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

I tested the Arc’teryx Sylan 2 on trail runs and hikes in dry Southern California conditions, primarily on dusty singletrack, loose fire roads, and rocky terrain with moderate elevation gain. Most of my runs are between 5–12 miles a few times a week, and I also used these on longer hikes while carrying light gear to get a better sense of long-distance comfort and stability. After spending time in them, I’m seriously considering taking them on my next 114-mile section of the PCT. The first thing that stood out to me was the ride feel. The midsole foam has a very springy, energetic sensation that gives noticeable rebound with each step. On climbs and flatter rolling terrain, the rocker geometry helps keep momentum moving forward and makes the shoe feel efficient at faster paces. Compared to some trail shoes that can feel overly firm or dead underfoot after long miles, the Sylan 2 stayed responsive and helped reduce lower leg fatigue over time. I do see creasing in the foam but this is expected from a soft running shoe. The upper design is one of my favorite aspects of the shoe. The integrated stretch gaiter/spandex-style opening works extremely well in the dry Southern California environment I live in. It keeps dust, small rocks, and trail debris out far better than a traditional tongue construction while also creating a secure fit without needing to overtighten the laces. The lace garage on the tongue is another feature I really appreciated. It keeps the laces tucked away cleanly, prevents them from coming untied, and gives the shoe a very streamlined overall look. Traction performed well on loose dirt, dry rock, and hard-packed trails. I felt confident during descents and quick direction changes, although on very uneven or highly technical terrain the tall, energetic platform can feel slightly less planted compared to lower, more traditional trail shoes. That said, for smoother singletrack, moderate technical terrain, and higher-output movement, the ride feels fast and efficient. Comfort over longer efforts was impressive. The shoe maintained a secure fit throughout runs and hikes without creating pressure points or hotspots, and the gaiter construction helped keep the heel locked in place. The combination of cushioning and rocker design makes it a strong option for people who want a trail shoe that feels modern, fast, and highly cushioned without losing responsiveness. Overall, I’ve been really happy with the Sylan 2. It feels designed for moving efficiently over distance while still being comfortable enough for all-day use. Between the energetic ride, clean integrated upper, and thoughtful details like the lace pocket, this is a shoe I’ll continue reaching for during higher-output trail activities. Additionally, I find the breathability of the shoe to be great. My feet never felt hot or swampy while wearing these. Lastly, as someone who typically goes for shoes marketed as wide toe box, I found these to be roomy and not too narrow, which I was worried about. Great job on this shoe! I’m picky with footwear and honest with my feedback and can’t really think of a negative! I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

Everything i love from Sylan 1 with some fun features! the upper looks cleaner in my opinion as they removed the extended material part underneath the bottom laces (see photo) the magic is in the geometry of the shoe of course. Enough cushion to heel strike on steep down hills but very responsive and big energy return on flats. i have about 100km in my pair so far. I plan to use these as my only shoe for my next 100km

I recently ran a 13.1-mile trail race in the Arc’teryx Sylan 2, and they exceeded my expectations. They felt incredibly light and breathable compared to my old On trail shoes, which were noticeably heavier and less ventilated. Although my On shoes offer slightly more cushioning and energy return, the Sylan 2 provides superior stability and support. After recovering from an ankle sprain, these shoes gave me the confidence to tackle dirt trails and loose gravel without worrying about rolling my ankle. The traction remained reliable throughout the entire run, and the vibrant colorway is a great bonus. Lightweight, supportive, and dependable—10/10, I highly recommend them.

The previous Sylan's were my go-to, it didn’t take many kilometres before they became my favourite for both road and trail running. This latest update isn’t a complete overhaul, but it’s a noticeable refinement: slightly lighter, a touch stiffer, and a more dialled-in fit especially around the ankle. My favourite shoes just got even better!

First impressions; good feeling shoe – surprised by how much it agreed with me, since I found the first rendition uncomfortable. Plate wasn't obvious, at least at 5:40 pace, however, running on dry compact soil and paving, I still felt a good amount of response and comfort throughout the 10km. Despite the comfort, the shoe felt slightly snug, I may try on a ½ size bigger. Comfort throughout, traction was perfect and foot remained cool.

Top tier trail runner. The carbon plate keeps you very stable. Plenty of critical cushioning and the ankle sock keeps the dust out. The upper is very breathable. I feel like I’m flying in these shoes! People say that Arc’teryx has premium pricing but this cost is pretty on-par with carbon plated race shoes and the design/performance is exceptional. This shoe makes me want to go out and run and that’s what it’s all about.

These shoes are light as a feather but strong as stone. They feel like walking on clouds. The heel cup has a new shape that really helps the heel stay put. At first I was shocked by the feel. But two steps in the shoes and I can’t wear the other shoes I have anymore. Thank you for making such a great product!

The Sylan 2 is one of my go to shoes that I grab for both training and racing. I find that it provides good propulsion on runnable terrain while still holding its ground on more technical trails. From short fast races such as Squamish 23k to longer Ultras this shoe really does it well while maintaining a low weight and very grippy (full coverage) outsole. I think it’s important to note that these shoes do have a relatively long break in period. Mine felt very good somewhere between 60-80km and have now lasted me to about 1000km. The outsoles have started to wear but overall the shoes are still fully intact and functional!

I was already a fan of the original Sylan and I think the updates here have only made it an even better shoe. Early spring means generally muckier trails around NYC, so I like the updated lug pattern, which will more readily shed mud and dirt. I'm glad that the rocker shape and highly breathable upper are still present because of the overall comfort they provide. I don't have ankle stability issues, but those who are tentative on more technical terrain should notice improved stability from the forked carbon plate. Last, but not least, the supercritical foam upgrade added enough bounce that I even wore these for the NYC Half-Marathon a few days ago - a road race. (Note: these are not designed for road running and wearing them for that purpose will not be suitable for everyone!) For me, these fit true to size.

Your go-to, go-fast shoe. The foam has a nice bounce, and while the forked carbon plate isn’t super noticeable it surely adds to the overall stability. Rocker is present and pleasant rolling fast miles but with such a good heel lock and overall fit they are still plenty stable. I expect to use these for all of my summer races (30 - 100km) except for technical Sky Racing. Fit is great at true-to-size for an all day, comfort fit. (Some users may want to go a half size down for a precision fit). The new Megagrip lug pattern is grippy and sheds mud exceedingly well. I have yet to test them on a truly hot day, but so far the matrix upper seems like a great mix of breathability and durability. Finally, the graphite colorway is both beautiful and understated, while the mantis is all about being bold and confident - I love those divergent options- choose which look you’re going for.