La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots Review
An in-depth review of one of our favorite technical hiking boots
June 1st, 2026
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Our Verdict
When the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor boots came out in 2010, they turned a lot of heads. The earliest model introduced a shoe that was inspired by a technical trail running shoe–a concept that was relatively new to the market at the time.
The third iteration of the boot, released in spring of 2026, builds on the boot’s existing strengths by providing a wider base, more durable mesh, deeper lugs, and a refined midsole to offer better shock absorption. The result is a boot that travels well in technical environments with the finesse of a much lighter shoe.
The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX Mid Hiking Boots are one of the most agile, lightweight, grippy boots that we’ve tested. After wearing them non-stop for a week of outdoor adventure in Iceland, we realized that they aptly handle mud, ice, snow, and river crossings every time we head into the mountains. After two months of testing, we realized that they not only support trekking in ideal conditions, they’re also the kind of boots you want to be wearing when hikes don’t go according to plan.
Just a few ounces heavier than our lightest boot in our Best Hiking Boots for Women, is also one of our favorite picks for long days in the mountains with variable terrain. We wore these boots for about 35 miles while evaluating qualities like grip, durability, breathability, and weather resistance, and directly compared them to more than 10 other pairs of hiking boots.
The biggest drawback is that they require a short break-in period unlike some La Sportiva boots. But their agility and reliability make them one of our favorite boot models we’ve tested.
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX
men's
Women's
Find more of our favorite hiking boots in our Best Men’s Hiking Boots and Best Waterproof Hiking Boot guides.
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La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Specifications
Price: $219
Weight (per pair): 1 lb 14.2 oz (men’s), 1 lb 9 oz (women’s)
Cushion level (Light/Medium/Maximum): Light
Stability (Neutral/Stable): Neutral
Heel-to-toe drop (mm): 8 mm
Stack height (heel/toe mm): 35 mm heel / 27 mm toe
Upper materials: Ripstop mesh, recycled high-tenacity ripstop mesh with TPU lacing harness, heel stabilizer, and integrated rubber toe cap
Midsole material: Dual-density CM-EVA
Outsole material and lugs: FriXion White with Impact Brake System, 4.5 mm lugs
Waterproof technology (if applicable): GORE-TEX ePE Extended Comfort (PFAS-free, bluesign approved)
Available sizes and widths (men’s and women’s): 7.5-16.5 (EU 40-50.5), 5.5-11 (EU 36-43), standard width only
Suitable for vegans: Yes
Comparison Table
| HIKING BOOT | MSRP* | MEN'S WEIGHT (PAIR) | WOMEN'S WEIGHT (PAIR) | OUTSOLE | MIDSOLE | UPPER | WATERPROOFING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Men's Women's |
$219 | 1 lb 14.2 oz | 1 lb 9 oz | FriXion White with Impact Brake System | Dual-density CM-EVA | Ripstop mesh, recycled high-tenacity ripstop mesh | GORE-TEX ePE Extended Comfort |
| Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX Men's Women's |
$190 | 1 lb 19.6 oz | 1 lb 15 oz | Rubber | Mono-density EVA foam | Suede | GORE-TEX |
| La Sportiva TX Hike Leather Mids Men's Women's |
$219 | 1 lb 15 oz | 1 lb 12.6 oz | Vibram Ecostep EVO rubber | Compression EVA with co-molded stabilizing insert | Nubuck leather | bluesign-certified ePE GORE-TEX Extended Comfort waterproof/breathable membrane |
| Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX Mid Men's Women's |
$185 | 1 lb 15 oz | 1 lb 11.6 oz | All Terrain Contagrip rubber | EnergyCell | Kevlar® and technical yarn Matryx technology | GORE-TEX® |
| Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Waterproof Men's Women's |
$180 | 2 lbs 6.8 oz | 2 lbs 0.6 oz | True Tread rubber | Heel puck/rubber-blended adaptive foam | Oiled nubuck leather/CORDURA fabric mesh | B-DRY single-layer membrane |
Best for
Day hiking and short overnight trips
Wet, slick conditions
Intermediate hikers as well as backpackers
Hikers that prefer to travel quickly
What we liked
Grip
Water resistance
Reliability
Lightweight structure
What could be better
Narrow fit (a wide option would be great)
Moderate ankle support
How we tested
Author Summits a Glacier in Iceland
We wore the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX Mid hiking boots on sopping wet waterfall hikes and icy glacier conditions in Iceland for a week. Then we brought them home to Colorado and tested their agility, traction, and support on the sharp and uneven terrain of the foothills over the course of a month. All in all, we tackled about 35 miles of hiking while testing these boots in conditions that ranged from bluebird days to torrential downpours.
We also tested them alongside similar boots in our Best Women’s Hiking Boots, Best Men’s Hiking Boots, Best Waterproof Hiking Boots, and Best Lightweight Hiking Boots guides to directly compare traction, durability, support, and comfort.
Performance in the field
Testing Traction on Colorado’s Rocks
Fit and sizing
Most hikers find that these boots run true to size but narrow. These boots range in men’s 7.5-16.5 and women’s 5.5-11, accommodating a wide range of foot sizes. But they’re not the best option for those with bigger standard-width or wide feet.
Comfort and support
The first time we took these boots out on a trail, we committed to a 5-mile river trek in Colorado since earlier versions of these boots were trail ready as soon as we pulled them out of the box. By mile three, we noticed some chafing on the pinky toe, giving us a mild hotspot. As someone with slightly narrow feet, I wasn’t sure if the issue was due to the fit or shape of the boot. But after my next hike, the materials of these boots substantially softened, which resolved the chafing issue.
From the start, the ankle cuff and midsole offered moderate support even on uneven and rocky terrain. And these boots maintained torsional stability even while pivoting and making dynamic movements.
Traction and grip
One area in which these boots truly excelled was on icy and muddy trails, due to their self-cleaning lug pattern and GORE-TEXextended comfort lining. The self-cleaning lug pattern managed to reduce the amount of dirt that remained fixed to these boots. And the GORE-TEX construction of these boots kept the majority of the moisture we encountered at bay. We even navigated muddy terrain on a steep slope (on the ascent and descent) and experienced minimal slippage.
Waterproofing and breathability
The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX Mid Hiking Boots blew us away when it came time to tromp through mud, rain, and waterfall curtains. Not only did they provide all of the traction we needed to trek through ice and snow, but they also kept our feet entirely dry while the rest of us became saturated.
After a full day in these boots, we noticed a touch of internal moisture, which was likely due to our own sweat. But the reality of waterproof hiking boots is that if the exterior is truly waterproof, the interior isn’t ultra-breathable. However, the lightweight fabrics of these boots are super quick-drying once you take some time to air out your feet.
Warmth and insulation
Designed as a 3-season boot, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX Mid hiking boots aren’t insulated. But while wearing midweight hiking socks, our feet remained comfortable even while navigating sub-freezing temperatures on a glacier in Iceland.
If you’re looking for an insulated hiking boot, check out our Best Winter Hiking Boots guide.
Drying time
When completely saturated, we found that these boots took just 3-4 hours to completely dry out (even in humid, cold conditions in Iceland). Both the exterior and the interior of the boots were ready to tackle another hike after a night of dry time.
Durability and construction
Compared to earlier models of this boot, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX Mid hiking boots feel puncture and abrasive resistant. So far, they seem to match other models in terms of overall durability. But the upper material seems like it may wear out at the crease above our toes sooner than previous models.
At the 35-mile mark, these boots feel broken-in without any signs of punctures or damage to the stitching. If we had to guess, we’d say that these boots will last about 500 miles before showing significant deterioration, as long as you take care of them.
Weight and packability
The men’s version of these boots weighs 1 pound and 14.2 ounces while the women's version weighs 1 pound and 9 ounces, making it one of the lightest hiking boots that we tested, and a competitive alternative to the La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX boots.
Compared to La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 2 boots, the latest release weighs about an ounce more. Yet it comes with a wider base, more durable mesh, deeper lugs, and improved shock absorption.
Features
Lacing System
The Ultra Raptor 3 GTX Mid uses a traditional lacing system with predominantly textile eyelets along the tongue of the boots. The top eyelet offers a metal hook option for quick, easy adjustments, which is ideal when you’re on a lengthy outdoor mission since it allows you to adjust the pressure and support around your ankle.
Chassis
These boots come with an advanced chassis system by combining a molded insert into the outsole for lateral support. The rigidity of the chassis helps the foot and ankle to maintain control while the soft upper materials enhance comfort for long days on technical terrain.
Toe Cap
With a small, rubber toe cap, these boots are equipped with just enough of a buffer to prevent you from stubbing your toes without overloading the boot with too much extra baggage.
Colorways
The women’s version of these boots come in four colors including pink, gray, green and brown options while the men’s offer black, iron, gray green, aloe, and asphalt options.
Sustainability
The PFAS-free GORE-TEX membrane of the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX Mid boots is its biggest contribution to maintaining an eco-conscious design. But it also utilizes some recycled materials to cater to environmentally-conscious hikers.
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 2 GTX vs La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX Updates
The Ultra Raptor 3 comes with a new outsole with deeper lugs, pushing it firmly into the hiking category while the Ultra Raptor 2’s design placed it in the mountain running category. In addition to a new outsole, the Ultra Raptor 3 comes with a redesigned ankle collar, a wider fit with added volume, a new midsole construction and updated heel counter—all this to say, it's designed to be an agile, lightweight hiking shoe with many of the characteristics of a running shoe.
Should you buy the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX Mid Hiking Boots?
Hiking in Colorado
Buy if you prefer to travel light and fast through variable terrain like muddy and wet conditions.
Skip if you have wide feet, prefer aggressive ankle support, or are looking for a midsole that’s built to accommodate the added load of a pack for extended nights in the backcountry.
Where to buy the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 GTX hiking boots
The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX hiking boots are popular footwear, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
La Sportiva
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the retailer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the retailer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return, such as if there is a defect.
Returns and advice on where to buy
In general for shoes, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns, like REI. Trying on shoes is an important way to get the sizing right. With both those retailers, if your funds allow, you can buy two sizes and easily return one. Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down.
Similar hiking boots
La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX
Price: $219
Waterproof membrane: GORE-TEX
Weight (per pair, men's and women's): 2 lbs 1.5 oz, 1 lb 13 oz
Breathability: 4.5
Waterproofing: 5
Traction: 5
The La Sportiva TX Hike Mid won our best overall hiking boots in our Best Hiking Boots for Women guide because of their agility, comfort, and technical performance, and they continue to impress us with their durability and support. As a slightly burlier shoe than the Ultra Raptor 3, they could provide a nice alternative for hikers who want a little bit of extra ankle and midsole support. Learn more in our in-depth review of the La Sportiva TX Hike Mid boots.
La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX
men's
Women's
Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX Hiking Boots
Price: $200
Waterproof membrane: GORE-TEX
Weight (per pair, men's and women's): 1 lb 19.6 oz, 1 lb 15 oz
Breathability: 4
Waterproofing: 5
Traction: 4
The Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX hiking boots offer a slightly more affordable technical option that caters to hikers with narrow feet. These boots won best narrow hiking boots in our Best Hiking Boots for Women guide, and continue to impress us with features like their unique fit and breathability. Learn more in ourin-depth review of the Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX hiking boots.
Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX Hiking Boots
Men's
Women's
Why you should trust us / About the Author
Mary Beth Skylis has tackled thousands of miles of trails over the past decade while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, and the Annapurna Circuit. She wore a hefty pair of Vasque boots for the first 800 miles of the Appalachian Trail, where she learned what a truly durable pair of footwear could look like. Her latest adventures have taken her across the globe to some of the most remote corners of the world where she regularly tests gear in the spirit of science.
Find more of her work on her Treeline Review author page.
