tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post7986935111669820380..comments2024-03-28T21:52:44.835-06:00Comments on Road Trail Run: La Sportiva Jackal Multi Tester ReviewSam Winebaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17969086391170473784noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-9525945850019769122021-05-11T19:36:27.925-06:002021-05-11T19:36:27.925-06:00John, best of luck to you with your recovery. May...John, best of luck to you with your recovery. May I recommend a more maximally cushioned shoe, perhaps the Hoka Stinson ATR 6 would be a better choice for being most easy on your delicate bits 😂😊Jeff Vallierehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08106877622296558733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-51569031246145279732021-04-19T19:12:44.128-06:002021-04-19T19:12:44.128-06:00Unknown,
The Jackal has a precise enough fit, bu...Unknown, <br /><br />The Jackal has a precise enough fit, but as mentioned in the review, sizing is tricky and I find them to be unstable in technical terrain due to a somewhat tippy heel and their overall stiffness.<br /><br />I think the TK7 would be a much better option than the Akasha as well. The Akasha is still a good shoe, but they feel pretty outdated to me now. TK7 has room, but is very secure, great protection, lighter and very good all around performance.Jeff Vallierehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08106877622296558733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-21795302208208158602021-04-19T15:31:40.146-06:002021-04-19T15:31:40.146-06:00Thanks for all the work you all do on the reviews!...Thanks for all the work you all do on the reviews! It is my general go to prior to shoe purchase.<br /><br />I am looking for a shoe for two 54km mountain terrain ultras this summer. Currently looking between the Akasha I already own (I don't think they will be precise enough fit for the races), the Jackal, or the newly release Terra Kiger 7. <br /><br />Any chance you could give me a quick comparison of these shoes to the TK&?<br /><br />Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06563640113722672460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-49704995830939493242020-07-07T15:25:30.094-06:002020-07-07T15:25:30.094-06:00Hi there. How do these compare to LRs Mutant's...Hi there. How do these compare to LRs Mutant's ?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11499799045431183319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-83235597198299744592020-07-03T15:43:26.643-06:002020-07-03T15:43:26.643-06:00Stelios: The answer is yes, they run short compar...Stelios: The answer is yes, they run short compared to other LaSp. I've owned various Helios models, and Bushido2, wearing 47.5 in all of these, and the Jackal is .5 short, I'd need a 48 at least, which I don't think exists. Sent them back :(rmshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10388816006350828762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-90896880790074652982020-07-03T07:51:40.512-06:002020-07-03T07:51:40.512-06:00Hello there. I am puzzled by the sizing here.
Do t...Hello there. I am puzzled by the sizing here.<br />Do they run short compared to other La Sportivas or not? For example, in regards to Bushido I or Bushido II (used both), should I size up half to a complete size? Or do you think I can get away with the same size as Bushido II?<br /><br />Thank you,<br />SteliosSteliosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-53523389982974019602020-05-29T19:03:08.735-06:002020-05-29T19:03:08.735-06:00I just received my normal 47.5/13.5 in lasportiva ...I just received my normal 47.5/13.5 in lasportiva (13 in all other brands), and yeah I’m hitting the end of the shoe on my larger foot, and will have to return them. Size 48 is nowhere to be found it appears. Those with a foot with more toe-splay like mine should go up a full metric size. I’m resisting the senseride3 as I find the sensepro4 uninspiring and also with fit issues (overly long yet tight across the metatarsals), but either the SR3 or possibly Evospeedgoat (which is overpriced and banned from discounts). Not sure which yet. Wildhorse4/5 is still the best ultra shoe I have, but I want a slightly cushier forefoot.rmshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10388816006350828762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-89473350876300460812020-05-10T01:08:03.476-06:002020-05-10T01:08:03.476-06:00And about sizing. The la sportiva guys (Italians.....And about sizing. The la sportiva guys (Italians..)have a strange conversion for US sizes. <br />I normally have EU size 41-42, or US 8-8.5 ( in Adidas, nike,new balance, Inov8, saucony, Brooks...)<br />In la Sportiva I have a EU 42 which corresponds to a US 9. I noticed on my Ultra raptor that those are the same numbers. Jeroen Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00316675953126691249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-60360605712142424172020-05-10T00:57:50.750-06:002020-05-10T00:57:50.750-06:00Great review,
I bouht these shoes myself and did ...Great review, <br />I bouht these shoes myself and did a 50 mile run with 2500+ ascent( small hils in the flemish ardennenes) with them out of the box. ( +-11 hours of running)<br />+: great ride, stiffnnes/cushioning was perfect without a break in period ( I have a pair of Inov8 roclite 275 those are stiff); Traction was ok ( dry conditions, some off trail in the forest and non technical trails and pavement);Traction in mud no idea I would prefer these shoes in dry conditions. I have not noticed any problems with the toe guard at all. <br />The black and yellow look rather splendid<br /><br />- :As reported there is friction on the heel and I developed blisters on both sides despite preventive taping ( towards the end of my run), I had the same problem with the Ultra Raptor...<br />The tongue could be a little longer I developed some irritation on the top of my feet ( but then again after 10 hours of running)<br /><br />Overall: I love these shoes, I'd try putting on more tape on my feet to prevent friction on the heel counter but overall I like thes shoes very much.<br />Jeroen Vnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-28655214561281575722020-05-07T07:29:42.464-06:002020-05-07T07:29:42.464-06:00subscribedsubscribedJohn Tribbiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14880126111070399992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-44898397008013169832020-05-05T17:23:28.303-06:002020-05-05T17:23:28.303-06:00@Drew
It's interesting that La Sportiva would...@Drew<br /><br />It's interesting that La Sportiva would say the Akasha isn't discontinued. It's not available on their North American website, only on their European website, which means you can't order it if you live in North America, which is what a local running store told me as they used to carry it - they can't get them anymore. <br /><br />Perhaps you can pass this on to La Sportiva if you are in contact with them. Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-19361282835172338352020-05-03T23:20:27.828-06:002020-05-03T23:20:27.828-06:00My own thoughts & La Sportiva's reply post...My own thoughts & La Sportiva's reply posted on their YouTube video introduction to the Jackal (https://youtu.be/rko-H2CCRw0). TL:DR, could be an awesome shoe if they fix the heel collar ... also, La Sportiva welcomes good feedback.<br /><br />"The Good:<br />Amazing midsole combination of compressed EVA and embedded 'Infinitoo' polyurethane foam dampen shock while giving just the right amount of rebound and cushion and allow surprisingly good ground feel for a 29 mm / 22 mm stack height (4 mm Ortholite insole included) and 7 mm offset. The dual compound, dual patterned outsole lugs and 1.5 mm rock guard worked extremely well on ascents and descents. The outsole even felt fine on the pavement.<br /><br />The Bad:<br />The upper is flawed in at least two ways which is both frustrating and surprising because it was adapted from the Kaptiva upper which did not have these issues and because La Sportiva should have caught and corrected these problems before mass production.<br /><br />Flaw 1: The overly stiff, inadequately padded ankle / heel collar is too high so it rubs on both the lateral side and the heel. This is so bad that both of my Achilles contact points developed blisters less than 5 miles into my first run as did the lower lateral side of my left ankle. I've never experienced this in any other trail or road shoe. It is possible the collar material may soften over time but I'm not looking forward to suffering while waiting for that to happen.<br /><br />Flaw 2: The tongue is integrated into a bootie construction but it is too loosely structured with no mid-tongue through holes in the tongue for the laces to hold it in place. This would be fine but it does not work as it did in the Kaptiva because the tongue is too short and the material is too loose at the base of the tongue so the laces eventually ride up and over the top of the tongue - especially if you lace them all the way up through the top lace lock eyelets. The Kaptiva did not have lace lock eyelets but it did have a much higher tongue that was just as soft and caused no issues. Some people complained about heel slippage in the Kaptiva so I suspect that drove some of the design thinking in the Jackal's variation of the upper and addition of heel lock eyelets - too bad those changes were poorly implemented.<br /><br />Conclusion:<br />I've purchased many pairs of the La Sportiva Akasha and completed several ultra marathons in them. This shoe could have been a perfect successor to that discontinued model had these issues been identified and corrected. As much as I wish it were otherwise, I can't recommend these shoes at this time unless your ankles are freakishly shaped or you are a masochist. I will be returning mine but will purchase them in a future model if La Sportiva fixes these critical flaws."<br /><br />La Sportiva's reply:<br />"Thanks for writing and commenting in a concise and constructive way! we like to hear both the good and bad for what people find in our shoes in order to learn and improve. Just for your information, The Akasha has not been discontinued and will be still available."Drew Coughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02250159853792075860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-82151822181425600422020-05-03T23:15:20.151-06:002020-05-03T23:15:20.151-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Drew Coughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02250159853792075860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-17582510268423300592020-05-03T23:11:03.061-06:002020-05-03T23:11:03.061-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Drew Coughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02250159853792075860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-24404282219415697762020-05-02T20:17:54.136-06:002020-05-02T20:17:54.136-06:00Thanks for the review. I've been waiting to re...Thanks for the review. I've been waiting to read about these.<br /><br />I have worn several pairs of Akasha's since 2016 and the were one of the most versatile mountain shoes and one of my favorites, and was hoping these would be a worthy successor, but I guess not. <br /><br />I was told that the Akasha's are discontinued. Can anyone confirm that?<br /><br />Regarding the sizing, I'm very confused as you said to size down. All of my pairs of Akasha's were 47 â…“, and when I tried on the Jackal's in the store, I only needed a 45, which corresponds roughly to what I wear in other shoes - 12 or 12.5Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-56536685290814164782020-05-02T16:49:25.685-06:002020-05-02T16:49:25.685-06:00Would you mind giving a comparison to the Cascadia...Would you mind giving a comparison to the Cascadia 14? Thank you! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-23877738065972155392020-05-02T08:21:14.330-06:002020-05-02T08:21:14.330-06:00The Akasha is a great shoe, so the idea of a light...The Akasha is a great shoe, so the idea of a lighter, more streamlined version was very promising, unfortunately the Jackal seems not to be this shoe...maybe I try the Sense Ride 3, this sounds what I'm looking dir, great review as Always, thx RTRAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03032787537020007646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-17894584118850398032020-05-02T07:36:03.234-06:002020-05-02T07:36:03.234-06:00Glad to be of help :)
Now, if they take the tongu...Glad to be of help :)<br /><br />Now, if they take the tongue of the Jackal, some of the newer more breathable materials, lockdown design from the midfoot, add that to the midsole and sole of the Akaasha... I think you would drop ~30g and have a shoe that absorbed less water and breathed better but with the same cushioning and stability. Now that would be some shoe!IainGranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05640210750796317561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-55043142377571969462020-05-02T07:07:08.015-06:002020-05-02T07:07:08.015-06:00Thanks Jeff and especially Iain, that helps a lot....Thanks Jeff and especially Iain, that helps a lot...as I already own the Scarpa Spin Ultra, which is in my opinion the little sister of the Akasha, I will mit try this Show...Akasha for long outings, Spin Ultra for the more technical stuff...ThxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03032787537020007646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-3898070851016082772020-05-02T07:01:08.868-06:002020-05-02T07:01:08.868-06:00I’ve been looking forward to this review after pur...I’ve been looking forward to this review after purchasing the Jackal at the beginning of April! <br /><br />After 13 pairs of Akasha in the household and them being the go-to race shoe for me and my wife I was hoping for a lighter, more nimble Akasha with the same grip and comfort. To be honest thought I find the Jackal a disappointment.<br /><br />Heel counter - too high, too stiff, irritates the Achilles (same for my wife and me)<br />Narrowness in the heel causes stability issues, exaggerates heel rub above<br />Dull ride, absorbs impact from rocks well but flat feeling on single-track or pavement<br />Weight on my scales is similar to Akasha and un-noticeable when running<br />No wider than the Akasha in the forefoot<br />Less flexible in the forefoot than the Akasha with the rock-plate<br /><br />Interestingly I do not find size an issue; they are consistent with La Sportiva and Salomon for me.<br /><br />Overall, less cushioned, less stable, no lighter, less of an "Ultra" feeling shoe than the Akasha. Not a replacement or alternative for either of us. <br /><br />I’m not sure where it fits in the La Sportiva stable either. Ultras = Akasha, Technical = Bushido II, Door to trail = Lycan II, Skyrace = Kaptiva/VK/Helios. Jackal is too heavy for short and fast, not enough cushion for ultras so I’m not really sure how I’ll use it…<br /><br />FWIW I’ve spent time manually breaking down the heel counter which has improved it somewhat (not that you should have to but I am loathe to not use a shoe!)IainGranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05640210750796317561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-5690983840495942412020-05-02T05:32:35.829-06:002020-05-02T05:32:35.829-06:00Morgan, thanks for the feedback. Whenever possibl...Morgan, thanks for the feedback. Whenever possible, we try for multi tester, but often it comes down to availability of the shoe, sizing, how many pairs our sources can afford at what is often very early and pre-release timing.<br /><br />Unknown, the Akasha is very different, much softer and flexible, comparable traction and upper with a little bit of stretch with good balance of accommodating comfort and security, where the Jackal is more stiff and firm cushion, refined/modern upper. Jeff Vallierehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08106877622296558733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-62244159207461019412020-05-02T01:34:41.276-06:002020-05-02T01:34:41.276-06:00Sorry, forgotten in the first place...and the Jack...Sorry, forgotten in the first place...and the Jackal has only 7 gr. on the Kaptiva in US 10 ? Looks much heavier, just thinking...Akasha is 343 gr. in my US10Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03032787537020007646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-12095710428646943262020-05-02T01:27:49.535-06:002020-05-02T01:27:49.535-06:00I would like to hear about a comparison with the A...I would like to hear about a comparison with the Akasha, apart from weight differences they sound quite similar ?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03032787537020007646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10529476.post-995647768319020492020-05-01T22:54:25.035-06:002020-05-01T22:54:25.035-06:00While not a criticism more of a feedback you had f...While not a criticism more of a feedback you had four reviewers for this shoe which is great but for the Nike Wildhorse 6 which was a massive overhaul from a major player we had one reviewer which was informative! The good thing about RTR is the multi reviews it gives a more balanced review Although this might not always be possible? But thanks and keep up the good work!Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18039064003691368398noreply@blogger.com