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The La Sportiva Bushido III is a trail running shoe designed to tackle technical terrains with ease. This shoe is known for its exceptional stability and traction, making it a reliable choice for trail enthusiasts.
Key Features:
The La Sportiva Bushido III is an ideal choice for trail runners who prioritize stability and traction for technical terrains. Its rock plate offers protection, making it suitable for rugged trails.
According to our analysis of prices across the internet, at current rates it's in the most expensive 20% of running shoes.
The La Sportiva Bushido III excels in providing a stable and reliable experience for trail runners. Its design includes a compressed EVA rock plate, offering protection without compromising sensitivity, which is crucial for technical terrains. The shoe's traction is enhanced by the FriXion XT 2.0 rubber and 3.8 mm lugs, ensuring excellent grip on various surfaces. While the shoe is slightly heavier than its predecessor, the added weight contributes to improved comfort and durability. The Bushido III's stability is noteworthy, although it may not fully correct overpronation, it provides a controlled and balanced ride. However, the shoe's sensitivity might not appeal to those seeking a plush, cushioned experience. Overall, the Bushido III is a strong performer in its category, offering great value for trail runners who need a stable and protective shoe. For those who value stability and traction on technical trails, the Bushido III is a top choice.
The La Sportiva Bushido III introduces several updates from its predecessor, the La Sportiva Bushido II. The upper now features enhanced breathability and a higher percentage of recycled materials, aligning with sustainable practices. The midsole maintains a 6 mm drop but has increased profiles, providing a balance between cushioning and sensitivity. The outsole pattern has been subtly redesigned to enhance grip and adherence on uneven terrains. These updates ensure that the Bushido III continues to offer the stability and traction that the La Sportiva Bushido line is known for.
The Salomon Speedcross 5 is a good alternative for those who prioritize aggressive grip and cushioning. While the Bushido III offers excellent stability and sensitivity, the Speedcross 5 provides a more cushioned ride, making it suitable for runners who prefer a softer feel. The Speedcross 5's outsole is designed for muddy and soft terrains, whereas the Bushido III excels on technical and rocky trails.
The Hoka Speedgoat 4 is known for its plush cushioning and comfort, contrasting with the Bushido III's focus on stability and sensitivity. Runners who prefer a more cushioned experience might lean towards the Speedgoat 4. However, for those who need a shoe that offers a stable and responsive ride on technical terrains, the Bushido III remains a strong contender.
The Brooks Cascadia 15 offers a balance of cushioning and stability, similar to the Bushido III. However, the Cascadia 15 is slightly heavier and provides a more cushioned ride. Runners who value a lightweight and sensitive shoe might prefer the Bushido III, while those seeking more cushioning might opt for the Cascadia 15.
The upper of the La Sportiva Bushido III is designed with enhanced breathability and a higher percentage of recycled materials, aligning with sustainable practices. The air mesh and ripstop overlays provide a soft touch while effectively deflecting dirt and debris. This construction ensures that the shoe remains breathable, making it suitable for long runs in various conditions. The upper's design also contributes to the shoe's overall durability, ensuring it withstands the rigors of trail running.
The midsole of the Bushido III features a 6 mm drop, with increased profiles of 30 mm in the heel and 24 mm in the forefoot. This design provides a balance between cushioning and sensitivity, allowing runners to feel connected to the trail while still enjoying a comfortable ride. The midsole's construction supports a fore/midfoot strike, making it ideal for runners who prefer this style. The cushioning is sufficient to prevent discomfort on longer runs without feeling overly plush.
The outsole of the Bushido III is equipped with a redesigned pattern that enhances grip and adherence on uneven mountain terrains. The FriXion XT 2.0 rubber compound offers a combination of bite and grip, making it suitable for technical trails. The 3.8 mm lugs are strategically angled and dispersed to allow for controlled directional changes and hard stops. This design ensures that the shoe performs well in various trail conditions, providing confidence to the runner.
The La Sportiva Bushido III offers a fit that accommodates a range of foot shapes, thanks to its slightly higher forefoot stack and plush tongue. The fit is snug yet comfortable, providing a secure lockdown without causing discomfort as the foot swells during runs. This makes the shoe suitable for long-distance trail running, where comfort and fit are crucial. The shoe's design ensures that it remains stable and supportive, even on challenging terrains.
Comfort in the Bushido III is enhanced by its updated construction, which includes a plush tongue and soft upper textiles. These features prevent the lockdown from becoming painful, even as the foot swells with movement. The shoe's cushioning is balanced, offering enough support without feeling overly soft. This makes the Bushido III a comfortable choice for trail runners who need a shoe that can handle long distances without causing discomfort.
The cushioning in the Bushido III is designed to balance sensitivity and comfort. With a slightly higher forefoot stack, the shoe provides enough cushioning to prevent discomfort on longer runs. However, it maintains a level of sensitivity that allows runners to feel connected to the trail. This balance makes the Bushido III suitable for those who prefer a more responsive ride without sacrificing comfort.
The Bushido III's upper is constructed with air mesh and ripstop overlays, enhancing its breathability. This design ensures that the shoe remains well-ventilated, even during long runs in warm conditions. The breathability of the upper contributes to the overall comfort of the shoe, making it a suitable choice for trail runners who need a shoe that can handle various weather conditions.
Stability is a standout feature of the Bushido III, providing a controlled and balanced ride on technical terrains. While it may not fully correct overpronation, the shoe offers a stable platform that enhances control and confidence. This makes it an excellent choice for trail runners who need a shoe that can handle uneven surfaces without compromising stability.
The durability of the Bushido III is enhanced by its robust construction, including the use of FriXion XT 2.0 rubber in the outsole and ripstop overlays in the upper. These materials ensure that the shoe can withstand the rigors of trail running, providing long-lasting performance. The shoe's design also contributes to its durability, making it a reliable choice for runners who need a shoe that can handle challenging terrains.
The grip of the Bushido III is exceptional, thanks to its redesigned outsole pattern and FriXion XT 2.0 rubber compound. The 3.8 mm lugs provide excellent traction on various surfaces, allowing for controlled directional changes and hard stops. This makes the shoe suitable for technical trails, where grip is crucial for performance and safety.
The La Sportiva Bushido III is ideal for trail runners who prioritize stability and traction on technical terrains. Its design caters to those who need a shoe that can handle rugged trails with confidence. Runners who appreciate a balance between sensitivity and comfort will find value in this shoe. The Bushido III is also suitable for those who prefer a fore/midfoot strike, as its midsole supports this running style. With its durable construction, it's a great choice for runners who need a reliable shoe for long-distance trail running.
Runners seeking a plush, heavily cushioned experience may not find the La Sportiva Bushido III to their liking. Its sensitivity and focus on stability might not appeal to those who prefer a softer ride. Additionally, those who require a shoe that fully corrects overpronation might need to look elsewhere, as the Bushido III offers stability but not full correction. If breathability is a top priority, runners might consider other options, as the Bushido III can stay wet for a long time. For those who find the shoe's weight a concern, lighter alternatives might be more suitable.
The La Sportiva Bushido III is well-suited for trail running on technical terrains, where stability and traction are essential. Its design makes it a reliable choice for off-road adventures, providing confidence on rugged trails. The shoe's balance of sensitivity and comfort makes it suitable for 10k and half marathon distances. With its durable construction, the Bushido III is a great option for runners who need a shoe that can withstand the demands of long-distance trail running.
The La Sportiva Bushido III is designed for trail running with features like a rock plate for protection, FriXion XT 2.0 rubber for grip, and a stable platform for control on technical terrains.
While the Bushido III offers excellent traction, it tends to stay wet for a long time, which might be a consideration for runners in consistently wet environments.
The Bushido III provides stability but does not fully correct overpronation. Runners needing full correction might need to consider other options.
The Bushido III weighs approximately 9.11 ounces for a women's size 6.5, which is slightly heavier than its predecessor but offers improved comfort features.
Yes, the Bushido III features a higher percentage of recycled materials in its upper, aligning with sustainable practices.
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bestDeal | Show prices | |||||
priceBand | Price band | |||||
released | Released | May 2022 | Dec 2022 | |||
Weight | Weight | 289 g | M: 272 g W: 224 g | 326 g | ||
Forefoot | Forefoot | 23 mm | 27 mm | |||
Heel to toe drop | Heel to toe drop | 4 mm | 10 mm | |||
Heel | Heel | 27 mm | 37 mm | |||
Terrain | TerrainTrail | Snow/iceTrail | MudSnow/iceTrail | Trail | Trail | Trail |
Brand | BrandLa Sportiva | Saucony | Scarpa | Saucony | Nike | New Balance |
Support Type | Support TypeStability | NeutralStability | Stability | Neutral | ||
Pronation Type | Pronation TypeOverpronation | Neutral pronation | Neutral pronation | |||
Strike Type | Strike TypeFore/Midfoot strike | Fore/Midfoot strike | Fore/Midfoot strikeHeel strike | |||
Arch Type | Arch TypeLow arch | High arch | High arch | |||
Shoe Type | Shoe Type | Low drop | ||||
Rock plate | Rock plate | |||||
Breathable | Breathable | |||||
Orthotic friendly | Orthotic friendly | |||||
Removable insole | Removable insole | |||||
Rocker | Rocker | |||||
Techs | Techs | Gore-Tex | ||||
Cuts | Cuts | Mid cut | ||||
Environmental Characteristics | Environmental Characteristics | Sustainable |
Characteristics | |
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Sports | Running (+2046) |
Terrain | Trail (+532) |
Brand | La Sportiva (+29) |
Support Type | Stability (+212) |
Pronation Type | Overpronation (+199) |
Strike Type | Fore/Midfoot strike (+1112) |
Arch Type | Low arch (+205) |
Features | Rock plate (+127) |
Events | 10k (+715)Half marathon (+715)Marathon (+715) |
Colorways | Black / Orange / Brown, Cherry Tomato, Deep Sea, Everglade, Gray, Grey, Moonlight, Red, Yellow |
Specifications | ||
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Model | III |