La Sportiva Bushido III Review

The La Sportiva Bushido III is designed for those who seek a lightweight, race-ready shoe with exceptional stability. Its rigid heel and low stack height of 30 mm provide a sense of freedom on technical terrain without compromising stability. While many stability-focused shoes can feel sluggish, the Bushido III stands out as the quickest and most stable option in our lineup. If you're looking for a shoe that offers a solid, reliable feel while still being agile, this could be the perfect choice for you.

Performance Comparison

Foot Protection

The firm cushioning on the Bushido III allows for protection against the elements for any type of run. A 1.5 mm rock guard is added to increase rigidity and prevent impacts from the underfoot. A classic La Sportiva toe bumper is found and offers increased protection which is appreciated on this low-stack model. A durable plastic is also found on the sides of the foot creating protection against accidental scrapes or missteps. Because of the lightweight design and low stack, some could find this shoe less protective than higher stack and more cushioned models. While the model does excel in technical terrain it does require a base level of foot strength to handle the more minimal design.

Traction

Built with dual compound red Frixion X rubber, the Bushido III has a great blend of durability and grip. We measure the lugs at 4.20 mm, which offers exceptional grip on a wide variety of trails and surfaces. Sportivas traction lug pattern also does a good job at feeling flat on smoother surfaces without sacrificing grip on more technical terrain. This surface contact maintains solid stability on a variety of surfaces and doesn't lead to the shoe ever feeling overbuilt, which can make some surfaces feel slower than others.

Sensitivity

The Bushido III lacks a lot of sensitivity through the foam due to its density and rock plate. Its low stack, however, still maintains an acceptable ground feel. The Bushido should be viewed as an all-around model, though on longer efforts, this actually can be a benefit if fatigue sets in. Personally, our testers found the model to be a touch too stiff through the heel and would prefer it to be loosened up to give us more freedom and feedback from our foot placements. The Nnormal Kjerag is in a similar class, and we prefer the more neutral stability, whereas the Bushido is a bit more locked in.

Stability

With one of the lower stacks in our test group of just 30 mm and La Sportiva's STB Control through the heel, this is by far the most stable lightweight trail shoe design we've tested. This stability provides a sound connection between the heels, knees, and hips, creating more rigidity than most light designs built for speed. While our testers recognize that some will love the stiffness, we do think that some may find the support a bit overbearing, especially through the heel. Often, we felt like the shoe was doing too much, especially when we felt fresh and lively. This support does help during long events where your body starts to fatigue but it also reduces some of the springiness that's found in competing models. For those who generally don't need or prefer stability enhancement features, we'd opt for a different model.

Comfort and Fit

This 3rd iteration of the Bushido is very similar to the previous version, which, in our opinion, is a good thing, as we have long had great appreciation for the comfort of this model. As with most La Sportivas, you can expect a slightly snug performance fit, which is very useful in technical terrain. Generally, La Sportiva fits our feet excellently, and the Bushido III was no exception. The heel is snug, the midfoot appropriately fitted, and the forefoot with just enough squeeze to prevent side-to-side movement on the camber.

While stable, the underfoot cushioning is harsher than the high-stack soft foams found elsewhere in the market. La Sportiva continues to stay true to performance, and their lineup reflects that intensity. For easy recovery days, you may want something a little plusher to take the edge off, and most won't prefer this for an everyday trainer. But if you have a high alpine mission or a week-long hike in the backcountry and want something dependable and light, we cannot recommend the Bushido III enough.

Weight

At 11.6 ounces per shoe in US size men's 10.5, this model is heavier on paper than you may think by running in them. This weight is largely due to the overall durability of the materials and the density of the foam. The shoe maintains a light, lively feel thanks to its good energy transfer and low stack, allowing for smooth follow-through and nimble steps even in technical terrain. While there are lighter shoes, most of those won't be able to handle hours of scree or talus as well as the Bushido III do. If you require dependability in the backcountry, these extra ounces are worth it for the added security and comfort.

Should You Buy the La Sportiva Bushido III?

The Bushido III has a place in your lineup if you desire substantial stability without sacrificing speed or agility. This shoe can tackle any type of terrain and is likely to be more durable than the softer competition. Users who like an unrestricted feel may find the heel to be overly locked in and stiff laterally. Luckily, you should be able to determine if these will work for you right out of the box, as the stiffness is immediately apparent and didn't change a ton over the course of our testing. They got slightly less stiff but remained noticeably stiffer than other models.

What Other Men's Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?

For a similar light agile feel without as much stability through the heel, we'd recommend the Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3. If you're looking for the lightest model that excels in advanced terrain for race day, we'd recommend the Nnormal Kjerag. Both of these models have good stability and lower stack. The Hoka Torrent 3 could also be a great option for someone who likes a stable light design but plans to tackle slightly less technical terrain.