Review by Fiona McIntosh
RRP: R2399.99
www.outward.co.za
How often does this happen: you find a shoe that really works for you, only to find that it’s been replaced by a totally different design as soon as said favourite pair wears out?
My find in recent years was La Sportiva’s Vertical Ks – a pair of ultra-light trail shoes that quickly became my trusted approach/scrambling shoe. When they phased them out I rushed around the Cape Town outdoor shops buying the last pairs in my size, and, somewhat optimistically, a half-size smaller.
Then La Sportiva released the Helios. Apart from the sexy new colours, the quick drying mesh upper and slightly different heel profile, the Helios look, at first glance, very similar to their older sibling. The sock-like snug fit, the gusseted tongue, the 4-millimetre drop, the design of the outsole, and the shape of the midsole are all familiar.
But there have been some modifications. Even before I put them on I noticed the greater rigidity and stability. Most significant is the heel stabiliser and the effect of the 2-millimetre LaSpeva plate that has been inserted into the midsole to give more support and protection. Once I put a Helios on one foot and a Vertical K on the other, the differences were marked. With the aforementioned changes, the more robust upper, and a wider footprint, the Helios offers more support and stability than its predecessor. Joy of joys. Once again I have a super-comfy, lightweight pair of approach/trail running shoes – and they offer superior performance.
The selling point for me is the soft rubber sole that smears around rocky surfaces and offers good grip on changing terrain – perfect for a stomp up the closest mountain, scrambles on easy crags, or for trail running on difficult, technical terrain. The upper is quick drying and surprisingly robust, and the overlapping tongue stops grit – and the pesky Cape fynbos – from sneaking in.
That said, the Helios are not for everyone. They still offer little support compared to other models. The soft sole wears fairly quickly and if you’re foolish enough to walk in the bush in them you can expect vicious thorns to penetrate. But they are so sticky and light, that unless I’m heading into snow or heavy rain, they are my personal preference for most mountain trips in South Africa, even when I’m carrying a heavy pack.
If you’re looking for a comfy, minimalist, multi-functional shoe, I can’t recommend them enough.
