La Sportiva Men's Ultra Raptor Ii Mid GTX Hiking Boots

Product Information

We're also happy to report no abnormal signs of wear and tear, even after a lot of time on the trail. We tested the leather version of this boot extensively and wore it for over 400 miles of hiking and backpacking adventures across the UK. While the Ultra Raptor II Mid stands out for its lightweight and comfortable design, that doesn't mean that you'll have to sacrifice durability. The high collar has been particularly helpful for maximizing ankle support, and I’ve had no issues with ankle rolls or feeling off-balance.

In the 1980s, they began focusing on making climbing boots and shoes and technical mountain products. In particular, the sole has plenty of lateral stability, reducing torsional twisting that can stress or fatigue the foot. Other notable features include a nylon shank that provides great torsional stability for off-camber terrain and TPU overlays along the mesh upper, which create a nice, snug fit around the heel and cinch down when laced tightly, locking my foot in place and minimizing any play in the boots.

That said, unless you’re covering serious ground, we consider the X Ultra 4 the more well-rounded and approachable design for most. Through it all, the La Sportiva Raptor II Mid GTX hiking boots enabled me to keep my footing, prevented me from twisting my ankles and knees, and protected my feet from countless unknown hazards along the bottom of the Potomac as I waded thigh-deep through the murk. This pair can be resoled by the supplier - get in contact with the brand directly to organize a resole, or check out our recommended repair specialists.

We’d actually say that with this boot, the regular fit feels more like a narrow fit, whereas the wide fit is more like a regular. I wanted to demo a new pair of La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX hiking boots that my editor sent me, so I hit the trails in my local state park.There are no additional costs or duties on products marketed in countries within the European Union. But this hasn’t been too big of an issue for me—getting creative with the laces allowed me to get pretty close to the fit that I wanted. It feels noticeably more cushioned than more minimalist trail shoes or more substantial walking boots with firmer, PU-based midsoles. I took my usual trail running loop through the hills, past the abandoned 19th Century house, downhill through the grove of pine trees, and past the historic cemetery, banked right and hit the East bank of the Potomac.

All told, the boots have a pretty nimble and agile feel underfoot, and if comfort weren’t an issue for me, the Ultra Raptor would be my first choice for both short and long days with a lighter pack. The 9mm drop is relatively generous, which makes this a good boot for hard-packed trails and long distances. The La Sportiva FriXion rubber compounds have been developed to provide shoe profiles with different levels of grip and durability depending on the type of use and surface. La Sportiva is a climbing company first, but that expertise has transferred over nicely to the hiking footwear market.The TPU shanks also provide cushion and support while absorbing the shock from impacting obstacles such as rocks and stumps during a quick descent. The Men's Ultra Raptor II Mid Wide GTX will suit everything from dog walks in the woods, to day-long hikes and fast-packing adventures in the mountains. Whether you're just getting started or an experienced climber, whatever your adventure needs, we have the gear. But on a recent sunny day of high teens temperatures (it passes for a heatwave in the NW) I did begin to notice a clammy feel after some hours.

I'm no fan of waterproof linings in trail shoes, finding them hot and sweaty in summer (which, I'd argue, negates some of the benefit of wearing a shoe in the first place). Having worked for both the Ramblers and the Scouts, he knows one or two things about walking and camping, and loves all things adventure, particularly long-distance backpacking, wild camping and climbing mountains – especially in Wales.

While not as durable as a fully leather hiking boot, the synthetic mesh delivers lightweight performance on technical trails with abrasion-resistant Gore-tex technology built to last for many seasons.