Arc’teryx is a stalwart in the outdoor gear world, and while the company has some trail shoes in its lineup, footwear isn’t necessarily what it is best known for. That being said, I’ve been impressed with what I’ve tried from Arc’teryx — especially the previous Sylan, a mountain trail shoe that managed to feel both capable and approachable.
The Sylan 2 is here now, and it provides a fairly substantial update rather than simply being a cosmetic refresh. Arc’teryx has moved the shoe toward a lighter, faster and more responsive mountain-running shoe, while keeping some of the things that made the original Sylan interesting.
Looks
Construction and Fit
The Sylan 2 has a pretty locked-in, performance-oriented fit. The heel and midfoot hold the foot securely, while the toe box has enough room for my average feet without feeling particularly spacious. That said, I think it skews more on the snug, race-oriented side, which could be a little tough for those who want some room or particularly for wider or higher-volume feet.
The integrated collar also takes a little getting used to when putting the shoes on. It isn’t quite a slip-on-and-go situation, but once my foot was in place, I didn’t really think about the collar during a run. The secure fit makes sense when you’re moving quickly over uneven terrain, which is really where the Sylan 2 seems happiest.
Specs
- Weight: 10 oz. for a US M9 || 8 oz. for a US W7.5
- Stack height: 31.5mm (heel) / 25.5mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 6mm
Upper
The original Sylan used a knit upper, while the Sylan 2 moves to a superlight engineered woven upper. The change helps keep the weight down while providing a more secure foothold, and I found the upper to be comfortable without feeling overly complicated. See my previous comment about the hold and snug feel the upper provides.
Midsole
The first Sylan was plateless, while the Sylan 2 adds a supercritical foam midsole along with a carbon-fiber plate. The combination is designed to provide more energy return while reducing fatigue, with the plate adding stability and propulsion.
There is also a noticeable rocker to the shoe, which gives the transition a more deliberate, faster feel. It took me a little time to get used to how the shoe wanted to move, but once I did, I really liked it. There is a distinct rolling sensation through the stride that makes the Sylan 2 feel faster than its relatively low-to-the-ground appearance would suggest.
To me, it looks and feels like a relatively low-stack trail shoe, even though there are actually 31.5 mm of material under the heel. That’s still not exactly a maximalist shoe, but the amount of cushioning is greater than the first impression might suggest.
Outsole
The Sylan 2 uses a Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole and moves away from the original Sylan’s 6mm lugs to a stepped 4.5/3.5mm lug configuration.
The result is an outsole that feels a little more refined for faster running while still providing plenty of grip. The shallower lugs also help keep the weight down and should do a better job of shedding dirt and mud when conditions get messy.
Overall, the outsole feels appropriate for what the Sylan 2 is trying to be: a mountain-running shoe that can handle varied terrain without feeling like you are dragging a bunch of extra rubber around every mile.
Conclusion
The Sylan 2 is a pretty significant evolution of a shoe that hardcore trail people really liked. Arc’teryx took the original Sylan and added a lighter upper, new supercritical foam, a carbon-fiber plate and a more pronounced rocker, resulting in a shoe that feels faster and more purposeful without becoming some sort of unwieldy mountain racer.
I think the Sylan 2’s sweet spot is still going to be the more serious trail runner. This is a shoe designed around speed, precision, traction and technical terrain, and the carbon plate and aggressive geometry aren’t necessarily things every casual trail runner is looking for. If most of your trail miles are mellow forest roads and well-groomed paths, there are simpler options that probably make more sense.
But if you’re the type who heads into the mountains looking for steeper, rougher and faster trails, the Sylan 2 has the tools for the job.
