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La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX Review | 2026
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX Review for those who are wondering whether they are WORTH IT in 2026.
For this review, I have put in over 35 miles into testing my own personal pair of the Ultra Raptor II.
As a trail guide with 16 years of experience, I’ve seen boots fail in every way imaginable. Here is my critical take on whether the Ultra Raptor II holds up.
La Sportiva Raptor II GTX Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent stability
- Great traction
- Good Water Resistance
- Breathable
Cons
- Footbed comfort
- Narrow Fit
Should you buy the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid?
Buy if
- You prefer an extremely stable backpacking boot
- You prioritize top-notch ankle support
- Using this boot as a backpacking and/or trekking boot
DON’T Buy if
- Mainly hike on the weekends on lighter trails
- If you are looking for a winter hiking boot only
Ultra Raptor II Comfort: 7/10
When I first slipped on these hiking boots, the footbed was quite firm without much give on the inside.
The boot is missing a sock liner, and I found the inside with the scratchy overlays to be consistent with the Salomon Quest 4, you can feel the lacing system on the top of your foot.
I did have a little bit of pain in my left arch while breaking these in initially, which went away after approximately 10 miles.
The intact absorption on the Ultra Raptor II is good, but nothing extraordinary. Don’t expect this to be a maximum plush comfort monster like the Hoka Anacapa 2.
One of the downsides to the hiking boot is the volume. I found the upper to be quite compressive at the top of my foot, not so much what was causing hot spots or abrasions. However, this did take away from our comfort score.
One upside is the back of the ankle cuff is made of synthetic material only, so slipping on these boots is quite easy. It takes off that annoying rubbing you usually get with tighter fitting boots.
Weight
I weighed in La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II at 1 lb 2 oz per boot. This is on the heavier side, which is expected for a more robust backpacking boot.
Traction: 9/10
The Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX is equipped with FriXion XF 2.0 rubber outsole which does a very impressive job against all types of terrain we tested them on.
I tested these hiking boots in snow, loose gravel, dirt pack trails, slate and brown basalt.
The opposing lug radars really work great on all types of terrain. I felt the grip was excellent on my all-day backpacking trips.
One unique feature of the Ultra Raptor II is the front capturing lugs. This was key during ascensions where I needed to bite hard into my forefoot for grip.
The lugs have a high amount of surface area, which is perfect for more ground contact and stick to uneven terrain.
These boots are really made for technical trails and more advanced backpackers looking for top-notch stability.
Overall Protection 4.5/5
The majority of this hiking boot is made with leather providing protection, no scrapes, scratches, or rips in the high-quality leather.
The rubber toe cap has great protection throughout the entire toe box, resisting any rock kicks.
The ankle cuff comes up quite high for robust ankle protection. I didn’t experience any awkward ankle rolls or instability.
Water Resistance 5/5
The Ultra Raptor II GTX is equipped with the GORE-TEX membrane for water resistance.
This is the new ePE version of GORE-TEX which is supposed to be more breathable.
I did find this boot to be more breathable than the original Gore-Tex boots, however during my snow testing I noticed they had a tough time keeping my feet warm even paired very warm Darn Tough Full Cushion Socks.
I tested these out in 6-8 inches of snow as well as our 10-minute immersion test period.
I did have a small chunk of snow get into the boot; however, that was because the snow went past my ankle cuff.
During the water submersion test, zero water got in with an excellent seal.
These boots did take quite a while to dry off after our submersion test. Therefore, keep that in mind if you will be constantly submerging your boots in water, because that can lower the overall lifetime of your boot.
Does The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Fit Well?
I tested out a men’s size 44 EU, which is technically equal to a men’s size 10.5 US.
I did notice the fit to be quite snug; therefore, I do recommend moving up a half size if possible.
Also be aware of the volume of this hiking boot as it does run quite narrow. Make sure you test them on with socks you’ll be wearing while hiking.
Ultra Raptor II Fit 3.5/5
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Stability & Support 4.5/5
First off, these boots feature a TPU lacing harness, which really adds to the snug lock down you feel after lacing them up.
The lacing harness really acts as a torque limiter on the top of your foot, especially while on uneven terrain.
Add in the TPU shank and the heel, and this is a backpacker’s dream when it comes to ankle stability on technical trails.
Testing these out on uneven rock climbs, I really felt that my ankle was extremely stable without any unwanted instability.
I added on my 40 lb backpack while testing these out, and the lockdown and stability is one of the best I have tested this year.
Durability 8.5/10
Overall, the La Sportiva Raptor II has held up quite well after extensive testing through various terrain.
One area to consider is the polyester ankle cuff nearly heel. I did notice it wasn’t as tight after our testing as it was when I first tried them on.
While this doesn’t take away from any stability, it’s still an important feature to notice because if you do happen to rip a hole on this, it can completely ruin the waterproofing, especially if you are submerging over 5 inches.
Otherwise, the upper has held up quite well. The TPU lacing harness still achieves a nice snug fit, which is important because this is a stability-based hiking shoe.
Traction-wise, the lugs have minimal wear without any loss of grip compared to when we first tested these boots.
Is the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II worth it?
Yes, if you are in the niche of hikers looking for an ultra stable hiking boot that can take on clear backpacking tasks, this is the worth the price tag.
While the Ultra Raptor II is not cheap, it provides massive value when it comes to our performance metrics.
If you’re looking for other backpacking boots in the same stability-focused boot realm, check out the Lowa Renegade or the Zamberlan Vios.
Value: 4.5/5
Scoring Breakdown
Comfort: 7/10
Traction: 9/10
Overall Protection: 4.5/5
Waterproofness: 5/5
Fit: 3.5/5
Stability & Support: 4.5/5
Durability: 8.5/10
Value: 4.5/5
Total: 46.5/55
Our Rating: 8.4 / 10
How We Tested and Our Methodology
I personally tested the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX for over 35 miles, with the sole intent of giving you the most unbiased review possible.
Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
Over the past decade, I have logged over 2,500 hiking miles across diverse terrains, from the rugged Appalachian Trail to the challenging Rocky Mountains. This extensive experience allows me to evaluate the Ultra Raptor’s II performance accurately in real-world conditions.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Tyler
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Tyler
Tyler is the founder Mountaineer Journey and a professional Mountain Guide with 15+ years of technical experience in trekking, mountaineering, and trail sports. Having logged thousands of miles from rugged alpine summits to urban paths, Tyler provides rigorous, field-tested insights on hiking, walking, and trail running gear. All reviews are 100% unsponsored and unbiased, ensuring you get honest scoring based on real-world performance. His mission is to help outdoor enthusiasts of all levels find reliable equipment that ensures comfort, safety, and performance on any terrain.
