Males’s La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Evaluation

Backside Line

The La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Low is one in all our prime decisions for climbing in mountainous, alpine terrain because of strong safety, a sturdy design, and excellent stability. These are Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s favourite sneakers for mountaineering in the summertime – he’s worn them for seven years on climbs of virtually all Colorado 14ers and 200+ different Rocky Mountain peaks.

With outsized toe caps, bolstered heels, aggressive lugs, and stout rock plates, these sneakers are constructed for the excessive nation: their distinctive traction and off-trail efficiency are recreation changers. 

On the draw back, they’re a bit overbuilt for lower-elevation hikes and packed trails. They have a tendency to suit a bit slim and small, so it’s possible you’ll wish to take into account sizing up, and usually are not waterproof, dry slowly when moist, and might run sizzling in heat climate. Nonetheless, in the event you’re searching for the last word path shoe for peak-bagging and backpacking with light-to-medium masses on excessive alpine routes, these are your ace within the gap.

Consolation

The La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Low require a short 5 to ten-mile break-in interval, however as soon as they’ve softened and tailored to your ft, they’ll match like a glove. We love the European sizing that La Sportiva makes use of – they’re an Italian model – which permits for a extra exact match that caters higher to the form of your ft in comparison with American sizing. The Extremely Raptors present wonderful arch assist and a cosy match from heel to toe that makes for a really cozy and secure experience. Thick development on the heel and outsole, together with protecting heel caps and bolstered TPU uppers, will preserve your ft secure and guarded in essentially the most rugged mountain environments, from boulder fields and scree to summits and cliff sides. Their barely stretchy, longer laces make it straightforward to accommodate completely different lacing codecs based mostly in your wants, and the laces keep safe as soon as tied. The midsoles are a bit stiff, however this contributes to a very secure gait on virtually any terrain.

On the draw back, the Extremely Raptor II Low matches narrower and is a bit small in comparison with different sneakers on this record. That comfortable match contains the toe field, so we extremely advocate attempting them on before you purchase, and people with wider ft might discover this mannequin a bit uncomfortable on lengthy treks. Due to the bolstered TPU uppers, we discover the Extremely Raptors usually are not almost as breathable as different choices on this record, to allow them to really feel too heat for many hikes beneath treeline throughout sizzling summer season situations. That stated, this additional heat is precisely what we love about them when chilly winds hit on excessive mountain ridges. And, the stiff midsoles provide a number of the finest stability of any shoe we’ve examined on rocky high-peak routes, however they don’t seem to be as snug on packed trails and established routes.

Traction

The rounded, spaced lug sample provides cheesy traction on slick, steep rock and gentle, grassy descents, successfully shedding mud and particles. The aggressive 4.5 mm lugs mixed with a very sticky rubber composite and a very good heel brake present all-terrain traction and most grip from slick surfaces to steep slopes. Compression-molded ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) midsoles take in shock and provide a ton of additional cushioning, and the EVA inserts add a bit of additional padding to maintain the. 

Nonetheless, the Extremely Raptor II Low’s spectacular traction options include a trade-off: they’re a bit overkill for nontechnical hikes. We don’t advocate these sneakers for climbing solely on mellow terrain like established trails, since their structured design and stiffer soles aren’t as forgiving or versatile as path runners. Nonetheless, in the event you’re searching for a shoe for lengthy days above 10,000 ft, the Extremely Raptors will preserve you safe and robust on the mountain.

Weight

The La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Low climbing sneakers weigh in at 12.5 ounces per shoe, which places them in the course of the pack for his or her weight. Total, the load helps the shoe’s main operate: offering dependable efficiency in difficult environments. We discover that is the Goldilocks zone with regards to off-trail trekking because the burly development provides top-tier safety and stability via powerful bushwhacks, limitless boulder fields, and sharp ridges. The load distribution makes the sneakers really feel supportive with out compromising on important options like cushioning and grip. For hikers tackling tough and unpredictable trails, that added weight interprets straight into wonderful security and luxury. 

Nonetheless, the Extremely Raptor II Lows usually are not our first choose for backpacking on established trails or ultralight backpacking. The substantial toe cap and TPU overlays add additional weight, which may contribute to faster fatigue over time and usually are not very best for minimalists in search of a lighter, extra agile shoe. This weight can be a drawback in hotter climates the place a lighter shoe could be extra snug. Regardless of these cons, for many who want a sturdy, protecting shoe for technical terrain, the additional weight is a worthwhile trade-off.

Sturdiness

The La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Low excels in sturdiness, because of strong, outsized toe caps, bolstered heels, aggressive lugs, and stout rock plates. These options make the Extremely Raptors uniquely succesful on routes filled with sharp rocks and technical terrain and make them a number of the most sturdy path sneakers we’ve examined. The thick toe guards and huge TPU overlays defend your ft from roots, bramble, and sharp talus, making certain minimal put on and tear in rugged situations. Plus, the cushioned tongue and burly heel cup not solely add sturdiness however provide each consolation and safety. Throughout testing, these sneakers constantly carried out nicely, lasting a minimal of 500 miles on essentially the most brutal mountainous terrain – if you need dependable footwear for long-term use in difficult environments, you’ve discovered them.

Our greatest problem with regards to sturdiness is with the shoe laces and the tread. The La Sportiva laces have a fiber core, and the skinny sheath wears down sooner than most sneakers we examined. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer finds that these laces put on down and blow out between solely 200 to 250 miles, so we extremely advocate selecting up some backups on the time of buy.

Climate Resistance

The La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Lows thrive in cooler, high-altitude situations. The sneakers characteristic a sturdy development with giant TPU overlays that supply some safety in opposition to moisture and particles, however they aren’t waterproof (though we advocate the waterproof model for moist days). Their design features a breathable mesh higher which is useful for a little bit of air flow to assist preserve ft dry on heat days with clear skies. The mixture of supplies makes them appropriate for high-country adventures the place the climate could be unpredictable and temperatures cooler.

The Extremely Raptor II Lows usually are not our first selection for moist days, since they take in water shortly via the uncovered mesh, making them much less very best for moist situations. As soon as moist, they’ll take as much as two hours to dry out, which is a major period of time throughout steady climbing. And, the sneakers can really feel sizzling throughout heat climate hikes, which limits their consolation and practicality in decrease elevations or sizzling climates.

Ought to You Purchase the La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II?

The La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Low is ideal for hikers tackling technical, rocky, and alpine terrain and wish the most effective of the most effective with regards to safety and stability. These are perfect for high-altitude adventures, peak-bagging, and off-trail exploration due to their wonderful traction, sturdiness, and assist. Should you’re searching for snug however barely stiffer climbing sneakers for peak-bagging, backpacking with a medium-to-light load on excessive alpine routes, or a protecting off-trail climbing shoe with a clean floor really feel, the Extremely Raptors are made for you.

We don’t advocate these sneakers for ultralight backpackers and minimalists, since they’re heavier and bulkier, and people with large ft will wish to preserve trying since they run slim. The Extremely Raptors additionally don’t carry out nicely in sizzling, low-elevation situations or moist environments on account of their lack of waterproofing and slower drying time. However in the event you want dependable, protecting sneakers for rugged, cooler climates all through the summer season, the Extremely Raptor II Low is our best choice.

What Different Mountaineering Footwear Ought to You Contemplate?

If the La Sportiva Extremely Raptor IIs are on the prime of your record, listed below are different sneakers to significantly take into account:

Saucony Peregrine 14: The Saucony Peregrine 14 provides equally grippy traction and TPU overlays for quick motion, however they’re much lighter and extra versatile, making them a greater possibility for these prioritizing agility over the ultra-rugged sturdiness of the Extremely Raptor II.

Salomon X Extremely 4 GTX: The Salomon X Extremely 4 GTX offers wonderful assist and, in contrast to the Extremely Raptors, is extremely waterproof. The Extremely X 4s additionally thrive on rugged hikes, however are available a lighter weight, extra breathable package deal, excellent for many who desire a versatile, all-weather climbing shoe to treeline and past.

La Sportiva Spire GTX: The La Sportiva Spire GTX provides an much more sturdy development with the identical wonderful traction – however with top-tier waterproofing. The Spires are extra protecting than the Extremely Raptor IIs and are every thing we love a couple of climbing boot however in shoe kind.