How to Choose Hiking Boots and Shoes

Designed from the inside out to withstand the harshest conditions, the men's La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Leather GTX hiking boots are ideal for handling the daily grind.
Imported.
View the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor Product LineView all La Sportiva Men's Backpacking Boots| Best Use | Hiking Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Footwear Height | Over-the-ankle |
| Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Type of Waterproofing | ePE GORE-TEX Extended Comfort |
| Upper | Nubuck leather |
| Lining | Synthetic |
| Midsole | Injection-molded MEMlex |
| Support | Nylon-molded flex TPU transfer shank; TPU Transkinetic EVO heel stabilizer |
| Outsole | FriXion AT 2.0 rubber with Trail Bite heel |
| Can Be Resoled | Yes |
| Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 11 oz. |
| Gender | Men's |
| Sustainability | Contains recycled materials From a Climate Label Certified brand |
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My maniac brother in Norway told me to buy these after my Asolos sole delaminated 5 miles into the northern woods. I replaced the insoles with a gel insole. Best boots i’ve ever owned.
I bought these two months ago and while there are many positive things, I would advise almost anyone to get a different boot. First, the positive things: They are seriously comfortable, fit true to size, have good ankle support, grip rocks well, are very waterproof and look really cool. The really, really bad: Their traction on any kind of wet wood is an extreme hazard. My deck is like a skating rink after a light rain, and exposed roots on a trail have become my nemesis. These boots are non-functional for me, and an accident waiting to happen.
I’ve owned multiple pair of LaSportiva trail runners and learned you need 1- 1 1/2 size larger. They’ve been great and the waterproof is what I like. I’m now on my 4th pair of their boots. This pair the priciest and by far the least comfortable after 2 months of moderate use they have proven they have no measure of comfort. My legs and feet ache after wearing them. I’ll be returning them. Like most manufacturers, after a while the quality suffers, could it be inferior inputs and greater profit
I bought these boots primarily for a vacation in Iceland. They are a great light weight hiking boot, I just wouldn't recommend them for a long backpacking trip. The longest hike we went on was an 8 mile hike which afterwards my feet were pretty fatigued/tired. If you are looking for a boot for 8+ miles I would recommend a different boot. Being a light weight boot the cushion/support is a little on the lighter side having a few moments of feeling the rocks we were walking on. The grip on the bottom was great walking up and down wet rocks. These did hold up very well in water, lots of rain and hiking through rivers and my socks were dry every time! Protection and durability was pretty good, some stitching did come undone which is a little unfortunate for only wearing for a month. The shoes are comfortable and didn't give me any blisters.
I've had a pair of these for several years. They are still comfortable and waterproof. My primary reason for buying is that I have narrow feet and like the European fit. I recently wore them hiking in several inches of snow and my feet stayed dry and comfortable. The only reason I don't wear them more often is that they are a bit heavy and overkill for many of the trails I do in the Appalachians and in Central America.
I recently bought a pair and they continue to be a great example of the quality in La Sportiva footwear. These boots break in almost immediately, offer enough ankle protection for a lightweight boot, and have great traction and cushioning. I have owned four pairs of the La Sportiva running shoes, and yes, they run small. The key is.... wait for it..... buy a half size larger and you'll be happy!
This boot serves its purpose. It is an extremely lightweight, waterproof boot for people who want the ankle support of a boot but not the added weight. They are not durable, nor do I think they are built to be. I've gone through three pairs in four years. I'm a professional in the outdoor industry, and I put these through 100s of miles of rough, off-trail terrain in Peru. One downside of the minimal design is that there isn't much between your foot and the surface of what you're stepping on. Sometimes in large talus fields I pinch my toes in an uncomfortable way when I step on a rock wrong. It's never resulted in any serious injuries, but you should know how minimalist they are. A casual hiker who sticks to maintained trails will probably get at least two seasons out of these. The waterproofing is good until they reach the end of their life. They do dry out pretty quickly even if they do get wet because they are so minimal. Overall pretty happy considering that I beat these boots up more than the average person.
Very narrow in toe area. I ordered this 1/2 size bigger than my traditional shoe size and these still were narrow. Had to return and order that “wide fit” which feels more like a traditional fit.
Very comfortable, very easy to get on and off - much appreciated sitting in a tent after a long backpack. Wore them on a long backpacking trip in the Sierras and loved them.
Love this boot. Great fit. Waterproof and light weight but super supportive.