Details:The La Sportiva is a lightweight, trail running shoe that is loaded with the protection, support, and comfort needed to go fast in the mountains. Uniquely designed with a full-length rock plate and stabilizing inserts for torsional resistance, the Kaptiva takes on rocky, uneven terrain with ease. A Sock-Like Compression fit holds the foot in place in a snug yet race-ready comfort, and the sticky, long-wearing Friction XF rubber will have you ready to take on those mountain miles faster than ever. If you want a super lightweight trail running shoe that doesn't sacrifice performance or protection, the La Sportiva Kaptiva is the shoe for you.
Details:The La Sportiva is a lightweight, trail running shoe that is loaded with the protection, support, and comfort needed to go fast in the mountains. Uniquely designed with a full-length rock plate and stabilizing inserts for torsional resistance, the Kaptiva takes on rocky, uneven terrain with ease. A Sock-Like Compression fit holds the foot in place in a snug yet race-ready comfort, and the sticky, long-wearing Friction XF rubber will have you ready to take on those mountain miles faster than ever. If you want a super lightweight trail running shoe that doesn't sacrifice performance or protection, the La Sportiva Kaptiva is the shoe for you.
Details:The La Sportiva is a lightweight, trail running shoe that is loaded with the protection, support, and comfort needed to go fast in the mountains. Uniquely designed with a full-length rock plate and stabilizing inserts for torsional resistance, the Kaptiva takes on rocky, uneven terrain with ease. A Sock-Like Compression fit holds the foot in place in a snug yet race-ready comfort, and the sticky, long-wearing Friction XF rubber will have you ready to take on those mountain miles faster than ever. If you want a super lightweight trail running shoe that doesn't sacrifice performance or protection, the La Sportiva Kaptiva is the shoe for you.
Details:The La Sportiva is a lightweight, trail running shoe that is loaded with the protection, support, and comfort needed to go fast in the mountains. Uniquely designed with a full-length rock plate and stabilizing inserts for torsional resistance, the Kaptiva takes on rocky, uneven terrain with ease. A Sock-Like Compression fit holds the foot in place in a snug yet race-ready comfort, and the sticky, long-wearing Friction XF rubber will have you ready to take on those mountain miles faster than ever. If you want a super lightweight trail running shoe that doesn't sacrifice performance or protection, the La Sportiva Kaptiva is the shoe for you.
Last updated at 03/21/2026 20:55:59
La Sportiva Kaptiva Mens Trail Running Shoe - Opal/Chili - Clearance 42 EU / Opal/Chili
Free delivery between Tue – Thu
Kaptiva - Mens Performance Trail Running Shoe 42 / Opal/Chili
Free delivery
La Sportiva Kaptiva Running Shoe Men’s EU 42 / Opal/Chili
Free delivery
originally posted on REI
From the first time I slipped the shoes on, they felt like a perfect fit. This rugged yet supportive shoe has proven great for all terrain and I highly recommend them! I have run 4+ miles each on paved road, trail, and snow/ice yet have had no issues. It took a run or two to break them in, which is the case for most shoes, but once I did that the shoes were wonderful.When running miles in 8-12" of snow the shoes did great keeping my feet warm and dry. Similarly, while running trail in the rain these shoes maintained good traction and when I occasionally stepped in a creek they drained quickly. The grip is fantastic off road yet still feels supportive without ankle rolling when running on paved trails. Relative to some trail shoes these felt lighter than most ... MoreFrom the first time I slipped the shoes on, they felt like a perfect fit. This rugged yet supportive shoe has proven great for all terrain and I highly recommend them! I have run 4+ miles each on paved road, trail, and snow/ice yet have had no issues. It took a run or two to break them in, which is the case for most shoes, but once I did that the shoes were wonderful.When running miles in 8-12" of snow the shoes did great keeping my feet warm and dry. Similarly, while running trail in the rain these shoes maintained good traction and when I occasionally stepped in a creek they drained quickly. The grip is fantastic off road yet still feels supportive without ankle rolling when running on paved trails. Relative to some trail shoes these felt lighter than most making running easier, and yet I still feel like my feet and soles are protected from rocks or other hazards that come with running in the woods.I would highly recommend these shoes, best trail shoes I have found to date.
originally posted on REI
I have a hard time finding running shoes that fit properly - narrow heel, low arch, and wide forefoot. However, the out-of-box fit on these were great. Overall construction is just spot on - upper breathable materials are excellent and wrap securely and comfortably around the foot. My narrow heels lock in place - no hot spots. The toe box provides plenty of room for even my wide feet and the toe bumper is well constructed and protective without being too burly. The sock-like ankle gripper does a decent job of sealing out debris. However, one knock is the sole on left heel area started delaminating after only a couple easy hikes with my kids, so will be returning. Will re-purchase because of superb fit and high quality construction, but will monitor to see if same ... MoreI have a hard time finding running shoes that fit properly - narrow heel, low arch, and wide forefoot. However, the out-of-box fit on these were great. Overall construction is just spot on - upper breathable materials are excellent and wrap securely and comfortably around the foot. My narrow heels lock in place - no hot spots. The toe box provides plenty of room for even my wide feet and the toe bumper is well constructed and protective without being too burly. The sock-like ankle gripper does a decent job of sealing out debris. However, one knock is the sole on left heel area started delaminating after only a couple easy hikes with my kids, so will be returning. Will re-purchase because of superb fit and high quality construction, but will monitor to see if same quality issue occurs again with the sole.
originally posted on REI
My first time in a La Sportiva running shoe. Have had great success with their boots and was looking forward to these. They did not disappoint. The Kaptiva was great for anything from well groomed smooth trails to more technical trails.The Kaptiva have a slightly firm midsole with hefty lugs that make them great for staying on your feet. The firmness of the midsole was enough to protect from rocks and roots but gave a nice amount of feeling of the ground. The lugs gave good traction in mud and snow and didn't seem to "in your face" even when crossing some roads.The upper is a sock like liner with overlays for the shoe strings. It is a snug fit even without tying the shoes. I found that the collar around the ankle worked best with longer socks as it had a ... MoreMy first time in a La Sportiva running shoe. Have had great success with their boots and was looking forward to these. They did not disappoint. The Kaptiva was great for anything from well groomed smooth trails to more technical trails.The Kaptiva have a slightly firm midsole with hefty lugs that make them great for staying on your feet. The firmness of the midsole was enough to protect from rocks and roots but gave a nice amount of feeling of the ground. The lugs gave good traction in mud and snow and didn't seem to "in your face" even when crossing some roads.The upper is a sock like liner with overlays for the shoe strings. It is a snug fit even without tying the shoes. I found that the collar around the ankle worked best with longer socks as it had a tendency to pull shorter socks down into the shoe a bit. It is most snug through the midfoot and around the ankle but the forefoot and toe areas have a reasonable amount of space which is nice.Overall a very good trail shoe that can be used on a range of trail surfaces. I would recommend it for someone looking for a lightweight, low profile trail runner that will give them the protection from the elements but ability to stay connected to the ground. Could also see these as a great summer-time, lightweight hiking shoe.
| Variant | |
| size | EU 42 |
| color | Opal/Chili |
La Sportiva Kaptiva Mens Trail Running Shoe - Opal/Chili - Clearance 42 EU / Opal/Chili
Free delivery between Tue – Thu
Kaptiva - Mens Performance Trail Running Shoe 42 / Opal/Chili
Free delivery
La Sportiva Kaptiva Running Shoe Men’s EU 42 / Opal/Chili
Free delivery
From the first time I slipped the shoes on, they felt like a perfect fit. This rugged yet supportive shoe has proven great for all terrain and I highly recommend them! I have run 4+ miles each on paved road, trail, and snow/ice yet have had no issues. It took a run or two to break them in, which is the case for most shoes, but once I did that the shoes were wonderful.When running miles in 8-12" of snow the shoes did great keeping my feet warm and dry. Similarly, while running trail in the rain these shoes maintained good traction and when I occasionally stepped in a creek they drained quickly. The grip is fantastic off road yet still feels supportive without ankle rolling when running on paved trails. Relative to some trail shoes these felt lighter than most ... MoreFrom the first time I slipped the shoes on, they felt like a perfect fit. This rugged yet supportive shoe has proven great for all terrain and I highly recommend them! I have run 4+ miles each on paved road, trail, and snow/ice yet have had no issues. It took a run or two to break them in, which is the case for most shoes, but once I did that the shoes were wonderful.When running miles in 8-12" of snow the shoes did great keeping my feet warm and dry. Similarly, while running trail in the rain these shoes maintained good traction and when I occasionally stepped in a creek they drained quickly. The grip is fantastic off road yet still feels supportive without ankle rolling when running on paved trails. Relative to some trail shoes these felt lighter than most making running easier, and yet I still feel like my feet and soles are protected from rocks or other hazards that come with running in the woods.I would highly recommend these shoes, best trail shoes I have found to date.
I have a hard time finding running shoes that fit properly - narrow heel, low arch, and wide forefoot. However, the out-of-box fit on these were great. Overall construction is just spot on - upper breathable materials are excellent and wrap securely and comfortably around the foot. My narrow heels lock in place - no hot spots. The toe box provides plenty of room for even my wide feet and the toe bumper is well constructed and protective without being too burly. The sock-like ankle gripper does a decent job of sealing out debris. However, one knock is the sole on left heel area started delaminating after only a couple easy hikes with my kids, so will be returning. Will re-purchase because of superb fit and high quality construction, but will monitor to see if same ... MoreI have a hard time finding running shoes that fit properly - narrow heel, low arch, and wide forefoot. However, the out-of-box fit on these were great. Overall construction is just spot on - upper breathable materials are excellent and wrap securely and comfortably around the foot. My narrow heels lock in place - no hot spots. The toe box provides plenty of room for even my wide feet and the toe bumper is well constructed and protective without being too burly. The sock-like ankle gripper does a decent job of sealing out debris. However, one knock is the sole on left heel area started delaminating after only a couple easy hikes with my kids, so will be returning. Will re-purchase because of superb fit and high quality construction, but will monitor to see if same quality issue occurs again with the sole.
My first time in a La Sportiva running shoe. Have had great success with their boots and was looking forward to these. They did not disappoint. The Kaptiva was great for anything from well groomed smooth trails to more technical trails.The Kaptiva have a slightly firm midsole with hefty lugs that make them great for staying on your feet. The firmness of the midsole was enough to protect from rocks and roots but gave a nice amount of feeling of the ground. The lugs gave good traction in mud and snow and didn't seem to "in your face" even when crossing some roads.The upper is a sock like liner with overlays for the shoe strings. It is a snug fit even without tying the shoes. I found that the collar around the ankle worked best with longer socks as it had a ... MoreMy first time in a La Sportiva running shoe. Have had great success with their boots and was looking forward to these. They did not disappoint. The Kaptiva was great for anything from well groomed smooth trails to more technical trails.The Kaptiva have a slightly firm midsole with hefty lugs that make them great for staying on your feet. The firmness of the midsole was enough to protect from rocks and roots but gave a nice amount of feeling of the ground. The lugs gave good traction in mud and snow and didn't seem to "in your face" even when crossing some roads.The upper is a sock like liner with overlays for the shoe strings. It is a snug fit even without tying the shoes. I found that the collar around the ankle worked best with longer socks as it had a tendency to pull shorter socks down into the shoe a bit. It is most snug through the midfoot and around the ankle but the forefoot and toe areas have a reasonable amount of space which is nice.Overall a very good trail shoe that can be used on a range of trail surfaces. I would recommend it for someone looking for a lightweight, low profile trail runner that will give them the protection from the elements but ability to stay connected to the ground. Could also see these as a great summer-time, lightweight hiking shoe.
Overall a solid shoe: responsive, good grip, durable. However, I cannot get it to hold my heel well, resulting in some painful miles. Until the fit improves, I'm sticking with Bushidos or Salomons. Looking forward to future iterations.I've used the Kaptivas for about 130 miles in dry and wet conditions. Runs ranging from 5 - 40mi on flat trails, runnable hills, and power hiking-only slopes. I am comparing these to the La Sportiva Bushido and the Salomon Pro 3s.-- Fit: Sizing is similar to the Bushidos, but the toe has a lot more room. It could be my foot shape, but the Kaptiva heel cup is pretty bad. Going a 1/2 EU size up / down did not help. Punching holes to create a heel lock loop helped, but the hold is still poor. After ~20mi, the tops of my feet are ... MoreOverall a solid shoe: responsive, good grip, durable. However, I cannot get it to hold my heel well, resulting in some painful miles. Until the fit improves, I'm sticking with Bushidos or Salomons. Looking forward to future iterations.I've used the Kaptivas for about 130 miles in dry and wet conditions. Runs ranging from 5 - 40mi on flat trails, runnable hills, and power hiking-only slopes. I am comparing these to the La Sportiva Bushido and the Salomon Pro 3s.-- Fit: Sizing is similar to the Bushidos, but the toe has a lot more room. It could be my foot shape, but the Kaptiva heel cup is pretty bad. Going a 1/2 EU size up / down did not help. Punching holes to create a heel lock loop helped, but the hold is still poor. After ~20mi, the tops of my feet are pretty sore. I found steep (>30% grade) downhills un-fun in these shoes. The Pro 3s have a MUCH better heel cup for my foot.-- Durability: Good. After scrambling and skiing down (e.g.) scree multiple times, the uppers are 100% intact. The outsole wears faster than I'd like, but hey, La Sportiva is transparent about their grip-durability tradeoff. The midfoot / forefoot fit is nice, except on steep downhills.-- Performance: I'm happy with the Kaptivas. Not super bouncy, but more forgiving underfoot than the Bushidos or Pro 3s, IMO. They do not feel nearly as agile as the Pro 3s, but I would choose them for long slow days if they fit my foot better, especially on rough terrain. In general, the rougher the terrain, the happier I am in these.
Not that this is why you buy a trail running shoe, but when you first pull these out of the box they look really cool. The pictures don't do them justice. The shoes themselves run very small in sizing. I typically wear a size 10.5 - 11 Mens, and got the equivalent of size 11. They were too small, I would definitely order a size up.The shoes really hug your feet upon first putting them on. It is a very comfortable feeling. They have a slim profile and are pretty lightweight. The bottoms have a lot of grip and the lugs are pretty strong. I used them in muddy, snow, and dry conditions and felt they performed well in all of them. I also took them for one hike as well and plan on using them for some hiking in addition to trail running. We will see how they hold up in ... MoreNot that this is why you buy a trail running shoe, but when you first pull these out of the box they look really cool. The pictures don't do them justice. The shoes themselves run very small in sizing. I typically wear a size 10.5 - 11 Mens, and got the equivalent of size 11. They were too small, I would definitely order a size up.The shoes really hug your feet upon first putting them on. It is a very comfortable feeling. They have a slim profile and are pretty lightweight. The bottoms have a lot of grip and the lugs are pretty strong. I used them in muddy, snow, and dry conditions and felt they performed well in all of them. I also took them for one hike as well and plan on using them for some hiking in addition to trail running. We will see how they hold up in the long run, but the quality seems high. I get the impression they will last a while.This is the first pair of La Sportiva shoes I have owned, but it definitely won't be the last. I would definitely recommend these to a friend, just make sure you order a size up.
These shoes are comfortable, durable, light, and quick-drying. Everything I was looking for in a trail runner for backpacking.After a few shorter backcountry trips, they were put to the test at Killarney's La Cloche Silhouette trail and the Western Uplands trail in Algonquin. They excelled in a wide range of conditions over the course of the 85km Killarney loop and 40km in Algonquin - rocky terrain (dry/wet, smooth/jagged), scrambling up and down steep hills, muddy conditions, crossing beaver dams, hopping from rocks to branches along flooded trails, etc.I was able to keep my feet comfortable and found stability in all situations. When they got wet, the shoes were very quick to dry. No blisters or hot spots.Just note that the sizing tends to run quite small if ... MoreThese shoes are comfortable, durable, light, and quick-drying. Everything I was looking for in a trail runner for backpacking.After a few shorter backcountry trips, they were put to the test at Killarney's La Cloche Silhouette trail and the Western Uplands trail in Algonquin. They excelled in a wide range of conditions over the course of the 85km Killarney loop and 40km in Algonquin - rocky terrain (dry/wet, smooth/jagged), scrambling up and down steep hills, muddy conditions, crossing beaver dams, hopping from rocks to branches along flooded trails, etc.I was able to keep my feet comfortable and found stability in all situations. When they got wet, the shoes were very quick to dry. No blisters or hot spots.Just note that the sizing tends to run quite small if using the North American scale. I would definitely recommend trying them on before purchasing (I normally wear size 10.5 to 11, and found 12 to be the best fit in this shoe). If you have a very wide or high volume foot, they may be too snug and/or need a solid break-in before any serious adventures.
A snug, low-profile, lightweight runner. I took these out three times for a total of 20 miles (11 running, 9 hiking). My prior pair of runners is a pair of La Sportiva Wildcats, so my comparisons are mostly to that pair.I really liked how snug these shoes are. The elastic tongue hugs your feet, though I'm curious to see how long the elasticity lasts. And they're definitely less bulky and lighter than my Wildcats, so I felt I could be more precise in my foot placement.The soles have a solid grip with pretty aggressive tread and enough toe protection to help agains rocks and roots. I'd say it has medium cushion, where it protected my feet, but I definitely had a decent feel for the rocks underfoot.The ventilation is pretty great, as far as I can tell. During one ... MoreA snug, low-profile, lightweight runner. I took these out three times for a total of 20 miles (11 running, 9 hiking). My prior pair of runners is a pair of La Sportiva Wildcats, so my comparisons are mostly to that pair.I really liked how snug these shoes are. The elastic tongue hugs your feet, though I'm curious to see how long the elasticity lasts. And they're definitely less bulky and lighter than my Wildcats, so I felt I could be more precise in my foot placement.The soles have a solid grip with pretty aggressive tread and enough toe protection to help agains rocks and roots. I'd say it has medium cushion, where it protected my feet, but I definitely had a decent feel for the rocks underfoot.The ventilation is pretty great, as far as I can tell. During one outing, I slipped on some ice on a water crossing and one of my right foot took a plunge. By the end of the run, that shoe had more-or-less dried out (with wringing the sock out initially).Bottom line: I'm pretty happy with these shoes. The only question mark I have is their durability since I've only put 20 miles in them so far. And I know I'm not supposed to be picking runners based on this, but they look pretty dope too.
I really didn't know what to expect with this shoe but I think it's the perfect warm/dry weather mountain shoe. Whether you are doing repeats on local trails or do bigger objectives, this shoe can get you there.Things that I like:Feels light - shoes disappear on the feet, which is nice on long mileage days.Grippy - The rubber that's used really sticks to the trail.Lugs - The lugs on the bottom do a great job at providing traction in packed snow/light ice.One piece tongue - keeps the trail out of your shoeThings that could be improved:Support - I have really high arches and I felt that this shoe was lacking that support. Not really a knock on the shoe, just an FYI.Water resistance - This is where I think the biggest disappointment for me was. The shoe ... MoreI really didn't know what to expect with this shoe but I think it's the perfect warm/dry weather mountain shoe. Whether you are doing repeats on local trails or do bigger objectives, this shoe can get you there.Things that I like:Feels light - shoes disappear on the feet, which is nice on long mileage days.Grippy - The rubber that's used really sticks to the trail.Lugs - The lugs on the bottom do a great job at providing traction in packed snow/light ice.One piece tongue - keeps the trail out of your shoeThings that could be improved:Support - I have really high arches and I felt that this shoe was lacking that support. Not really a knock on the shoe, just an FYI.Water resistance - This is where I think the biggest disappointment for me was. The shoe has great water resistant side but when you're booking it, water/snow/ice tends to get around the entire shoe. The mesh that covers your toes ventilates really really well but on the flip side, as soon as water gets on it, it soaks straight through. The mountains always have variable conditions and I think not having better water resistance prevents this shoe from being an amazing shoe.To summarize, if you're running in dry conditions, this is a great shoe to consider.
I originally bought this shoe as a combination running/scrambling shoe as an alternative to my Speed Cross 5's. I wanted something grippy for class 3/4 scrambling and for climbing the Flatirons in Boulder. However, these shoes wore a hole in the heel in a month and a half, and less than 50 miles!I was drawn to these initially because of the wetsuit-bootie like fit. The sock-like design fit my feet really well, and these shoes felt like an extension of my feet. However, from the start the heel on my right foot felt a little strange. I thought that maybe Sportivas just have to break in unlike my Salomons. Over the next month and a half I wore these shoes on any trails that had more rocks than dirt, and they were super grippy. I felt confident that when I stepped on ... MoreI originally bought this shoe as a combination running/scrambling shoe as an alternative to my Speed Cross 5's. I wanted something grippy for class 3/4 scrambling and for climbing the Flatirons in Boulder. However, these shoes wore a hole in the heel in a month and a half, and less than 50 miles!I was drawn to these initially because of the wetsuit-bootie like fit. The sock-like design fit my feet really well, and these shoes felt like an extension of my feet. However, from the start the heel on my right foot felt a little strange. I thought that maybe Sportivas just have to break in unlike my Salomons. Over the next month and a half I wore these shoes on any trails that had more rocks than dirt, and they were super grippy. I felt confident that when I stepped on a rock or climbed a slabby portion the shoes would grip. However, after 10-15 miles I started noticing some major wear on the treads near the sides; additionally, the rub on my heel never lessened. I was determined to "break in" these shoes because the fit and grippiness was so nice. I wore them again on a 6mi, 2500' gain run, and to my surprise when I took them off I had a blister on my heel. I looked inside the shoe to see that a hole had already sprung in the back!I'm not an ultrarunner. Shoot, I'm not even that good of a trail runner. But IMO a shoe falling apart after 50mi and 15-20,000' is unacceptable. My Speed Crosses are still going strong after 100-150 miles. I ended up returning these shoes to REI (first time I've ever taken advantage of their liberal return policy). I'm tempted to try these shoes again since they have so many great reviews - maybe I just got a lemon?
just retired my first pair of Kaptiva's!. This is a lightweight low profile training/racing shoe. tight sock like fit. bit slim in the toe box. great ground feel without being too sensitive on the rough technical terrain. this boot is on the soft/light end of the spectrum so they dont last forever. Great grip in mud & loam & granite. bit slippery on the roots, but what isnt. feet breathe nicely in the mesh, but get soaked if there is any moisture.I put 470km on these before they were totally pooched. Great boot for the steep & technical trails of the northshore. from grouse grind/bcmc repeats to the HSCT. keep the legs moving fast all day with these kicks. low profile on the heel which may take some getting used to.Overall its a great light & fast low profile ... Morejust retired my first pair of Kaptiva's!. This is a lightweight low profile training/racing shoe. tight sock like fit. bit slim in the toe box. great ground feel without being too sensitive on the rough technical terrain. this boot is on the soft/light end of the spectrum so they dont last forever. Great grip in mud & loam & granite. bit slippery on the roots, but what isnt. feet breathe nicely in the mesh, but get soaked if there is any moisture.I put 470km on these before they were totally pooched. Great boot for the steep & technical trails of the northshore. from grouse grind/bcmc repeats to the HSCT. keep the legs moving fast all day with these kicks. low profile on the heel which may take some getting used to.Overall its a great light & fast low profile trail boot.
| Variant | |
| size | EU 42 |
| color | Opal/Chili |
