Engineered to help you move faster and farther on the trail, the Arc'teryx Sylan 2 pairs ultra-responsive cushioning with a propulsive design that keeps every stride feeling smooth and energized. Lightweight, breathable, and equipped with Vibram® Megagrip traction, it delivers the confidence to push the pace across challenging terrain.
REVIEWS
43 Reviews
Donwaxxty
I wear size 13 and a proper fit should leave some room for your toes and shouldn’t squeeze the front of your foot. I also feel that the price is too expensive for this type of shoe. If the price can be reduced.
SpeedDemon24
I’ve been running in my sylan 2 for a couple months now and they’ve given me great support why being permeable but man oh man… I ran the muddy dash this past weekend and brought the sylan 2 into the obstacle course. The shoes gave me so much support with how crazy I typically run and the whole course was a mud slope so you can imagine how slippery it was for anyone else. Shout out to the team over in Lynn field!! They’ll make sure you’re fully ready for any event!!
Nathmontagne
Impress by the lightness of the shoe, the conforte, his traction and responsiveness! Coming back from a tibia fracture I was a little worry about starting with a new shoe but this is my favorite for the pass 30 years.
patrickgasperini
A shoe with an excellent fit and fantastic cushioning. The grip is great both uphill and downhill, and above all, it doesn't tire the foot: both the fit and the breathability are excellent.
Kenshin
very nice design and it's a great feature for trail run
maerunes
I trained in the Norvan LD4s for a 50K with >3,500ft elevation gain, but I knew I wanted lighter, more springy shoes for the race itself so I got the Sylan 2s. I went up a half-size from from my street shoe size (which is what I always do for running shoes), and these fit really well. I wore them for just over six hours and they had great traction on grass, gravel, and more technical terrain. I felt a slight hot spot after five hours on my feet right around my right arch, but when I removed the shoes, I didn't have any blisters so the fit might be slightly off for my feet in that one spot.
Emma
The new Sylan 2 are epic! Increased stability from the Sylan 1, plus many other upgrades. These feel light, springy, responsive, and absolutely ready to rip!!!
rodo
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
billislandboy
I received this shoe was a test to review so this will be a honest review. First off i've used the Merrell Agility Peak and Altra Lonepeak for trail running.. By far the price on the Sylan is quite a bit more than other trail shoes but there is a reason for that. This is a very premium superior trail shoe. Everything from the Vibram sole to the very responsive foam base. I love how it has the stealth fit upper which keeps debris from entering the shoe. The Sylan is super super lightweight. I live in Minneosta and the shoe handled the trails/gravel very well. The shoe does run wider (not as wide as Altra) than the two Arc'terx hiking shoes i've had and has more generous room than Solomon trail shoes. I'm a size 9 and the size was spot on. The upper material is very breathable. I typically wear a darn tough or smart wool zero cushion sock (as my feet really sweat). My feet did very well while inside the shoes. Very comfortable runs. I love Arc'terx products and def spend a ton of money in the store. I feel they really hit a home run with this shoe. Price is a bit steep but you are buying a very high end performance shoe. If you want a high end performance trail shoe that is super light weight, very responsive and very very cushioned look no further.
yeahturkey
I tested the Arc’teryx Sylan 2 extensively in Western New York, including a 30-mile ultramarathon on typical local terrain consisting of dirt trails, roots, rocks, and rolling hills. Most of my runs are on mixed singletrack and rugged trail systems, and I regularly run long distances, so I was able to get a good sense of the shoe’s performance over time. The standout feature of the Sylan 2 is how fast and efficient it feels. From the first few miles, the aggressive rocker design creates a smooth rolling sensation that helps maintain momentum and reduces the effort required to keep moving at a strong pace. The shoe feels energetic and responsive, and over long distances I noticed less fatigue compared to many other trail shoes I’ve used. Traction was excellent across the varied surfaces I encountered, including dry dirt, loose rock, roots, and uneven trail sections. I always felt confident with my footing, even when moving quickly through technical terrain. Despite being a speed-focused shoe, stability was surprisingly good. The platform felt secure on off-camber trails and rocky sections, allowing me to stay aggressive without feeling unstable. Comfort was another highlight. During a 30-mile ultramarathon, the shoe remained comfortable from start to finish with no significant hot spots or pressure points. The fit felt precise and performance-oriented without being restrictive, and the upper did an excellent job of locking my foot in place. I never experienced heel lift or excessive movement inside the shoe, even late in the run when fatigue started to set in. Overall, the Sylan 2 is the most efficient trail-running and fastpacking shoe I’ve used. It combines speed, propulsion, traction, stability, and long-distance comfort better than any trail shoe I’ve personally tested, and it has quickly become my favorite option for covering big miles on the trail.
Pdxyankees
Can I first start out with saying, WOW! These are the second pair of Arc’teryx trail running shoes I’ve worn and holy moley these are more comfortable than the Norvan’s. I took these out to a Robinson Preserve in Florida. I tested them on the inner most track which is a rubberized trail track. Before getting to that there is a gravel track and I will be talking about that as well. First of all, Fit! These are more narrower than the Norvan trail runners. I normally wear a 12 wide and get 12.5 with Arc’teryx shoes. After wearing them for about 30-40 mins, I can tell that the shoe starts feeling a bit narrower than what I’m use to. Knowing what I know now, I’d probably order a 13 just for peace of mind. I did have a bit of an issue with the heel feeling a bit narrow in the beginning but, over time I think it stretched out a bit. I do like the sock like upper, makes it easy to put on and take off. I also love the fact that Arc’teryx started taking some tips from Salomon and having an area to hid your shoe laces in the tongue. Ride - on the gravel trail, I noticed immediately there’s some bounce to these. The Norvan has no bounce what so ever. I would say that shoe is more flat than anything else. I also noticed that this shoe has a meta rocker similar to what you would find on a pair of Hoka Speedgoat 7 trail runners. The cushion on this is not as plush but it’s close to it. Also, I don’t feel like you had to break these in a long as you would with a pair of Hokas. I will say most of the cushion in through the mid foot leading into toe off. This makes for excellent amount of propulsion. The rubberized track portion was a completely different feel. The bounce back from the track offered me a fast change off from left foot to right foot and back. I felt a bit fast on that track than what I did on the gravel track. After going for it 3 times each week for the last 3 weeks, I can honestly say that this shoe is one of my favorite trail runners. Now if Arc’teryx just happened to make it a bit wider or in a wide, I would be a happy camper. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.
Knapp
I tested the Arc'teryx Sylan 2 over several weeks of trail running in the Pacific Northwest, primarily on a mix of singletrack trails, forest roads, rocky terrain, and steep elevation gains and descents. My typical runs ranged from 5 to 12 miles, and I used the shoes multiple times per week in both dry and slightly wet trail conditions. The standout feature of the Sylan 2 is its speed-oriented design. From the first run, the shoe felt incredibly quick and responsive. The rocker geometry creates a smooth rolling sensation that encourages forward momentum and makes it easy to maintain pace, especially on rolling terrain and gradual climbs. Compared to many traditional trail shoes I've used, the Sylan 2 feels much more race-focused but also efficient. The rocker design does an excellent job promoting propulsion. During longer efforts, I found myself naturally turning over my stride more efficiently, on climbs, the lightweight construction helped keep my legs feeling fresh, while on descents the rocker continued to provide a smooth ride without feeling overly aggressive. Traction was another major strength. The vibram bottom provided excellent grip across a variety of surfaces, including loose dirt, gravel, exposed roots, and rocky terrain. Even in damp conditions, I felt confident in the shoe's ability to maintain traction, I never experienced any issues with slipping, even when moving at higher speeds on technical sections. The primary limitation I experienced was stability and ankle security on highly technical terrain. While the shoe performs exceptionally well when running fast on smoother trails, I found that the lower-profile upper did not provide as much ankle support as some other trail shoes I've used which I haven't dealt with. During testing, I rolled my ankle more than usual twice on uneven terrain while navigating rocky sections of trail. Runners who frequently tackle highly technical trails or who prefer a more supportive shoe may want to consider this tradeoff. With the one slight flaw I found in the shoe I would still definitely recommend for someone looking for a fun fast shoe that just wants to go and take any challenge it's given. You'll definitely still see me out on the PNW trails with these every week! I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.
Paulyb23
I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. I tested the Arc'teryx Sylan 2 over several weeks on the trail systems around my local area, primarily on groomed desert trails, rolling singletrack, and hard-packed dirt paths. My runs typically ranged from 5 to 12 miles, with occasional longer efforts, and I used the shoe multiple times per week in dry conditions with loose-over-hard terrain, small rocks, and moderate elevation changes. The first thing that stood out about the Sylan 2 was its ride quality. The cushioning feels exceptionally responsive and energetic, delivering a lively underfoot sensation that encourages faster pacing. Combined with the aggressive rocker geometry, the shoe transitions smoothly from landing to toe-off and creates a noticeable sense of forward momentum. On flatter terrain and gradual climbs, the rocker helped maintain rhythm and efficiency, making it easy to keep moving without feeling like I had to work as hard to generate speed. Traction was another highlight. The outsole performed very well across hard-packed trails, loose dirt, and light singletrack. Even on steeper climbs and dusty descents, I felt confident in the grip. The shoe consistently provided reliable traction and never left me questioning my footing on the terrain where I spent most of my testing time. Where my experience became more mixed was with the upper and overall fit. The nylon upper felt quite stiff and repeatedly dug into my ankle, especially during longer runs. While this may improve with break-in for some runners, it remained a persistent issue throughout my testing period. I also struggled to achieve a secure foothold. Despite experimenting with different lacing techniques, I could never find a fit that fully locked my foot in place. Because of this lack of security, I wasn't comfortable pushing the shoe into highly technical terrain where precise foot placement and confidence are critical. As a result, most of my testing remained on groomed trails and smoother singletrack rather than rocky, off-camber, or highly technical routes. On uneven terrain, the platform itself felt reasonably stable, but the fit prevented me from fully trusting the shoe during aggressive cornering, steep descents, or technical sections. In terms of comfort, the midsole remained impressive throughout every run. Even after double-digit mileage, the cushioning continued to feel protective and responsive. However, the ankle irritation from the upper gradually became more noticeable as run duration increased, offsetting some of the benefits of the otherwise excellent ride. Compared to other trail shoes I've used, the Sylan 2 offers one of the more energetic and efficient rides in its category. The combination of responsive cushioning and rocker geometry feels designed for runners who prioritize maintaining speed on runnable terrain. However, I found the fit less accommodating than several other trail shoes, and less secure than I would prefer for technical trail running. Overall, the Arc'teryx Sylan 2 excels in responsiveness, propulsion, and traction. For runners spending most of their time on groomed trails, flowing singletrack, and less technical terrain, it delivers a fast and enjoyable ride. However, runners who are sensitive to ankle pressure or who require a highly secure fit for technical trails may want to pay close attention to the fit before committing. The performance potential is clearly there, but for me, the upper design and fit limitations prevented me from fully exploring the shoe's capabilities
John
My experience with the Sylan 2s has been incredible thus far. While the actual outsole hasn't been too notably different from my Altra Outroads or On Cloudultras, the extra framing and energy return from the wishbone shaped carbon plate has definitely upped my ride. Here in Florida, a lot of the ground is soft and can be hard to gain good traction off of, and that's where I find the carbon plate and PEBAX foam help me skate over mud, sand, and grainy dirt. The upper material does a solid job of maintaining structure while being flexible enough to accommodate my slightly wider foot and stretches and retracts comfortably upon impact and toe off. I typically trail run 2-3 times a week between 3-8 miles at a comfortable, modest pace, and even at that speed I can feel a huge difference of energy return from my previous model, the aforementioned Cloudultras. To really test it out, I took it to a firmer soil area and did some sprints to test out the speed aspect of the shoes. This being my first carbon plated shoe, and it having a less comprehensive plating compared to road ones I've tried on, I almost didn't notice too much of a difference. Once I started my sprints, I really noticed the extra energy return and forked spring, which I noticed on my standard trailruns after. My main gripe with the Sylan 2 was that water was easily trapped between my socks and the upper and created an odd water pocket that felt very awkward. It not being waterproof, i expected my feet to get wet in the rain, but it didn't drain out as well as my Ons did. That being said, even with lugs a little shallower than my Altras it did well in the mud, providing comfortable stability and traction. Overall, I was surprised by how much im enjoying these shoes considering I went in fearful they would be too narrow, or too stiff for my preferences. They're we'll cushioned for all day wear, but functional and perform well as an uptempo trailrunner. Very happy I was given the opportunity to test these out and im looking forward to wearing these down to the bone. TLDR for fit purposes: I received a pair of size 11s that are on the longer side of the range I like to see them, but still fit well. I have a 10.5D left foot and a 10EEish right foot. The upper feels much more flexible compared to other Arc'teryx shoes without sacrificing stability and structure. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.
Scootie5
The Arc'teryx Sylan 2 has become my go-to for both daily trail walks and dedicated runs, proving to be an exceptionally responsive and lightweight performer. The rocker design offers a noticeable boost in propulsion on flatter sections, while the secure, sock-like fit provides excellent stability on technical climbs and descents. I particularly appreciate the roomy toe box, which allows for natural foot splay even on longer efforts. While the upper is quite structured and required a few outings to break in, the shoe is ultimately a precise and efficient tool for diverse trail conditions. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.
Read All Reviews (43)
*Online only. First-time subscribers only. Returning subscribers will be resubscribed for marketing/promo emails.
*Online only. First-time subscribers only. Returning subscribers will be resubscribed for marketing/promo emails.
© 2026 Public Lands
If you are using a screen reader or other assistive technology and are having problems using this website, or if you have any other difficulties accessing this website, please call 1-844-890-0896 for assistance
*Donations are based on purchase price, excluding taxes or other charges. The Public Lands Fund is a program of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity. Learn more at publiclandsfund.org.
