Arc'teryx  Sylan 2 Trail-Running Shoes - Men's

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. The Arc’teryx Sylvan 2s are an overall fantastic trail runner. I was able to take these shoes on a few beach runs, ranging 2-3 miles a run; two local trail runs at 4 miles; two state park trails, ranging between 4-5 miles per run on much more technical terrain. I was very surprised at how well the shoes did in the sand, and was thankful for the stability in the heel. I tend to strike heavier on the front of my heel. I could definitely feel the rocker and carbon plate doing their jobs. It was a nice surprise to be able to feel the difference between the Sylvans and my other trail shoes that have no rockers or carbon plates! I noticed I moved quicker and more efficiently on flatter stretches, having to put less effort in to run faster. The Vibram sole is incredibly grippy and the lugs have great traction. Most of my runs ended up being right after a day of rain or during a downpour. The soles stuck to rocks and handled mud and wet foliage like a boss! No slippage here! Comparing to the few other trail shoes I have, the grip on the Sylvans beat anything else I have. I still like my wider toe box from my Altras, but the Sylvan’s toe box was still comfortable to me. The way the heel is cupped in the Sylvan doesn’t compare to my other trail runners that tend to have a bit of Achilles support in cushion or a more narrow heel; the Sylvan holds and stabilizes the heel. The one issue I had with the Sylvans was that the width of the arch seemed to be a bit narrow for my right foot, specifically. The lack of space caused me to pronate while running. It did take a bit of fiddling with lacing styles to find a way the shoe is workable. Pronation is less noticeable, but I can definitely feel it after a longer run on more technical terrain than shorter runs on flatter terrain. I would say, based off myself and other shoes I have, wider feet might not have the best result in the Sylvans. Overall, these trail runners will be joining my rotation, and even possibly replacing a pair of my Altras!

I tested the Arc’teryx Sylan 2 on trail runs and hikes in dry Southern California conditions, primarily on dusty singletrack, loose fire roads, and rocky terrain with moderate elevation gain. Most of my runs are between 5–12 miles a few times a week, and I also used these on longer hikes while carrying light gear to get a better sense of long-distance comfort and stability. After spending time in them, I’m seriously considering taking them on my next 114-mile section of the PCT. The first thing that stood out to me was the ride feel. The midsole foam has a very springy, energetic sensation that gives noticeable rebound with each step. On climbs and flatter rolling terrain, the rocker geometry helps keep momentum moving forward and makes the shoe feel efficient at faster paces. Compared to some trail shoes that can feel overly firm or dead underfoot after long miles, the Sylan 2 stayed responsive and helped reduce lower leg fatigue over time. I do see creasing in the foam but this is expected from a soft running shoe. The upper design is one of my favorite aspects of the shoe. The integrated stretch gaiter/spandex-style opening works extremely well in the dry Southern California environment I live in. It keeps dust, small rocks, and trail debris out far better than a traditional tongue construction while also creating a secure fit without needing to overtighten the laces. The lace garage on the tongue is another feature I really appreciated. It keeps the laces tucked away cleanly, prevents them from coming untied, and gives the shoe a very streamlined overall look. Traction performed well on loose dirt, dry rock, and hard-packed trails. I felt confident during descents and quick direction changes, although on very uneven or highly technical terrain the tall, energetic platform can feel slightly less planted compared to lower, more traditional trail shoes. That said, for smoother singletrack, moderate technical terrain, and higher-output movement, the ride feels fast and efficient. Comfort over longer efforts was impressive. The shoe maintained a secure fit throughout runs and hikes without creating pressure points or hotspots, and the gaiter construction helped keep the heel locked in place. The combination of cushioning and rocker design makes it a strong option for people who want a trail shoe that feels modern, fast, and highly cushioned without losing responsiveness. Overall, I’ve been really happy with the Sylan 2. It feels designed for moving efficiently over distance while still being comfortable enough for all-day use. Between the energetic ride, clean integrated upper, and thoughtful details like the lace pocket, this is a shoe I’ll continue reaching for during higher-output trail activities. Additionally, I find the breathability of the shoe to be great. My feet never felt hot or swampy while wearing these. Lastly, as someone who typically goes for shoes marketed as wide toe box, I found these to be roomy and not too narrow, which I was worried about. Great job on this shoe! I’m picky with footwear and honest with my feedback and can’t really think of a negative! I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

This shoe performs well. The upper is very comfortable. I appreciate the skree cuff. Although, this makes getting the shoe on a tiny bit slower than normal. Absolutely well worth it. The midsole functionality is great. Energy return is great, leading to quick turn over. Midsole cushion is fantastic. Under load, i didn’t feel the midsole morph. Allowing great confidence in foot placement on some sketchy areas of a particularly fast descent. Traction was great. Never a slip and/or stumble as I pushed through all types of terrain. I usually struggle with traction in areas of decomposing dusty granite, I didn’t have a problem. The upper did morph a bit under load in some difficult spots. The upper breaths well. I recommend this shoe to those with experience and are willing to push the shoe. It responds well to fast speeds and quick turnover . I was given the shoes to review. I am under no obligation to say nice thangs.. I did of my own volition.

Everything i love from Sylan 1 with some fun features! the upper looks cleaner in my opinion as they removed the extended material part underneath the bottom laces (see photo) the magic is in the geometry of the shoe of course. Enough cushion to heel strike on steep down hills but very responsive and big energy return on flats. i have about 100km in my pair so far. I plan to use these as my only shoe for my next 100km

I tested the Arc’teryx Sylan 2 on trail runs and hikes in dry Southern California conditions, primarily on dusty singletrack, loose fire roads, and rocky terrain with moderate elevation gain. Most of my runs are between 5–12 miles a few times a week, and I also used these on longer hikes while carrying light gear to get a better sense of long-distance comfort and stability. After spending time in them, I’m seriously considering taking them on my next 114-mile section of the PCT. The first thing that stood out to me was the ride feel. The midsole foam has a very springy, energetic sensation that gives noticeable rebound with each step. On climbs and flatter rolling terrain, the rocker geometry helps keep momentum moving forward and makes the shoe feel efficient at faster paces. Compared to some trail shoes that can feel overly firm or dead underfoot after long miles, the Sylan 2 stayed responsive and helped reduce lower leg fatigue over time. I do see creasing in the foam but this is expected from a soft running shoe. The upper design is one of my favorite aspects of the shoe. The integrated stretch gaiter/spandex-style opening works extremely well in the dry Southern California environment I live in. It keeps dust, small rocks, and trail debris out far better than a traditional tongue construction while also creating a secure fit without needing to overtighten the laces. The lace garage on the tongue is another feature I really appreciated. It keeps the laces tucked away cleanly, prevents them from coming untied, and gives the shoe a very streamlined overall look. Traction performed well on loose dirt, dry rock, and hard-packed trails. I felt confident during descents and quick direction changes, although on very uneven or highly technical terrain the tall, energetic platform can feel slightly less planted compared to lower, more traditional trail shoes. That said, for smoother singletrack, moderate technical terrain, and higher-output movement, the ride feels fast and efficient. Comfort over longer efforts was impressive. The shoe maintained a secure fit throughout runs and hikes without creating pressure points or hotspots, and the gaiter construction helped keep the heel locked in place. The combination of cushioning and rocker design makes it a strong option for people who want a trail shoe that feels modern, fast, and highly cushioned without losing responsiveness. Overall, I’ve been really happy with the Sylan 2. It feels designed for moving efficiently over distance while still being comfortable enough for all-day use. Between the energetic ride, clean integrated upper, and thoughtful details like the lace pocket, this is a shoe I’ll continue reaching for during higher-output trail activities. Additionally, I find the breathability of the shoe to be great. My feet never felt hot or swampy while wearing these. Lastly, as someone who typically goes for shoes marketed as wide toe box, I found these to be roomy and not too narrow, which I was worried about. Great job on this shoe! I’m picky with footwear and honest with my feedback and can’t really think of a negative! I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

I recently ran a 13.1-mile trail race in the Arc’teryx Sylan 2, and they exceeded my expectations. They felt incredibly light and breathable compared to my old On trail shoes, which were noticeably heavier and less ventilated. Although my On shoes offer slightly more cushioning and energy return, the Sylan 2 provides superior stability and support. After recovering from an ankle sprain, these shoes gave me the confidence to tackle dirt trails and loose gravel without worrying about rolling my ankle. The traction remained reliable throughout the entire run, and the vibrant colorway is a great bonus. Lightweight, supportive, and dependable—10/10, I highly recommend them.

The Sylan 2 is an absolute workhorse of a trail runner. The combination of the flat knit tongue/liner and the neon woven upper provides excellent lockdown and a seamless fit. (previous Arcteryx knit tongues always gave me painful pressure points at the start of the toebox) while not being too constrictive and still allowing for my toes to splay in a natural way. The foam of the sole is super comfortable and on the softer side for a trail runner (has a little bit more give than the norvan sole) but the addition of the carbon fiber adds a nice stiffness and responsiveness. I also like that the tread is a little bit chunkier with larger spaces in between so you dont get mud and dirt stuck in between the lugs compared to some other trail runners. All in all the Sylan has become my go to trail runner in almost any situation. Read Less

The previous Sylan's were my go-to, it didn’t take many kilometres before they became my favourite for both road and trail running. This latest update isn’t a complete overhaul, but it’s a noticeable refinement: slightly lighter, a touch stiffer, and a more dialled-in fit especially around the ankle. My favourite shoes just got even better!

I tested the Dylan 2 in different terrain from gravel, rocky areas, and muddy dirt trails. They performed well in all the terrains I took them in. I was very surprised how well it held up on my last day of testing them in a bit more of a semi muddy area because it had rained on the trail a couple days before and I didn’t feel like I needed to change out my shoes because of the muddier conditions. I usually run and hike around 5-7 miles about 4 days a week and these held up great and I loved the traction and trust I felt with the Sylan 2. I felt like the comfort and cushion in the shoes helped me so much on those longer run days. I felt a good bounce and propulsion on my runs, and had no trouble on the different terrains no stability issues or anything. I suggested going true to size . I typically wear a 10.5 and had no issues. I loved the vibram sole they reminded me of the Norvan LD4 I typically hike in so I was very pleased with the response from the soles on those more difficult terrains. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

I have enjoyed testing the Arc'teryx Sylan 2! It feels zippy and fast, while still being stable and secure. I wore the shoe over different types of terrain, and it performed well on each. On chunky, rocky trails, the shoe feels stable and locked in to my foot. On looser gravel and singletrack, it still feels super comfortable and controlled running through a corner. No lack of confidence or hesitation. It feels good going uphill and downhill too. I even did a little running on sand, it it performed just fine. I've run with the shoe at different paces, and while it does great at any, it really feels like you should be running quick in it. It almost has a bias for speed. I did a little running on concrete path as well, and it feels snappy and responsive there too. Even being meant for the trail, it doesn't feel clunky or obnoxious on pavement. The fit was a little more narrow than I anticipated it would be. It makes sense for being a fast, race-focused shoe. On my next pair, I'd go up a half size. The only pressure point was on the outside/little toe. Otherwise the shoe fits snug and stable. I've run a lot in the Hoka Challenger, and the Sylan 2feels like a sports car compared to that model. All in all, this shoe feels great for speedy trail runs, tempo work, or race day. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.