Review: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3
In their latest iteration, La Sportiva's Ultra Raptor 3 remains an iconic hiking shoe for adventurers who want reliability, comfort and technicality for a broad range of outdoor settings.
If you're planning on doing a multi-day hike through the Alps or the UK, considering the Camino, or going to Tasmania to do the Three Capes, these shoes are a great choice.
Here is an outline of the content in this review.
Table of Contents:
The Ultra Raptor was the first shoe La Sportiva designed as a trail runner which then evolved to become a fast hiking shoe. They take a lot of their DNA from trail running but with additional reinforcements to make them a great hiking shoe.
Having had the Ultra Raptor 3 shoes for a few months now, I can confirm they live up to the hype in terms of comfort and versality. They're ideal for anyone wanting a robust, strong shoe for a multitude of different terrain where you don't know exactly what you're going to face, but you want a shoe that can do everything well.
In their latest iteration, La Sportiva's Ultra Raptor 3 remains an iconic hiking shoe for adventurers who want reliability, comfort and technicality for a broad range of outdoor settings.
If you're planning on doing a multi-day hike through the Alps or the UK, considering the Camino, or going to Tasmania to do the Three Capes, these shoes are a great choice.
Here is an outline of the content in this review.
Table of Contents:
The Ultra Raptor was the first shoe La Sportiva designed as a trail runner which then evolved to become a fast hiking shoe. They take a lot of their DNA from trail running but with additional reinforcements to make them a great hiking shoe.
Having had the Ultra Raptor 3 shoes for a few months now, I can confirm they live up to the hype in terms of comfort and versality. They're ideal for anyone wanting a robust, strong shoe for a multitude of different terrain where you don't know exactly what you're going to face, but you want a shoe that can do everything well.
What options are in the Ultra Raptor 3 family?
The third iteration of the Ultra Raptor has three different options. The standard hiking shoe, the GTX version and the GTX Mid boot.
GTX refers to the GORE-TEX membrane which adds waterproofing and durability for wet or mixed conditions.
If you're looking for additional ankle support without moving to a heavy hiking boot, the mid-cut design of the boot version offers greater stability and cushioning on rugged trails and loose terrain.
I chose the standard hiking shoe in black because I wanted something I could take travelling that fit in my pack easily and was versatile enough for day-to-day wear as well as hiking. I find my feet run a bit hot, so I opted against getting the GORE-TEX version. I also live in Queensland so the weather is dry most of the time anyway.
What are the key features of the Ultra Raptor 3?
One of the best features on the Ultra Raptor 3 shoe is the new mesh gaiter around the heel which stops debris from coming into your shoe and gives you a nice, secure feel.
Both the shoes and the boots have soft EVA foam at the heel and a really sturdy, supportive heel cup. For all its generations, the Ultra Raptor has been known for having strong support in the back, and the latest version keeps that going.
The outsole uses FriXion® White rubber which is incredibly sticky and durable.
It has a stack height of 35mm in the heel and 27mm in the forefoot, which gives it an 8mm drop - a very traditional drop for this style of shoe.
Also, being a La Sportiva shoe, sustainability is an important part of the design ethos, so all of the ripstop upper is made of recycled fabric, as is the lining on the inside of the shoe and the laces.
What's different about the Ultra Raptor 3?
One main difference from the Ultra Raptor 2 to the Ultra Raptor 3 is that La Sportiva moved away from having a standard fit and a wide fit. Instead, they've opted to have only the standard fit option, but increased the volume to be closer to the wide fit. This means the latest iteration will work well for most people who choose these shoes for that wider, more comfortable fit.
Should I size up or down in the Ultra Raptor 3?
La Sportiva, being an Italian brand, runs on a European sizing and they're known for having a slightly smaller size than normal. If you are considering the Ultra Raptor 3 and aren't able to come into the store to try them on, you should look to upsize a half to a full size from where you would normally buy a pair of hiking shoes. At K2 Base Camp, the first exchange is free, so there's no risk in trying.
Who is the Ultra Raptor 3 a good shoe for?
The Ultra Raptor 3 family is a do-it-all shoe that would work well for multi-day hiking hut to hut or for a weekend warrior that just wants a comfortable, reliable shoe.
I recently did a trip down to the Blue Mountains to do a bit of hiking and sightseeing, and this was the only shoe I took for two weeks.
Some of the features I love the most are the very sticky rubber sole, a good thread pattern for braking when going downhill and good heel support. It's also got a strong toe bumper, so if you tend to kick things as I do, these shoes will keep your toes nice and protected.
The Ultra Raptor 3 is available now online and in store at K2.