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May 5, 2017 Comments (1) Uncategorized

La Sportiva Akyra Shoe Review

La Sportiva Akyra

Price –$140

TAUR RATED – 3.57

The Akyra is a freshly minted shoe joining the ranks of La Sportiva’s all-terrain mountain running shoes. With a serious outsole that conjures imagery of intricate origami and a multi-layer last built for durability and comfort, the Akyra comes out of the box looking fierce and ready to gnaw some trails.

Manufacturer Specs:

SIZES: 38 – 47.5 (half sizes)
WEIGHT: 11.35 oz (330g)
LAST: Tempo 2
FIT: Medium/Wide
UPPER: AirMesh / TPU MicroLite Skeleton / Flex-Guard™ inserts
LINING: AirMesh (heel only)
MIDSOLE: Injection shock absorbing MEMlex EVA / 2.4 mm LaSpEVA
SOLE: FriXion® Trail Rocker2™ with Impact Brake System™
DROP: 9mm
STACK: Heel – 25mm / Toe – 16mm
CUSHIONING: Midsole – 32A

• Secure fitting, comfortable and breathable uppers thanks to the innovative 3-layer construction system

• Trail Rocker™ sole promotes natural “outer heel to inner toe” support while running

• Aggressive lugs combined with FriXion® rubber and Trail Bite™ heel provide all-terrain traction and maximum grip

The Akyra delivers the sleek look and quality construction you’d expect from La Sportiva. It looks and feels as solid as the rocks it’s intended to chew up and spit out on the trails. The impact brake system in the outsole and the flexible fit in the upper make for a durable shoe with great traction. It has a fantastic look almost like a blend between the Bushido and the Raptor.

Craig – “The Akyra is designed more as a day hiking shoe, with a built up heel and stiff midsole/outsole. The upper provides a good toe guard and solid fabric, but tends to feel stiff.”

Robin – “The women’s version is a very pretty shoe with high-quality construction. I love the tread. The website says it weighs 9.80 oz but it felt heavier. It has a medium width, especially for La Sportiva. They may be hot because of the cushioning and layers.”

Jenna – “The Akyra is a rugged shoe that feels equipped to handle the toughest conditions. It’s made of the kind of high-quality materials you’d expect from La Sportiva with a rugged look and feel you don’t find anywhere else.”

Strengths

Craig – “Great traction and very solid under foot. It offers plenty of protection from sharp rocks and sticks.”

Robin – “Solid construction and awesome tread.”

Jenna – “The Akyra can take a beating and still look great. Of all the conditions tested, it seems to be best suited for rocky, technical climbs.”

Weaknesses

The primary complaints the testers had with the shoes were the weight and stiffness of the outsole. The Akyra did not excel in muddy conditions. The lugs in the outsole hold mud very easily which adds weight to a shoe that’s already heavier than the average technical mountain running shoe. If used as a hiking shoe, it performs wonderfully, but as a running shoe, it presented challenges other La Sportiva shoes don’t.

Craig – “The heel is built up too high and therefore performs more like a hiking shoe than a running shoe. It’s simply too stiff and uncomfortable for anything more than a few miles of actual running.”

Robin – “The tongue is soft, but holds water as does the insole. It is heavy and not responsive for running quickly on technical downhills.”

Jenna – “In wet conditions or creek crossings, the shoe retained more water than comparable models, and didn’t dry out quickly after a run, which meant needing to wait longer before wearing them out again.”

For more information, check out the product page on the La Sportiva website.

 

Specifications

Price – $140.00

Drop -9mm

Weight – 330g

Ratings
Upper 3.5
Midsole 3.5
Outsole 3.5
Durability 4.5
Fit 2.75
Performance 2.75
Appearance 4.5

Overall

3.57

Bonus Miles

“Solid construction and awesome tread”

“The impact brake system in the outsole and the flexible fit in the upper make for a durable shoe with great traction. It has a fantastic look almost like a blend between the Bushido and the Raptor. The Akyra can take a beating and still look great. Of all the conditions tested, it seems to be best suited for rocky, technical climbs.”

“The tongue is soft, but holds water as does the insole. It is heavy and not responsive for running quickly on technical downhills.”

One Response to La Sportiva Akyra Shoe Review

  1. Kristina says:

    Hi Jenna!

    I am doing a tremendously boggy 250 mile backpacking trip in Scotland. Having ruled out hiking boots in favor of a quick drying trail shoe – I purchased the Akyra’s. Based on your review, I’m concerned they may not be the best option for Scotland’s consistently wet environment/multiple creek crossings/etc. You mentioned they retained more water than “comparable models” – is there a model you would recommend for such an environment?

    Thanks in advance for your help Jenna!

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