Like a few other reviewers, this has been my go to shoe for what seems like a decade now. I have a somewhat narrow foot with a very low instep and often have to size down in other shoes to get a good heel hold but the weird wrap tongue on the Mutant is amazing at customizing the fit to my foot so I can give my toes plenty of space and still have my heel locked in place. I've also talked to people with higher volume insteps who get a really good fit so the tongue is just magic.Toe box is mid volume so I can handle technical terrain and steep sidehills if I need to but I still have room for it to stay comfortable all day.Sole has super chunky tread that is amazing at finding traction on scree slopes but is made out of a super sticky rubber so friction climbing on ... MoreLike a few other reviewers, this has been my go to shoe for what seems like a decade now. I have a somewhat narrow foot with a very low instep and often have to size down in other shoes to get a good heel hold but the weird wrap tongue on the Mutant is amazing at customizing the fit to my foot so I can give my toes plenty of space and still have my heel locked in place. I've also talked to people with higher volume insteps who get a really good fit so the tongue is just magic.Toe box is mid volume so I can handle technical terrain and steep sidehills if I need to but I still have room for it to stay comfortable all day.Sole has super chunky tread that is amazing at finding traction on scree slopes but is made out of a super sticky rubber so friction climbing on slabs works a lot better than you'd expect. Not quite like the Bushido but really close.The only negative thing I can say is that the shoelace sheath always breaks really soon into the shoe's life, often after only 100-200 miles. The core stays fine so it's not catastrophic, but it does make tying the shoe a pain until you replace the laces.If I know a run will be exclusively in rocky technical terrain then I take my Bushido IIs. If I know a run will be long and only on smooth trail then I want my Speedgoats. But for everything in between (or for runs with a little bit of everything) it's always the Mutants.

Long time Salomon trail runner (Mission/XA/Genesis) who was looking for a slightly more technical shoe for peak bagging. Bought the SCARPA Ribelle Run Kalibra HT (see my review) as well as the Mutants at the same time to see which I liked better.Blown away by the Mutants. SO comfortable and usable (I have normal width feet). While I describe the Scarpa as "an approach show which can also be used to trail run to the base", the Mutant is just a fantastic trail runner which is also quite capable in the scrambling arena.Now, if La Sportiva will just put BOAs on the Mutant ... hmmm - that pretty much the Jackal 2

I unlike the prior reviewers have never tried this shoe, preferring to hold onto wildcats and gardas for trail running and technical approach shoes. These have been excellent, both at trail running, and even dirt roads. I wouldn't use them as approach due to aggressive lugs, but they are not intended for that.They are precise without being too tight on my flippers (I have flat wide 12s). The last is the same as my other La Sportiva shoes and boots, and size 46 works great. I do use an aftermarket ortho, like a green or copper superfeet.I found the asymmetrical lacing a bit odd at first, and it can cause one lace to get longer than the other, but that's easily addressed and the control it gives is very good. I have a pretty neutral strike, and don't like a big ... MoreI unlike the prior reviewers have never tried this shoe, preferring to hold onto wildcats and gardas for trail running and technical approach shoes. These have been excellent, both at trail running, and even dirt roads. I wouldn't use them as approach due to aggressive lugs, but they are not intended for that.They are precise without being too tight on my flippers (I have flat wide 12s). The last is the same as my other La Sportiva shoes and boots, and size 46 works great. I do use an aftermarket ortho, like a green or copper superfeet.I found the asymmetrical lacing a bit odd at first, and it can cause one lace to get longer than the other, but that's easily addressed and the control it gives is very good. I have a pretty neutral strike, and don't like a big ramp in shoes or skimo setups, and these are fine.I was running with a guy who claimed big ramp make for harder heel strikes which then hurt his knees. Sounded convincing enough, but I don't have any issues with the very heel soft Hoka for road running, so who knows. As a prior reviewer said, if in doubt you don't like them, and I have no doubt, I like these. I like them a lot.

Almost!! I wanted to BUT?

I?ve tried these, the Akyra?s, and the Wildcats. Returned these and the Akyra?s. They?re just too narrow for my feet. Better than the Akyra but not enough. I?m used to running Altra Lone Peaks. I love the way they allow you to splat but am in need of something more stable so I?m going back to La Sportiva.I would have kept these if they had more give in the forefoot. The treads and sticky traction would have been awesome running on the trail and they feel like they have just the right amount of cushion.The lacing is interesting and would have been a plus but I?m not sure how long the material the laces go through would last.I don?t think you can go wrong with these if your foot fits them.In the 5 La Sportiva I?ve owned/tried I?ve always sized up a half size with ... MoreI?ve tried these, the Akyra?s, and the Wildcats. Returned these and the Akyra?s. They?re just too narrow for my feet. Better than the Akyra but not enough. I?m used to running Altra Lone Peaks. I love the way they allow you to splat but am in need of something more stable so I?m going back to La Sportiva.I would have kept these if they had more give in the forefoot. The treads and sticky traction would have been awesome running on the trail and they feel like they have just the right amount of cushion.The lacing is interesting and would have been a plus but I?m not sure how long the material the laces go through would last.I don?t think you can go wrong with these if your foot fits them.In the 5 La Sportiva I?ve owned/tried I?ve always sized up a half size with the exception of my Sportive rock shoes. I used to use the Bushido?s. I also own a pair of ice climbing boots. Keeping the Wildcats.

Big lugs, comfortable ride

I bought these after trying out the La Sportiva Karacal, which was a very comfortable trail shoe except for the elastic band mid-foot that caused a massive blister. I have not experienced any blistering in the Mutant, but it did take three pairs to find the right size. In a Nike running shoe I wear a size 11 US, in the Karacal I wore an 11.5 US, in the Mutant I wear a 12 US. The Mutant seems to run small even by La Sportiva standards.In terms of feel, the shoe tightens down quite a bit mid foot with a complicated lacing system. It will definitely take some adjustment to find the right level of tightness. The security of the lacing system along with the large lugs leads to confidence when descending. I mostly run on rocky trails in the Colorado front range and ... MoreI bought these after trying out the La Sportiva Karacal, which was a very comfortable trail shoe except for the elastic band mid-foot that caused a massive blister. I have not experienced any blistering in the Mutant, but it did take three pairs to find the right size. In a Nike running shoe I wear a size 11 US, in the Karacal I wore an 11.5 US, in the Mutant I wear a 12 US. The Mutant seems to run small even by La Sportiva standards.In terms of feel, the shoe tightens down quite a bit mid foot with a complicated lacing system. It will definitely take some adjustment to find the right level of tightness. The security of the lacing system along with the large lugs leads to confidence when descending. I mostly run on rocky trails in the Colorado front range and these shoes are just about perfect for that environment. The longest I’ve run in these so far is a 7 mile outing and the cushioning was great. The shoes do seem to be a bit bulky, but I’ll take the extra protection on the rocky trails that I run. If you run on mostly dirt, gravel, or well maintained trails these shoes might be a bit overkill and you could opt for a lighter shoe.Removed a star because of the lacing system which seems overly complicated to me and difficult to adjust.

Burliest trail runner out there

Hands down the best mountain running shoe out there. The lacing system keeps pressure from strangling the top of your foot while the outsole is stiff and tacky, making this shoe a fantastic scrambler/shoe for light 4th/5th class movement. The shoe holds up really well for modern standards, mine feel great and still have some life after 300+ miles of running through rock, snow and mud.

Finally found my favorite trail/mountain shoe

Have tried so many shoes (and spent way too much money) on finding a great trail and mountain running shoe. Trying to find something to work with my foot (narrow heel, normal to slightly wide forefoot), something that has great cushioning but isn't so soft that the midsole collapses on fast, technical switch backs, and mountain trails, and something that has great grip, especially on wet rock. Enter the la sportiva mutant. This shoe fits me so well, and if you have a similar foot shape to me, and run on technical trails, would highly suggest trying it out. Have done runs up to half marathon distance, but have absolutely no hot spots or blisters so far. Can't wait to take it on longer runs. Only con would be the weight, which is on the higher side of trail shoes but ... MoreHave tried so many shoes (and spent way too much money) on finding a great trail and mountain running shoe. Trying to find something to work with my foot (narrow heel, normal to slightly wide forefoot), something that has great cushioning but isn't so soft that the midsole collapses on fast, technical switch backs, and mountain trails, and something that has great grip, especially on wet rock. Enter the la sportiva mutant. This shoe fits me so well, and if you have a similar foot shape to me, and run on technical trails, would highly suggest trying it out. Have done runs up to half marathon distance, but have absolutely no hot spots or blisters so far. Can't wait to take it on longer runs. Only con would be the weight, which is on the higher side of trail shoes but runs much better than the stated weight. Would check it out and hope la sportiva keeps it in production! Also as with all my la sportiva trail shoes, would recommend going up half a size form your normal size.

La Sportiva Mutants

Bought these on the recommendation of a friend and was not disappointed. They feel robust and tough and up to the rigours of long days in the hills. I completed a couple of 15 milers to wear them in and then wore them for the first 46 miles of the Spine Challenger (before changing Akashas). They withstood everything the southern Pennines threw at them and I had no foot issues at all. There was a problem with the first delivery but Rock & Run were straight on to it and a replacement pair were with me two layers later with the packaging and instructions to return the original pair. I normally wear Inov8 size 9 but went up to 9.5 in the Mutants as I was told they come up a little small. They felt a little “snug” on my wide hobbit feet but soon wore in to feel solid and ... MoreBought these on the recommendation of a friend and was not disappointed. They feel robust and tough and up to the rigours of long days in the hills. I completed a couple of 15 milers to wear them in and then wore them for the first 46 miles of the Spine Challenger (before changing Akashas). They withstood everything the southern Pennines threw at them and I had no foot issues at all. There was a problem with the first delivery but Rock & Run were straight on to it and a replacement pair were with me two layers later with the packaging and instructions to return the original pair. I normally wear Inov8 size 9 but went up to 9.5 in the Mutants as I was told they come up a little small. They felt a little “snug” on my wide hobbit feet but soon wore in to feel solid and grippy in all but the worst mud. I’d definitely recommend them - go up at least half a size. And I’d definitely recommend Rock & Run - this was the first time I’ve had to deal with their customer service in several orders from them over the years and they were excellent.

PLEASE OFFER A WIDE VERSION (ASAP)!!!

Dear La Sportiva Team,I writing this as a request/suggestion to make your products, such as La Sportiva Mutants, Kaptiva, Bushido, and even TX Guide, available in WIDE...and I mean true 2E wide!I have owned probably around 20 pairs of Mutants and tried all of the others I mentioned above.I can no longer wear the Mutants or any other La Sportiva model (including the so called "wider" Jackal). My foot is getting larger and can't take the small toe boxes any longer (I'm an ultra-runner who spends a significant amount of time in the mountains tackles mix terrain long routes, rather than super technical climbs.)Unfortunately, I'm having to look to other brands that offer their mountain lines in Wide: Such as Inov 8, and a few others.I hate to switch brands as I ... MoreDear La Sportiva Team,I writing this as a request/suggestion to make your products, such as La Sportiva Mutants, Kaptiva, Bushido, and even TX Guide, available in WIDE...and I mean true 2E wide!I have owned probably around 20 pairs of Mutants and tried all of the others I mentioned above.I can no longer wear the Mutants or any other La Sportiva model (including the so called "wider" Jackal). My foot is getting larger and can't take the small toe boxes any longer (I'm an ultra-runner who spends a significant amount of time in the mountains tackles mix terrain long routes, rather than super technical climbs.)Unfortunately, I'm having to look to other brands that offer their mountain lines in Wide: Such as Inov 8, and a few others.I hate to switch brands as I think La Sportiva is top quality for support, grip, and all-around great mountain shoes. I get it that some of the models geared toward climbing need to have near-perfect fit for tackling super technical stuff...but for us with WIDE feet that tackle long single/consecutive days in the mountains, the shoes is just not comfortable after so many hours.Please consider this request/suggestion. I'm happy to see that you are now offering a hiking boot (NUCLEO HIGH II GTX WIDE) in wide! Why not take advantage of the rest of the market? There are millions of people that would love to experience the quality of La Sportiva shoes!

THE best mountain running shoe

If your feet fit this shoe, there is simply not a better shoe for *mountain* running. I've owned 10+ pairs. This shoe has the protection, stability, and grip to bomb down technical, rocky, loose downhills. It will also scramble class 5 if you're up for that. Does well on wet rock and snow too.They are almost-too-tight on me out of the box, but I loosen the laces for a bit and do some easy running to wear them in, and then they become a laser perfect fit.Cons:- The high ankle collar seems to collect more rocks and debris than other shoes. If I am doing lots of loose stuff I add gaiters.- The tread wears down fast especially on steep terrain. That's the price you pay for extremely good grip I guess.- The heel pull tab will rip if you pull hard on it.Pro ... MoreIf your feet fit this shoe, there is simply not a better shoe for *mountain* running. I've owned 10+ pairs. This shoe has the protection, stability, and grip to bomb down technical, rocky, loose downhills. It will also scramble class 5 if you're up for that. Does well on wet rock and snow too.They are almost-too-tight on me out of the box, but I loosen the laces for a bit and do some easy running to wear them in, and then they become a laser perfect fit.Cons:- The high ankle collar seems to collect more rocks and debris than other shoes. If I am doing lots of loose stuff I add gaiters.- The tread wears down fast especially on steep terrain. That's the price you pay for extremely good grip I guess.- The heel pull tab will rip if you pull hard on it.Pro tips:- They have their best scrambling ability on rock when the lugs are a little rounded off and worn down.- Redo the end of the laces so you can tuck the knot into the lace garage on the side. You can single knot them and they will never come undone in the lace garage.