Our Verdict
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La Sportiva Jackal II - Women's | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Price | $99.00 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $108.75 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $103.71 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $190 List $189.95 at Backcountry |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | Despite being equipped for high mountain topography, this trail shoe isn't the most comfortable | If a well-tractioned powerhouse of a shoe is what you're after, this 2 mm-drop, stacked-with-tech shoe is the one for you | This is our go-to recommendation for runners seeking a comfortable, well-tractioned shoe for short and long distances alike | Featuring an upgraded upper and a stable zero-drop design, this shoe is a dependable and comfortable trail running option, ensuring comfort even during extended runs | A unisex shoe that offers superior performance across the board, boasting a protective yet sensitive ride with a grippy outsole and exceptional durability |
Rating Categories | La Sportiva Jackal... | La Sportiva Bushido... | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Salomon S/Lab Ultra... |
Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
Traction (20%) | |||||
Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
Stability (15%) | |||||
Comfort and Fit (15%) | |||||
Weight (10%) | |||||
Specs | La Sportiva Jackal... | La Sportiva Bushido... | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Salomon S/Lab Ultra... |
Sizes Available | 5.5 - 11 US regular |
5.5 - 11 US regular, wide | 5 - 11 US regular |
5.5 - 12 US regular and wide |
4 - 14 US regular |
Measured Heel Stack Height | 31 mm | 29 mm | 26 mm | 23 mm | 27 mm |
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 9 mm | 2 mm | 5 mm | 0 mm | 8 mm |
Rock Plate | Compressed EVA | 1.5 mm Dual-Density compressed EVA Rock-Guard in forefoot | No | TPU | Not disclosed |
Measured Lug Depth | 5.6 mm | 3.8 mm | 4.0 mm | 3.2 mm | 3.5 mm |
Measured Weight | 7.90 oz | 9.11 oz | 7.52 oz | 8.14 oz | 8.05 oz |
Upper | Recycled mesh | Air Mesh / Thermal Adhesive Microfiber / High Frequency Welded Ripstop Overlays | Mesh | Ripstop Mesh | Anti-Debris mesh with sockliner |
Midsole | CMEVA | 4mm LaSpEVA / Compression Molded MEMlex | EVA | Altra EGO | Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection |
Outsole | FriXion XT 2.0 | Bi-Compound FriXion® XT 2.0 V-Groove3 | Rubber | MaxTrac | Salomon Contagrip MA |
Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | Finger loop | None | Finger loop | None |
Our Analysis and Test Results
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 9 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 31 mm and a 9 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?
If a mountain-ready shoe with bitey lugs is what you're after, the Salomon Speedcross 6 has long been a favorite recommendation for rugged mountain runners. The La Sportiva Bushido III offers a bit more comfort and sensitivity than the Jackal but maintains La Sportiva's mountain running prowess. The Saucony Peregrine 14 is a traditionally shaped favorite with strong traction and a bit more well-rounded comfort and cushion.