La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Review

While the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX still fits about a 1/2 size short and narrow, this new version is wider and roomier than its predecessor. Narrow-footed hikers will still likely love the fit, but the changes mean those with regular feet might enjoy the Ultra Raptor ride even more. Unfortunately, La Sportiva does not offer a wide version.

Comfort

The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX doesn't require a break-in period. We didn't experience any heel slip, even when we purposely left the laces loose. The synthetic ripstop upper is ultra-flexible on all forward steps, particularly when climbing, but the lower portion of the upper has enough structure to keep our feet firmly connected to the footbed on sidehill traverses.

The flexible forefoot bends easily without pinch points.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

The flared ankle collar drops low over the achilles to improve comfort and mobility, particularly on downhill steps.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

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Sportiva's dual-density CM EVA midsole provides cushioning that favors impact absorption on packed trails or stone. It's definitely not spongy, but we were impressed by how good our feet feel after wearing these boots for hours at a time. The ankle collar is well-padded and didn't create any discomfort or pressure points during testing. Overall, the Ultra Raptor comfort comes from its ability to snugly hug feet, providing pressure-free support that makes the boot feel more like part of our feet than chunks of rubber lashed to it.

The double external TPU heel stabilizer makes this boot feel sure-footed and dependable even though the forefoot is very flexible.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

The La Sportiva Impact Braking System tread design under the heel softens impacts, and improves stability and feel when cruising on trails.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

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Support

For such a lightweight, mid-height boot, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX is surprisingly supportive. The feeling of support starts with a redesigned footbed with wider lugs that offer a smoother contact patch with the ground. The double-layered external TPU heel stabilizer kept our heels over the middle of the footbed, cradled with zero slippage. The lacing system snugged well without creating any pressure points, and the synthetic upper flexes forward and back easily.

Basically, the rear of the boot is super solid while the forefoot is allowed to flex forward and back. The combination provides awesome lateral support on uneven ground while still letting our feet flex and adapt to rugged terrain. For us, the stiffness at the rear goes a long way toward preventing ankle rolls well before they have much of a chance to get started. We're big fans.

Traction

The previous version's interior lugs were oddly narrow and sharp, but they gripped pretty much everything off-trail. The new traction pattern on the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX features more traditionally sized interior lugs with opposing, slanted angles. Overall, the traction was very good on all surfaces. The most noticeable improvement is that this new version's increased surface area feels much more refined on hard-packed trails.

The sharply angled heel brake bites on soft downhill descents, preventing dangerous skidding. La Sportiva also improved its Impact Braking System, which is a set of angled lugs at the rear of the heel. The angles soften heel strikes while encouraging an easy stride without loss of traction. Grip is mediocre on slick wet rock, but the aggressive lugs are winners in mud.

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Water Resistance

The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX has a Gore-Tex ePE extended comfort waterproof/breathable membrane. We walked through wet, dewy meadows in Idaho without a care; our feet even stayed dry in shallow stream crossings.

The 4.87-inch flood height we measured in our bucket test isn't particularly high compared to many hiking boots, but compared to low-top hiking shoes, the extra coverage makes a big difference in wet hiking conditions.

Weight

We weighed our size 14 in US men's (48.5 EU size) La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX boots on our scale. They weighed just 2.34 pounds per pair.

At barely over a pound per boot, the Ultra Raptors feel remarkably light. We rave about the low swing weight, which means it's easy to pick up and put down the boot with each step. Over many miles, heavy boots start taking a toll on energy. The lightweight Raptors never felt heavy. In fact, we felt more agile and nimble in these trim hiking boots than we did in some trail-running hiking shoes with large, super-cushioned midsoles.

Durability

Previous generations of the Ultra Raptor have held up well for GearLab testers, and this new version doesn't raise any alarms. The initial build quality of the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX is excellent. The seams are precise, and the stitching is perfect. The synthetic ripstop upper is holding up well after some hard miles tromping through brush and forest debris in Idaho. The plastic-like midfoot stays appear to be fused to the ripstop upper and show no signs of wear or separation.

The only long-term durability design choice that gives us pause is the use of fabric eyelets. They tend to wear out over time, particularly in environments with a lot of fine, abrasive sand. While not necessarily a deal-breaker, we tend to tighten these laces more slowly to avoid extra friction to help them last longer.

Should You Buy the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX?

If you want a lightweight, agile, waterproof hiking boot that makes you feel like you can hike anywhere, then yes, absolutely put the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX on your shortlist. This new version is now more comfortable for cruising on trails, and the roomier fit is a definite improvement. They still fit a bit narrow and short compared to most hiking boots, so you may need to size up a 1/2 size. They're a particularly good in-between option if you'd like to backpack in a shoe but aren't ready to give up ankle support.

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