La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX

I had the opportunity to test the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Gore-Tex on the Ruta 040 in Tenerife. The Ruta 040 is the route that starts at the Socorro beach at 0 metres of altitude - right in the sea - and goes up to the top of the Teide, at 3715 metres (the highest point in Spain), then back down to the Socorro beach. More than 55 kilometers and 4000 meters of positive and negative elevation.

A very demanding route that goes through all types of surfaces, from a sandy desert, to wet and green forests. So it is a perfect experience to squeeze this model of fast hiking from La Sportiva. I have to say that I am impressed by them, as they are perfectly prepared for long distances over all terrains.

First impressions: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II MId Gore-Tex

The first time I used these shoes was before the route, so that my foot could adapt and to not have any discomfort on the trip. They wrap the foot perfectly and fit very well, leaving no room for chafing. And so it was, the second time I wore them I was walking 20 hours without a single blister or discomfort. The adaptation was very fast, with other models of boots that offer more rigidity this process is longer and uncomfortable.

And that's the key to the II Mid Gore-Tex Ultra Raptor: even though they are mid-calf boots, they are not stiff at all. They are very easy to put on and during the walk they respect the natural movement of the foot. The mid-ankle that wraps around is quite flexible and protects the ankle perfectly. Something to emphasise, since on long and intense routes fatigue can make the ankle more sensitive. Ankle sprains in the bush are a great nuisance and can be dangerous.

Mountaineer's profile: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Gore-Tex

As we described at the beginning, these are a walking boots for long hikes, but that doesn't mean they won't work well for shorter outings. We have tested them in both conditions, the short route was the Anboto (1,331 meters) a route of almost 10 km. It works just as well, although it is true that in this type of routes more lightness is appreciated and the half-shank does not help so much.

For that there is the same model without the design that covers the ankle, La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Gore-Tex. A model that contains the same features but opts for lightness and speed. If your intention is to protect the ankle and reinforce this sensitive area, the mid-ankle model is fully functional and safe.

It is clear that they are prepared for long hikes, but they are also perfect for fast excursions and light loads. After all, it is an ultra running model! In the Teide, we tried to make the backpack as light as possible with the minimum clothing, water and food. With a weight that did not exceed 10 kilos, the comfort was remarkable. I did not feel any discomfort in the back and the shoe cushioned so well that I did not notice fatigue of impact on the seemingly endless descent.

To summarise, it is designed for mid-mountain mountaineers who do lightweight, long routes- whether we refer to the load we carry or the pace. It is not a model of walking boot designed for mountaineering, but it will be most useful to face a large number of traverses and routes.

What I liked the most: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Gore-Tex

As I have said so far, the most valuable thing is the comfort and safety offered by the walking boots . At first I was worried about using high boots for light walking, I was afraid that I would feel discomfort in my ankle due to chafing. That it felt like wearing light hiking shoes & walking boots is what impressed me the most.

Since our intention was to reach the summit by sunrise, we had to walk at night up the last 400 metres of vertical drop. At that altitude, even though we are sunny spain, the winter cold is noticeable. The wind and cold caused us some suffering, but at no time did I get cold feet. Luckily we did not encounter rain, but I can assure you that these boots are designed for all types of weather, and insulate very effectively.

The route started from the coast, which is where the houses and neighborhoods are. The first kilometres were on asphalt with very steep slopes. Then we reached the outskirts of Los Realejos, where we began to find the first unpaved tracks. The terrain had many loose stones and were very uneven. At first we found two completely different surfaces and the boot responded with a very remarkable grip and stability.

Further on, we entered the forest with trails and paths with a lot of humidity, as the trees and vegetation is very tropical. By the time we realised it, we entered the desert: sometimes sandy and sometimes rocky. Again the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Gore-Tex gripped perfectly so I had no fear of slipping. The sole resists well to rocks with spikes, so I didn't have to worry about where to step to avoid hurting myself.

We were going further and further and the terrain was more unstable, there were more rocks and the stones were quite small. It was that kind of terrain where you have to stop every now and then to remove the uncomfortable stones from inside your boot. Even though we had to stop because a fellow rider did, again the high ankle protected me from that discomfort. The collar fits perfectly to the ankle and does not let any sand in.

Points of improvement: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Gore-Tex

Clearly these boots are designed for mid-mountain and touring, and it is undeniable that they fit this niche perfectly. An opportunity for improvement, or a point where this model weakens, is in high alpine. For mountaineering and the very technical sections that this type of outings demand, it falls a little short in terms of performance. If you are looking for a boot for the most demanding routes in high mountain let me recommend the La Sportiva Aequilibrium Speed GTX. A much more technical model that takes into account the lightness and agility, like the one we are analysing.

Another point where you can lose customers is the price, when it came on the market was 214.99 euros, and although it is true that now has fallen, it is still an investment that not anyone afford. In this aspect it may have more competitors, as there are other brands that are committed to cheaper designs that sacrifice the performance of the boot.

Rivals: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II MId Gore-Tex

Final Conclusion: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Gore-Tex

In short, if I had to define my experience with these boots it would be "safety". Security for the ankle, because even if you do long distances and this area is weakened, you will always have reinforcement. Security also to walk on any terrain, from slippery trails to rocky slopes with a totally uneven surface. Last but not least, the security that my feet will always stay dry and warm no matter what the weather is like.

So if you need a boot for long hikes and a light pace these La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Gore-Tex are your perfect ally. Whether it's mid-mountain, wet forest trails or dry, rocky terrain like Teide, you can be sure that these boots will be a great help.