REASONS TO BUY
Good protection and sensitivity
Stable
REASONS TO AVOID
Not particularly breathable
Fit is small
La Sportiva Bushido II Review
These protective tanks will keep going over rocky ridges and scree fields but aren't great for hotter environments
These shoes have a narrow fit, so if you have a wider foot, there is no room for your feet to swell as the miles rack up.
Credit: Matt Bento
Our Verdict
Narrow and fleet-footed trail runners will enjoy the La Sportiva Bushido II for its incredible combination of sensitivity and protection. At the same time, folks with wider feet will struggle to dial in the fit. If your foot is a match for the Bushido II, expect a stable ride capable of moderate scrambling thanks to its excellent sticky rubber outsole. But be aware that these kicks don't breathe well, so you'll want to go with a more breathable shoe when the mercury rises. This is a durable model adept at long runs in the mountains.
Editor's Note: The La Sportiva Bushido II review was updated on April 30, 2024, with more specific product comparisons.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The La Sportiva Bushido II ratchets up the sensitivity factor without sacrificing too much protection, making it an excellent choice for runners who often find themselves jogging over smooth slabs, hopping from boulder to boulder, or navigating scree fields. Like many other models in the La Sportiva line-up, the Bushido II runs narrow, keeping the heel locked solidly in place but leaving little room for swelling in the toe box. Those with narrow feet will find these shoes comfortable, stable, and plenty protective for long days on rocky ridges, making them a good alternative for a pair hiking shoes.
Performance Comparison
These shoes offer a decent balance of sensitivity and protection.
Credit: Matt Bento
Foot Protection
Compared to many top-scoring shoes for long-distance trail running, the Bushido II has a lot going on up top. The uppers have a busy appearance, balancing a breathable mesh with TPU reinforcement around the sides of the toe box. This combination translates into good protection from side impacts and rocks and sticks.
Turning our attention to the bottom of the shoes, we noticed the FriXion XT V-Groove2 rubber and compressed and molded foams under the forefoot. La Sportiva claims that this shoe has a stack height of 19mm at the heel and 13mm at the toe. When we measured the shoe in our facility, we got some vastly different numbers: 33m at the heel and 24mm up front. It's worth noting that how and where stack height is measured is not standardized in any way whatsoever. Either way, this is more cushioning than previous versions of the Bushido. The midsole is adequately stiff, and while we could feel the general contours of the terrain under our feet, we didn't take much of a beating from sharp rocks.
A padded tongue and TPU overlay for increased structure protects the foot from side and front impacts.
Credit: Matt Bento
Traction
We've used shoes with larger, deeper lugs than those on the Bushido II, but they still perform respectably on mud and loose gravel. We enjoyed them in muddy conditions since the shallow lugs provided traction, but not so much that we ended up with a pound of earth caked on each foot.
No stranger to high friction rubber, Sportiva opted to use FriXion XT-Groove2 rubber, which shines on smooth granite slabs and rock hopping while crossing streams.
Though the rubber outsole is hard and durable, it remains surprisingly sticky on rocks.
Credit: Matt Bento
Sensitivity
Sensitivity is the strong suit of the Bushido II. Without a lot of cushioning, we could feel the contours of the trail and rapidly adapt to changing angles, roots, and rocks — we moved along blissfully over uneven terrain. A minimalist shoe might offer better sensitivity but can't provide the foot protection needed for endless miles on rugged terrain.
The Bushido II performed well in our traction test over smooth rocks and scree.
Credit: Matt Bento
Stability
Since the Bushido II doesn't have a thick, cushioned platform, it feels very stable underfoot. Additionally, the narrow fit and locker heel allowed us to quickly adjust to the shoe's feel, making it more of an extension of our foot. Our lead tester pronates ever so slightly with his left foot, and the Bushido II is a good option for him since the pronation causes the cushioning on the inside edge of his running shoes to wear faster than the outside. Without a thick cushioned platform, the shoe wears more evenly, even with some pronation, causing it to feel more stable throughout the shoe's life.
We found this model quite stable for uneven terrain and great for bombing down hills.
Credit: Matt Bento
Comfort and Fit
We've said it before (and we're going to say it again): comfort is subjective. If the shoe doesn't suit your foot shape, it's not going to be comfortable. The Bushido II is narrow, and it feels especially so when compared to offerings from other manufacturers that offer more voluminous lasts. The advantages of a narrow shoe are increased stability and sensitivity, but if the shoes are too narrow, they'll be restrictive as your feet swell over longer runs.
Aside from their shape, the Bushido II has a few comfort-enhancing design features. The tongue is heavily padded where it meets the ankle, and the heel collar sits low around the ankle, so you can crank down the laces without causing uncomfortable pressure around the ankle or your Achilles. Because there isn't a ton of cushioning, we recommend limiting the amount of time you run on the pavement with these shoes.
The lacing system is tight and secure, but the laces are almost too short for higher volume feet.
Credit: Matt Bento
Weight
While these are no minimalist featherweights, the Bushido II are well in line with the competition weight-wise. They still feel relatively light on foot at 21.9 oz for a US 9.5, even with the extra tongue padding and TPU on the uppers.
A cross-section look at the “guts” of the Bushido II.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the La Sportiva Bushido II?
“Bushido” refers to the Ancient Japanese Samurai honor code. They valued things like justice, courage, and mercy. We didn't see anything about stability, sensitivity, or TPU reinforced toe protection through our research, but if the Samurai needed to run long distances through the forest, the Bushido II would be a good choice. In all seriousness, these shoes are an excellent option for the dedicated trail runner who likes to mix things up with a bit of ridge scrambling, and if you have narrow feet, they're worth checking out.
If they fit, the Bushido II is a great tool for exploring your backyard.
Credit: Matt Bento
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
While the Bushido II is lacking somewhat in comfort, they have above average scores in almost every other metric, making them a hard shoe to beat. Another top-scoring option is the Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3, which is more comfortable, stable, and protective, although a bit heavier. The Brooks Catamount 3 and the La Sportiva Karacal are both more comfortable options worth checking out. The Karacal has great protection and traction, while the Catamount 3 is lighter, though neither match the Bushido II in sensitivity. Any of these would be a great addition to a footwear collection.
—Matt Bento
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