Arc'teryx Sylan 2 Men

This shoe feels light, bouncy, and fast. The curved sole rolls you effortlessly from landing to take-off, making it easier to build and maintain pace. The plate in the midsole provides a stable feel, so you feel confident walking even on uneven paths.

It performs best in races and fast runs on runnable terrain. Think of a trail race in the Ardennes, an ultra on wide mountain paths, or a fast long endurance run on the Veluwe. You notice the difference in the second half of a long race: the cushioning remains lively and your legs feel less heavy, even as you get tired. The lugs provide grip on loose ground and release mud easily.

If in doubt, consider the terrain and your pace. On steep, technical descents or rocky trails where you do a lot of stepping and scrambling, a lower and more stable shoe feels more secure, such as the Vertex Speed. If you mostly run at a leisurely pace or do a lot of walking in between, you won't get much out of this shoe's fast character. If you want to run fast on walkable trails, this is exactly the right choice.

In short: a fast racing shoe for trail runners who want to pick up the pace.