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

Product Information

These insoles are designed for both men's and women's feet and have different thicknesses and materials depending on the average weight of the user. Hard-packed trails are no issue: you could almost go road running in these (and I certainly have in the shoe version). 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. Due to the special arrangement of the studs, some of them come into contact with the ground beforehand, softening the impact of the shoe profile. These insoles are designed for both men’s and women’s feet and the thicknesses and materials differ to suit the weight of the average user.

Other distinctions include a more hardwearing leather upper and Gore-Tex Surround liner with Nano-Cell technology, which provide ventilation not only through the top of the foot but also along the bottom of the footbed. 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. That said, unless you’re covering serious ground, we consider the X Ultra 4 the more well-rounded and approachable design for most. La Sportiva is a climbing company first, but that expertise has transferred over nicely to the hiking footwear market.In testing the TXS, I was also very impressed by its great all-around protection and highly customizable lacing system. La Sportiva's Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX builds on the success of the original Ultra Raptors by upping the collar height and making this a more versatile mid boot for general outdoor use. The innovative system is applied to the sole to absorb negative ground impact, help traction and improve grip downhill. I wore the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX hiking boots on several hikes over the period of a week, to include the aforementioned disastrous river traverse.

He supports his outdoor addiction by working as a human communication consultant, teaching at the College of Southern Maryland, and helping start-up companies with their public relations and marketing efforts.Enhanced durability thanks to the anti-compression technology which keeps material compression down to less than 5% over time. The 9mm drop is relatively generous, which makes this a good boot for hard-packed trails and long distances. The Ultra Raptor II is a new-for-2021 mid-cut version of the very popular Ultra Raptor II Mountain Running Shoe favored by ultra-marathoners. We're also happy to report no abnormal signs of wear and tear, even after a lot of time on the trail.

A final highlight is the elastic gaiter-like design at the top, which is highly effective at sealing out debris and falling rain or snow. This may be a plus side for those covering more technical ground with a pack, but for most day hikers and lightweight backpackers, the Ultra Raptor II is the clear winner in terms of all-day comfort.The boot version has a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex liner and is similarly agile, supportive and well-cushioned, even after 100s of miles I put in them. The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX are a great option for anyone looking for day hiking, fastpacking, or light backpacking boots. In this La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX review, we’ll look at this popular lightweight boot from the renowned Italian footwear brand, considering its overall design, features, performance and comfort. A cross between a running shoe and hiking boot, the Ultra Raptor is our go-to for fast and light missions without sacrificing comfort, stability, or waterproof technology. The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX Ultra Raptor Mid II GTX is a mid-height fast and light hiking/trail running hybrid which doesn’t compromise in either conditions.