Details
Brand
La Sportiva
Heel To Toe Drop
10mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Traction
Key Features
• GORE-TEX bootie lining protects feet from water and debris• FriXion AT V-Groove rubber soles deliver supreme grip• Impact Brake System adds to incredible traction ability• Flexible forefoot helps you traverse any terrain safely and easily• TPU stability heel locks the heel in place to avoid slippage and blistering• Fast lacing system• Lace garage
Upper
The upper of this heavy-duty trail running sneaker is really where it shines the most. The Uragano GTX is engineered to carry you through cold and wet conditions with ease and that can be seen in how its upper is designed. Its upper is made up of durable AirMesh that has a four-way stretch dynamic screen guard gaiter for added protection against the elements. The bootie construction of this shoe comes up higher on your ankle to keep out any debris or wetness. To add to this, the shoe includes a GORE-TEX extended comfort lining inside to keep you dry in wet, cold, and snowy conditions. Another feature of this shoe’s upper is the Gore-Flex strobes board for added waterproof protection. The lacing system is easy to use, even with gloves on and includes a lace garage where you can tuck in any extraneous laces so that they don’t get in the way or get caught on anything during your trail run. There are also pull tabs on the back and front of the gaiter to aid in an easier on and off as well as a TPU stabilizer at the heel to hold your foot in place and to prevent slippage.
Midsole
These trail running shoes are made to take you through tough terrain and are ideal for use in average to cold conditions. The midsole includes a removable insole made of Ortholite cushioning which is designed to pull moisture away from the foot as well as provide cushioning. The midsole itself is comprised of molded EVA material and includes a stabilizer that runs along the sides of the midsole for underfoot support and shock absorption. Many users have commented on how the forefoot of this shoe’s midsole is surprisingly flexible to help aid in easily trekking over varying trail elements. These features will help keep your feet comfortable, supported, and dry despite varying cold, wet, or rocky underfoot surfaces.
Outsole
The outsole of this trail shoe boasts the FriXion AT V-Groove rubber compound that is extremely tough. Its V-shaped lugs grip the ground with ease while the shallow grooves in these heighten the grip on almost any terrain. The shoe is also equipped with the company’s Impact Brake System to help you safely traverse over uneven surfaces as well as up and down steep terrain. These Impact Brake System lugs are strategically placed on the outsole to make the most of the shoe’s traction ability.
Breathability
The Uragano GTX is lined with GORE-TEX and is designed to keep out moisture. With that said, it is obvious that these are not going to be the most breathable sneakers out there, but for good reason – they are pretty darn close to being waterproof. However, you definitely do not want your feet to be a sweaty swampy mess after a long trail run so they have to be somewhat breathable. The Air Mesh that comprises the rest of the upper in this shoe is a soft and porous material that allows relatively breathable support. This material has micro ventilation pores that allow airflow into the shoe while at the same time preventing debris from entering into the foot chamber. For a water-resistant rugged trail shoe, they are actually pretty breathable.
Comfort
The high top bootie construction of these trail running shoes will help keep your feet comfortable and supported on the trail. The Orhtolite insole provides cushioning while the EVA injected midsole aids in shock absorption. The GORE-TEX lining hugs the foot and keeps the shoe comfortably close while the TPU heel stabilizer keeps the heel in place. These are unisex shoes so it is recommended women try them on in person to see how they fit their feet, however, many women consumers have commented on how comfortable they are. It should be noted, however, that these trail running shoes are ideal for colder running conditions so if you are trail running in hotter conditions, these might not be for you. With that said, it is possible to start running on a trail down where it is warmer and ascend to cooler temperatures in which case, these would work just fine.
Style
Out of the box, you will notice that these are heavy duty, no-messing-around kind of trail running sneakers. They may not look super appealing when they are not on your feet due to the high top GORE-TEX bootie, but when they are on the feet, they are pretty appealing and look like they can help you conquer any trail. The shoe is mainly black with splashes of bright yellows and oranges so you won’t have to worry about dirt and grimy snow mucking up their appeal.
Durability
Trail running sneakers, on average, are designed to be durable shoes and the Uragano GTX is no exception. The aggressive FriXion AT V-Groove lugs are extremely durable and will last you many miles on a trail run. Because these sneakers are engineered using a GORE-TEX inner lining and Gore-Flex strobe board for maximum waterproof protection, they will be able to endure wet and snowy conditions with ease. La Sportiva trail shoes are known for their durability and these definitely prove their worth in that department.
Protection
Designed for colder conditions, the Uragano GTX is definitely a trail running shoe you can count on to protect your feet. They are equipped with multiple waterproof features like GORE-TEX and Gore Flex and feature heavy-duty lugs to keep your feet from feeling wet or from getting impaled with sharp trail debris and rocks. The high bootie construction keeps the elements from getting into the foot chamber and will also keep your feet warm and dry.
Responsiveness
You won’t be running any marathons in these shoes unless it is on the trails. They are responsive in the ways they need to be when you are ascending and descending mountain trails and traipsing through mud and snow but they won’t carry you over long flat roads like some running shoes might. The EVA midsole will absorb shock and the flexible forefoot will allow you to move over uneven terrain easily without injuring your joints. In other words, they will respond to varying terrain very well.
Support
Between the Air Mesh and GORE-TEX construction that makes up this shoe’s upper, your feet will remain relatively supported. They feature a high top bootie design, while it may not be a stiff high top, the heel collar part of the upper does extend pretty high up on the ankle, adding more ankle support than a typical running shoe. The EVA injected midsole and the TPU stabilizer at the heel will support the back of your foot, so you should feel pretty safe with each step.
Terrain
One look at these sneakers and you will know what terrain they are meant for: they are definitely designed to be worn on the trail. More specifically, they are more well-suited for colder conditions that may or may not include snow. The heavy-duty lugs and weather-proofing features make these shoes excellent sneakers for anyone looking to trek up and down mountains in colder conditions.
Price
These sneakers will hit your wallet a little harder than if you were looking to purchase a pair of lightweight lifestyle sneakers, but they are priced fairly for being such a well-performing trail running shoe with extremely impressive waterproof capabilities.
Drop
The Uragano GTX has a neutral drop of 10mm which is good for a trail running shoe because it will protect your feet from injury on the trail. You don’t want too low of a drop in your trail runners because you need more protection.
Stability
While these are not marketed as a stability sneaker, rather as a trail running sneaker, they are definitely a stable option for trail running. The TPU heel stabilizer alone is enough to remark on their stability level. The midsole offers a more rigid stability line on each side to keep your feet in place as you run through varying terrains. The high top bootie construction will also help keep your feet more stable compared to a low-top design.
Flexibility
While trail running shoes are not necessarily known for their extreme flexibility, the La Sportiva Uragano GTX is surprisingly flexible. The forefoot of this shoe is designed to flex easily so that you can safely navigate over rocks and jagged terrain without slipping.
Traction
The traction on the Uragano GTX is outstanding. With their FriXion AT V-Groove lugs, they will allow for a sure-footed run in wet or dry conditions. The shallow grooves that are within the V-shaped lugs add to the level of grip on almost any surface. Adding to their excellent traction abilities is their shoe’s Impact Brake System which involves the tactical placement of the lugs on the sneaker’s outsole designed to help carry you safely over rough, jagged, or uneven terrain. There are a number of users who have commented on how well these shoes perform in snow.
Bottom Line
The La Sportiva Uragano GTX is designed for colder trail runs and offers many features that will keep your feet warm, dry, comfortable, and supported while doing so. The GORE-TEX high-top bootie will keep out water and debris while the heavy-duty FriXion AT V-Groove rubber lugs and Impact Brake System will keep you safe on ascents and descents. The pull tabs at the front and back of the bootie, as well as the easy to use lacing system, will help you easily get in and out of these trail runners, which is an added bonus. The removable Ortholite insole will help keep sweat away from your feet while the injected EVA midsole will aid in shock absorption. All of these features combine to make a reliable, comfortable, and safe trail running shoe. If you are looking to run in conditions that may include rain, snow, streams, rocks, ascents, and descents, then you should put the Oregano GTX on your list.
