Review: La Sportiva UNIKA ~The first "European-made" trail running shoes from a prestigious Italian shoe brand have finally arrived~

What criteria do you use to choose your trail running shoes?

First of all, it's probably the width of your foot. Then, you'll need shock absorption, rebound, lightness, fit, grip, protection, etc. that suits your running ability, and while each person has their own priorities, you'll probably make more or less judgments. It would be best if the shoe had a good balance of the performance you're looking for..

So, I had been interested in Sportiva's first Made in Europe trail running shoe, "UNIKA." Since it arrived in Japan this spring, I decided to try it out and test it in the field. It's a shoe that Sportiva has put all its effort into, combining the technology of trail running shoes and climbing shoes. What were the results?

Test environment

The area around Takamizuyama in Ome City, Tokyo, and the area around Nokogiriyama in Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture

Both were relatively well-maintained fields, with Takamizuyama having a dry trail that was easy to run on. On the other hand, Nokogiriyama had some slightly wet areas, noticeable rocky areas, and steep slopes in places. Overall, both were ideal fields for testing the UNIKA

Evaluation items

• 
  We evaluate comfort (fit, breathability, hold)
• Usability (trail adaptability, grip, ease of kicking off, distance)
  We evaluated adaptability to trail conditions, grip, ease of kicking off, and the range of suitable running distances.
• Cushioning (resilience, shock absorption, stability)
  Cushioning is a key component in shock absorption and resilience. The cushioning performance and stability are assessed as a whole.
• Material performance (lightness, durability)
  We evaluate the material performance of trail running shoes for middle and long distances, such as their lightness and durability.

Main Specifications and ratings

Detailed review

Comfort: A fusion of trail running shoes and climbing shoes

Once you put your toes into the shoe, pull up the heel hook and fit your heel securely into the heel section. As you gradually tighten the elastic shoelaces from the toe, the shoelace hold is pulled up and the outer band tightens the upper, fitting snugly. It has a bag-like structure

The sides also provide protection, holding your feet firmly while also softly enveloping them. The feeling of oneness with the shoes is quite comfortable. The toe box is slightly wide. In fact, it has just enough tension to envelop your feet like a sock. Even though I have bunions, I don't feel any pressure at all. The heel area provides a more intimate hold, more like that of climbing shoes than traditional shoes. The insole has a comfortable support shape that slightly presses up the arch area. It's also breathable, so you won't feel stuffy even when wearing it for long periods of time

The upper has a pouch-like structure that gently wraps around the instep and provides firm protection. It's a comfortable, one-piece fit!

Heel counter and heel hook: unique technology from Sportiva, a company well versed in climbing shoes

As you tighten the shoelaces, the band tightens at the same time, wrapping around and protecting your feet

Usability: A reliable all-around model for medium to long rods

The slightly thick sole provides stability and grip when landing. The sole pattern is all-round, and is suitable for a variety of trail conditions, including not only regular hiking trails but also rocky areas and muddy rough roads. It seems like it will work well in both wet and dry conditions. The pattern seems to get clogged with dirt a little easily, but this does not affect its functionality

You can even feel a sticky grip on hard surfaces like asphalt, slippery stones, and steep downhill trails. This model is sure to let you experience Sportiva shoes' unique Impact Brake System (an innovative system that absorbs shock from the road surface, increases friction, and improves grip on slopes)

Sportiva's FRIXION system is an outsole that enhances both grip and durability, but the UNIKA uses Frixtion White Super Sticky, which is suitable for mountain running and indoor climbing

The drop difference between the toe and heel is 8mm, which actually gives the impression of being easy to kick off. The upper is also soft and flexible, even when flexing

In terms of distance, it has a bit of weight and a strong cushioning effect for short courses of less than 30km. While this will vary from person to person, it seems like it will perform well on medium distances of around 50km and long distances of over 100km

The outsole uses the same all-round pattern as Akira and BUSHIDO2

Cushioning: Excellent shock absorption and forward rebound

As you can see, the shock absorption when landing is quite good. It's not an exaggeration to say that it feels like there's less strain on the knees and hips than usual. Even those new to trail running or those targeting long distances can wear these shoes with confidence. The midsole is made of UNICA's exclusive new material, "INFINITOO," which is excellent at absorbing shock and is highly stable, allowing the midsole to maintain its original shape. However, depending on the field, there is sometimes a slight feeling of the cushion sinking in. This is probably due to the cushioning material, and it may take some getting used to for some people. Still, the cushioning performance is impressive, with excellent shock absorption and rebound, allowing for sustained flexible movement

Excellent shock absorption even on trails with stones and scree!

Material performance: Lightweight and durable enough to make you want to run

The sole is somewhat thick, but the 43 model weighs in at 375g (the catalog weight is 320g for the 42 size), which is lighter than it looks. Looking at the weight alone, the BUSHIDO 2 is listed at approximately 305g. The Captiva, which is designed for mid-distance running, is approximately 280g. Both are categorized as "mid-long." Considering that the AKASHA, weighing approximately 330g, is positioned as "ultra-long," it seems less suited to longer distances. The protection at the tip of the toe box and the side protection that can be pulled up by tightening the laces are both quite durable. The soft upper section, however, seems prone to getting dirty. The outsole is made of durable Frixtion White Super Sticky material, which is also resistant to friction and highly durable

Summary: Recommended for people like this

Made in Europe, the UNIKA is making its Japan debut. Combining the technologies of both climbing and trail running shoes, the result is a truly innovative shoe. The moment you put them on, you feel a sense of unity with your foot. It's a comfort you won't find in other shoes, and it's hard to describe. As you tighten the laces, the pouch-like upper fits snugly to your foot, providing a truly comfortable feel. It offers excellent balance and excellent scores for fit, shock absorption, grip, and protection. It's an all-around shoe, perfect for mid- to long-distance trails. With a slightly fuller toe box, this trail running shoe is definitely worth a try for those with slightly wider feet. It's arguably the most versatile and versatile trail running shoe available today

   

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