La Sportiva  Ultra Raptor 3 GTX Hiking Shoes - Women's

I really wanted to love these. The fitting on the Ultra Raptor 3 was much more roomy in the toe box compared to earlier models - which got me really excited. "These are going to be great on the hike!" Unfortunately, it seems that the buching of the fabric above the toes as we walk can be rather abrasive! One hour into my hike s blister started to form on my big toe. I was wearing regular hiking socks.I put my hand inside the shoe to feel for loose threads of rough edges that might have contributed to the blister and discovered that the adhesive at the base of the shoe tongue was already coming off. Again, all this in just one hour of hiking with the shoes out of the box. I was planning to take these shoes for a big hiking trip but if these rough edges on the inside and bits falling apart right out of the box... I'm not sure they can last a two weeks of hard hiking. Sorely disappointed! Can't return them because I'm already out of the US (where I bought them).

I am going to hike around Mount Blanc in France in September and was looking to a good light shoe with support, cushion in the heel and good soles. I found it in this shoe. It is perfect. The insole really keeps my foot from rolling over or tripping. I look forward to hiking everywhere this summer in the mountains of Colorado.

I normally wear a size 7/7.5 in sneakers, 7 in heels, and 7.5/8 in hiking boots, depending on the fit. I first ordered the EU size 38.5, because I own Merrell Speed Solo Mid Waterproof hiking boots in US size 8 (EU size 38.5). The sizing chart for La Sportiva also reflects that EU size 38.5 is equal to US size 7.5. However, it was way too small -- even smaller than my normal size 7 sneakers when I compared the two side-by-side, and my toes were crunched up against the front of the shoes. So, I ordered the EU size 39.5, 40, and 40.5. I ended up keeping the EU size 40, which is a whole 1.5 size up from what was recommended. When I looked on Reddit, others also sized 1 to 1.5 up from their normal sizing, and I wish I looked into that more before originally ordering the 38.5 size. When I compare the EU size 40 La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX hiking shoes to the US size 8 Merrell Speed Solo Mid Waterproof hiking boots, they are equivalent in size. Hope this helps future buyers consider which size to order. I really love the comfort of these shoes, and it is quite stable all around. Love that it is waterproof as well.