La Sportiva  Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots - Men's

I work in footwear and have tried to wear La Sportiva in the past. Always too narrow or just the wrong fit. This new version of the ultra raptor is much better for me. Not wide, but accommodating for a technical boot. I had to figure out that I needed to go one full size up. Looking forward to some time in the Sierras to really test them out.

The Sportiva Raptors have been my go to boot for the last several years. I walk/hike about 1,000 miles/year and the old version was versatile in all situations. I didn’t even look at other boots, I just kept re-upping with Sportiva Raptors. Well the araptor 3s have changed that - they made significant changes to upper, much for the worse. In the past, the Raptors had a unique (to me) upper that was a softer material that you could lace very tight around the an ankles. The upper was almost like a compression sleeve around your ankles - it provided stability, kept debris and water out, and made the boots easy to slip on and off. The new upper is a dramatic downgrade. It flares at the top, providing less support and allowing all kinds of junk in. It’s also difficult to get the boots on and off. Basically, Sportiva took a unique boot and made it bog standard. Don’t get me wrong - these boots are still fine. But they are no longer special. I might buy them again, but I would definitlely shop around first, particularly at this price point. Sportiva had an edge that convinced me to pay a premium price. That edge is gone.

I made sure to get this properly sized, it fit well looked nice but heel cup was really uncomfortable. I purchased an insole hoping to make it work but unfortunately the bottom seems uneven and feels a bit crooked somehow, I felt like I was standing on part of the arch support. I wore it for a couple of days to the office to break it in, it didn’t work. I ended up returning it. La Sportiva needs to work on the foot bed a little more. None of the other boots I tried felt like this.

Well, I am a female that has found that men's La Sportiva hiking boots fit me better than the woman's models! This pair is my 4th pair! Roght put ofvthe box they feel great. I havent hiked in them because I am STILL using my 'shoulder season' 200 gram boots, but I can already tell this new model they will be great boots. You just cant beat the grip they give you on steep ledges.

Not a fan of this new model. Not sure why they removed the back cuff that helped keep debris out of shoe. The materials just seem cheaper in look and quality. There really isn't one part of the shoe I liked compared to the Raptor 2. They say they increased the toe box fit, but I didn't not feel that there was more room, which is a good thing because I have a long, skinny foot. Did not wear the shoe. Returned as soon as I saw them in hand. Such a bummer because the Raptor 2 was a fantastic hiker.

Don't have a lot of miles yet but so far have been very happy with them. Super light weight and seem to be very well constructed. Biggest reason for not giving 5 is because of the sizing/fit. I'm typically a 46 EU, purchased a 46.5 to be safe. After another miss at 47 ended up in a 47.5. The length is now good but the toe box is a bit overly roomy (I have a very low volume foot). But for most that's probably a good thing because the 2's were discussed to be too tight.

Excellent fit and comfort right out of the box. I have slimmer legs and really appreciated the roomy toe box, which will be especially helpful for my upcoming Nepal hikes and long downhill sections. The shoes feel lightweight but still protective and supportive. Grip has been great on mixed terrain, and the material and overall quality feel very solid. Very happy with these so far.

I ordered these because the specs/highlights for the Ultra Raptor 3 mentioned that it had a roomier fit for wider feet. I ordered a size 11. when the box came i thought "jeez thats a small box" and when i opened them up i thought maybe they sent the wrong size. It was size 11 but i compared them to my other size 11 hikers and they were about 1.5 inches shorter. i couldnt even get the shoe on. So this review is for the sizing.

So far, these hikers have been very good on the trail, a trip up and back Hanging Rock Trail, a trip up Lookout Mountain trail in Montreat North Carolina and multiple hikes around Asheville and the root covered trail near home. Comfortable with no hot spots unlike the raptor II. Adding a tiny bit more width was a good choice. definitely grip the rocks. Durability is yet to be determined.

So uncomfortable not wider than a normal boot at all. These boots are stiff, uncomfortable and tight. The only good thing about them is they are super light.