I’ve been wearing a pair of La Sportiva Jackal II BOA trail runners on a winter running trip in southern Arizona for the past few weeks. The mountains here are steep, rocky, and rugged. I’ve seen plenty of loose dirt and softball-sized rocks on the trail while wearing these shoes.
You don’t want to sleep on this high-performing trail runner. Whether it’s for race day or the most demanding trail runs, this shoe will make you want to find the gnarliest trail, go straight up it, then send it downhill.
In short: The Jackal II BOA ($185) is a game-changer for trail runners. These shoes are a souped-up version of the already great La Sportiva Jackal II, and have the same basic last, but come with an extended upper that wraps higher around the ankle (similar to the La Sportiva Cyklon) and a stickier rubber outsole, along with a pair of BOA dials. The BOA lacing system is the standout feature here and creates a hard-to-beat fit that’s quickly adjustable as the terrain changes.
La Sportiva Jackal II BOA Review

Quick-Adjusting Dual BOA Dials

Fit, Tongue, and Collar

Handling the Roughest Trails

Conclusion
