Bummer! I know the OG Jackal had some heel/Achilles issues with some folks. I haven't tried the BOA Jackal II though - that does have a pretty different upper than the lace up.

*exactly*!

I would like to see a Karacal vs Jackal comparison - which I think are more closely the same kind of shoe

Yeah - you're right: there are some close similarities. The midsole and last between the two are going to be essentially the same, but the upper and outsole are different. The Karacal has an even more longer-lasting rubber on the outsole, and I found the upper is a little more looser in the heel. I would use the Karacal for gravel roads and road to trail runs, but I found it to be too sloppy in the upper for me - I would need to lace lock down the laces to just use them. The upper of the Karacal is also not as burly for me. The toe area got ripped up pretty quickly in the Karacal, as it lacks a tough toe cap,

I don't know if I'll have the time/space to do a video, but here's the comparison of the Karacal and Jackal II! justinsimoni.com/2023/10/31/la-sportiva-karacal-and-jackal-ii-whats-the-difference/

The Akasha II will have a narrower last than the Jackal II or Karacal. The Akasha II will be a similar width as the Mutant (and volume). The La Sportiva comparison spreedsheet has the Akasha II using the, "Tempo" last; the Mutant the, "Tempo 2 Ergo" last, which are both labeled as, "medium" fit. If I do the "measure the insole" trick to get a rough idea of the width of the last, they Mutant's/Akaska II's are the same at the widest point. Voiume of the upper seems pretty similar to me. I've done quite a few multi-day trips (like my Slowlans trips) with the Akasha II, and it's a comfy shoe for me. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xZoRRZMu38oZGvyO0H9Vv0LYDasJ2d6_if-2pB5rX78

I haven't, although I love the Cyklons. I grabbed the Jackal II primarily because the outsole is made of more durable rubber (although less sticky).

@@TheLongRanger I find the Cyklon a bit narrow for me. I’m looking for a wider Cyklon with more cushion 😂