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

Product Information

They were built out of the popular Ultra Raptor mountain running shoe chassis and felt more like a beefed-up trail runner than a traditional hiking boot.

On broken and uneven ground, the prominent toe bumper guards against painful impacts, as does the chunky midsole. By the end, the uppers were in impressively good shape, and they still offered reliable waterproof protection.They come with an Ortholite Mountain Running footbed insole, which I removed and replaced with my custom orthotics.

There was enough beach occasionally peeking out between the bank and the river to step into the water without it broaching the boots’ flood zone. The first thing I noticed about the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX hiking boots was how light they were for a full-sized boot. The further I went, the worse it got, but I was convinced the beach would open up again … just … around … the … next … corner. They’re equipped with a waterproof and breathable upper, which means they’ll be able to take on adverse weather conditions. 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 sock-like upper and one-piece tongue also help immensely with locking things down and providing a snug all-around fit, and there are minimal seams along the interior to reduce hot spots and rubbing. After putting the boots through a fairly demanding testing itinerary in Patagonia, they’re almost no worse for wear: The microfiber mudguard and rubber toe cap are robust and deftly fended off direct hits from rocks and protruding roots, the mesh lining on the sides and rear are protected by thick TPU reinforcements, and the FriXion outsole is still going strong with no signs of deterioration thus far (a nice surprise due to the softer rubber compound).

The slightly higher cut compared to the shoe version of the Ultra Raptor Mountain Running icon, is ideal when you plan to be in rough, technical terrain for linger durations and potentially carrying light loads. La Sportiva is a climbing company first, but that expertise has transferred over nicely to the hiking footwear market. Like most lightweight designs, the Ultra Raptor II doesn’t have any locking eyelets, which I prefer for keeping the forefoot loose while cinching the ankle. One pound off the feet equals five pounds off the back in terms of energy expended, and these boots were light AF. 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.

On the foot, the boot feels structured and supportive, inspiring confidence when moving fast on technical terrain. The fact that this mid-cut boot is built on the Ultra Raptor trail shoe platform means it retains an agile, lightweight feel. The boot also has an unusual heel cage and a lightweight rand for enhanced rear and midfoot support. Just before I started my traverse South through this morass, I met a friendly but somewhat dodgy-looking lady with a mangy dog. The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX are a great option for anyone looking for day hiking, fastpacking, or light backpacking boots.

The East bank was littered with floating mats of driftwood, seagrasses, downed Sycamore trees, and the myriad detritus that floats down the river from Washington. Dan Bailey has never been a fan of waterproof-lined running shoes, but finds himself won over by the Ribelle Run GTX. When he’s not running his company, he is often found climbing mountains or hiking the Appalachian Trail.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. The Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX features an affordable and lightweight design, as well as a comfortable and supportive fit that is waterproof and built to last. In this case, La Sportiva opted for Gore’s Extended Comfort membrane, which is designed for use in warmer conditions or during higher-output activities. 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. The obvious seasonal disadvantage of a higher cuff is that it's inevitably a bit warmer than a shoe.