Height: 5' 4" (1.6 m)
Weight: 150 lb (68 kg)
E-mail: chris@wormguy.com
Location: Western Montana

Backpacking Background:
I'm in Montana enjoying the summers and becoming re-acquainted with winter. Now that I'm back above the snow line, I'm attempting some winter camping and snowshoeing. I'm a lightweight backpacker mentally, if not always in practice. My summer pack weight is around 19 lb (9 kg) with a tent, but my winter pack hovers around 25 lb (11 kg).

Product Information: top view

Manufacturer: La Sportiva
URL: www.sportiva.com
Style: Women's Rajas
MSRP: US $90
Color: Apricot (orange)
Size: European size 40 (US women's 8.5)
Listed Weight: 1 lb 12 oz (0.8 kg)
Measured Weight: 1 lb 12 oz (0.8 kg) - both shoes

Rajas Description:
The Rajas are trail shoes. The upper is made of orange mesh, called AirMesh by La Sportiva. There are gray polyurethane (PU) pieces - like ribs - over the mesh on the sides that hold the shoe's shape. The website calls these pieces TPU, but I'm not sure what the T stands for. The ribs end at fabric loops for the laces on the top of the shoe. There's another fabric loop on the tongue and two pairs of eyelet holes to choose from for the topmost lace. An additional pair of fabric loops on either side of the shoe allow further lacing adjustments. The laces that come with the shoe are orange and oval. The tongue is made from the same orange mesh as the upper and is padded. There is additional padding around the inner top of the shoe. The interior lining of the shoe, over the padding, is a dense mesh and very soft. The shoes come with a removable insole. There is a large fabric loop on the back of the shoe which could serve as a shoehorn. The toe is covered by a toe cap made out of UreTech, as indicated on the website. I couldn't find any more information on UreTech besides the name. The toe cap is stiff with a rough texture.
bottom view

The Rajas have a thick sole with deep lugs. There is quite a bit of space between the lugs. The shoes have a Frixion brand rubber sole with a Trail Bite heel. I'm not sure what Trail Bite means, but the website indicates that this type of heel provides good traction. The sole has two flex points, one at the toes and one at the mid-foot, which are visible as yellow and black checked bands when looking at the bottom of the shoe. The heel is labeled "Trail Shock" and is very dense. There is also dense rubber around the ankle of the shoe, making the heel section quite stiff.

Initial Impressions:
When I first saw the Rajas, the orange color jumped out at me. These are not shoes to be missed. The mesh is quite soft and lightweight. The shoes are light at the toe and heavier at the heel. I like the weight of the heel, it feels stable. The shoe bends easily on its flex points, and the laces have body and traction to them.

First Try:
When I tried the shoes on, the first thing I noticed was how soft they are. Since the upper is made entirely of mesh, the shoe formed easily to my foot. The shoe upper weighs almost nothing. The mesh is very soft and the padding comfortable. The laces are spaced apart 2" (5 cm) from side to side, allowing for quite a bit of adjustment. I like to have space for my toes, but I have narrow heels. The laces seem to grip to the shoes and mostly remained in place while I made adjustments. I like the additional side loops which let me tighten the heel of the shoe.

Walking in the shoes, I like their stability. I tend to walk on the outside of my feet, and I need a shoe that will keep my feet straight. These shoes have enough of a mid sole that they encourage my feet not to roll. I can feel my feel go into the proper alignment when I walk around. I also like the extra padding around the inside heel of the shoe. With my narrow heels, shoes tend to slip, but this padding molds to my feet and stops that.

So far, the shoes are very comfortable.

Expectations from Website:
The website claims the Rajas are snug-fitting, have pronation control, absorb shock in the heel, flex near the toes, are balanced and cushioned, stop rocks from being felt through the sole, and grip on rocky terrain. From my initial use I agree with the snug fit, stability control, flex, and cushioning. Further testing will determine the shock absorption qualities, ability not to feel the trail, balance and grip of the Rajas.

Test Plan:
I will test the La Sportiva Rajas along the trails of Montana, Wyoming, and Michigan. I will use them on backpacks, day hikes, and daily runs along mostly wooded trails. I expect to encounter branch- and rock-strewn trails, mud, and snow. I will test to see if the lugs attract rocks or debris, if the shoes lace tightly enough to prevent my feet from slipping forward on downhill slopes, how well the rubber sole grips, if I feel rocks and branches through the shoe bottom, how well the heels absorb shock, and how well the shoes balance.

Read more reviews of La Sportiva gear
Read more gear reviews by Christine Korhonen

Initial Report

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