Arc’teryx’s new Sylan 2 pairs incredible foam and carbon plate for tough mountain speeds
Arc’teryx has introduced the Sylan 2, the next generation of its running shoe designed for high-speed travel in technical mountain terrain.
The updated model builds on the original Sylan, part of Arc’teryx’s first footwear collection designed entirely by its in-house team, with a lightweight construction, redesigned upper and responsive midsole that now includes a carbon-fibre plate to further enhance stability.
(Photo credit: Arc’teryx’s)
“Ever since we introduced Sylan two years ago, our athletes have been telling us how fast they feel, but they wanted more confidence in speed,” said Chris Pope, Director of Footwear Design at Arc’teryx.
“With Sylan 2, we’ve refined everything to deliver even greater performance – light, dynamic and stable to support high-productivity days in a technical mountain environment.”
A fast-paced, inspiring platform
The Sylan 2 introduces a redesigned midsole built around the all-important foam, a material that is common in street running shoes due to its lightweight and dynamic feel.
Nike’s Alphafly 3, Adidas’ Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, ASICS’ Metaspeed Sky Paris and Saucony’s Endorphin Elite all rely on versions of the all-important foam-like technology.
Arc’teryx pairs the foam with a carbon-fibre composite plate, designed to improve movement and add torsional stability on uneven terrain.
The shoe retains its rocker geometry to promote faster toe-off, while the heel has been reshaped to improve stability during downhill and technical sections.
The changes help the new model shed almost 20 grams compared to its predecessor, while improving energy return and efficiency on longer efforts.
New high and refined traction
On the upper, the Sylan 2 transitions from a woven structure to an engineered jacquard upper, designed to improve lockdown and breathability during high-impact runs.
Materials also include reinforced fibers and a TPU overlay for durability and protection in rocky terrain.
Previous Sylan models have used uppers woven from recycled polyester fibers, although Arc’teryx did not highlight the recycled materials in the Sylan 2 launch information.
(Photo credit: Arc’teryx’s)
Underfoot, the shoe retains the Vibram Megagrip outsole with LITEBASE technology, a compound commonly used in performance trail shoes to reduce weight while maintaining durability.
Arc’teryx has updated the lug design with a multi-height stepped pattern, which aims to improve traction in both wet and dry conditions while efficiently shedding mud.
According to Arc’teryx athlete Martin Kern, the shoe is able to combine durability and speed in an unusual way for aggressive trail shoes.
“The thing that bothers me the most is a stiff, tank-like fit in a fast, fast shoe,” Kern said. “Usually you have to choose between a strong and a fast shoe, but the Sylan 2 breaks the mold.”
Stack height sits at 32mm in the heel and 26mm in the forefoot, producing a 6mm drop that puts the shoe firmly in the modern high stack category.
The Arc’teryx Sylan 2 launches on March 5th at Arc’teryx UK, Arc’teryx US, and Arc’teryx EU, and retails for £200 / $220 / €220 (~AU$314).
