La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II GTX review

The Ultra Raptor II GTX is an excellent option to consider if:

• you need a tough shoe for technical alpine trails
• you expect tacky grip on all kinds of terrain (rock, mud, grass, etc.)
• you want maximum protection from rocks, debris, and water
• you prefer snug-fitting trail shoes

If you are in seach of a shoe for easy hikes on hard-packed trails, we recommend skipping the Ultra Raptor II GTX in favor of a less technical hiking shoe. This will save you money and the unnecedssary bulk on the feet. Have a look from the Merrell Moab collection instead.

If you are concerned about the Raptor's quiestionable outsole durability but need a solid shoe for technical hikes, try the La Sportova Spire GTX or a more affordable but high-performing Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX.

The Ultra Raprtor II GTX packs a solid amount of underfoot material to provide excellent protection from the trail elements.

With a heel stack of 34.6 mm (according to our caliper), the shoe is a bit taller than average but so much that you would feel 100% isolated from the ground. If you want the latter, try the La Sportiva Spire GTX (39.1 mm).

The Raptor II balances ground feel and underfoot protection without extremes.

Its forefoot stack proved to be close to the category average at 22.6 mm offering a decent buffer for the toe joints without compromising forefoot flexibility.

The difference between the two stack heights resulted in a drop of 12.0 mm.

It is a regular and familiar offset for a hiking shoe which puts the wearer's heel slightly higher above the toes. This moderate slope helps to take the the pressure off the foot and Achilles as you shuttle a heavy pack over a long distance.

La Sportiva uses an Injected EVA foam to provide cushioning and shock absorption in the Ultra Raptor II.

It is claimed to have more elasticity and push-off than the Compressed EVA (used in the Spire GTX, for example). That's because the brand positions the Raptor as a trail running shoe as well. And a running shoe is supposed to have better responsiveness.

But in our own experience, the midsole foam of the Ultra Raptor II falls short of the cushioning properites we've seen in the best trail runners. And our durometer revealed its firm nature with a high reading of 30.5 HC.

For reference, the average midsole softness of trail running shoes is 22.0 HA which is 40% softer than the Raptor's EVA.

At least, the shoe's dense midsole doesn't get much firmer in cold conditions.

Retaking the durometer measurement after a 20-minute freezer test, we found that the Ultra Raptor II got only moderately firmer. There is a 16% difference, to be precise.

A moderately padded insole (only 3.5 mm) does very little to elevate the in-shoe comfort. So don't expect much plushness underfoot.

If there is one thing about the Raptor's midsole that gives off running shoe vibes, it's got to be its curved, or rockered, shape.

Even though the toe spring was not as prominent as in some other outdoor shoes, it did make our heel-to-toes smoother, particularly on the more even ground. 

The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II GTX felt quite snug for our medium-width feet. So, when we poured a gel mold of its toebox, we weren't surprised at its skinny replica.

Measuring the widest part of the mold, our caliper showed a very low reading of 90.6 mm. This put the shoe into the narrow bunch straight away.

People with wide feet, or perhaps those with medium feet who want a roomier fit, should opt for the wide version. We don't have a chance to test its width but the brand promises additional 10 mm in the toebox circumference and extra 5 mm of toebox height.

Expectedly, this La Sportiva shoe also showed a narrow reading in the big toe area with only 69.5 mm of width. It is, in fact, one of the narrowest and most close-fitting hiking shoes we've ever tested.

While not abundant, the shoe's vertical space is pretty decent.

We measured its toebox height at 25.6 mm which is just a smidge lower than average.

With stiff TPU overlays all over it, the Ultra Raptor II GTX screams stability and containment. Actually, it feels a lot like an ultra-sturdy exoskeleton that keeps the foot steady no matter what the trail holds.

From the ground up, it's packed with stabilizing components which provide a solid footing on scree slopes, rock-heavy trails, and other uneven terrain.

Did we expect to just twist the Raptor II in our hands with minimal effort? Of course not! The shoe's torsional rigidity helped it put up a real fight, raising our stiffness score to 4/5. 

In addition to its visible stability elements, the shoe also packs a sturdy bottom-loaded shank inside the midfoot. It contributes to the shoe's arch support and side-to-side stability. In other words, it doesn't let the foot buckle and makes the Ultra Raptor more appropriate for hikers with overpronation. 

A sturdy heel counter is another must-have of a stable hiking shoe and the Ultra Raptor II ticks this box too. Assessing its stiffness on a 1-5 scale, we gave it a solid 4/5.

In fact, the shoe features even two stability elements here - one is a wavy foam cage at the base of the foot and the other is a plastic overlay around the ankle. Both make the shoe's rearfoot as rigid as possible to keep the foot steady and locked-in.

The platform width of this La Sportiva shoe is not the primary source of stability but we found it to be decently wide for alpine terrain. After all, you want to feel more maneuverable and have a more precise footing on this type of terrain.

Checking the Raptor's midsole at the widest part of the forefoot, we got a slightly below-average reading of 108.5 mm.

The heel of this shoe is also far from being clunky with only 83.2 mm in the widest part. Again, decently wide and not critically narrow.

Considering how aggressively reinforced this La Sportiva shoe is, we were surprised at the forefoot flexibility it offered.

It took a moderate force of 15.7N to bend the shoe by 30 degrees which is a little less than it takes an average hiking shoe.

We appreciated this pliability on technical terrain it gave us the benefit of better ground control and even helped to grip rocks more effectively.

Despite its burly appearance, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II tipped the scale at a fair weight of 13.2 oz (373g).

This is on par with the category average and with similarly built hiking shoes i.e. the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX (13.3 oz/378g). Sure, it's not the nimblest of outdoor shoes but it's not cumbersome either - it never left our feet fatigued at the end of the day.

Even though it uses the Extended Comfort version of Gore-Tex (claimed to be "highly breathable"), the Ultra Raptor II felt pretty warm and airtight on foot. And its toebox material explelled ZERO smoke in our breathability lab test.

That means the lowest score (1/5) for ventilation but also our approval for rain and winter use!

But if you need a summer-ready version, you can get the non-GTX Ultra Raptor II at an even lower price point. Here is a close-up view of the two shoes' upper materials - tightly woven textile vs. open mesh.

The Ultra Raptor II features an acclaimed Gore-Tex (GTX) membrane to protect the interiors from soaking in rain, puddles, and creeks.

But be careful because this low-cut shoe's waterproofing is only effective below the ankle level! If you need more coverage, consider the high-collar Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX boot.

The Ultra Raptor II GTX has some of the most resilient uppers we've ever ecnountered, even in hiking shoes!

Even in the areas where it's not reinforced with a microfiber band, the shoe's abrasion-resistant mesh showed spectacular durability.

Having exposed it to sandpaper for 12 seconds at 5K RPM Dremel speed, the textile remained in near-perfect condition! This shoe is definitely up to wading through sharp bushes and slashing against rocky ridges. That's an obvious 5/5 for toebox durability.

You can also rest assured that its massive toe bumper will keep you protected from root and rock strikes.

We were also pleased to find that the inner lining is equally tough in this La Sportiva shoe. Its slick nature held up against the drilling and didn't let the sandpaper leave any scuffs or tears.

Another 5/5 goes to the shoe's heel padding durability!

On the downside, we have concerns about the shoe's outsole longevity.

Even though our Shore C durometer showed a standard hardness reading of 84.5 HC, the FriXion White composite felt quite tacky to the touch. And while it makes the grip stronger, it tends to wear off faster. 

And this is exactly what our Dremel test confirmed.

The tool chipped away pieces of the shoe's rubber lug quite effortlessly in our 22-second drilling session. And with a glaring dent of 1.1 mm, the Ultra Raptor II proved to have a less wear-resistant outsole than one might expect from such a sturdy-looking shoe.

With a decent outsole thickness of 2.4 mm, we are not so much concerned about the shoe losing its rubber layer but more about it losing its grip.

On the bright side, we don't have a single knock on the shoe's gripping capacity. Its 4.5 mm deep lugs with their unique shape and spacing make the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II a very capable shoe on varied terrain.

We thoroughly enjoyed it's hard bite on slanted rocks, scree, wet mossy logs, and muddy patches (while we still could, given the outsole's shorter lifespan).

The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II GTX is one of the priciest options on the market. Thus, you have to be 100% sure that this is exactly the right kind of hiking shoe for you before investing.

Because this model is likely to be an overkill if you don't frequent alpine terrain. There are so many excellent shoes with a more approachable price that are ideal for moderately challenging hikes.

Testing the Raptor II in low-light conditions, we found no reflective elements on it.

Just because it's a technical outdoor shoe doesn't mean that it lacks some cozy padding. We found its tongue thickness to be pretty generous at 11.2 mm and it's equally throughout the entire instep.

This is one of the most secure and protective tongue designs we've seen on a hiking shoe.

As opposed to just having two elastic straps on the sides of the tongue, there is a one-piece unit covering the entire instep. It's not the easiest entry, we should say, but once your foot is inside, it's like a race-car bucket seat. And it keeps you well protected from water and debris.

The absence of a finger loop definitely makes the entry a bit tricker.

The Raptor II uses a high-quality Ortholite insole but because it is only 3.5 mm thick, you may wat to swap it for your own orthotics to elevate the comfort.