Last updated on April 13th, 2021 at 10:32 pm
If you’ve ever cancelled your running or hiking plans because it recently rained, I get you. The best views and training circuits can involve a lot of steep hills and technical ground. Which is why I recently purchased and have been running in the La Sportiva Lycan II.
Gearing up in a pair of trail running shoes with deep lugs can keep you stable on wet slopes. That was my hope for the Lycan II, and all in all I’m pretty much in love. I’m hoping my experiences can help you decide if this is the right shoe for you.
Impressions After Hundreds of Miles
Upon first glance, the Lycan II has the look of a heavy hiking boot. With its monochromatic and solid exterior, I expected it wouldn’t move or bend. However, after hundreds of miles, I’m realizing the true benefits from its design and I’m hoping to share my experience.
- Offer a super comfortable ride: A roomy toe box and EVA foam throughout gives you a smooth ride on the roughest rocky terrain.
- Do need a bit of breaking in: These are very comfortable right out of the box, but not for long runs right away.
- Are great for steep or wet climbs: This shoe is mainly great where you need lots of grip, they’re not ideal for level terrain or pavement.
- Have structured sides to keep you stable: There’s very little slipping or tilting side to side in these shoes. Even when wearing a pack or with lots of momentum, your foot stays put.
Key Features of The Lycan II
Substantial Toe Protection
All shoes have some form of toe protection, but the Lycan II has by far the most I’ve seen. Every toe has perimeter coverage around the entire forward edge. Not only that, it has bounce and flexibility so shock is absorbed throughout the whole shoe.
I’m guilty of kicking more than my fair share of tree roots or steps. I can say, without a doubt, that these have drastically improved the shock carried to my ankles and heel.
Deep and Specialized Tread
These lugs are designed to offer complete control wherever your foot strikes. The tread is springy and responsive but sturdy and helps you stop on a dime. I really enjoy the power and freedom these give me.
The suction shape mixed with TPU rubber gives me a sticky adhesion over tough trails. I’m not sure if this shoe is named after werewolves or the clingy tree organism, but either makes sense.
From my experience, these are best worn on rough trails. Given the pronounced lugs and the overall shoe being less flexible than others, it’s awkward on pavement. However, it still allows for surprising control under the forefoot while navigating over uneven ground and roots.
While there aren’t deep pockets to catch mud, you can see that it will collect throughout the tread. I’ve found that it doesn’t pack into this shoe as much as with others.
The Lycan II make it easy to scale most terrain with expert dexterity and confidence. I haven’t experienced any slippage other than on a super muddy 45° downward slope and on slick river shale.
Snug Heel Cup and Comfortable Tongue
The heel counter on the Lycan II is substantial and comfortably conforms to your foot. I’ve found that it also adds more stability to my gait and helps keep my stride straight and neutral.
Although there is an additional lace grommet for further locking in your heel, these perform well without it. It’s a snug, comfortable ride where I haven’t had any heel slippage or chaffing.
While it’s a cushioned shoe built for stability. The cushioning is more rigid that other all-terrain models, but this makes passing over rocks a breeze.
The Lycan II doesn’t feature a rockplate, however, it has more than enough density in the midsole to compensate. I haven’t had any issues with jagged or sharp rocks, and initially thought there was a rockplate.
To be honest, sometimes I strike more with my heel than I’d like. With its firm midsole and absence of a gelled heel, this shoe performs surprisingly well during heel strikes.
Stable Upper Reduces Sideways Slippage
I think what makes these really special is actually what I thought made them strange. The upper is wrapped from heel to toe with a thick, smooth, but somewhat stiff microfiber.
I found that my supination was corrected with this shoe, bringing me into a neutral gait. This added structure drastically reduces your foot’s unnatural wish to slide off of the outsole as well.
The anti-abrasion material also rejects thorns and sharp sticks from destroying your arches. Which is a huge bonus when navigating tight or technical trails. Additionally, this smooth material inhibits mud and debris from clinging to its sides.
With the Pros, there Are Some Cons
While the Lycan II is my favorite for wet climbs and rocky trails, no shoe is perfect. For the full picture, I wanted to share the downsides of this shoe that I have found.
They Require Some Breaking In
Because they’re super comfortable, I was very excited to give these a spin right out of the box. However, my shins and calves were a little sore after the first couple runs. By breaking them in this way, I was compensating for their initial lack of flexibility during strike through push-off. Lesson learned.
They Run a Little Smaller Than Other Shoes
La Sportiva is known for a slim fit, but with these you will definitely need a half or full size larger. I usually run in a 7.5 and have wider feet with bunions. With the Lycan II I was advised to get an 8 and I am very happy with the fit. No abrasion on my sensitive bunions either.
The Capacity to Lock in Moisture
Running through wet mud is no problem, but standing water can get trapped inside. Due to the upper wrap construction, it lacks the moisture-wicking ability of mesh. However, I feel the benefits of this design outweigh the potential dampness. Additionally, the material does repel light water in most instances.
The Tongue is Free Floating
A lot of thought went into this design, one of my main confusions the free-floating tongue. I haven’t had too many problems with this, but tiny pebbles or burrs can find their way inside.
The fit is snug enough to prevent tongue slippage either way into the shoe. I’ll be interested to see what happens in another hundred miles.
Who Should Consider The Lycan II
After wearing down my trusty Saucony Excursions and Mizuno Wave Riders I knew I needed something different. I was looking for substantial grip with a comfortable fit and quickly fell in love with the Lycan II. Admittedly, I’m new to La Sportiva, and after trying on the Jackal, the Saucony Peregrine 10 and Altra Lone Peak I had to have these.
I found the Lycan II to be the most comfortable with the best overall fit. After a few hundred miles, I’m extremely happy with them for my needs. Tackling new and unexpected ground is no problem. Even after some wear, I can tell the quality is top notch with very little breakdown thus far.
Runners will love the Lycan II’s versatility when running long distances or casually hiking. There are so many instances where more tread is better on uneven terrain. These shoes have actually replaced my hiking boots and offer so much more cushion, grip, and flexibility on hikes.
The Lycan II is a perfect lightweight option for the level of protection and cushioning included. They’re comfortable, keep your foot perfectly seated through the entire run, and provide ample grip where needed. I couldn’t ask for more.
For me, these shoes are worn on long trail runs mixed with hiking and scrambling. There may be better options to suit your needs if you’re racing or training. However, with their beefy protection and foot stability, this would be perfect for many trail runners. If the Lycan II sounds like a shoe that ticks all the boxes can check out more pictures, specs, and current pricing on Amazon below: