Technically speaking, the Ultra Raptor don't have a rock guard but the well cushioned MEMlex EVA midsole and the EVA Enduranace Platform (on the non-GTX version only) make you feel as if there was a rock guard. I think the only La Sportiva long-distance running shoes having a sort of rock guard are the Jackal and Jackal II.
@@Labrador7, on their official site, they call it an “Endurance Platform EVA rock guard”. I suppose that could be misleading if it’s not actually a full rock guard. With all that said, I think it supplies some decent protection for longer hikes compared to other trail runner type shoes I’ve worn.
@@lifehiker I agree, the Endurance Platform insert is very comfortable. It's a shame it's not in the GTX version, on longer disances you clearly notice the difference.
Hello mate, thanks for the really helpful review. I'm in need of a pair of shoes and was recently gifted a sizeable voucher for La Sportiva so it seems I am stuck having to pick from their lineup (no bad thing)... Do you think these would be feasible for some hiking I have planned in Peru (80km Salkantay trek, various 1 or 2 day treks) or would they be overkill? I'd also looked at the TX4 but unsure on that due to the toe box as apparently that can be painful. Otherwise my walking/hiking is pretty chill & kept to the Irish mountains. Sorry, total noob question but I found their lineup a little overwhelming so it would be great to hear from someone who knows what to look for. Thanks!
@@alimul22689 if you have a wide foot, I’d stick with Raptors. They can be a little heavy though, so if you want to move quicker I’d go with a lighter trail running type shoe like the new Prodigio or the Jackal. La Sportiva have a good chart to explain the purpose of each shoe: www.lasportiva.com/en/mountain-running-technical-informations
Solid review. Have a few questions I’m hoping you might be able to help me with. How is the sizing on these? I’ve La Sportiva run small so you should size up 1/2 to a full size depending on what you’re looking for. I have wide feet but Adidas ultraboost 21 and 22 size 14 fit great so I’m wondering if a 14.5 or 15 would be the way to go in the La Sportivas? Lastly, how is the sole holding up? I do a lot of running in the city I live in and the cement and asphalt is tearing up my Adidas runners so was thinking a more trail focused runner might hold up better on the rough surfaces. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
@@MCFCTheMadHatter, I sized up half a size and that seemed to be enough room for me. As far as the sole, it still seems to be holding up. Although if you’re a city runner mainly, the robustness of the Raptors might be overkill. You might want to look at a lighter shoe even, like the new Prodigio which I hear is fairly wide now too.
Does it say on the shoes where they are made? On La Sportiva´s website they state that their products are made in italy, romania and china. But they are not specific on their product display page on where specific shoes are made. I dont want shoes made in china. We saw what happened to Salomon when they started manufacturing their shoes there, they didn´t even hold up 2 months.
This particular shoe has a label inside with “Made in China”. On their website they claim: Our factories in Italy manufacture about 60% of our products. Factories in China and Vietnam manufacture 28% and 12% respectively.
Love that it has a rock guard!
Yep BIG plus!!
Technically speaking, the Ultra Raptor don't have a rock guard but the well cushioned MEMlex EVA midsole and the EVA Enduranace Platform (on the non-GTX version only) make you feel as if there was a rock guard. I think the only La Sportiva long-distance running shoes having a sort of rock guard are the Jackal and Jackal II.
@@Labrador7, on their official site, they call it an “Endurance Platform EVA rock guard”. I suppose that could be misleading if it’s not actually a full rock guard. With all that said, I think it supplies some decent protection for longer hikes compared to other trail runner type shoes I’ve worn.
@@lifehiker I agree, the Endurance Platform insert is very comfortable. It's a shame it's not in the GTX version, on longer disances you clearly notice the difference.
Hello mate, thanks for the really helpful review. I'm in need of a pair of shoes and was recently gifted a sizeable voucher for La Sportiva so it seems I am stuck having to pick from their lineup (no bad thing)... Do you think these would be feasible for some hiking I have planned in Peru (80km Salkantay trek, various 1 or 2 day treks) or would they be overkill? I'd also looked at the TX4 but unsure on that due to the toe box as apparently that can be painful. Otherwise my walking/hiking is pretty chill & kept to the Irish mountains. Sorry, total noob question but I found their lineup a little overwhelming so it would be great to hear from someone who knows what to look for. Thanks!
@@alimul22689 if you have a wide foot, I’d stick with Raptors. They can be a little heavy though, so if you want to move quicker I’d go with a lighter trail running type shoe like the new Prodigio or the Jackal. La Sportiva have a good chart to explain the purpose of each shoe:
www.lasportiva.com/en/mountain-running-technical-informations
Solid review. Have a few questions I’m hoping you might be able to help me with. How is the sizing on these? I’ve La Sportiva run small so you should size up 1/2 to a full size depending on what you’re looking for. I have wide feet but Adidas ultraboost 21 and 22 size 14 fit great so I’m wondering if a 14.5 or 15 would be the way to go in the La Sportivas?
Lastly, how is the sole holding up? I do a lot of running in the city I live in and the cement and asphalt is tearing up my Adidas runners so was thinking a more trail focused runner might hold up better on the rough surfaces. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
@@MCFCTheMadHatter, I sized up half a size and that seemed to be enough room for me. As far as the sole, it still seems to be holding up. Although if you’re a city runner mainly, the robustness of the Raptors might be overkill. You might want to look at a lighter shoe even, like the new Prodigio which I hear is fairly wide now too.
Does it say on the shoes where they are made? On La Sportiva´s website they state that their products are made in italy, romania and china. But they are not specific on their product display page on where specific shoes are made. I dont want shoes made in china. We saw what happened to Salomon when they started manufacturing their shoes there, they didn´t even hold up 2 months.
This particular shoe has a label inside with “Made in China”. On their website they claim: Our factories in Italy manufacture about 60% of our products. Factories in China and Vietnam manufacture 28% and 12% respectively.
I have a pair of Salomon ultra 360 GTX and it says MADE IN CAMBODIA
I have a pair of that model and they are made in China. They still seem well build so.