Men’s La Sportiva Bushido III Review

Bottom Line

The La Sportiva Bushido III rounds out our top 3 favorites on our best trail running shoes for men guide. If you want four-wheel drive trail runners, look no further. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s logged thousands of miles and summited over 200 Colorado peaks in every iteration of the Bushido. He keeps them in his rotation for durability, precise ground feel, and top-tier traction.

The updates to the latest iteration of the Bushido are minor but meaningful. The tread pattern improves uphill traction and grip on slick rocks and roots. Breathability gets a bump , and durable TPU offers more solid structure and support than ever. Overall, the Bushidos are responsive, long-lasting, and fun when the trail gets tough – just like their predecessors.

But, the Bushido III isn’t for everyone. The toebox runs fairly narrow, and the stiff midsole can be overkill on flat and smooth trails. Cushioning is minimal. Although the mesh breathes better than before, these shoes run warmer than the competition. We also find the laces are flimsy and tend to wear out faster than other top trail runners. 

That said, if you’re linking together rugged trails, off-route adventures, and lofty backcountry goals, this shoe is one of our top picks for fast movement.

Comfort

The Bushido III earns good marks for comfort with its snug, dialed-in fit. A solid heel lock, padded tongue, and glove-like design made our feet feel secure but not restricted. The tighter fit means there was no slippage that could lead to hotspots. 

Ian took these on a 14-mile, 6,000’ mountain climb right out of the box and his feet stayed blister-free. He liked the excellent arch support and low stack height for a supportive but responsive ride. The heel loop is a nice touch for pulling them on, and cuff padding feels supportive but soft.

La Sportiva is an Italian brand, so it offers European sizing with a more precise fit than larger American standard sizing. The Bushido typically runs narrow, but with the introduction of a new wide version, it’s a good choice for almost anyones foot shape or size.

That said, the toebox runs narrow in every version. If you prefer a more natural foot shape, these feel restrictive, and may miss the mark for some. The advantage of this narrower design is unrivaled precision on rocks and roots.

It’s also not a very cushioned shoe. The Bushido III is stable and protective, but the midsole is stiff – especially compared to plush models like the HOKA Speedgoat 6 or The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 – so we don’t recommend it for recovery days, flat trails, asphalt, and nontechnical trails.

Traction

Grip is everything on technical trails, and these things deliver. There’s grippier rubber on the inside edge of the shoe to help you stick to soft dirt and slippery logs, and the outer edge uses tougher rubber for solid traction that bites into just about everything else. With lugs that stick out beyond the edge of the shoe, the Bushido IIIs offer almost unrivaled lateral stability.

La Sportiva updates the traction pattern with multidirectional lugs at the center of the heel and midfoot for improved braking. There are added lugs on the side and edges for control and precision on tight edges, too.

Our biggest complaint? The stiff sole and rugged tread are overkill outside of technical terrain. On hard-packed trails, the Bushido III doesn’t have the flexibility or softer ride of a lighter, more cushy shoe.

If you stick to road or smooth singletrack, the aggressive design is more than you’ll need. This is a shoe built for the mountains, and it shines brightest when the terrain is steep, technical, and unpredictable.

Weight

At 1 pound, 5 ounces, the Bushido IIIs are on the heavier side of our men’s trail runners list. The added bulk comes from their durable materials like thick rubber outsoles, aggressive lugs, dense foam, and reinforced TPU overlays.

If you’re sticking to smooth trails and more mellow terrain, their heft and burly design may be a downside. These materials can make the shoe feel a bit too stiff – and even a bit obnoxious – on gentler routes.

We’re splitting hairs, though. As a pair, the IIIs are are only a couple of ounces heavier than the lightest shoes we tested. They still feel fairly nimble and fast on most routes, and overall we think the weight is worth it for the increase in durability.

Durability

The Bushido III leads the pack for durability. Ian put over 700 miles on his before retiring. He’s beaten them up running on rocky trails, hiking scree fields, and scrambling on exposed ridges. Reinforced mesh uppers with welded ripstop fabric hold strong against abrasion. A midfoot TPU cage wraps around the heel for more structure and protection. We love the burly rubber toe cap that keeps the front end intact even after hundreds of miles. 

La Sportiva replaced thermoplastic inlays with TPU, and we were concerned it would affect the longevity of the shoe. Instead, this move increased durability and fine-tuned the balance between support and flexibility. In the field, we find things can handle sharp edges with ease, and we felt agile on rocky sections.

But, no shoe lasts forever, and you should expect damage in tough terrain. Ian’s testing in alpine routes above 12,000’ finds the weak points of the Bushido III are the shoelaces, mesh, and traction.

The Bushido III’s shoelaces are among our least favorite of any shoe. These laces don’t last – in our experience, the thin sheath consistently fails around the 250-mile mark, leading to the interior falling out. We highly recommend picking up a backup pair to keep on hand as the miles stack up.

At 600 miles, we find the mesh develops holes near the big and small toes, and TPU overlays eventually lift and peel. The sticky rubber zones in the center of the outsoles also begin to wear flat. But, we’re pleased with that distance. We’ve logged some serious miles in these, and they’re built to handle adventure.

Breathability

Airflow was improved in this latest version, making hot-weather runs more tolerable in the Bushido III. This is a major improvement for ventilation in this model, but it’s also a win for drying time. They’re a good pick for intermittent rain and routes with creek crossings. For Ian, on a warm day in Colorado, full drying time was around an hour after fully submerging them in water.

That said, the Bushido III are still very much on the warmer side compared to ultralight, all-mesh designs like the Nnormal Kjerag or Salomon Speedcross 6. The Bushido’s extensive TPU limits how much air flows through the upper, so heat builds up faster and exits slower than we’d like. Breathability is better than version II, but it’s not the airiest model we’ve tried.

Responsiveness

For a super responsive ride on brutal trails, we reach for the Bushido III. The incredibly low stack height – only 19mm at the heel – is the lowest of any trail running shoe on our list.

During testing, we find the low stack height directly translates to outstanding ground feel. These shoes offer precise toe and heel placement on rock, roots, and technical terrain and never feels sluggish on off-camber, high-angle routes. That’s exactly what we want in tough landscapes. 

Ian loves the more rigid platform for technical descents. Descending from the summit of notoriously loose and remote 13,738’ Pilot Knob in Colorado’s San Juan mountains, he felt stable and confident even on the ultra loose, sketchy terrain. It hits the sweet spot for energy return to keep moving forward.

That said, they aren’t the most cushioned shoes. Their locked-in heel and intense stability feels great on rocky routes and high mountain passes, but you’ll want to keep shopping if you’re after a super cushy, cruiser ride on more mellow trails. But, that’s also how the Bushidos earn their keep – as a responsive, lively shoe for the wildest places we run.

Should You Buy the La Sportiva Bushido III?

The Bushido III is one of our top recommendations for mountain runners and hikers who want outstanding traction and durability when tackling rugged, technical terrain. Their snug fit, ample arch support, and structured heel makes them a comfortable ride on routes with sharp rocks, steep hillsides, and scree. With a stiff but responsive platform and thick TPU overlays for protection, this model thrives on unpredictable trails where control and precision matter. Breathability is decent for a shoe this protective, making the Bushido an adaptable choice for hot weather with thin socks or cooler temps with thicker ones. If you want a tough, confidence-inspiring shoe that won’t break down under extreme conditions, we recommend the III.

But we don’t recommend the Bushido III for runners who want soft, springy cushioning or frequently train on roads and smooth trails. The firm midsole lacks the plush comfort found in more versatile models, and its stiffer build and low stack height can feel excessive – and a bit annoying – on gentler routes. Breathability is better than ever, but the Bushido III still runs warmer than ultralight mesh options, and the mesh and laces aren’t as durable as the rest of the shoes. Still, if you’re tackling gnarly mountain routes where stability, durability, and control matter most, these shoes deliver a great performance for a good price.

What Other Trail Running Shoes For Men Should You Consider?

Pit the La Sportiva Bushido III against our other top picks with our best trail running shoes for men guide. While you’re here, check out these other mountain-worthy runners: 

Salomon Speedcross 6 Review: The Salomon Speedcross 6 is a stellar alternative for mountain routes. It mirrors the Bushido III’s weight, price, and comfort, but has a much higher heel-to-toe drop and less durability.

Brooks Catamount 4 Review: The Brooks Catamount 4 shares the Bushido III’s heel-to-toe drop, snug comfort, and sticky traction, but it’s lighterand has better ventilation. You’ll pay more for this shoe, but it’s better for general use.

NNormal Kjerag Review: The Kjerag is another mountain-worthy shoe with a very low stack height and similar specs across the board. This one weighs much less and is more breathable, although you’ll pay much more for it.