Arc’teryx Finally Made the Running Shoe the Outdoor World Has Waited For

Arc’teryx’s latest release feels like the culmination of years of footwear development — a truly advanced trail runner that finally matches the brand’s chops for bleeding-edge technical design.

Yellow and black Arc'teryx Sylvan 2 running shoe with black laces on a green background.

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By Ben Bowers

Published March 9, 2026

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Updated March 9, 2026

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Arc’teryx has been steadily expanding its footwear lineup since opening its dedicated shoe design center in Portland, Oregon — and the Sylan has been one of its most visible experiments.

The model first debuted in spring 2024 as a fast, efficient trail runner built for “linking peaks,” a concept that quickly grew into a broader lineup that included Gore-Tex and Pro variants.

Yellow-green cleat shoe with black skeletal graphic and black laces displayed on black stands against a green background. — Though it’s simply called the Sylan 2, the upgrades over the previous model are substantial and fully in line with today’s “super shoe” standards.

Now, two years later — and after a full cycle of athlete feedback — Arc’teryx has unveiled the Sylan 2. The update brings something the brand has never previously attempted in footwear: the integration of modern “super-shoe” technology, a move that should immediately grab the attention of trail runners chasing the sport’s bleeding edge.

It may also catch the eye of rival footwear brands that have quietly benefited from Arc’teryx lagging behind in the trail-running arms race — because the Sylan 2 suggests that gap may be closing fast.

A new trail shoe with “super” DNA

Two trail runners wearing neon yellow shoes and gear running on a rocky mountain path with a scenic valley and mountains in the background. — This Sylan 20 weighs 20 grams less than the original, which gives it a noticeably lighter feel on foot.

Arc’teryx didn’t make small tweaks going from the original Sylan to the Sylan 2. The overhaul is substantial. The brand managed to shave 20 grams from the shoe — no small feat in a category where designers obsess over single-digit weight savings — while simultaneously upgrading nearly every performance component.

The biggest change sits in the midsole. Arc’teryx replaced the original foam with a new supercritical compound, the same class of material used in elite road racers like the Nike Alphafly and Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1. In practical terms, that typically means greater energy return and less fatigue over long efforts — the two qualities that have defined the modern “super-shoe” era.

The shoe’s geometry was also reworked to reposition the rocker more forward, which should make it feel more balanced on foot for a wider range of running styles.

Arc’teryx

Arc’teryx also finally joined a growing group of brands experimenting with plated trail shoes. Like the new Nike ACG Ultrafly, the Sylan 2 features a forked, three-quarter-length carbon-fiber composite plate that boosts propulsion while stabilizing the shoe on uneven terrain.

The geometry has also been reworked. The original Sylan used a midfoot rocker that sounded clever on paper but proved polarizing in practice, particularly for runners who overpronate. The Sylan 2 shifts that rocker forward into the forefoot, creating a smoother roll and a more balanced ride across a wider range of running styles.

Black plastic tuning fork-shaped tool with a thin metal rod attached. — A new supercritical foam compound and forked carbon fiber plate are two advanced footwear technologies born from cutting-edge super shoe designs that haven’t previously made it to Arc’teryx shoes.

Underfoot, the outsole has been revised as well. The new stepped lug pattern — 4.5mm around the perimeter and 3.5mm through the center — is technically shallower than the original’s 6mm lugs but spaced farther apart. The idea is better mud shedding while still maintaining dependable traction across mixed terrain.

Goodbye minimalism

Pair of neon yellow and black Arc'teryx running shoes viewed from above on a light background. — Arc’teryx’s shoe line has often been both praised and critiqued for its burly, rugged upper construction, which excels at protection at the expense of comfort and breathability in the minds of some wearers. The Sylan 2’s reworked upper seems purposefully designed to address these concerns by emphasizing breathability and a lighter feel.

The shoe’s upper has also been completely rethought, moving to an engineered jacquard knit blending nylon, TPU, and TPE for a lighter, stronger, and more breathable construction, with added TPU films for protection in technical terrain.

It also marks a notable departure in aesthetics. While the original Sylan embraced one of the most minimalist designs we’d ever seen in a trail shoe, the Sylan Pro notably detoured by putting the Arc’teryx’s graphic logo further on display.

The Sylan 2 carries the visual spirit of the Pro forward.

Fans of the “dead bird” branding will like a lot here, especially in the vivid Mantis color option. But for those who prefer the cleaner, understated designs Arc’teryx has favored in its apparel and technical gear, the visual approach may take some getting used to.

Pricing and availability

Two trail runners wearing neon yellow vests and caps running uphill on a rocky mountain path.

The Arc’teryx Sylan 2 is available now at Arc’teryx for $220, which, while far from cheap, is still significantly less than Nike’s new flagship ACG Ultrafly’s $260 asking price.

At launch, the shoe arrives in two colorways for both men and women. Men’s options include Graphite/Graphite and Mantis — a bright lime green — as part of the brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 lineup.

More importantly, the Sylan 2 signals something bigger than a routine product update. For years, Arc’teryx footwear has shown flashes of promise while trailing the most aggressive innovations coming from dedicated running brands.

This is the first model that truly feels like the brand is incorporating the bleeding-edge into its footwear And if the performance matches the ambition, the Sylan 2 may end up doing something Arc’teryx shoes haven’t quite done before: forcing the rest of the elite trail-running market to take the brand more seriously.

Neon yellow and black running shoe with skeletal frog graphic and black laces.

Arc’teryx Sylan 2 Shoe (Mantis)

$220 at Arc'teryx

Dark gray and navy trail running shoe with thick sole and mesh upper.

Arc’teryx Sylan 2 Shoe (Graphite)

$220 at Arc'teryx

About the Author: Ben Bowers is the Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer of Gear Patrol. Throughout his tenure in media, Ben has written and reported on everything from consumer tech to whiskey, watches, cars, camping, and personal style. These days, he gets to write less than he’d like to.

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