Comments on: La Sportiva Helios 2.0 and Helios SR Dual Review

By: Andrea

Andrea — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 23:46:25 +0000

hello! I need a very light shoe, upper part must be super lightweight so it can dry very fast when wet (mesh is perfect)
I walk, I do not run on trail, I basically backpack, and I need a durable product because I almost always walk on gravel or rock
any advice?

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 19:18:57 +0000

Nice reviews! I’ve been a big fan of La Sportiva for years starting with the original Raptors and Quantums. Got the Helios 2.0 last year, used them to set some short PR’s for myself, and then switched into the Akashas and Mutants (shaved the high-heel-like heel lugs).
Just started to use the Helios again this year and really falling back in love with them. Ive used them up to 15 miles on pretty technical terrain (CT traprock has some pretty brutal poke thru) without much issue. Love the flexibility, grip, and precise footfall feel they give. They certainly run small and like any other La Sportiva shoe I size up 1 full size.
That being said, I often wonder how La Sportiva decided to create them and fit them into their shoe line. I originally saw the shoe as a direct competitor to the S-Lab Sense but I think they are apples and oranges in design and ride. It definitely seems there are customers supporting the Helios, but I wonder just how many more would love the shoe if it had an actual rockplate or full outsole. Speaking of which, they could implement a full Morphodynamic outsole much like the Quantums had. The rubber was thick and itself prevented much poke-thru, however it may reduce flexibility of the shoe.
Got about 175 miles on my pair of Helios with surprisingly barely any tread wear or midsole packdown. Looking forward to many more fun miles in them!

By: David Henry

David Henry — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 03:13:17 +0000

In reply to Henry.

Thanks for the comment. I figured some people must like them or else Sportiva woudln’t keep making them! I’m surprised you find them so protective though. I’ve run in hundreds of shoes over the last 3-4 years and these are in the lowest 5% on the protection scale (particularly the 2.0). They could do a soft foam and rubber and it would still bend around objects just and yet still not go the morpho dynamic route nor have so many cutouts in the outsole. That’s my main issue with them. Anyway, glad they work for you as is and thanks for reading!

David

By: Henry

Henry — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 00:50:28 +0000

This review is really a good example of different strokes for different folks. My take on the Helios (I’ve worn both version 1 and the SR) is exactly opposite. I think it’s the best shoe I’ve ever worn for technical mountain stuff, and I try out lots of shoes. I live in the Northeast where we have lots and lots of rocks of all types, and I’ve never had an issue with protection aside from the very rare stinger. I’ve used them up to 50 miles in about the most rugged trail races in the land, and I’m not doing minimalist tiptoeing around either. I find the traction to be unbeatable precisely because of the morphodynamic sole’s ability to bend around objects. The only quibbles I have with the Helios line is that sizing is wonky (you have to size way up), the toe bumper could be a little more robust (I’ve lost two toenails through the years kicking rocks–albeit rather hard), and the SR runs a little hot. That said, I’ll keep wearing them until LS stops making them, which I hope is never.

By: David Henry

David Henry — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 18:59:36 +0000

In reply to Kaspar Pflugshaupt.

Thanks for the comment. Agreed on all points. Being a lighter runner probably helps, but still not the best design ;).

Cheers,

David

By: Kaspar Pflugshaupt

Kaspar Pflugshaupt — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:28:14 +0000

Hi David,

I agree with your findings. I like the Helios 2 very much, but the outsole is sadly under-built for me running on serious rocks. I actually ran one mountain race with them, and I swore I’d never try that again. Too much pain in my feet from sharp stones hitting between the “waves”! Even on forest paths around Zurich (very civilized country), I have to watch my feet.

So, these days, I enjoy them as everyday shoes. They’re light, flexible, airy, and fairly well cushioned as long as I’m not running. I also like their colorway (got the blue/orange combination).

Maybe it’s about weight? I’m slightly below 80kg. Possibly, someone at less than 70kg compresses the midsole less than me and has less trouble?

Hoping La Sportiva find a way to offer a replacement with the same flexibility and more protection!

Cheers
Kaspar