The La Sportiva Kaptiva has been the ultimate training and running shoe for me for the past few months. The Kaptiva is light, precise, and provides ultimate comfort whether I’m on the trails or on hardwood doing high-intensity intervals.
The Kaptiva’s Trust-Fit® shape “cradles your foot for a precise and comfortable fit while reducing foot slippage (www.sportiva.com).” Personally, fitment is huge for me when it comes to shoes in general but especially shoes I’m going to be running or training in. A tight cradle is a good way to describe how I like my shoes to fit. With the wrap-around design, the Kaptiva’s do a wonderful job of keeping my foot tight and secure. Speaking of fit, I’m wearing a size 10.5 in the Kaptiva. I’m typically a size 10 so I would recommend sizing up 1/2 to a full size larger depending on sock thickness (I can get away with only a half size up because I wear a thin sock). I have found that La Sportiva’s sizing is inconsistent across the line so I would recommend buying from a retailer where you can try on or ordering online from somewhere with a generous return/exchange policy.
The Kaptiva sole is made with La Sportiva’s FriXion® XF 2.0 rubber with 3.5-4.5mm lugs throughout. The FriXion rubber allows for superior grip on a multitude of surfaces without wearing at a fast speed. I haven’t seen excessive or unnecessary wear on the soles of the Kaptivas though I have noticed a bit of odd wear on the Lycan IIs. The lug pattern on the Kaptivas is not overly bearing and is appropriate for how I prefer to use these shoes. The grip is awesome and sufficient for a multipurpose training/running shoe.
Overall, the Kaptiva is a lightweight, comfortable running and/or training shoe that will give you the stability and traction you’ll need to push through. They won’t weigh you down and will keep your feet feeling plush when you’re well through your workout. If you’re interested in purchasing the Kaptivas, doing so using our provided link supports us as we get a small kickback from your purchase. We appreciate the support!
*We received these shoes for free in exchange for a review, however, it’s important to know that all thoughts are our own.
Kaptiva
$139
Pros
- Wrap around, sock like fits makes for an amazing, tight feel
- Excellent grip and tread
- Breathable
- Light
- Versatile - can be worn as a trail runner, trainer, or light hiker with ease and comfort
Cons
- Sizing is a bit off (order up 1/2 to a whole size)
