapped to our feet. Once we got used to the weight distribution of these kicks, we loved them.
Running in the mountains is a great place for this shoe. It offers stability and support when running up or down super steep trails.
Credit: Edward Kemper
Should You Buy the La Sportiva Bushido II?
The durability and strength of the Bushido II help make it a good value. Price aside, the Bushido isn't right for all runners. The prime sensitivity might not be comfortable if the undersides of your feet are tender. The low stack height and lack of cushion allow you to feel sharp rocks, so if you describe your feet as sensitive, maybe forgo the shoes that provide extra sensitivity. The Bushido is also a narrow-ish shoe, which won't work for wide-footed runners. That said, if you like the idea of an intimate trail running experience and are comfortable with a rigid shoe body, this is a great shoe to consider.
The Bushido is a worthwhile investment if you are looking for a strong yet sensitive trail running companion.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
While the Bushido II offers plenty of tech and function in a svelte package, its tighter fit and narrower platform won't suit everyone. Regarding mountain running, the Bushido did almost as well as the Salomon Speedcross 6, which does great on sloppy surfaces. The La Sportiva Jackal II fits similarly and offers many of the same qualities as the Bushido. The Jackal offers slightly better traction, but it comes at the price of toe box comfort. If a well-cushioned running shoe is more your speed, opt to test out the Hoka Torrent 3 for a plusher running experience.
—
Ally Arcuri
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