Arc'teryx Sylan 2: Fast, Technical, and Built to Last

By: Krissi Polentz

Arc'teryx has been doing something aesthetically right lately. The more distinct, enlarged logo and crisp branding have given them a bolder presence and identity as they expand beyond the technical apparel we know so well. The Sylan 2 is another clear sign they’re serious about becoming a strong contender in mountain running.

It's the next generation of the Sylan line, built on feedback from both the Sylan and Sylan Pro. Designed to move fast with you in mountain environments, it brings a lighter, more precisely tuned foam construction and the introduction of carbon — with the build quality we expect from Arc'teryx. This is not a do-everything daily trainer, and it doesn't try to be.

What's in the Shoe

Like anything Arc'teryx makes, these shoes are built to last. The upper is an engineered woven jacquard that integrates into the collar and tongue as one piece, giving it a sock-like fit and feel with a subtle built-in lace garage. It is strong and light. Underfoot, Arc'teryx added a new supercritical foam and introduced a two-pronged, or “forked,” three-quarter length carbon plate.

The outsole is what most would consider the gold standard: Vibram Megagrip. What makes this shoe’s outsole unique, though, is its updated lugs. Each lug has two depths: 4.5mm where you need more grab directionally, and 3.5mm otherwise, with overall wider spacing to shed potential debris. The shoe has a stack height of 32mm in the heel and 26mm at the forefoot, a 6mm drop.

First Impressions

As I mentioned, Arc'teryx did a great job with the look of the shoe. The construction is meticulous and the color choices very purposeful. The materials clean up easily so the shoe moves between contexts as well as it moves in the mountains. The sock liner gives the impression it will act like a built-in gaiter for our loose Tahoe dirt, and as a nice touch has a subtle lace garage to keep things in place.

Fit and Feel

The sock liner is genuinely nice, but it comes with a learning curve.

Off the bat, I was concerned the heel tab came up too high. With socks on, it was a non-issue — I stopped noticing it the moment I started moving. If, like me, you have pretty skinny ankles, I’d recommend cushioned socks rather than ultra-thin socks for the best overall feel too. Something like the Darn Tough Lightweight with Cushion.

My second instinct was to skip tightening the laces, since the liner fit snugly and the shoe was easy to slip on and off. That worked fine on mellow terrain, but the shoe required more on anything dynamic. Once I dialed in the lace tension, the shoe locked around my foot and still felt seamless. Then it feels very nimble for mountain running. You’ll just need to loosen the top laces to get it on and off like any other shoe. Minor, but worth knowing upfront.

I found the Sylan 2 to be true to size. That said, many people who aren’t used to space for toe splay in a shoe upper might find that the thin material means a loose fit. I've seen suggestions to go a half to full size down, and I'd suggest: try it in store, and if you use a EU size, use that as your reference. The fit is generally on the narrower end — think Salomon or La Sportiva — so if you're coming from a wider shoe, factor that in.

On the Trail

I've been testing the Sylan 2 throughout May on anything that's melted out early this spring: Waddle Ranch, Sawtooth and the 06, Tahoe Donner singletrack and gravel. It's been a solid proving ground so far. The one terrain type I haven't thrown at the shoe yet is anything super technical or scrambly, which I'm curious about given the shoe’s desire to move fast. This will have to wait for summer conditions.

The Sylan 2 is consistently firm underfoot, and the carbon plate makes it stiff as you'd expect. All of that means it wants to go forward and fast. Arc'teryx moved the rocker into the forefoot from the mid foot for this version. I’ll be honest: I didn't feel it distinctly on roll-through or toe-off. My impression is that the stiffness and 6mm drop are driving the feeling of forward propulsion more than any rocker.

Where the Sylan 2 shines is on fast, shorter efforts and race days, e.g. Tahoe dirt, Eastside kitty litter, gravel roads, lightly technical singletrack. The two-depth lugs handle varied terrain in a way that feels cohesive rather than compromised. It's a genuinely new way of thinking about lug design, and I'd love to see Arc'teryx continue developing it.

I personally wish I could feel the responsiveness of the supercritical foam more. The stiffness of carbon and the rocker relocation took away the “pop” for me. After about 30 miles, I did notice the shoe starting to soften and break in, feeling more fluid, which gives me hope. I could see adding 2mm of foam to a future version in the front or across the length of the shoe to help balance the carbon plate better. 

Who It's For

If you want a carbon shoe for hard efforts and race days, or you just prefer a stiffer, more precise platform, this may be a shoe for you. If you want something soft and forgiving for long or easy days, this isn't it. And of course it’s always going to be a great style pick - I love the men’s Graphite color for that.

Bottom Line

The Sylan 2 is Arc'teryx making a clear statement about where they're going in running. Technical, well-built, great traction, and a fit worth taking the time to dial in. Come try it on at Tahoe Mountain Sports in Truckee — the fit is specific enough that it's worth putting on your actual foot before committing

Check them out here!