It is one the easiest ways to get outdoors for people of all experience levels, and simply put, any time spent on the trail has a way of soothing the. This may or may not suit you, but it’s worth noting that the Ultra Raptors also come in a wide fit, which might be worth trying even if you normally take a regular width.

ounces, but the deeper lugs and aggressive tread pattern give it the clear edge in softer surfaces like mud and snow.The result is a great three-season boot for fast and light summit-bagging missions or lightweight backpacking trips.

The lightweight personality is immediately noticeable, but the boot boasts ample cushioning both underfoot and around the ankle and collar, providing a very soft, well-padded feel. The exteriors did a great job of shedding water, mud, and dirt, and the treads didn’t cling to a bunch of rocks and gunk. Unless you need the added stability, it’s a competitive design that otherwise stacks up very favorably to the Ultra Raptor. The only downside is the relatively stiff and unforgiving feel, which is a result of the thinner padding underfoot. Just bear in mind that although there are even lighter mid boots than the Ultra Raptor II Mid, they tend to sacrifice overall protection and durability.

On rough ground a big rubber bumper provides an effective guard for the toes, while the robust midsole protects the soles of your feet from sharp rocks. La Sportiva makes some of our favorite climbing shoes, and that technical expertise has translated nicely to their hiking boot lineup. Durability: While I put these boots through the wringer (literally) over a period of a week, I don’t have enough data to make an educated assessment of long-term durability. In hot, dry conditions, I think it's safe to assume they'd suffer the same drawback as all Gore-Tex footwear, and at that stage I'd be reaching for the unlined Ultra Raptor shoe with its airy mesh upper (not an option in the boot version). In trying on the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX for the first time, they felt much more like a mid-height trail runner than a true hiking boot.

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 midsole is made from Memlex EVA with shock-absorbing injection, and the outsole is composed of Ultra-tight FriXion White with an Impact Brake System and an integrated anti-shock rubber toe box.With its mid-top construction, which is designed to keep out debris and mud, a supportive TPU skeleton and an evenly distributed lacing system, the Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX will have you adventuring for days on end in complete comfort. Whether you're just getting started or an experienced climber, whatever your adventure needs, we have the gear. There's quite a lot of depth at the front relative to the width, and while this gives your toes plenty of wiggle room I have needed to fill the dead space with a second insole. And for those of us that lack a little grace on the trail and are prone to stubbing our toes on the occasional stump or rock, this hiking boot also features an anti-shock rubber toe cap for a more enjoyable experience on trail. The toe guard kept me from stubbing my toes on hidden rocks and tree roots, and who knows what else in the gnarly undergrowth.

But aside from that shortcoming in terms of lifetime durability, this is still a great three-season boot for fast and light summit-bagging missions or lightweight backpacking trips. We assume this is due to La Sportiva's compression-molded MEMIex midsoles and nylon molded flex TPU shanks. Registration only takes effect after receipt of my confirmation; it is possible to unsubscribe at any time. The TPU skeleton is especially important allowing the lace pull-force to be distributed equally over all areas of the upper.

They’re equipped with a waterproof and breathable upper, which means they’ll be able to take on adverse weather conditions. 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. While this would be considered heavy for a shoe, and the low-cut Ultra Raptor is no lightweight, in boot terms it's pretty darn light, and having swapped from winter mountain boots to these over the last few weeks the difference is night and day. In the 1980s, they began focusing on making climbing boots and shoes and technical mountain products.