[Review] The Lycan II by La Sportiva

With the perfect combination of comfort, outsole grip, and stability, the Lycan II by La Sportiva is a great multipurpose shoe. Whether you’re trail running or heading out on a long day hike with a pack, the Lycan II provides stability and support where you need it most. In my opinion, the weight of the shoe is really reasonable especially with how stable they feel with a pack on.

I have found that the Frixion AT 2.0 rubber, while grippy, does wear pretty quickly if you’re wearing these shoes anywhere other than the trail. With most grippy outsoles, a downfall is longevity and I think that will be the case with these as well as I continue to wear them. I understand they are made for the trail but I want to be able to wear my hikers or trail runners to town or on a walk around the neighborhood with my dog without the fear of them breaking down rapidly. I do like the lugged pattern of the outsole and it excels in rocky, technical terrain.

Out of the box, the Lycan II feels great and requires no break-in period. The midsole is comfortable and provides enough cushioning to keep your feet feeling fresh even after a mid-distance rocky trail run. I will mention that sizing is gravely off in these shoes. I started with a 10, my normal size. The 10s felt too small so tried the next size up at 10.5. I thought I could make the 10.5 work but really, I need to size up to an 11 to have these feel like they are the perfect size. I would suggest ordering an entire size up from your normal size and do not order these online from a retailer that will not let you return or exchange for the correct size!

The upper is a nice combination of mesh breathability and durability. Again, in that techy terrain, your feet are going to be protected and these shoes are going to hold up to some abuse over time. There is mesh throughout that gives a decent amount of breathability. My feet run really hot but for mountain fall temps, I haven’t had an overheating issue. If you live in a very warm climate like the SW Arizona desert, you may find these to be a bit warm for your 80º and up trail runs.

Overall I really dig the Lycan II and it’s my go-to for morning romps from camp, trail runs, and day hikes. I like that I can head out on a trip and take one shoe for all activities and know that it’s going to excel at all of the activities! I will say the sizing issue is a slight turn off but if you go into the shoes knowing that, no big deal. I’m also pretty curious to see how the outsoles continue to wear. Right now, while the grip is amazing and performs well in technical terrain, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to last very long. I’ll have to report back. If you’re interested in purchasing the Lycan IIs, 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.