La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX - Women's Review

The Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX is a lightweight hiking boot that delivers a ton of performance at a reasonable price. Featuring a comfortable fit for most foot shapes, a ePE GORE-TEX Extended Comfort waterproof membrane, and aggressive rubber outsoles, this shoe is built for moving quickly through variable terrain. After high marks in almost every metric, the Ultra Raptor II easily came out as our top dog.

Comfort

The Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX delivered comfort right out of the box, from snowy alpine hikes in the Eastern Sierra to long desert approaches in Zion National Park. While more of a hybrid between a running shoe, approach shoe, and hiking boot, the lightweight design offers comfort without adding a ton of bulk. Our testers also appreciated the added comfort from the padding that wraps around the entire ankle as well as the tongue of the shoe. This soft comfort collar, along with a pull-tab feature, is constructed from a soft and smooth material that makes the boot easy to pull on. Additionally, La Sportiva's innovative lacing system helps distribute tension evenly throughout the hiking boot to minimize any hot spots.

Our testers ordered a half size up from their street shoe size and would recommend you do the same, as these boots run a little small. And while La Sportiva footwear typically favors a narrow foot, this boot will accommodate a wide array of foot shapes. If you have a wider foot shape, we recommend trying on the boot with a thinner hiking sock before purchasing. The Ultra Raptor II's lightweight design features just the right amount of padding along with a minimal break-in period, making it one of our go-tos for overall comfort.

Support

The Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX is one of the most supportive, lightweight hiking boots that we tested, shedding weight but not skimping on the innovative technology, which allows for support and stability on the trail. The 5-inch comfort collar and a user-friendly lacing system extending to the top of the ankle help prevent rolling the ankle and minimize any movement inside the boot. After twisting and folding the boot by hand, we noticed that there is enough stiffness to offer stability but also enough flex in the forefoot to allow for agile performance over technical terrain. We assume this is due to La Sportiva's injection-molded MEMIex midsoles and nylon molded flex TPU shanks. The Debossed Nubuck Leather upper is flexible enough to allow for movement while holding the foot in place.

The TPU shanks also provide cushion and support while absorbing the shock from impacting obstacles such as rocks and stumps during a quick descent. Removable Ortholite footbeds increase the overall support, while the lacing system is easy to customize to the shape of your foot and allows for a secure and sturdy fit when traversing cross-country terrain.

Traction

Our testers were impressed by the overall performance of the Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX when it comes to traction throughout a variety of terrain types. It features an aggressive outsole that performed well on everything from slippery granite slabs to loose sand. Innovative technology, such as the FriXion AT 2.0 rubber outsoles, along with Sportiva's Trail Bite heel, will keep you in control while shifting from decomposing granite to hopping over boulders to crossing intermittent streams. The lug pattern features a multi-directional pattern with slanted and opposing angles to increase traction while absorbing impact.

The support from the Impact Brake System X-Axis also gave us the confidence to rip through steep descents on loose and variable terrain. So whether you're a fair-weather hiker who mostly sticks to the trails or someone who likes to power through cross-country terrain in suboptimal weather and wet conditions, the aggressive outsole and incredible traction of the Ultra Raptor II won't disappoint.

Water Resistance

The updated Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX features a Debossed Nubuck Leather lined with a ePE GORE-TEX Extended Comfort membrane that protects your foot even when submerged up to the 5-inch flood height. Our team put these boots to the test while hiking and approaching various rock climbs during the spring season in the Eastern Sierra, often moving through patches of snow, multiple creek crossings, and sandy mud.

While the Raptor kept our feet completely dry, even when submerged up to the laces, we recommend using an additional gaiter if your hike or alpine mission takes you through snow that exceeds the height of the ankle, which is more or less anything above 6 inches. And while the previous iteration of this boot featured a breathable mesh upper, we found that the nubuck leather upper of the latest design sacrificed some breathability in exchange for more water resistance. The upper also took on a slight amount of water after extended periods of snow travel and after submerging for two minutes in a stream. This wasn't the highest performing waterproof boot that we tested, but the lightweight Gore-Tex technology kept our feet comfortable and prevented moisture from penetrating the boot's interior as we moved through variable spring conditions.

Weight

Ranking amongst the lightest hiking boots that we've tested, the Ultra Raptor weighs in at a very competitive 1.56 pounds for a women's size 40 EU. Our testers noted this lightweight design allowed for more agility on the trail when compared to other classic hikers, which can weigh up to 2.5 pounds.

Whether fastpacking, backpacking, or hitting the local trails, the lightweight hybrid design of this hiking boot allows you to go the distance without being bogged down by any extra weight.

Durability

that is resistant to abrasions while protecting the feet from any moisture encountered on the trail. 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.

Built to perform in rugged terrain, the Ultra Raptor II also features a durable sole, a microfiber mudguard that wraps around the entirety of the boot, and a high-frequency lacing system that will last as long as the boot. While we didn't experience any issues with the durability of this boot during testing, we couldn't help but be concerned about the connection of the beefy toecap to the updated nubuck Leather upper. Overall, the boot is resistant to abrasions encountered on the trail, providing protection for the feet, and is built to last for many seasons of adventure.

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

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. We're also happy to report no abnormal signs of wear and tear, even after lots of miles on various trail systems. This boot sells for an affordable price too, so if you're in the market for a comfortable, supportive, and durable hiking boot that sheds weight without neglecting performance (and if you're reading this, we're guessing you are), you will not regret your purchase.

What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?

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. If you are considering other lightweight designs at a more affordable price, check out the Salomon Outpulse Mid GTX. Or, for those with a wider foot, consider the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2. Looking to maximize support and comfort? Check out the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX that features extra inches of foam underfoot as well as three lacing hooks that surround the ankle for additional stability.