I’m excited to see this iteration of the Arc’teryx Sylan 2! You can tell Arc’teryx took feedback from the original and really upped the ante with this one. They hit all the current buzzwords: carbon plates, supercritical foam, mud-shedding lugs, but does it live up to the hype? Here is our review of the Sylan 2.
My first run felt fast, but I’ll be honest, I also dealt with heel and foot pain because I didn’t ease into the carbon plate as I should have.
Carbon-plated shoes will do that if you jump in too quickly. Lesson learned.
It only took a few miles to realize this isn’t designed as a slow, zone 2 shoe. It is made for speed days and race efforts. Once I started rotating it in more gradually, my feet adjusted, and the heel pain didn’t come back.
I ran the Sylan 2s in winter conditions in the Colorado Rockies and brought them to the desert with me to test them on some technical singletrack.
We both preferred the desert singletrack. Don’t get me wrong, they performed well in the snow, but they really showed what they are capable of on fast, technical trails.
Who is it Good For?
- Wide Feet: May feel snug for wide feet, especially when getting the shoe on.
- Technical trails: YES! YES! YES!
- Long runs: Fast and technical long runs, yes; slow Z2 long runs, no.
- Front of the Pack: Runners who want speed and propulsion.
This shoe is great for anyone looking for a carbon plate trail shoe for race days–from 5ks on up to 100 mile races.
Arc’teryx Sylan 2 Overview
The Sylan 2 received a full top-to-bottom overhaul. The lead shoe designer for Arc’teryx called it a “revolutionary” shoe for the brand.
While I didn’t run in the original version, it’s clear this update goes far beyond minor tweaks. It’s lighter, the midsole is completely redesigned, and it’s the first Arc’teryx shoe to feature supercritical foam paired with a forked, three-quarter-length carbon plate.
The newly engineered woven upper blends into a knit tongue and soft ankle gaiter for a clean, integrated feel. Underfoot, a 100% Pebax core sits above the carbon plate, surrounded by a thick TPEE rim that adds stability and durability.
The outsole is full-length Vibram Megagrip with a more open, reconfigured lug pattern compared to the previous version, designed to shed mud more easily and transition smoothly across mixed terrain.
While I wasn’t able to run through thick mud, I was impressed by how well it handled the early Spring conditions through the muddy sections.
I used this shoe for faster trail efforts, long technical runs, and workouts where I wanted to maintain/push a faster pace. My first run was a long Z2 effort, and that is when my heel pain started. Like Liam Neeson, these shoes have “a very particular set of skills”; they were designed for faster efforts, not recovery days.
Arc'teryx Sylan 2 Specs
- Weight: 9.5 oz (men’s size 9)
- Stack Height: 26mm
- Heel Drop: 6mm
- Colors: Graphite and Mantis
- Not available in wide
- Available on www.arcteryx.com for $220.00
I actually love the Graphite color and the shoe’s style. It’s one of those shoes where I hope someone on the trail tells me they look like fast shoes.
Quick Take
Pros
- Updated lugs
- Secure feeling on technical trails
- Energetic and forward rolling
Cons
- Not for easy recovery runs
- A little narrow and not available in wide
- No padding on tongue
Arc’teryx Sylan 2 Fit
The toe box feels performance-snug without being cramped for my average-sized foot. It runs true to size for me, though runners who prefer a wide, relaxed fit may find it a bit snug.
I also had a bit of a tougher time getting my foot into the shoe. The sock gaiter does restrict the opening a little, and wider feet may struggle to get their foot in.
However, once my foot was inside the gaiter, it provided a nice level of protection and wasn’t noticeable during my runs.
The heel is more sculpted and structured, which helps with containment on technical terrain. My feet felt low and in control on all my runs. I really liked that secure feeling on technical downhills.
The knit tongue sits comfortably without pressure points- there isn’t any padding, so be careful not to tie it too tight.
There are just enough laces for a heel lock; however, with the redesigned lower heel, I didn’t need that lacing style. They even have a small and easy-to-use lace keeper at the top of the tongue.
The arch feels neutral and supportive without being intrusive.
Arc’teryx Sylan 2 Feel
This shoe feels energetic and forward-rolling. The supercritical foam and carbon plate combination gives noticeable propulsion, especially at faster paces. The forked plate design helps maintain stability on uneven terrain, so it doesn’t feel overly rigid or harsh.
Cushioning is protective but not overly soft. It feels stable for a plated trail shoe, likely thanks to the Pebax core and surrounding TPEE rim.
It actually feels a lot like the SCARPA Ultra Spin 2. If you liked that shoe but wanted something with a carbon plate, then the Sylan 2 might be a great fit.
That said, ease into it. My first run brought on some heel discomfort because I jumped in too aggressively.
Carbon-plated shoes change how load moves through your foot and lower leg. After giving my body time to adapt, my runs felt much better and really came alive on speed days.
Similar Shoes to the Arc’teryx Sylan 2
Looking for another speedy trail shoe? Here’s our comparisons from other lines:
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SCARPA Ultra Spin 2: Similar fit and feel, just without a carbon plate
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HOKA Tecton X3: Bootie fit, very bouncy
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Craft Xplor Pro: option for when you want road to trail speed
There you have it, our thoughts on the Sylan 2! What else would you like to know? Have you tried any of their models?
Our Verdict
Overall, the Sylan 2 feels like Arc’teryx took feedback seriously and jumped into the performance trail-shoe deep end of the pool, and nailed it. I’m excited to try it out on some shorter trail races lined up for this summer. If you’re still looking for a carbon-plated shoe that isn’t too plush or has a large rocker, this could be a great option.
What to Read Next?
- Should You Run in Carbon Plated Shoes Everyday?
- See all our trail running shoe reviews
- Trail Shoe Lugs Explained – what you need to know
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