Arc’teryx Sylan GTX Review

Trail running in foul weather can either be a delight, with the right shoes, or a soggy mess with the wrong ones. Likewise, cold-weather trail running requires shoes that can shrug off snow and blustery cold winds. For all of the above reasons, the Arc’teryx Sylan GTX has been in review this winter for everything Mother Nature has sent my way along Utah’s Wasatch Front.

Arc’teryx Sylan GTX Trail Running Shoes Features:

• Full GORE-TEX liner with Invisible Fit Technology
• Lightweight InFuse® EVA and Polyolefin midsole with rocker geometry
• Vibram® Megagrip outsole with 6mm lugs
• PFCec-Free DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment
• Integrated tongue pocket tucks away laces
• Knit collar seals out debris
• Durable recycled nylon uppers resist abrasion
• 28.6mm heel / 22.6mm forefoot (6mm drop)
• Weight: 13.1 oz (each, actual, size 11.5)
• MSRP: $230

Lace ’em up for winter trails

Gore-Tex and Arc’teryx is like peanut butter and jelly. Over the years these two companies have brought innovation and timeless function to the outdoor industry. Expensive? Absolutely. But, these two have set the bar to which every other brand aspires. With all that promise, I had very high expectations for the Sylan GTX trail runners. Throughout months of testing, those expectations weighed heavily on me with every step along the way. At the end of the day, I’m definitely a fan, but there are some rough edges I’d like to see knocked down before victory is declared.

Using Invisible Fit Technology, the Arc’teryx Sylan GTX isn’t your father’s GORE-TEX shoes. Back in the day, you had to size up when shoes were constructed with GORE-TEX liners. With this integrated design, the uppers are more true-to-size and feel much closer to the non-waterproof versions. Still, it is a full wrap-around bootie that’s guaranteed to keep you dry.

Slipping them on and taking my first steps, the uppers don’t quite flex as naturally as traditional uppers. It’s definitely noticeable, but not a distraction. And, over the course of a couple of months time, the flex has improved and also become quieter. Without question, Gore’s latest liners are much better than they used to be.

The overall fit of the Sylan GTX is on par with all Arc’teryx trail running shoes I’ve worn over the years. They have ample room in the toe box and provide a natural foot cradle when laced up. The uppers have plenty of structure and foot support without forcing the subject. Welded seams throughout reduce differences between materials and junction points. The extended toe protection adds to the abrasion resistance of these shoes in the most technical and intrusive terrain.

All test miles so far have been during the winter months here in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. Test temperatures have varied between 20-50 degrees and I’ve tested them on dry, wet, frozen, snow packed and muddy trails. Above all, the Gore-Tex liners block all wind from freezing my toes. I don’t need to wear thick socks to stay warm, just a lightweight pair of CEP Ultralight Mid Cut Compression Socks will do. The result is a consistent fit and trail feel — even when it’s 25-degrees outside.

In fresh snow or snow packed trails, I had no issues with moisture entering the uppers of the Sylan GTX. This should not come as a surprise because they are guaranteed to do that. But again, they are shoes and snow can obviously enter into the cuffs. But, my feet stayed dry while still breathing well and never feeling like a sauna inside. Gore-Tex has definitely come a long way and I can comfortable run in these up into the 60’s without beginning to overheat.

The midsoles aren’t quite as squishy as a pair of Hoka’s, but they become a little more comfortable as temperatures rise. I wouldn’t call the Sylan GTX a harsh ride, but it’s just not quite as cushioning as other shoes with similar stack height and drop. However, the rockered outsole with Vibram MegaGrip rolls from one step to the next with absolute precision. At both low and high cadence, the shoes naturally step from one foot to the other with the utmost smoothness. While I would still like a little more cushioning, Arc’teryx has nailed the stride, which compensates for having a little less cushioning.

Because of that smooth stride, I can easily recommend these shoes for training or racing over the longest winter distances — even for someone in their 50’s, like me. The outsole offers excellent traction on all terrain (mud, snow, etc.) and is holding up really well, with little signs of wear. That’s even after many miles of road approaches.

The only negative I’ve noticed with the stack height and the overall construction is a little lack of stability in technical terrain. When the trails are mellow or predictable, I had zero issues. But, the second I got into technical trails with loose rocks, double-fall lines or deep hoof prints (thanks to overeager equestrians), I noticed some instability and did roll my foot a couple of times. The North Face Altamesa 500 offers a trapezoidal heel for added stability, for example, and the Sylan GTX could learn a little from that design choice for added stability.

Let’s get back to the uppers to round things out. All the materials used are top-notch and the standard laces are great. I love how easy they are to put on and take off and even the little lace garage is a nice touch. However, the partial bootie-like cuff doesn’t quite do it for my feet. When I put the shoes on, the frontmost part folds inward and needs to be untucked every time. And, the tongue sits unnecessarily high, which allows trail scree to enter — thus negating the mini bootie material that’s made to help with that problem. It seems that the tongue extends up high enough to facilitate the lace garage, but I’d rather see a more unified tongue/cuff interface with a lower-profile tongue that doesn’t extend several inches upward. I do always have to give kudos for a heel tab, which eases shoe entry.

The Sylan GTX has held up well and shows little signs of wear on the uppers — in spite of countless miles of winter abuse. They just wipe right off and keep on rolling. The black/white color I’ve been testing is a lot more white than I would prefer for a trail running shoe. It almost looks like I stepped halfway into a bucket of white paint. Style is relative, but choose the color that suits you best.

My biggest gripe overall with the Sylan GTX is the lack of heel lock. The uppermost lace eyelets and the heel cup don’t work in concert to lock my heels in place. I get a little heel slippage with every step and it hasn’t improved with more miles like I hoped. Instead of a deep heel cup, Arc’teryx designers placed padding around the Achilles. I would like to see both a deeper cup and Achilles support for improved heel lock. Every foot is different, but looking at other reviews, I’m not the only one with this issue.

Fit: I’m wearing size 11.5, which is my usual for Arc’teryx and other shoes (The North Face, Hoka, Adidas Terrex, etc.)

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