Two 4T2 trail shoes, two genuinely different answers to the same question: what do you need when the route becomes less predictable?
The 4T2 get lost and the 4T2 sayonara share the same direct, functional approach to trail running. Both are unisex and built around serious Vibram traction. But their priorities diverge once you look beyond the silhouette.
get lost is the more grounded, protective trail workhorse. sayonara is the smoother, more forgiving option for runners who expect the effort to last. This is not a question of better or worse. It is a question of terrain, distance and the feeling you want once the easy kilometres are behind you.
4T2 get lost vs sayonara: at a glance
| Feature | 4T2 get lost | 4T2 sayonara |
|---|---|---|
| Primary character | Grounded, stable, protective trail workhorse | Smoother, more forgiving long-distance trail shoe |
| Drop | 6 mm | 9 mm |
| Ride | Firmer, lower and more connected to the terrain | More forgiving in feel, with easier heel-to-toe transition |
| Outsole | Vibram Litebase / Megagrip | Vibram Zegalite with 5 mm lugs |
| Upper | More robust and protective construction | Minimal ripstop upper with internal midfoot support |
| Protection | More substantial front and upper protection | Light, flexible toe bumper and secure heel hold |
| Best suited to | Technical trails, hiking, varied ground and runners who want structure | Ultra distances, long mountain days and runners seeking a more forgiving ride |
| Special feature | Replaceable outsole | Gusseted, lightly padded tongue for long-run comfort |
The main difference: grounded protection or long-distance comfort?
The simplest distinction is this: get lost is built to feel solid and composed when the ground is demanding; sayonara is built to make long efforts feel more manageable.
With its 6 mm drop, wide base and rocker geometry, get lost has a lower, firmer and more natural ride. It does not try to isolate you from the trail. Instead, it gives you a stable platform that feels particularly relevant on rough, uneven or constantly changing terrain.
sayonara takes a softer route. Its 9 mm drop and flow + rise platform are designed to create a smoother, more forgiving transition over distance. It still retains a direct ground feel thanks to its non-plated construction, but it adds a little more comfort and heel lift for runners who prefer support to accumulate gradually rather than aggressively.
Neither option is maximal or overly soft. The difference is more subtle: get lost feels like the shoe that wants to work with the trail; sayonara feels like the shoe that wants to make the long day easier to manage.
Terrain and grip: both serious, but with different intentions
Both shoes use Vibram outsoles, so neither is a compromise on traction. The distinction comes from the broader package around the rubber.
The get lost uses Vibram Litebase / Megagrip, paired with a wider stable platform and a more protective upper. This makes it the more obvious choice for runners spending most of their time on rocky, uneven and technically demanding trails, or for those who also want one shoe that makes sense for hiking and longer days outside.
The sayonara uses a Vibram Zegalite outsole with 5 mm lugs. Its grip is dependable on varied terrain, including loose ground and long descents, but the shoe is tuned more towards long-distance flow than permanent armour. We ran in it at Lavaredo by UTMB, where the protection, outsole confidence and long-run comfort all made sense. The point is not that it cannot handle technical terrain. It can. It simply places more emphasis on the kilometres that come after it.
Upper and protection: more armour, or a lighter approach?
The upper is where the contrast becomes most visible.
get lost has the more protective personality. Its reinforced construction, toe protection and accommodating upper make it reassuring when stones, dust, friction and repeated impacts are part of the plan. It is not a hiking boot, but it has the kind of solidity that feels reassuring when your foot placement becomes less precise.
sayonara takes a lighter approach. Its ripstop upper is reinforced by internal straps around the midfoot, while the toe bumper remains flexible rather than heavily built-up. The result is less armoured but more streamlined. A gusseted tongue keeps debris out, while its slight padding helps distribute lace pressure during long efforts. The heel padding also delivers a more secure lock without feeling restrictive.
For a race or outing where rough terrain is the central problem, get lost has the advantage. For an all-day effort where comfort under the laces and a smoother upper matter just as much, sayonara makes a strong case.
Drop and running feel: 6 mm vs 9 mm
Three millimetres may not sound decisive, but it changes the conversation.
The 6 mm drop of get lost creates a more natural, lower-to-the-ground feeling. Combined with its stable base, it encourages a controlled, grounded ride that suits runners who like to feel what the terrain is doing and who do not need extra heel lift to stay comfortable.
The 9 mm drop of sayonara brings more heel support and a slightly easier transition, especially as fatigue builds. It may be the more intuitive option for runners who favour a less demanding long-distance ride, who are moving between trail and smoother paths, or who simply feel better with a little more drop over many hours.
There is no universal “better” drop. Your usual shoes, ankle mobility, running mechanics and the length of your outings all matter. But, in this pair, the lower drop belongs to the more technical and grounded model, while the higher drop belongs to the more comfort-oriented one.
Which 4T2 shoe should you choose?
Choose get lost when:
- You spend most of your time on rough, rocky or technical trails.
- You prefer a firmer, lower and more grounded ride.
- You want a more protective upper and a stable, wide platform.
- You also want to use the shoe for hiking, travel or regular trail training.
- You value the replaceable-outsole concept and want to extend the shoe’s lifespan.
Choose sayonara when:
- Your priority is ultra distance or long mountain days.
- You prefer a smoother, more forgiving ride as fatigue accumulates.
- You are comfortable with a 9 mm drop and want a little more heel support.
- You value a lighter-feeling upper, a padded gusseted tongue and secure heel lockdown.
- You need reliable grip, but do not want a shoe that feels overly rigid or armoured.
Can sayonara replace get lost — or the other way around?
For many runners, either shoe can cover a broad range of trail days. Both are versatile enough to go well beyond one narrow use case.
But they are not duplicates. Choosing between them becomes easier once you are honest about where and how you usually run. A runner doing shorter, rougher and more technical trails may get more out of the structure and protection of get lost. A runner preparing for an ultra or looking for one shoe to make long days feel less demanding may be better served by sayonara.
The best answer is not necessarily the shoe that sounds fastest on paper. It is the shoe that will still feel right when the route changes, the weather turns and the run takes longer than expected.
Final verdict
The 4T2 get lost is the more grounded and protective option: firmer, lower in drop, wider in feel and better aligned with demanding trail terrain.
The 4T2 sayonara is the more forgiving long-distance option: smoother, higher in drop and built around the kind of comfort that matters once the race becomes a test of patience as much as performance.
Both carry the same 4T2 spirit: no unnecessary theatre, no generic performance language, just distinct tools for runners who know that real trail running rarely goes exactly to plan.
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FAQ
What is the main difference between 4T2 get lost and sayonara?
get lost is the more protective and grounded trail shoe, with a 6 mm drop, wide stable base and replaceable Vibram Litebase / Megagrip outsole. sayonara has a 9 mm drop, a smoother long-distance ride and a lighter ripstop upper with a padded gusseted tongue.
Which 4T2 shoe is best for technical trails?
get lost is the more natural choice for regularly technical and rocky terrain because of its more protective construction, wider stable platform and Vibram Litebase / Megagrip outsole. sayonara can still handle technical trails, but it is tuned more towards long-distance comfort.
Which 4T2 shoe is better for ultra trail running?
sayonara is the more comfort-oriented ultra option, thanks to its 9 mm drop, flow + rise platform and long-run-focused upper. get lost can also work for ultra distances, especially when terrain protection and a firmer ride are your priorities.
Are get lost and sayonara true to size?
Both are unisex shoes and are designed to fit true to size. get lost has a relatively accommodating forefoot, while sayonara has a more standard, secure long-distance fit.
Can the outsole of 4T2 get lost be replaced?
Yes. The get lost has a replaceable outsole concept, designed to help extend the usable life of the shoe once the original Vibram outsole is worn.