Arc'teryx  Sylan 2 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review: For comparison, I have been wearing Altra trail running shoes. I was happy to see that even though the Sylan 2 doesn’t specifically have a wide toe box area, I found it allowed for good toe splay. The Sylan 2 are very comfortable right out of the box with no break-in time frame. I tested them on a few trail runs in MA (New England) after a couple of days of rain and also on dry, loose gravel. They performed very well on slick-wet rocks and the new lug design didn’t hold too much of the mud, rock & leaf matter. The rocker geometry provides great rebound which helped propel me forward with each step, making me feel super fast! The stretchy upper kept loose gravel & debris out of the shoes and the tiny pocket design for keeping laces from untying is very much appreciated. The outsole cushioning is comfortable while offering stability. Overall comfort is superb with no hot-spots occurring. Fabric light with great breathability and feels sturdy and able to withstand rough terrain. While many have recommended sizing up, I chose the size I usually wear and it fits great.

The Sylan 2 Trail shoe is a great shoe for fast runs. I had no issues with shorter runs around 3 - 10 miles but for longer runs with lots of downhill my foot would slide forward in the shoe. I did get a pretty nice blister on my big toe from doing a lot of steep down hill. My foot consistently would slide forward even with a runners loop. The grip was fantastic on loose gravel and smooth rocks. The tab on the back of the upper did rub my achilles and was pretty uncomfortable, but taller socks resolved that issue. The cushion was great and took a lot of the impact when doing longer runs around 15 miles. My recovery seemed to be quicker with these shoes because the cushion was soft enough to dampen the impact of each step, but not too soft which would cause my legs to constantly be stabilizing from the squish. Plus the speed plate in the shoe probably gave more return with each step so I was able to go farther with less stress on my legs and feet. Overall it's a great shoe and would probably be a solid fit for someone with an average size foot. I have a low volume and narrow foot which is probably why the fit wasn't just right. I also usually run in Altra trail shoes and the wide toe box doesn't allow any rubbing of my toes. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

The Arc’teryx Sylan 2 turned every test run into a mini adventure. Sleek, sharp, and built like a performance machine, this shoe fits like a second skin. The sock like gaiter is a total win — no dust, no pebbles, no nonsense. The real magic happens on the trail. The Vibram outsole bites into dry, rocky desert terrain with zero hesitation, and the carbon plate delivers power without feeling like you’re running on a plank. It’s that rare combo of speed and comfort that makes you forget about your gear and just enjoy the ride. Are the laces a bit slippery? Yep. Could a heel loop make life easier? Definitely. But these are tiny blips on an otherwise stellar trail shoe. I’d happily point any runner toward the Sylan 2. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

I wear a 6.5 in all my other Arc'teryx shoes, so I wasn't expecting a sizing surprise, but these felt noticeably tighter right out of the box. I was convinced I'd have blisters by the end of run one. After 3 runs on light trails, that hasn't happened. Still, try going a half size up to compare if you're on the fence. The heel collar looks thin, but there's enough padding that your ankle feels held without any rubbing. The toe box is snug but I'd prefer a little more room for longer efforts, however, no issues so far. Haven't gone beyond 10K yet, so the jury's still out on long-distance comfort. On trail, the grip is confident on dry and dusty surfaces and there's a noticeable forward push through each stride. These shoes want to go fast and feel best when you let them. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

I wore these on New England terrain. A lot of rocks roots and wet leaves! It has been raining on and off so I’ve gotten a chance to try them out in a lot of different weather. One thing I noticed is that they clean off really well after mud which is great. I felt pretty fast in these. The rocker and cushion worked really well together. The overall fit was okay for my foot personally. I have a really narrow heal so I was excited for the upper to all be one piece. I did feel there was a lot of overall volume in the shoe that did not work for my particular foot shape but it would work great for others with a high volume fit. About a mile into my first run I noticed how much I needed the runners loop and that helped lock my heal in to continue for many miles. The fit is long for length. I typically wear a 10 in most other brands but for the arcteryx I needed a 9.5. It fits a bit more performance fit or snugger than the norvans line, so I’d take that into consideration when purchasing. The traction was great also I felt very comfortable on the terrain I was on and even with elevation I still felt like I had control over my step.

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. I tested the Sylan 2s on 5 different runs, about 7-8 miles each. Conditions for terrain varied from trails/dirt to mud and wet rocks while the weather was hot (80s) and humid most days. These shoes are extremely lightweight and technically advanced. The rocker shape helps drive momentum and propulsion toward the next step. Perfect for race days. The material for the mesh upper is breathable, easy to clean, and having the ankles covered keeps debris out. The material is odor resistant as well which is great for using multiple days in a row. Cushioning is superb and strategically placed. There’s extra padding above the heel cup (almost on the Achilles) which is crucial for comfort and stability. The grip on the outsole is phenomenal! Not only is it Vibram but the placement of the lugs is so precise. These tore through mud, dirt, wet rocks and pine straw yet nothing slowed me down. Every detail is thought through. The shoelaces even have a garage in the tongue! I recommend these to serious trail runners or anyone looking for comfortable, lightweight, and breathable trail runners with outstanding traction and stability.

First off, I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. Wow! I love love love these trail shoes! I have recently gotten into trail running again and these shoes (plus the weather) have made running so much fun. First off, the grip on theses shoes is excellent. Running downhill is usually when I run into the most issues with shoe grip. There was no slipping and sliding with these and I never felt my ankle roll! I didn't get to test them in the rain, which I was hoping to have time to do that to test the grip strength in wet conditions. But as far as dry conditions go, no issues! The shoes are not too tight, except where they need to be (again, no rolling ankles) and the size was pretty perfect. I ordered a 7 and it was just right. MY only issue here was how high the back of the shoe came up against the back of my ankle. I run in low socks so it felt a bit like it was chaffing after a while. I usually run in a low sock so that is where my rating of a 9 star comes in. If you are running in these, you will want to wear a mid or crew running sock. My foot felt very secure in the shoe and didn't feel like it was going to pop out at all. The laces tie tight and stay where they are (I always double-knot so I can't speak to the single knot). I ran over a more dirt-y/rocky terrain and again, I felt there were little to no issues with these conditions. I started with a jog in my neighborhood with a more flat terrain to get a base line, and then I took them to the trail the following day. They are truly a great trail running shoe and I wouldn't necessarily recommend them for road running. Overall, I can't wait to share with customers and friends about these shoes if they are interested in trail running. The grip by far was my favorite part of this shoe and I think everyone should know that! Highly recommend for all levels of runners!

These shoes are built to go faster, farther, and tackle steep mountain terrain. The Sylan2 is an excellent choice for alpine, ultra, and mountain runners. I would even go so far as to call it a true alpine racing shoe. These are the first Arcteryx shoes I've used. In the past I've had Merrell and Salomon trail runners. The upper and integrated trail gaiter/sock are incredibly comfortable. I was initially skeptical about the gaiter especially around the Achilles area, but it performed flawlessly right out of the box with no break-in period required. I wear Darn Tough midweight crew socks, and the fit was excellent. I am an 8.5 and shoe is pretty true to fit. The lacing system stayed secure throughout every run, and the underfoot cushioning felt perfectly balanced—even for someone like me who typically prefers more cushioning. I tested the shoes on multiple woodland runs featuring plenty of climbing and descending. The terrain included a mix of dry and damp dirt, sand, soil, and gravel. The lugs handled all of it with confidence, providing excellent grip across varying conditions. Sand and loose gravel will always present some challenges on descents, and I generally prefer mid-height shoes for added peace of mind. That said, the Sylans felt secure, stable, and reliable throughout. The descents seemed faster - be prepared. This was my first experience running with a carbon plate, and I was impressed by the difference. It added noticeable energy return, helped reduce fatigue, and made steep climbs feel more manageable. Despite the added technology, the wishbone-shaped plate is completely unnoticeable underfoot. I was also pleased that the rocker effect remained subtle, as I prefer a more stable and grounded feel when running technical trails. If you don't regularly run in mountainous terrain or participate in ultra marathons, the Norvan may be a better fit for your needs. I am ecstatic about these shoes, and will be using them in place of my traditional hikers on an upcoming trip and some other outings. They are so comfortable it's unreal! My first experience with the brands footwear and I'm won over. Quality, speed, and comfort. I received this product free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. I’ve never owned Arc’teryx shoes before, so I had no idea how they’d perform. On my first wear, they intensely rubbed at my Achilles, but some crew socks solved the problem entirely. I come from Altras, but this toe box did not feel at all restrictive. The Sylans are really responsive, springy, cush yet sensitive, but my feet never feel fatigued. The laces tuck away easily into the knit pouch at the top of the shoe. Coming down hills is a bit ouchie on the big toe, my feet do slide a bit in these shoes. The rubber on these sticks to everything in the best way: step up and over rocks, climb rocks, grab and push off loose dirt, and not once have they slipped even a little. I’m so happy with them.

LOVE the Sylan 2! I think these are a major upgrade from the previous Sylan model. They are extremely lightweight, stable, breathable, and responsive. They have a carbon rock plate on the bottom to help with more technical terrain and to help propel you forward. I used them on a 20 mile long trail run for the first time and had 0 blisters at the end. They have a good amount of cushion for the long hours spent on the trail. I love the shoe lace garage feature so I don’t trip on the laces! The Sylans are built for speed but also great for the everyday trail run. I think they run small/narrow and usually wear a size 8 in Arc’teryx shoes but had to buy an 8.5 for the Sylan 2. I highly highly recommend these trail runners!