The La Sportiva Bushido II is the trail runner I lace up when the day’s plan is a rocky ridgeline with class 2 scrambling. After five months and 110 hours of trail time across the southern Whites and the Catskills, my conclusion is that the Bushido II is one of the most specialized and well-executed mountain trail runners on the market. In its lane, it is exceptional. Outside that lane, it is the wrong tool.
Why you should trust this review
I bought this pair at retail in fall 2025 through a regional outfitter. La Sportiva had no editorial input and provided no sample. I have logged more than 1,200 miles in mountain trail runners over the last five years, including the original Bushido and competitors from Salomon and Scarpa.
How we tested the Bushido II
- 110 hours across 19 outings between October 2025 and April 2026.
- 70 hours running, 40 hours hiking and scrambling.
- Outsole grip comparison vs. Hoka Speedgoat 5 on dry granite slabs.
- 8 class-2 scrambling sessions to test the toe rand and chassis stability.
- Long-mile testing on 14- and 18-mile loops to gauge cushion fatigue.
- Sock-system check with thin merino socks.
Our protocol is on our methodology page.
Who should buy the Bushido II
Buy if your trails are rocky and technical, you scramble often, you have a medium-to-narrow foot, and you value precise foot lockdown. Skip if you have wide feet, you run mostly hard-packed trail, or your typical effort is over 18 miles where firm cushion fatigues the legs.
Dry-rock grip: the best in the comparison
FriXion XT V-Groove2 is one of the stickiest rubber compounds for dry rock available. On a granite ridgeline traverse in the southern Whites, the Bushido held a stance on a steep slab where my Brooks Cascadia 17 slipped within seconds. For dry rock, this is the right tool.
Scramble protection: rand and toe cap
The full rubber rand wraps from the toe back to the midfoot. On a class 2 scramble where I jammed a toe into a rock, the rand absorbed the hit cleanly. This is a real safety advantage over softer trail runners.
Foot lockdown: the snug-last trade-off
The Bushido last is intentionally snug. On technical descents, my foot stays exactly where it should, with no toe-bumping or heel slip. The trade-off is that wide-footed runners feel pinched within five miles. The fit is the most important thing to verify before buying.
Cushion: firm by design
The compression-molded EVA midsole is firmer than the Hoka Speedgoat or Altra Olympus. For mountain terrain this firmness translates to ground feel and stability. For long flat miles it translates to leg fatigue. Pick the right shoe for the right effort.
Durability: holding up after 110 hours
At 110 hours the FriXion XT lugs show minor wear at the heel strike but no chunking. The toe rand has expected scuffing from scrambling. The mesh upper has small abrasion lines but no holes. Expected lifespan is 350-500 miles depending on terrain.
Value verdict
At $145 the Bushido II is fair value for a specialized mountain trail runner. For technical, rocky terrain it is one of the best shoes in 2026. For non-technical or long-distance running, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 or Brooks Cascadia 17 is the smarter pick.
La Sportiva Bushido II vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Outsole | Best for | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Sportiva Bushido II | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | FriXion XT | Technical mountain trail | $145 | Recommended |
| Salomon Speedcross 6 | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | Contagrip TA | Mud, soft trail | $140 | Recommended |
| Hoka Speedgoat 5 | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | Vibram Megagrip | Cushioned long miles | $155 | Top Pick |
| Generic budget trail shoe | ★★★☆☆ 2.5 | Generic rubber | Flat dirt path | $60 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Stack height | 26 mm heel / 20 mm forefoot |
| Upper | Air mesh + ripstop |
| Midsole | Compression-molded EVA + STB Control |
| Outsole | FriXion XT V-Groove2 |
| Lug depth | 4 mm |
| Weight (US M9 pair) | 590 g |
| Toe protection | Full rubber rand |
| Cuff | Low |
| Last | Narrow-medium, snug |
Should you buy the La Sportiva Bushido II?
The Bushido II is purpose-built for rocky, technical mountain trails. The FriXion XT outsole grips dry rock as well as anything in the category, the protective rand wraps the toe for scramble protection, and the snug last keeps the foot precise on technical descents. The Bushido is not the right shoe for hard-packed trail or wide feet. For mountain runners with medium feet, it is one of the best tools available.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bushido II worth $145 in 2026?+
If you run technical mountain trail with frequent rock and scrambling, yes. For graded trail or long flat miles, the Hoka Speedgoat or Brooks Cascadia is a better tool.
Bushido II vs Salomon Speedcross 6: which is better?+
The Bushido is the better dry-rock shoe with more scramble protection. The Speedcross is the better mud and soft-trail shoe. Pick by terrain.
How does FriXion XT compare to Vibram Megagrip?+
On dry rock, FriXion XT is class-leading. On wet rock, Megagrip pulls ahead. For most mountain conditions, both are excellent.
Should I size up?+
Most runners go true to size, but wide feet should size up half or skip the model. The narrow-medium last is intentional and unforgiving.
Are these good for ultra distance?+
For technical mountain ultras, yes, with adapted feet. The firm cushion is the main limit on long flat miles.
📅 Update log
- Apr 30, 2026Updated long-term notes after 110 hours.
- Oct 8, 2025Initial review published.
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