AllOutdoor Review – Arc’teryx Sylan GTX Mountain Trail Shoe

Our footwear is often viewed as more of a fashion statement than it is a tactical tool to be deployed in the outdoors. While our shoes can thread the needle of being both, it is more important that our footwear be comfortable, practical, and useful than simply cool looking. This’ll curb against injuries, unnecessary fatigue, and shortened trips out in the wild. Shoe companies like Arc’teryx intimately understand this, and that’s why they fabricate quite niche shoes at times. From leisure items to mountain trail running, and today we are going to review the latter. In this AllOutdoor Review, we are going to take a look at the Arc’teryx Sylan GTX Mountain Trail Running Shoe to see how this shoe holds up in the Great Outdoors. Let’s dive in!

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Specifications – Arc’teryx Sylan GTX Mountain Trail Running Shoe

The Arc’teryx Sylan GTX Mountain Trail Running Shoe has an MSRP of $230 making it a more expensive shoe for being in the outdoors, but again, this isn’t a hum-drum, department store shoe. As we alluded to earlier, this is meant to be a tool for your outdoor exploits with its waterproofing and breathable upper that is discerningly crafted for mountain trail running and maximizing speed.

Colorways: Stratus/Dk Stratus, Black/Black, Forage/Tatsu
Sizing: 7, 7 ½, 8, 8 ½, 9, 9 ½, 10, 10 ½, 11, 11 ½, 12, 12 ½, 13
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Something else that is important to note is an update that has been given to this shoe in that it is PFAS Compliant (Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). With the growing concern of PFAS in our drinking water and all of the clothing (and footwear) that we consume or don on a daily basis, it is nice to see a company more mindful of PFAS not being in their products.

Footwear Construction

Integrated tongue pocket tucks away laces to prevent snags and untying
GORE-TEX provides waterproof and breathable performance
Knit collar seals out debris and integrates with the tongue to create a secure, comfortable sock-like fit
Durable, flexible upper weaves PFC-free recycled nylon yarns to create a high level of abrasion resistance and tear strength
Extended U-throat construction provides more flex, better breathability, greater comfort
Midsole’s rocker geometry aids propulsion
Lightweight, responsive InFuse® EVA and Polyolefin midsole absorbs shock and is highly responsive

Footwear Liner Construction

Full GORE-TEX liner with Invisible Fit Technology provides waterproof protection with improved flex, comfort, and breathability

Footwear Geometry

Deep, wide 6mm lug pattern provides grip on wet, muddy trails
Lug pattern is patterned for grip on steep ascents and descents
Offset (Stack height): 6mm (28.6mm : 22.6mm)

Footwear Outsole Construction

LITEBASE technology reduces the overall sole weight through a reduction of the sole thickness to shed weight without sacrificing performance

A Word from Arc’teryx on the Sylan GTX Mountain Trail Running Shoe

This is the GORE-TEX shoe for mountain runners looking to move faster on technical trails – no matter the conditions. The midsole’s rocker geometry drives propulsion and is made from InFuse, a light, highly responsive EVA and Polyolefin composition that provides rebound and absorbs shock. The grippy Vibram Megagrip outsole uses LITEBASE technology to shed weight without sacrificing performance, and aggressive lugs deliver a confident bite. The fit locks tight, and a knit collar seals out debris.

What’s the Upsell? What’s the 30-Second Elevator Pitch?

There are numerous quality running shoes out in the marketplace, and Arc’teryx makes a lot of them. So, why buy the Sylan GTX Mountain Trail Running Shoe? What’s the upsell? What is the 30-second elevator pitch for someone to dive in on this one? For me, it boils down to several main points for anyone who is looking for a hard-use, running shoe:

Waterproof, Windproof, Breathable, Lightweight, Abrasion Resistant: Bring it on Mother Nature because this shoe is ready for some outdoor abuse.
Updated with a PFCec-Free DWR (Durable Water Repellent) Treatment: There is an absence of PFCs of Environmental Concern in the durable water repellent (DWR) treatment. Essentially, the product is made without PFCs that are considered harmful to the environment.
Vibram® Megagrip Outsole: This delivers durable, surefooted performance across a range of conditions and landscapes.

Trail Use – Arc’teryx Sylan GTX Mountain Trail Running Shoe

The hype and practical use of these shoes is touted quite a bit. So, how do they actually perform out in the field under difficult use?… To give these shoes their own gauntlet test, I hiked in them on the Superior Hiking Trail on the northern bluffs and hills of Lake Superior in Minnesota. This hiking wasn’t blistering sprints or scintillating time trials through the forest; rather, I allowed the precarious terrain to do all the torture testing of these trail running shoes.

For technical, mountainous activities like hiking the Superior Hiking Trail that I engaged in, these shoes were very resilient to rocks, crags, and unstable ground. Whether that was specifically rock, clay, dirt, or a slurry of all three. The shoes held up well, were durable and protective of my ankles and feet.

A lot of the terrain that my wife and I covered in our adventure was wet, muddy, or river crossings near waterfalls. So, I greatly appreciated the GORE-TEX waterproofing that these shoes have. I could step in shallow puddles and have water splashed on me, but it didn’t leave me with soggy feet. So, through multiple days of hiking I never got blisters, hot spots, or any discomfort on my feet.

Overall, the performance of these shoes was great. I felt more adventurous in these shoes compared to others because the grip on the bottom instilled confidence in my surefootedness. Even wet rocks didn’t deter my fun because I felt safe on those as well.

Final Thoughts

So, what are my final thoughts on the Arc’teryx Sylan GTX Mountain Trail Running Shoe?… While these shoes are on the more expensive end of the footwear spectrum, I believe they proved their worth and then some. While hiking and hunting, I have busted my butt countless times slipping or falling. That will not only ruin your mood, but it will leave you sore and defeated, quickly shortening anyone’s ambition or day in the field. If you want an all-weather shoe that can just as easily help you ascend a waterfall or stroll around town for lunch, this shoe is a great blend of those activities and everything in between.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Arc’teryx for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their Arc’teryx Sylan GTX Mountain Trail Running Shoe. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Arc’teryx Sylan GTX Mountain Trail Running Shoe is something worth spending your money on? Would you lace these up while out on a western hunt? Deploy them while shooting a competition? Use them at the gym? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Arc’teryx and their new Sylan GTX Mountain Trail Running Shoe in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

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Adam Scepaniak