La Sportiva Jackal

Great support, well made, tough and strong shoe but sizing is off.

I got this shoe for regular city/trail walks. Not a runner on trails but wanted a shoe that has good support, is durable, comfortable, and can handle uneven paths. This shoe was also something I wanted to use abroad whilst walking in countries where the streets are more or less like walking on trails—.i.e. with water, gravel, stones, mud on the sidewalks. My goal was to get a shoe that has good traction, is tough on such sidewalks, and is something I can take a short hike in. 

This shoe pretty much fits the bill. It does not look bulky, actually looks stylish enough to travel in. It is supportive (I have a high arch), cushioned (both of which are important as I had plantar fascitis once). It is also a strong tough shoe. Very comfortable as I zigzagged along trails.

I do not run so this was not tested for running. I did feel the ground a bit in this so that might be an issue for you or not. Traction was good. When I say strong shoe, it was just that—felt like wearing a good tough shoe that would handle all the uneven trails. 

I liked the lacing (hate the laces on Salomon shoes with those whatever new technology lace, horrible). These were fat laces good enough to tie up and stay put. 

It kept my feet dry and warm. There was no chafing or issues as such other than the sizing.

The only problem was the sizing. I wear an 8.5 but for this had to go up from 40 EU to 40.5 and even that was tight at the toes. My feet are not wide, just regular and the toe box was okay. If you have wide feet this may not work for you. Sizing is a problem in this shoe and so I had to return it. Other than that, the shoe was fantastic. 

Background

I have never used La Sportiva so I am really impressed with it. I will definitely try it again. I will however not buy from REI because of their awful delivery company Ontrac that delivered my package at the wrong address and falsely marked it as delivered—twice. Thankfully this shoe was another order so it did reach me.