By 
I’ve been both a runner and a New York City resident for decades. Most of the time, these two things work together pretty well—after all, New York is chock-full of running paths and parks where you’re not constantly dodging cars and e-bikes. But as many places as there are to run, none of them are what you would call mountainous. And I love a good trail run.
So when Arc’teryx asked me to wear-test the Sylan mountain running shoe (part of the outdoor company’s standout performance-footwear collection), I jumped at the opportunity—and then immediately began scheming as to what off-road terrain I could do it on. Serendipitously, I happened to be invited for a long weekend at a friend’s house where trails are around every turn.
I had a chance to speak with Kat Drew, an athlete and product insight specialist for Arc’teryx, about just what went in to developing this shoe. (She got to take it on more than 2,000 test runs before it even hit the stores!) Then, after a quick trial run in the Big Apple, I packed up my toothbrush and some running clothes and headed off to make the most of my time away from pavement. Here’s how the Sylans held up.
Run #1
When you think of mountains, Manhattan is probably the last spot on your list, unless you count running up the stairs of tall buildings. But the pastoral gem that is Central Park does offer at least a smidge of hilly terrain and a few trails. My favorite of these is the Bridle Path, a 4.2-mile dirt-and-gravel loop that was once the domain of horses but is now filled with runners and walkers. It also happens to be a favorite spot for my 10-year-old Lab mix, Trixie, to jog freely alongside me during the park’s off-leash hours.
I wake up early on a weekday and slip on the Sylans, which are in a New York-fashionable black-on-black colorway. It takes a moment to adjust to the shoe’s rocker-like design, which Drew told me is meant to help you go faster: “That rocker geometry propels you forward and helps you push off, which gives you more speed.” At this point in my running career, I will take all the help I can get, and by the time I get to the elevator in my apartment building I am pretty much fully acclimated.
The shoe’s outsole has a sticky feel, which doesn’t do much on the sidewalk, but when I hit the park I immediately notice how well it grips the dirt. Normally I stick to the smoothest part of the Bridle Path, but this time I traverse the sides, where ruts and rocks are the norm. The shoe’s traction and slip-proof performance are impressive. I chase Trixie down when she decides to dip into a large puddle, and finish with a sprint up a muddy hill. Back home, the mud and grime wipe easily off the shoe (but not, alas, so easily off Trixie).
Run #2
I’m able to test the shoes shortly after arrival at my friend’s home in northwestern Connecticut. It’s not exactly the Rockies, but there is elevation to be had. I head out for a five-miler on a trail that follows a scenic river for a couple of miles before pulling up a sharp ascent.
I continue to be impressed by the energy rebound that helps push me forward as the trail climbs up from the valley. I also love how I can step over rocks and roots without having to worry about my footing, thanks to the sole of the shoe, which has an aggressive 6-millimeter lug pattern. Drew shared with me that when she wore the shoes last February in the Black Canyon Ultras, a 100k race in Arizona, her legs felt surprisingly fresh even at the end of the course. My run is about 90k shorter, but I feel myself pushing into the trail with more power than usual, and by the time I reach the top to take in the view (and catch my breath), I am really appreciating how comfortable the Sylans feel. On the way back down I stumble a bit over a branch that juts into the trail, but happily find the protective fabric on the front of the shoe keeps my toes from getting jammed.
Run #3
My friend joins me on the path she generally calls her “favorite hike,” which is also suitable for trail running. We start out in a lush meadow, and despite the damp grass my feet stay dry, thanks to the Vibram Megagrip outsole that helps lift me out of the wet terrain. A narrow path on wooden planks soon gives way to a muddy open field, but the shoe’s luggy grip holds firm as we chat and catch up about family and friends. After a few more minutes we hit a single-track trail, and I begin to appreciate the knit collar around my ankles inside the shoes. Designed both for comfort and to keep out debris, it helps immensely as we navigate up the switchbacks and across plenty of stones and twigs. I recall Drew telling me how the shoe “is constructed to keep your foot firmly in place, so you’re not slipping around as you go.” We take a quick water break up top, and before heading back down I bend over and discover the “garage” design on the tongue of the shoe, which allows you to neatly tuck your laces in so you don’t trip on them. Genius!
Run #4
I wake up early on the last day of my visit, quietly shutting the door behind me. I take a short drive over to a trail in a nearby state park, listening to the birdsong as I step out of the car. The trail starts out across an old wrought-iron bridge and up a dirt road before changing over to rocky terrain. I worry momentarily about the uneven surface as I navigate over a series of sharp rocks, but I stay sure-footed with every step. I continue to climb, watching the view of the valley unfold before me as I head up the highest point. (I barely notice the burrs that have fallen along the trail, since nothing gets past the Sylan’s abrasion-resistant fabric.) I give myself a few moments to enjoy the panorama, then turn back around. Normally I’m a little tentative on downhills, but my heels feel firmly locked in place with each footstep. I give myself permission to pick up the pace, laughing at how fun it is to just let gravity take over.
Run #5
I’m back in the city, and the hot weather feels a bit oppressive. The sun is slowly sinking over the Hudson when I finally get a break to head out for a short run in Riverside Park, which hugs the edge of the river. There’s a small trail section here that I love to switch onto—it climbs sharply up before dipping back down onto a hard-packed dirt segment. It’s still quite warm out, and while the rest of me is sweating, I’m surprised at how comfortably cool my feet still feel. Heading back home on the pavement, I push the pace again, enjoying the momentum of the rocker design and the power it provides. I walk in the door, give Trixie a belly rub, and slip off my shoes, which somehow remain stink-free.
Final Thoughts
The Sylans are built for action on the trail, keeping out sticks, stones, and other debris and providing a comfortable fit on every climb and descent. But they also perform superbly on urban terrain, where the firm, grippy outsole is helpful in navigating sidewalk cracks or broken glass in the street. While I relish the chance to run on a quiet morning in the countryside, the reality is most of my workouts are in a busy city park. Having the Sylans on gave me a chance to go a little faster, feel a lot more secure, and enjoy every step of my run— no matter where it took me.
