Recently, Arc’teryx sent me a pair of their new Sylan 2’s to review. The MSRP on the shoes is $220. I was fortunate enough to test the Sylan 2 on a mix of Northern California trails, including rolling singletrack, steep climbs, rocky sections, fire roads and stairs (Hello Communication Hill). Most of the testing was done on dry trails, but I also encountered loose dirt, gravel, and uneven, rocky terrain. My hikes typically ranged from 4 to 8 miles, and I wore the shoes several times over the course of my testing.
Fit and Comfort
I normally wear a size 12 1/2. Arc’teryx sent me a 13, which should have been just right. However, even with the 1/2 inch larger size, the fit was fairly snug. In fairness, I am used to my Altra Lone Peak 9’s wide toe box. The shoe held my foot securely without feeling too tight through the midfoot or sides of my feet. The upper is comfortable and breathable, and I never experienced any rubbing or hot spots.
Another thing I needed to get used to was the fluorescent yellow shoes! Trust me, at first glance they are quite electric, but the color started to grow on me, however, I did need some fashion advice from my girlfriend on appropriate matching colors to compliment the color of these shoes when I wear them!
The only fit issue I noticed was on steep descents. During longer downhill sections, my toes felt a little cramped and occasionally pushed into the front of the shoe. It wasn’t enough to stop me from enjoying the hike, but it’s something I would mention to anyone considering the shoe, especially if they spend a lot of time on steep terrain.
Speed and Ride Feel
The Sylan 2 feels fast. From the first go around on trail, it was obvious that this shoe was designed for covering ground quickly. It has a smooth rolling feel that encourages you to keep moving forward. When I picked up the pace on flatter sections and gradual descents, the shoe felt lively and responsive. I have a 4.5-mile training route in Edgewood County Park that climbs 850 feet. Wearing this shoe, I posted my FKT, but over .2 miles per hour. For me, that’s significant.
Rocker and Efficiency
The rocker is probably the most noticeable feature on the shoe. Once you get moving, it helps carry you through your stride with very little effort. On long climbs and rolling terrain, I found myself maintaining a steady pace without feeling like I was fighting the shoe. It definitely reards a quicker cadence and a more aggressive style of walking.
Traction
Traction is everything for me. I’m too old to slip and slide downhill! These shoes were excellent throughout my testing and I learned to trust them more and more as the miles piled up. The outsold gripped well on dirt, loose gravel, and rocky trails. I felt confident climbing steep hills and navigating uneven terrain. Even on loose descents, the shoe maintained good control and never felt unpredictable.
Stability
For a shoe that feels this fast, stability was better than I expected. on rocky and uneven trails, the shoe remained planted and predictable. I wouldn’t call it the most stable trail shoe I’ve ever worn, but it handled technical sections well enough that I never felt concerned about footing
Climbs and Descents
The Sylan 2 really shines on climbs and rolling terrain. The combination of the rocker and lightweight feel makes it easy to keep momentum moving uphill.
On descents, the shoe remained confident and grippy although this is where I noticed the toe-box issue the most. My feet stayed secure, but my toes occasionally contacted the front of the shoe on steeper downhill grades, however, I must add, I only felt this on the steepest of downhill grades.
Comparison to Other Trail Shoes
Compared to my current Altra Lone Peak 9’s (and Topo Pursuit 2’s and La Sportiva TX4 EVO’S), the Sylan 2 feels much faster and more performance driven. The Lone Peak is a shoe I would choose for all day comfort and backpacking, while the Sylan 2 is the shoe I’ll wear when I want to move quickly on the trail. The Arc’teryx feels more responsive and efficient, but the Altra offers a roomier toe box and a more relaxed fit.
Final Thoughts
The Sylan 2 is clearly designed for runners who want to move fast in the mountains. It’s lightweight, responsive and has excellent traction. The rocker design helps maintain momentum, especially on climbs, and rolling terrain, and the shoe feels comfortable even after several miles.
The biggest limitation for me was the fit on steep descents. Despite wearing a size a 1/2 inch larger than normal, my toes felt somewhat crowded when going downhill. Otherwise, the shoe performed very well and delivered exactly what I would expect from a mountain focused trail runner.
If you’re looking for a fast, efficient trail shoe for hiking or running, and wanting to cover ground quickly, the Sylan 2 is worth a serious look. If your priority is maximum toe room or all-day backpacking comfort, there may be better options for you at there.
‘Disclosure: Arc’teryx provided me with this product for testing and review. All opinions are my own.
