Customer Reviews La Sportiva Kaptiva

This is the best straight up and down technical running shoe I've ever had. The support, grip, fit, protection, toebox room (better than the Bushido), dust and dirt rejection (add a simple gaiter and nothing will get in, you'll never have to take them off) are stellar. It is lighter than any other comparable LaSp model (including 2024 models). La Sportiva please do not take this shoe out of production, it's the best model you have! Sizing: 1/2size up as with all other LaSp models.

I got this shoe and love it so far I have had no issues and feel like I am faster when I run in it!

I own two pairs of these shoes. But I didn't love them at first because I thought they felt a little snug. But after I wore them on a few hikes and they broke in they are my constant go-tos. They run a 1/2 to whole size small. For example, I wear 11.5 in new balance and I'm 12 to 12.5 in these. Most people in my circles are all about the Altra lone peaks and hoka speedgoats and those are nice and I do own those as well, but I keep going back to the kaptivas! I should let viewers of this review know that The hikes and trail runs I do are usually 12 miles or less. I'm not sure the performance these shoes beyond that mileage.

Ran 2.5 marathons and a 50 miler in this shoe! Perfect toe box, great support, and overall my favorite shoe ever! I weight 220lbs and this shoe held up. Thanks LaSportiva!!!!

Third pair of this model that I use. To try it is to adopt it. The integrated watch makes it possible to reduce the entry of stones or excess mud, poru this shoe cut for the difficial codnitions of spring and autumn where mud is present in the trails. Excelelentte achieves the best grip on the market, while maintaining a lightweight shoe, ideal for fast runs

I'm on my second pair of these and I really enjoy them. Great fit, fast and very responsive. I ran the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim in them and had a blast doing it.

I bought a pair of Kaptivas in February and have used them whenever I run trails since then. They're my dream shoe. I've been running for a long time and have become incredibly particular about my shoes. These are the first ones I've owned in a long time that tick all of the boxes. Well done La Sportiva and thank you for creating my perfect shoe.

Really happy with this shoe. Fits a bit snug, but you get used to it quickly. Found myself with less foot/ankle issues than any other shoe I've tried.

The Kaptiva is an aggressive shoe for fast routes. I prefer this shoe in wet and muddy conditions, especially in spring and fall. The cramponnage follows this philosophy: adapts to rough ground and guarantees increased stability. The shoe is narrow and therefore, do not hesitate to take a size larger than your usual size.

I've put a few hundred miles on these shoes and they've held up really well so far. The rubber is very grippy, they're breathable, the insoles are very comfortable, and they're really stable. My only gripe is the tab on the tongue. If I'm wearing a trail running gaiter to keep stones out the tab digs into the front of my ankle. Probably solved with a longer sock, but most of my summer socks are lower cut

I choose these for mid to long distance trail runs when I need some extra cushion and rock protection compared to the Heilos. I appreciate the wider midfoot on this model combined with the snug compression-sock-tongue for a secure fit. The heel is a bit stiff right out of the box but the duel-density foam under foot breaks in quite nicely after the first fe miles. I love the fact that you can screw La Sportiva's hobnail kit into these but I've found that the Kaptiva's provide stellar traction on all surfaces, even icy trails!

These feel like a racing shoe. Snug fit, super snappy. A little too narrow in the toe box for me though, but still feeling that out.

I told my wife I have a crush on these shoes. Seriously, these are hands-down the best shoes I've had in a long time. They fit so well partially due to the elastic one piece wrap-around tongue that seems to produce a super comfortable fit without even lace tying. Amazing torsional stabiliy and soft but not marshmallow cushioning are features I haven't had in a shoe forever...most shoes compromise way too much stiffness or softness, but the Kaptiva nails that sweet spot!

Bought 2 pairs of Kaptivas at the beginning of Nov and have since put on over 60,000' vertical gain over rugged mountain terrain in the Sierra Nevada (granite) and Inyo Mountain range (desert talus). Both ranges I've used these in have aggressive and rough terrain that tears up shoes, primarily the outer lateral border of the 5th metatarsal (my feet are wide). I buy men's (formerly used the Akasha's which rip apart after a month for me, but I do average 100mi, 30-35,000' vert climbing weeks), the Kaptivas have a wider toe box which has been incredible and so far shows no sign of wear in my commonly broken down lateral border of the shoe! Aggressive lugs are great for technical running, on trail and off trail. Excellent for steep xc climbs up sand, talus, scree, granite slabs and scrambling. Grip is superb too! I love the lower profile of the shoe and the comfort around the ankle complex, which I usually developed hard skin after repeated rubbing (partially due to having to use men's shoes and difference in this area of the shoe). I love how it's a softer fit around the ankle and never have any issues with rub spots. Definitely more responsive and more feel with the shoe compared to the Akasha yet more supportive and better feel than the Bushido (granted it's been a few years since I've used the Bushido because it didn't fit me well and was narrow - I used women's at that time, past few years I've switched over to buying men's). Overall, love the shoe for high volume training with emphasis on vertical gain in mountainous, rugged terrain!! Will continue to buy, however I do wish they were more affordable simply because I tend to burn through shoes at a quick rate! Fit is true to size.

I love these shoes so far! Nice and tight fit. Sock liner surprised me and does not slip at all and keeps a nice snug fit on your foot. I have worn these ~70 miles so far and enjoy the lightweight feel. They have performed well on dirt trails and more technical rocky terrain in the mountains. As of right now, I plan on wearing these in the JFK 50 miler in a couple weeks.

Excellent show for running mountains & moving on technical terrain and trail.

This shoe is great for approaching rock climbs. The lugged sole holds well on loose dirt but has good friction on rock. I have been scrambling up to 5.6 technical rock and it preformed better that expected. I have put 300 miles on my pair so far.

8 months of nearly every run in Kaptiva's. This shoe is one of the very best shoes Sportiva has made in over a decade. There are a lot of things that I love about the shoe. I love the traction. It is the right combination of sticky rubber and aggressive tread. It can handle any type of mountain terrain you throw at it. The fit of the shoe is fantastic. I have no issues with my foot sliding around inside the shoe, even on the most aggressive downhills it locks my foot in place. I am impressed with the overall durability as I am getting over 300 miles out of a pair before they start feeling flat. I did manage to tear a hole in the upper of one of the pairs I have run in, but it was a fluke deal involving a stob on tree stump that caught and tore the hole. It has become my go to shoe for racing, FKT attempts and day to day training. *Disclaimer: I am a member of the La Sportiva Mountain Running Team, but that does not change anything about how much I love this shoe!

For a shoe that is so light and flexible, the Kaptiva's offer excellent cushioning, support, traction and protection from rocks. I've loved the slipper like feel of them and go without socks most of the time with never a concern about blisters or hot spots. When I first tested the shoe, I was thinking that I'd only be using them for shorter trail runs or speed work, but I've been amazed at how much I've enjoyed them for all runs, including longer runs too. Derrick La Sportiva Running Ambassador

I have been running in the Kaptiva's for about a year, and have really enjoyed how nimble they make me feel on the trail. The snug, sock-like fit makes them feel more like a part of my foot than something I'm wearing. The knobby lug pattern provides a rugged grip on the trail, and the rubber provides enough stick to bounce off boulders and even scramble up slabby technical terrain if you have to. They are a speedy, and remind me a little of the old Sportiva Fireblades, but are way more capable on rugged terrain.