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

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. The Arc’teryx Sylvan 2s are an overall fantastic trail runner. I was able to take these shoes on a few beach runs, ranging 2-3 miles a run; two local trail runs at 4 miles; two state park trails, ranging between 4-5 miles per run on much more technical terrain. I was very surprised at how well the shoes did in the sand, and was thankful for the stability in the heel. I tend to strike heavier on the front of my heel. I could definitely feel the rocker and carbon plate doing their jobs. It was a nice surprise to be able to feel the difference between the Sylvans and my other trail shoes that have no rockers or carbon plates! I noticed I moved quicker and more efficiently on flatter stretches, having to put less effort in to run faster. The Vibram sole is incredibly grippy and the lugs have great traction. Most of my runs ended up being right after a day of rain or during a downpour. The soles stuck to rocks and handled mud and wet foliage like a boss! No slippage here! Comparing to the few other trail shoes I have, the grip on the Sylvans beat anything else I have. I still like my wider toe box from my Altras, but the Sylvan’s toe box was still comfortable to me. The way the heel is cupped in the Sylvan doesn’t compare to my other trail runners that tend to have a bit of Achilles support in cushion or a more narrow heel; the Sylvan holds and stabilizes the heel. The one issue I had with the Sylvans was that the width of the arch seemed to be a bit narrow for my right foot, specifically. The lack of space caused me to pronate while running. It did take a bit of fiddling with lacing styles to find a way the shoe is workable. Pronation is less noticeable, but I can definitely feel it after a longer run on more technical terrain than shorter runs on flatter terrain. I would say, based off myself and other shoes I have, wider feet might not have the best result in the Sylvans. Overall, these trail runners will be joining my rotation, and even possibly replacing a pair of my Altras!

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.

Very comfortable, breathable shoe. I love the look and feel, and found there to be good traction. Unfortunately, as other users experienced, my shoes started to come apart in about a week with less than 75km on them; same failure point as others, on the upper. See pictures. I'd give five stars if the shoe didn't break. I will have to return and purchase a different product.

This shoe performs well. The upper is very comfortable. I appreciate the skree cuff. Although, this makes getting the shoe on a tiny bit slower than normal. Absolutely well worth it. The midsole functionality is great. Energy return is great, leading to quick turn over. Midsole cushion is fantastic. Under load, i didn’t feel the midsole morph. Allowing great confidence in foot placement on some sketchy areas of a particularly fast descent. Traction was great. Never a slip and/or stumble as I pushed through all types of terrain. I usually struggle with traction in areas of decomposing dusty granite, I didn’t have a problem. The upper did morph a bit under load in some difficult spots. The upper breaths well. I recommend this shoe to those with experience and are willing to push the shoe. It responds well to fast speeds and quick turnover . I was given the shoes to review. I am under no obligation to say nice thangs.. I did of my own volition.

I have put probably 110 miles on these puppies and they are just now starting to show some wear and tear on the exterior forefoot. The tread is in great condition and the sock like feel of the upper is still holding really strong. I almost don't need to tie these at all to feel like I have the support I need. I have been running and hiking on some really loose gravel and rocks covered in leaves and I have felt super confident in these shoes. The only thing I don't love is the all black look so I changed out the laces for a little bit of color.

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

My experience with the Norvan LD4 was amazing I used them in different terrains with a lot of elevation gain as well a lot of downhill. Things that worked well for me was the comfort and how it fit great out the box. I would recommend going down half a size but staying true to size wasn't a deal breaker for me I just should of went down half a size. I loved how amazing the floor beneath me felt. I could really feel everything I stepped on which is a plus for me. The shoe was very breathable I had no issues with a lot of sweat. The longest day I had with them was a 8 mile hike that took about 3 and a half hours and I felt comfortable the whole way through. I am always worried how a sole will hold up on different hikes and I have to learn to trust the shoe, with the Norvans I quickly began to trust the vibram sole it never gave me any problems on the different terrains that I encountered. If you need a trail runner or even a everyday hiking shoe I would highly recommend it to people that like a low top low weight shoe style. Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

Trying on my new Norvan LD4s, I immediately thought I’d made a mistake with the sizing. Many reviews mentioned they ran a bit large, and I regretted not sticking to my original size. Luckily, adding an insole gave my forefoot a little more room and made the fit comfortable—problem solved. Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. For context, I have very flat feet with severely collapsed arches, but I actually supinate when I run. I usually stick to neutral shoes, and most trail shoes work well with my gait. The Norvans were no exception, and I was really satisfied with their performance. On slow ascents, they felt comfortable and secure, thanks to the Vibram Litebase outsole. Ascending on gravel and rock, they gripped well and gave me confidence in my footing. On descents, I expected my toes to feel cramped, but surprisingly they didn’t at all. Compared to some of my recent, more cushioned shoes, the Norvans reminded me how nimble I can feel on the trail—they let me push off the ground quickly without feeling bogged down. I was impressed by how comfortable they felt during a fast walk, an easy jog, and even uptempo interval work. They’re responsive, and the minimal forefoot cushioning actually helped me generate a more explosive next step. I still wish I had gone up half a size, but even in the smaller size, I’ve managed to make them work—and I’m really happy with how they perform.

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.

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.