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Reddit Reviews
I use the raptors both boots and shoes. The boots are probably my favorite hiking footwear of all time. The first time I wore them they felt perfect for my feet. Without snow on the ground or being in wet conditions, they're perfect. The shoes felt a little tighter and had a break in period which the boots did not. For trail runners, they seem to be on the heavier side but they feel pretty robust, have done me well over an estimated 200 miles, and have been good for scrambling here in CO. I can certainly recommend them depending on what kind of hiking you do and where. If you really value lightness you might want to look at another shoe at least for comparison. I believe the TX4, for example, is lighter and otherwise performs very well.
With a similar fit but more oriented towards the use you want to make of it and not the city use, I recommend the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor
You undoubtedly know this already, but there's [a lot of variation in trail runners](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/trail-running-shoes.html) that have their strengths and weaknesses in different areas. You want something that's strong or versatile for your particular use cases. For hiking, I use a trail runner with a grippy outsole and a protected toe box (La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II).
Just got some Topo Mtn Racers and can confirm they are wide and very grippy. Work as well as my UltraRaptors (wide) on steep slabs, but actually run-able with a bit less stability. My Speedgoat 5s were also really grippy and plenty wide for me in normal but sized up .5 (I always do this).
I find Ultra Raptors to be the perfect stability hiking shoe. They have wide sizes which are ideal for me. Great sticky rubber for scrambling too. They also have Gtx if you want that
I'd agree the durability was a bit of a let down- less durable upper than the Ultra Raptors I had been using (more durable outsole), but for me not really any worse than other similarly light trail runners I've used off-trail. I agree, too, that the Bushidos leave a bit to be desired comfort-wise for long days/trips. How's the width/fit on the Prodigio Max? I don't tend to go for stack heights that high but it's good to have options.
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor Mid II GTX or Salomon X Ultra would be your best bets. The Ultra Raptor is more narrow. The current X Ultra is a bit more generous in its toebox. They are both very light, but you still get some protection from water and debris because of the high(ish) collar. Note that the collar of these boots provides literally 0 ankle support, though that is the case with ***most*** modern synthetic boots. If you want ankle support, you're better off using a brace, or you have to take the weight penalty and go to a more sturdy, tall boot, such as the Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo, Scarpa Kinesis Pro GTX, etc., etc. Since you do trail running, I'm sure you'll be much more content with the Ultra Raptor or X Ultra than a backpacking boot.
For super rocky and big rock terrain, I run in La Sportiva Ultra Raptor (a half size up from true size and also in wide, because they are snug). While not as light as Speedgoats (or other shoes), which I have also run in, they help me feel more sure-footed. ( I rolled an ankle in the Speedgoats.) The Raptor cushioning for me feels more appropriate for the bigger rocks, without being too firm or too soft. Excellent sticky lugs. Very protective at the toe point. No rubbing at ankles. Tougher construction, less likely to suffer a tear. They double as solid hiking shoes. For most other trail running, I like my Nike Zegama 2’s (I have three pairs, love them! Again, a half size up). I never see anyone else in Zegamas, for some reason. They are rarely reviewed. But for my 3-7 mile runs, they feel speedy. No need to get a wider size. And Nike sells them at a decent price—even discounted, frequently, in the Nike app. Zegamas also have good lugs for my nearby leafy, rooty, scrabbly rock trails in Central Atlantic region. And I wear my older Zegamas for daily walking. (stats: 5’10” 155lbs male).
Some number of years ago I wore Cascadias. While hiking on the AT from NJ to NY near the border the tread filled up with mud. While hiking along narrow rock I slipped several times and finally cracked a rib. Later while camping that night I met another hiker who also wore Cascadias. He was bloody from slipping and falling. Going through several different pairs of shoes I finally settled on La Sportiva Ultra Raptors.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Deep mud and soft ground

Top pick
Salomon - Speedcross Series
Best for Quick draining and drying for wet trails

Top pick
Altra - Lone Peak Series
Best for Road-to-trail transitions

Top pick
Nike - Pegasus Trail Series
Best for Steep technical descents

Top pick
Altra - Lone Peak Series
Best for Technical rocky terrain

Top pick
La Sportiva - Prodigio Series
Best for Ultra-marathon racing

Top pick
La Sportiva - Prodigio Series





