Males’s La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Assessment

Backside Line

The La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Low is certainly one of our high decisions for mountaineering in mountainous, alpine terrain because of sturdy safety, a sturdy design, and excellent stability. These are Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s favourite footwear 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, strengthened heels, aggressive lugs, and stout rock plates, these footwear 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 chances are you’ll wish to take into account sizing up, and usually are not waterproof, dry slowly when moist, and may run scorching in heat climate. Nevertheless, in the event you’re in search of 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 toes, they may 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 toes 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 steady experience. Thick building on the heel and outsole, together with protecting heel caps and strengthened TPU uppers, will hold your toes 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 simple to accommodate totally 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 really steady gait on nearly any terrain.

On the draw back, the Extremely Raptor II Low matches narrower and is a bit small in comparison with different footwear on this listing. That comfortable match consists of the toe field, so we extremely suggest attempting them on before you purchase, and people with wider toes could discover this mannequin a bit uncomfortable on lengthy treks. Due to the strengthened TPU uppers, we discover the Extremely Raptors usually are not almost as breathable as different choices on this listing, to allow them to really feel too heat for many hikes beneath treeline throughout scorching summer time circumstances. That mentioned, this further heat is precisely what we love about them when chilly winds hit on excessive mountain ridges. And, the stiff midsoles supply a number of the finest stability of any shoe we’ve examined on rocky high-peak routes, however they aren’t as snug on packed trails and established routes.

Traction

The rounded, spaced lug sample provides cheesy traction on slick, steep rock and delicate, grassy descents, successfully shedding mud and particles. The aggressive 4.5 mm lugs mixed with a really 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 up shock and supply a ton of additional cushioning, and the EVA inserts add a bit of additional padding to maintain the. 

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

Weight

The La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Low mountaineering footwear weigh in at 12.5 ounces per shoe, which places them in the course of the pack for his or her weight. General, the burden helps the shoe’s major operate: offering dependable efficiency in difficult environments. We discover that is the Goldilocks zone relating to off-trail trekking because the burly building provides top-tier safety and stability by way of powerful bushwhacks, infinite boulder fields, and sharp ridges. The load distribution makes the footwear 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. 

Nevertheless, 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 further weight, which may contribute to faster fatigue over time and usually are not excellent for minimalists in search of a lighter, extra agile shoe. This weight can also be a drawback in hotter climates the place a lighter shoe can be extra snug. Regardless of these cons, for individuals 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 sturdy, outsized toe caps, strengthened 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 footwear we’ve examined. The thick toe guards and enormous TPU overlays defend your toes from roots, bramble, and sharp talus, making certain minimal put on and tear in rugged circumstances. Plus, the cushioned tongue and burly heel cup not solely add sturdiness however supply each consolation and safety. Throughout testing, these footwear 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 largest subject relating 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 footwear 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 suggest choosing up some backups on the time of buy.

Climate Resistance

The La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Lows thrive in cooler, high-altitude circumstances. The footwear characteristic a sturdy building with massive TPU overlays that supply some safety in opposition to moisture and particles, however they aren’t waterproof (though we suggest 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 hold toes 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 alternative for moist days, since they take up water shortly by way of the uncovered mesh, making them much less excellent for moist circumstances. As soon as moist, they’ll take as much as two hours to dry out, which is a major period of time throughout steady mountaineering. And, the footwear can really feel scorching throughout heat climate hikes, which limits their consolation and practicality in decrease elevations or scorching 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 very best of the very best relating 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. For those who’re in search of snug however barely stiffer mountaineering footwear for peak-bagging, backpacking with a medium-to-light load on excessive alpine routes, or a protecting off-trail mountaineering shoe with a clean floor really feel, the Extremely Raptors are made for you.

We don’t suggest these footwear for ultralight backpackers and minimalists, since they’re heavier and bulkier, and people with huge toes will wish to hold wanting since they run slim. The Extremely Raptors additionally don’t carry out nicely in scorching, low-elevation circumstances or moist environments attributable to their lack of waterproofing and slower drying time. However in the event you want dependable, protecting footwear for rugged, cooler climates all through the summer time, the Extremely Raptor II Low is our best choice.

What Different Climbing Sneakers Ought to You Take into account?

If the La Sportiva Extremely Raptor IIs are on the high of your listing, listed here are different footwear to noticeably 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 choice 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 water-resistant. The Extremely X 4s additionally thrive on rugged hikes, however are available a lighter weight, extra breathable package deal, excellent for individuals who desire a versatile, all-weather mountaineering shoe to treeline and past.

La Sportiva Spire GTX: The La Sportiva Spire GTX provides an much more sturdy building with the identical wonderful traction – however with top-tier waterproofing. The Spires are extra protecting than the Extremely Raptor IIs and are all the things we love a few mountaineering boot however in shoe type.