Bottom Line
Of all the footwear on our best hiking shoes for men guide, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III is one of our top choices for technical, mountainous terrain. Thanks to robust protection, a durable design, and outstanding stability, it’s our four-wheel drive shoe for navigating boulder fields, loose gravel, and sidehills. We’ve trusted these on the steep trails and loose scree of Alaska’s Chugach Range. We found its moderate weight and exceptional tread to be the perfect shoe on difficult, high-country terrain.
On the downside, this shoe’s a bit overbuilt and stiff for less steep hikes and packed trails. The fit is narrow and runs small, so you may want to size up for increased comfort. The Raptor IIIs also dry slowly when saturated, run hot in warm weather, and have a higher heel-to-toe drop than many shoes. However, if you’re looking for the ultimate trail shoe for peak-bagging and backpacking with light-to-medium loads on high alpine routes, it’s the perfect choice.
Quick Specs
Men’s La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III
Best Hiking Shoes for Technical Terrain
CleverHiker Rating: 4.5/5.0
Price: $169
Weight (Pair): 1 lb. 9 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 9 mm
Pros
- Solid construction
- Comfortable
- Sticky grip
- Durable
- Huge toe guard
- Snug fit
Cons
- Runs a bit narrow
- High heel drop not for everybody
- Limited breathability
- Stiffer midsoles than some
Comfort
The Ultra Raptor IIIs are noticeably stiff shoes that take some time to break in. Once they soften up, these shoes deliver a glove-like fit from heel to toe, making for a comfy and protective ride. As with many of La Sportiva’s other models, we found we need to size up by a half or even a full US size. If you are used to European sizing, it allows for a more precise fit if sized accordingly.
We mostly tested the Ultra Raptors III on steep trails and rocky off-trail terrain. And we found that the Ultra Raptor IIIs provide excellent arch support, and the midsoles are stiff enough to provide a stable, secure step. We also appreciated the padded tongue, flexible uppers, and sleek profile — a combination for springy and nimble steps.
On the downside, the Ultra Raptor III is considerably narrower compared to other shoes we’ve tested. That tighter fit is evident in the toebox, so if you prefer a more natural toe splay, these shoes might not be the best fit for you. With its stiff structure and less-forgiving midsole, this shoe is better suited to rocky high-peak routes and technical adventures than to packed trails on moderate grades.
Traction
The Ultra Raptor III offers tacky traction on everything from slick, steep rock to soft, grassy descents. We appreciated La Sportiva’s seriously sticky rubber composite and excellent lugs, which provided all-terrain traction and maximum grip on steep angles. Based on our testing in Alaska, it excels on loose scree slopes and steep snow fields, common obstacles in the state’s famously rugged peaks.
However, the Ultra Raptor III’s impressive traction comes with two significant trade-offs. That tread is overkill for nontechnical hikes, and the outsole isn’t as durable as shoes with denser rubber blends. The tacky rubber offers excellent traction, but it wears out faster than we’d like because it’s softer than the rubber in other hiking shoes. However, if you’re looking for a shoe for long days above 10,000 feet, the Ultra Raptors will keep you secure and strong on the mountain.
Weight
The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III tips the scales at 12.5 ounces per shoe, which puts them in the middle of the pack for their weight. Overall, the weight supports the shoe’s primary function: providing reliable performance in challenging environments. Thanks to the burly synthetic construction of the uppers, hefty TPU overlays, a thick toe cap, and reinforced heels, these shoes offer top-tier protection and stability no matter what you encounter on your route. For hikers tackling rough and unpredictable trails, that added weight translates directly into excellent safety and comfort.
However, the Ultra Raptor IIIs are not our first pick for backpacking on established trails or ultralight backpacking. The extra weight can contribute to quicker fatigue over time. While this shoe has a trail-runner profile, it’s definitely a mountain shoe and not a great fit for minimalists seeking lighter, more agile footwear. Despite these cons, the extra weight is a worthwhile trade-off if you need a durable, protective shoe for technical terrain.
Durability
The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III is decently long-lasting. The uppers are fairly sturdy, and the thick toe guards and large TPU overlays minimized wear and tear by shielding our feet from roots, brambles, and sharp talus. However, the harder the terrain and the more use they get, the faster these shoes will blow out. We’ve found that these shoes are good for a few hundred hard and rugged miles, but were ragged by the end.
Our biggest durability issue is with the tread. Through our testing, we’ve found that the rounded lugs and softer rubber don’t last as long as those on shoes with a denser rubber compound. The extreme traction is worth this tradeoff; just know that these shoes might not last for multiple seasons of use.
Weather Resistance
The Ultra Raptor III is not our first choice for wet days. While it does block water for a short time, it eventually becomes fully saturated. Once wet, the shoe can take many hours to dry, which is a real problem on cold, wet days or on multi-day trips. Our test pair wasn’t waterproof, but we did find that the TPU overlays and thick toe cap offered moderate protection against small amounts of moisture. For full waterproof protection, we recommend the GORE-TEX version, the Ultra Raptor III GTX.
While not the most waterproof, the mesh uppers provided some ventilation. However, the Ultra Raptor III was not nearly as breathable as other options on our list of recommended hiking shoes. They don’t feature a GORE-TEX liner, but we found they held in heat in much the same way. That means that these are not our top choice for hot summer days. That said, this extra warmth is exactly what we love about them when cold winds hit on high mountain ridges.
Should You Buy the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III?
The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III is an excellent pick for anyone tackling technical, rocky, and alpine terrain, thanks to its excellent traction, durability, and support. We don’t recommend the Ultra Raptor for ultralight backpackers and minimalists due to their higher weight. And those with wide feet might not find these the best fit. But if you need reliable, protective shoes for high-altitude adventures, peak-bagging, backpacking with a medium-to-light load, or off-trail exploring, the Ultra Raptor III is a top choice.
What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?
Curious about our other favorite hiking shoes? Head over to our gear guide to check out all our top picks.
Saucony Peregrine 16 Review: The Saucony Peregrine 16 offers similarly grippy traction and TPU overlays as the Ultra Raptor IIIs, but they’re lighter and more flexible for better speed and agility.
Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX Review: The Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX provides excellent support and, unlike the Ultra Raptors, is also highly water-resistant. The X Ultra 5s also thrive on rugged off-route hikes.
La Sportiva Spire GTX Review: These La Sportivas are the burlier older brother of the Raptor II Lows. They offer an even more durable construction with the same excellent traction, but with top-tier waterproofing.
