Arc'teryx - Sylan 2 Shoe

Foot shape and running style makes a massive difference for shoe selection. If you have a normal to narrow foot and are a predominantly forefoot lander then the speed ultra is the best shoe so long as the terrain isn’t to technical. If the terrain is slightly more technical but still some sections you can open up I think the prodigio pro is the best. If you are a heel striker/ mid foot lander then Norda 005’s (if you want soft) If the trail is super technical and you have a narrow foot the nnormal kjerag 2 is an amazing shoe for precision. If you like a slightly stiffer high stack shoe the arc’terx sylan2 that is about to be released is awesome. It has a vibram lite base sole and a way more mild rocker than the 1. (I have a prerelease pair as I work at a shoe shop) Basically there are lots of shoes I would consider depending on a what the race is like

I’ve taken them on a few runs now. They’re good! Short sample size, but the instant feeling is that the stability issue (ankle rolling) from the first sylan is gone. I also found them to be much more true to size, maybe a touch long, but the inner bootie/collar was snug enough that I didn’t slide around. I did discover that if you don’t use the little “lace garage” on the tongue that my shoe laces would constantly come undone. I’d recommend them with zero hesitation.

Less rocker, wish bone carbon plates for stability. Overall should be a more stable shoe to run in

My take, Arc shorts (Incendio) are awesome. Favourite shorts personally (7inch). I also have a superlight weight Arc merino t shirt for running which has been a comfortable alternate to all the synthetic I have. Can’t recall the model. I’ve had two pair of their shoes, the OG Norvan, and more recently the Sylan. OG Norvan was good, Sylan was a very different shoe, quite unique, a little stiff with a little of rocker and a bit unstable. Would not recommend. I’ve mostly run in Salomon, and would choose both their shoes and their Hydration vest over Arc, but greatly prefer Arc’s apparel (including Norvan jacket). Also, I just got my first Norda’s, and to me they’re the Arc or shoes. Premium material, great fit (for my feet) and look great. The durability on feel and upper so fair have been really strong.

My friend and I ran the whole trail a few weeks ago and both used trail runners: I wore the Arc'teryx Sylan and he had the Nnormal Tomir. We didn't have heavy packs, but I would not use hiking boots on the TCT given how warm the island is and how little technicality the trail has. Enjoy! [https://www.strava.com/activities/14782948235](https://www.strava.com/activities/14782948235)

Arc’teryx Sylan, nearly perfect for almost all conditions aside from deep winter. 

I am going to challenge you on this - the Arcteryx shoes use the exact same outsole compound as the Nordas - Vibram Megagrip Lite-Base. As for tread pattern, that's very much terrain dependent and personal preference - so it's really subjective. For the record, I have and love many pairs of Nordas. I also have and love many pairs of Arcteryx shoes. I run primary in the Coast Mountains of Canada and both of those shoes perform very well in that region. I think that the durability of the Nordas is unmatched - you're absolutely correct, but I also think that the durability of the LD3, LD4, Sylans are very good. I have run many hundreds of KM ( I do keep close track of my milage for each shoe) with various pairs of Arcteryx shoes and I have had no major issues beyond normal wear and tear. I guess I just get frustrated by this narrative that Arcteryx shoes are "bad". They may be bad for you, but they are not bad for me. And they are not bad for many others.

This is my first time getting arcteryx shoes, I’ve never had my feet be in such pristine shape after an ultra !

My other ultras I had to change shoes half way through because I was getting horrible blisters and even in the shoes I changed into by the end my nails were black and I was full of blisters. A lot is from my toes hitting the front of my toes on down hill on high elevation races. Unfortunately due to my foot shape it’s harder for me as I have very narrow feet but a few very long toes lol so it’s hard to find a shoe where im not sliding around in but where my toes also arent slamming into the front. I had zero blisters this time and it was a very very wet race where my feet were soaked the entire time. I also have had very bad Achilles tendonitis for years and it would be flared after long runs and these have a great heel drop and cushion that I find my persistent injuries don’t flare up. You’re very lucky you don’t have shoe or foot issues because I think that’s not very common!

I was between these and norda when I tried them in the store but norda just felt not right on my feet sadly

Really roomy but not in a way where they feel big, historically I’ve gotten extra narrow shoes so I usually avoid a wide toe box but these are perfect there’s absolutely no hitting the front or sides with my toes yet they feel secure

I have persistent tendonitis issue and find the foam super helpful for me but it does add to some instability on technical trails. But thank you!!

This! I couldn’t believe how unscathed my feet were. The ultra I did in Canmore over the weekend got a huge unexpected dump of snow and it unexpectedly became a very snowy, muddy, wet race where my feet were technically soaked the entire time but my feet weren’t cold and I had not a single blister. Even my hands had blisters from my poles but none on my feet. Last time I did that race in my Solomon’s in non-snow dry ground my feet were destroyed

Interesting! I have very long narrow feet and had to size down for these . I have been using them on technical trails with high elevation and been okay, really have had issues with any other shoe I’ve tried.

Arcteryx trail shoes are pretty narrow and have wicked good grip. Vibram Soles.

The thing is, for a lot of us getting shoes to that 700mi is impressive, let alone the 300-400mi after that where the shoe works but is less awesome. My Hokas got a hole in the upper on day one (so within 5km). My On Clouds got multiple holes in the uppers week one (so within 100km). My Arc’teryx got holes in the uppers within 150km. My cousin’s partner has similar issues with regularly destroying uppers in the first few hundred kilometres, long before the soles show signs of wear.  Is it “gimmicky” for us to finally have an upper that is durable enough that we can actually use the shoe until the rubber is worn down? Or is it a shoe that is well designed for our needs?

Dayhike - arcteryx trail runners or day hikers. Backpacking trips - scarpa boots (saved me from ankle rolls many times)

Not supportive at all in the shoes but they are nice to dayhike in with lighter loads.