There are no additional costs or duties on products marketed in countries within the European Union. Customers will not have to pay anything on delivery. Midsole: Injection-molded MEMlex, Endurance Platform EVA Insert, nylon-molded flex TPU Transfer shank Berghaus’ new VC22 GTX (external link) might also be worth a look. 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 balance, we think the La Sportiva is the best all-around lightweight mid-boot we’ve tested.

In short: You can’t go wrong with La Sportiva’s Ultra Raptor II running shoes. The Raptor is a monster on the mountain. These shoes let runners take technical terrain in stride. The massive soles and lugs handle mud, choss, and steep trails with no problem. The Ultra Raptor II is billed as the ideal all-terrain mountain running shoe for long-distance runs and ventures off the beaten path. Yet the stout build of the shoe does not translate to heft — it’s still very lightweight at 12.5 ounces. Trail running shoes have to do a little bit of everything. They need to be lightweight, but also heavy-duty enough to stand up to rough terrain or weather. A popular model on market, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor just got an upgrade. The first thing to note is that the fit of the standard boot is slightly narrow, especially at the toebox. 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. 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. As ever, try before you buy.Mid-cut version of the Ultra Raptor II Mountain Running icon, ideal for fast hiking and light load excursions. Waterproof and breathable thanks to the Gore-Tex Extended Comfort membrane. The major change for the second version of the Ultra Raptor is the addition of wide widths for both the men’s and women’s models. The upper also gets an upgrade in this version, making the fit more comfortable and secure.

The 9mm heel drop on the Raptor II is in the sweet spot, and the Ortholite Hybrid foam insole provides a plush footbed. (Photo/David Young) FriXion™ White sole in soft XF compound with pronounced Trail Bite Heel heel for better downhill braking If you’re headed into the mountains on foot, you won’t get too far without a comfortable shoe. The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II delivers, with a nice balance of stiffness and stability where you need it and plush mesh and cushioning everywhere else. Unlike leather, the synthetic build requires very little break-in period: I took the new II straight out of the box for a 17-mile overnight hike and experienced no hot spots or rubbing. What’s more, with a relatively low weight (1 lb. 7.7 oz. for my women’s size 8.5), the shoes felt nimble while hiking, and a large assortment of sizes (including half sizes and a wide version) makes it easy to nail a good fit no matter your foot shape.Trail running is one of those sports where footwear is arguably the most important piece of gear you invest in. The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II has been a staple running shoe for years. For 2022, the iconic Italian brand released the second iteration of this trail beast. The heel-to-toe drop on the Campo GTX is 8 mm compared to 9 mm on the La Sportiva Raptor II. The La Sportiva’s a bit stiffer and provides more structure and protection. If you want similar characteristics but are prepared to sacrifice a little extra weight for the sake of even more cushioning, then you could consider the Hoka Anacapa Low GTX or Trail Code GTX, with their trademark oversized midsole. Of course, what you gain in on-trail bounce, you tend to lose in terms of precision and feel, which, in our opinion, makes the La Sportiva a better choice for mixed terrain.