La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX Trail Runners Review

I laced the shoes up tightly in the parking lot and hit the trail, moving quickly, treating the singletrack dirt like a test track. The loose choss was flanked by ancient embedded rock as the trail quickly dropped in elevation. I pushed the pace, ramping up from a hike to jog to a run, and really dug in, feeling out my new La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX shoes.

Yet my footing stayed secure, and nothing shifted as the miles stacked up. After a few miles, I realized I hadn’t really thought about my footwear in a while. The Raptor 3 GTX was just doing the job — handling everything underfoot so I could focus on moving fast along the trail.

The Ultra Raptor has long been a staple for rugged mountain terrain. With the new Raptor 3 collection, La Sportiva built on the strengths of previous models with a wider base, durable mesh, deeper lugs, and a refined midsole for improved shock absorption. The shoes offer added lateral stability while preserving the aggressive outsole geometry that appeals to hardcore hikers.

In 2022, I hiked the Colorado Trail in the Ultra Raptor 2s, so I’m very familiar with what these shoes can do. When La Sportiva announced the new version of this stalwart, I was eager to check it out. This improved version focuses on its strengths, with a wider, more accommodating base and deeper lugs.

Ultimately, La Sportiva honed the Ultra Raptor into more of a classic hiker than the trail-running and hiking option its prior versions were touted as.

In short: The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 ($200) weighs just 1 pound, 12 ounces, and has a roomier fit than previous models. It uses deeper lugs for better traction, has a new ankle collar to keep out rock and dirt, and a ripstop mesh upper made of 85% recycled materials. A welded TPU lacing harness also adds structure and support for longer days on the trail. For those seeking a dedicated, comfortable hiking shoe, this is a great option.

Check GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Hiking Shoes and the Best Running Shoes for more options.

La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX Trail Runners Review

Out of the Box

Out of the box, the Ultra Raptor 3 looks a lot like its predecessor. However, on closer inspection, differences pop out, such as the newly integrated pull tab at the heel and a reworked lacing harness for a tighter fit.

The entire shoe feels solid and noticeably stiff right out of the box. The upper and sole initially have less give and restrict natural foot flex. That can make it feel less comfortable at first.

One of the most obvious updates over the prior version is the integrated knit collar heel with a pull tab. The Ultra Raptor 2s had a plastic-like feel at the heel. That could cause blisters over time when worn with low-cut socks.

Lacing these shoes up, I get the same secure, snug feel that I’ve come to expect from the Raptor. Out of the box, the shoe is quite stiff. The flex in the toe also seemed to push in and rub my toes. Once broken, this became less of an issue.

There are two other versions of this new shoe. There’s the Ultra, a lower-cut ankle, and the Mid GTX, which has a higher ankle cuff. Both versions are favorites among trail runners and long-distance hikers.

To really break them in, I put about 20+ miles on them in the first 3 days. I spent a combined 12 hours pounding the ground to get a sense for how they stack up.

On the Trail

According to La Sportiva, the new Ultra Raptor 3 is designed for hikers and adventurers seeking exceptional breathability, versatile protection, and lightweight agility during warmer-weather hikes and adventures.

I tested these shoes at temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees. The breathability was as advertised. The ripstop synthetic upper provided excellent ventilation. These work great for summer hikes.

The shoe maintains the durability you would expect from La Sportiva with an abrasion-resistant ripstop synthetic upper. The TPU heel stabilizer, combined with the stretch-knit ankle collar, offers great support. It helps keep rocks and dust out of the shoe while hiking.

While I didn’t encounter any water on my hike, the GTX version is waterproof thanks to ePE GORE-TEX. It will easily withstand stream crossings, wet grass, and rainy hikes.

The Ortholite Hybrid insole, combined with the dual-density CM EVA responsive cushioning, makes the Raptor 3 comfortable on rocky and technical terrain. I did develop some hotspots after longer hikes. However, this was more due to the shoes’ rigidity, which broke in and softened up over time.

One of the biggest strengths of this shoe is the La Sportiva signature FriXion XF 2.0 and Impact Brake System X-Axis Trail Bite Heel. The 4mm lugs and 8mm drop provide a very solid grip on the worst, slickest terrain. The soles were so solid that they gripped even when I tried to pivot.

Ultra Raptor 3 vs. Ultra Raptor 2

When I compared the new Ultra Raptor 3 to the Ultra Raptor 2, which were my trail runners in 2022, the new version feels stronger and more stable.

While very similar, it’s clear that La Sportiva built on the shoe’s strengths while eliminating some problem points, such as the heel contact materials. And for me, the best update is the redesigned ankle collar, featuring a new 85% recycled ripstop mesh upper.

The prior shoe was made of a rubbery material. It rubbed blisters on the back of my ankle if I wore low socks or went for really long distances. The new design fixes this issue with a nice ergonomic balance of comfort, breathability, and durability.

The most significant update between the Ultra Raptor 2 and the 3 is the widened forefoot and toe box. Now, the shoe offers increased volume for hikers with broader feet. They have a more accommodating platform for midfoot splay and long-distance comfort.

Additionally, La Sportiva reduced the overall weight with the Ultra Raptor 3, making it even lighter than the previous Raptor 2 model. At 1 pound, 12 ounces, it falls in the middleweight class among shoes in GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Hiking Shoes. It’s not in the dedicated trail running weight class by any means, but for jogs and casual trail running, it works fine.

The Raptor 3’s outsole features deeper 4mm lugs molded with FriXion White compound. The Raptor 2s use FriXion XF 2.0, which means improved grip on soft mud and loose rock. It also offers increased surface control on steeper gradients.

Considering La Sportiva made the updated shoe a classic hiker, it makes sense that it is a stronger, more burly version of the Raptor 2s.

La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3: Who It Is For

The newly updated La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 trail shoe is ultimately designed more as a classic hiker than as a trail-running option. For long-distance thru-hikers, this is great news, as the shoe offers a nice balance of lightweight durability and comfort. Weighing just 1 pound, 12 ounces, it is a great companion on the trail. And the non-GORE-TEX version is even lighter (1 pound, 9 ounces).

If you’re looking for lighter, softer, and narrower shoes specifically for running, check out the options on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Running Shoes.

However, for the kind of hikes I tested this shoe on, it performed well on steep, rocky, uneven terrain and in varied conditions. It allowed me to move quickly and stay light on my feet. The new design, with its wider, roomier footbed, also really impressed me. La Sportiva honed this shoe into a hiker-first model that is ideal for everything from day hikes to thru-hikes.