Despite its boot-like look, the La Sportiva Cyklon delivers one of the most comfortable and secure fits I have ever tried. As a result, the shoe is a must-try – because it is near impossible describing how well it fits!
During the recent weeks, I tested the La Sportiva Cyklon and was sceptical about it when I first got it, but it left me deeply impressed. Especially when talking about the shoe’s fit.
If you want to challenge yourself in nature and feel that your feet are secure and well protected, then continue reading. Because the La Sportiva is then an obvious choice.
Who is La Sportiva?
First and foremost, if you are not familiar with La Sportiva, you get a quick introduction to the brand.
La Sportiva is an old Italian brand that initially produced boots for the Italian military. Since then, the brand became famous for its ski boots and its trail shoes for running, hiking shoes, and climbing shoes. La Sportiva’s shoes are recognized for their top quality products that promise optimal comfort, stability, shock absorption and a powerful surface grip – no matter what type of trail shoe you seek. So if it is a short trail, technical trail, ultra trail or sky races, La Sportiva has a shoe for you.
The La Sportiva Cyklon is perfect for the technical mountain terrain
La Sportiva’s selection of trail covers a wide variety of products with its strengths with each type of trail – and none of them is La Sportiva Cyklon. A running shoe probably belongs in its own category because it is so different in looks and functionality.
I would reckon the Cyklon is perfect for you that runs (or wants to run) in technically advanced mountain terrain over medium distances and that wants a running shoe with a mix of a boot and a trail shoe. As mentioned, I was very sceptical about the shoes boot-like look, but it is without a doubt the feature that gets a top rating from me.
Cyklon delivers an incredible fit
Let’s start with the shoe’s highlight; the fit. It is undeniably the most impressive about the La Sportiva Cyklon.
Ever since I received the shoe and until now where I’ve tested out the shoe, my view of the design and fit changed from “hmm…” to “wow!”. The upper delivers incredible comfort, and the shoe’s BOA-lacing system is well thought out and impressive.
The upper features a breathable and super durable 4-way mesh and more glued side panels, providing a feel of superb protection across the midfoot. The exact secure feeling repeats with the shoe’s heel construction, a relatively stiff hellcap and a tall sock-like heel collar that connects incredibly well around the foot. No discomfort, no friction, nothing. It just fits spot on, no matter if I stand, walk or run.
The BOA-lacing system and Dynamic Cage-design – Cyklon’s unique features
The shoe’s BOA-lacing system and the special Dynamic Cage-design across the mod foot are the shoe’s unique DNA/Buzzwords. Compared to other shoes with the BOA-lacing system, the BOA-system is positioned on an angle across the midfoot and tightened on the outside of the foot - unlike other shoes with BOA, where the sides are pulled together on the middle. The effect can’t be misunderstood. It provides a magical lock across the midfoot, and the shoe slides on the foot and gives a much more secure fit than any other BOA system I previously tested.
Despite the shoe closing high up along the foot, due to the shoe’s boot-like design, I’ve only had positive experiences on my runs. I neither feel heavy or clumsy, but on the contrary, they just fit great. The roll from heel to toe feels incredibly smooth, allowing for quick reactions to the terrain. The combination between the secure heel, supportive fit across the midfoot, and the adjusted fit in the forefoot/toe box make it effortless to move the toes around. Moreover, the tall fit of the Cyklon ensures that dirt doesn’t enter the shoe because it fits so close around the foot.
However, be mindful of the length of your socks when running in the Cyklon. I would highly recommend running with a higher sock than a short ankle sock, creating friction problems.
With the Cyklon, you get a stable midsole
When talking about the midsole in the Cyklon, the characteristics are for sure stability and protection. The midsole itself consists of the familiar medium-soft EVA foam with two stabilizing wedges positioned on the outside of the midsole, which provides stability and protection for the feet in terms of sharp and uneven rocks in the terrain.
I would not classify the Cyklon as a soft and comfortable running shoe if you solely think about the midsole. I thought it was significantly softer than my runs in them. For example, it is more firm than the most recent trail shoe I reviewed, Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G300 Max, which is insanely comfortable. But with the Cyklon, it is easier to sense the surface and thereby react better to the unevenness of the terrain and the challenges nature presents.
The firm feel of the shoe supports the fact that the Cyklon is meant for medium-long distances. This entails that comfort is not everything, but protection, stability and a more efficient running experience is, which 100% checks out with my runs. It felt incredibly light, straightforward, snappy and with a nice roll.
The outsole of the Cyklon is designed for mountain running.
La Sportiva has different types of rubber coating in their outsoles depending on how powerful the grip on the individual shoe models requires. For example, on the Cyklon model, La Sportiva focused on producing an outsole with remarkable durability and is super grippy since the shoe needs to be applicable for mountain running. And that I would say they succeeded with their FriXion White rubber coating on the Cyklon.
I experienced a shoe that has excellent grip and doesn’t make me nervous in the terrain. However, I did not test the shoe in literal mountain terrain, but I got a pretty good feeling about it with the small trails I’ve been on.
There is one small thing about the outsole and grip on the Cyklon. La Sportiva states that the studs on the outsole are 7mm tall, but to my – either great excitement or great disappointment – say that the studs aren’t. So instead, the studs measure 5mm tall, which is apparent from my measurement in the above picture.
However, this does not mean the shoe has a terrible grip but matches my experience with the shoe much better. I have excellent grip on the firm and rocky surface, while on the soft and wet surface, not so much.
Lastly, the outsole features La Sportiva’s innovative “Impact Brake System”, which provides a better grip for the shoe, especially downhill. In addition, the studs’ unique positioning on the outsole allows for the maximum amount of studs coming in contact with the surface for better control and shock absorption.
La Sportiva Cyklon is a unique trail shoe
Everything about the La Sportiva Cyklon is designed with the intent of mountain running. And that is apparent with every aspect of the shoe. The durable and sticky grip on the outsole, the effective and firm midsole and the impressive fit of the upper. The Cyklon is for all runners ready to face the challenges in the mountains or on the faster trails.
I would go so far and say that this is the most comfortable running shoe I have ever worn in terms of fit. It felt perfect on the foot. The shoe seems excessive, but it is the complete opposite feeling you get when stepping in it and start running. It fits excellent all around the foot and delivers a great running experience. It is simply a shoe you need to try!
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