Some trail shoes are designed to feel fast from the first few kilometres. The 4T2 sayonara is designed for another moment: when the race gets longer, the terrain becomes rougher, and the only thing that matters is having a shoe you can still trust.
We ran in the 4T2 sayonara, lonely wolf during Lavaredo by UTMB 2026, across long alpine climbs, rocky descents, heat, fatigue and the kind of terrain that quickly exposes a shoe’s weak points.
It is not an ultra-light race-day weapon built around an immediate sense of speed. It is something more useful for an ultra: solid, protective, comfortable over time and exceptionally dependable when the race becomes less about moving fast and more about continuing well.
sayonara: committing to what comes next
The name sayonara means farewell. In the context of an ultra, it reflects the moment when you commit to a route without really knowing what will happen later: the weather, the darkness, the fatigue, the doubts, the terrain, the moments where everything feels easy and the others where nothing does.
That idea fits 4T2 well. The Dutch brand does not treat running as a clean, linear performance exercise. It is more interested in the mental side of long efforts: the repetitive movement, the quiet hours, the changing conditions and the strange relationship runners develop with discomfort over time.
The 4T2 sayonara is designed for that terrain. Not necessarily the fastest kilometres of your race, but the ones that come later — when your feet are tired, your focus is lower and the ground asks for more attention.
The tech talk, made simple
On paper, the sayonara is built around comfort, protection and long-distance stability. Compared with the 4T2 get lost, it has a higher drop and a slightly softer, smoother ride for longer efforts.
| Feature | 4T2 sayonara |
|---|---|
| Use | Ultra trail, long mountain days, mixed terrain |
| Drop | 9 mm |
| Midsole | Flow + Rise dual-density construction |
| Outsole | Vibram Zegalite with 5 mm lugs |
| Upper | Ripstop shell with internal midfoot straps |
| Protection | Flexible protective toe bumper |
| Tongue | Gusseted and lightly padded |
| Insole | Ortholite X40 Eco |
| Fit | Unisex, true to size |
The most important element is the combination of the Flow and Rise layers. Flow brings a softer, more forgiving sensation underfoot, while Rise adds heel and medial stability. The result is not an overly soft or maximal shoe, but one that feels smoother and easier to live with as the hours accumulate.
The 9 mm drop also makes sense in this context. Compared with the 6 mm drop of the get lost, the sayonara gives a little more heel lift and a more forgiving transition on less technical sections. It is not a radical difference, but over a long ultra, small differences can matter.
What we liked at Lavaredo
We ran in the sayonara at Lavaredo by UTMB, where long distances, rocky terrain and cumulative fatigue make shoe choice much more than a question of style or first impression.
The first thing that stood out was confidence. The protective toe bumper is reassuring on rocky terrain, especially when fatigue makes foot placement less precise. It is not oversized or stiff, but it gives enough protection to move through rough sections without constantly worrying about hitting a stone.
The second strength is comfort over time. The padded, gusseted tongue makes a real difference on long efforts. It stays in place, helps keep debris out and spreads lace pressure more evenly across the top of the foot. This is the kind of detail that can feel secondary in a short run, but becomes increasingly important after several hours.
And then there is the outsole. The Vibram Zegalite rubber felt dependable throughout the race. It does not make technical terrain effortless, but it gives the kind of grip that allows you to commit more confidently on loose ground, rocky trails and long descents.
Not a race-day weapon. A long-distance tool.
The sayonara does not chase the lowest possible weight. It is not a minimal trail racer built around explosive speed or the feeling of flying over technical terrain.
That is not a weakness. It is simply a different proposition.
For ultra running, the shoe’s value comes from its reliability. It feels stable without becoming overly rigid, protective without turning into a hiking boot, and comfortable without becoming vague or unstable. It lets you focus on the route rather than constantly thinking about your feet.
There are many shoes that feel exciting when you first put them on. The sayonara feels more convincing later, when the hours have accumulated and you realise that nothing is rubbing, nothing feels unstable and the outsole is still doing exactly what it should.
Grip: where the Vibram outsole matters
The Vibram Zegalite outsole is one of the strongest arguments for the sayonara. With 5 mm lugs, it offers reliable traction for loose trails, rocky sections and mixed alpine terrain, while keeping the shoe relatively smooth underfoot.
Grip is not only a performance feature. In an ultra, it is also a mental feature. When you trust the outsole, you spend less energy hesitating. You commit more naturally to the descent, the corner, the uneven section or the loose rocks under your feet.
At Lavaredo, that confidence mattered. The shoe did not turn difficult terrain into easy terrain, but it removed one layer of uncertainty. In a race that lasts all day and often through the night, that is valuable.
Upper, tongue and long-distance comfort
The ripstop upper is relatively minimal, but it does not feel fragile. Internal straps around the midfoot add support where it matters, while the overall construction remains flexible enough for a long day outside.
The tongue deserves particular attention. It is gusseted to help keep debris out, lightly padded to reduce pressure from the laces, and reinforced enough to remain comfortable after many hours. For a shoe designed around ultra distances, this is one of the details that makes the whole package feel more complete.
The heel construction also feels well considered. The contoured padding gives a secure hold without creating an overly locked-in or restrictive sensation. The fit is relatively standard and true to size, which makes the sayonara an easy option for runners who do not want to overthink sizing.
sayonara versus get lost
The two shoes share the same 4T2 approach: a strong visual identity, durable materials, Vibram outsoles and a preference for grounded, functional trail running over generic performance marketing.
But they are made for slightly different moments.
| 4T2 sayonara | 4T2 get lost | |
|---|---|---|
| Drop | 9 mm | 6 mm |
| Ride | Smoother, softer, more forgiving | Firmer, more grounded |
| Best for | Ultra running, long distances, mixed terrain | Technical trails, hiking, rougher terrain |
| Upper | Lighter ripstop construction with a flexible toe bumper | More protective and slightly heavier construction |
| Character | Comfortable long-distance reliability | Stable, protective trail workhorse |
If the get lost is the more serious and grounded mountain shoe, the sayonara is the more forgiving ultra option. It gives a little more comfort, a little more heel lift and a smoother ride when distance becomes the main challenge.
Who is the 4T2 sayonara for?
The 4T2 sayonara is for runners looking for a dependable shoe for ultra distances, long mountain days and mixed terrain.
It makes particular sense if you value grip, toe protection, stable comfort and an upper that remains comfortable over many hours. It is also a strong option for runners who prefer a slightly higher drop and a smoother ride than the more technical get lost.
It may not be the best choice if you are looking for the lightest possible trail racer or a shoe designed purely around short-distance speed. The sayonara is less about chasing an aggressive sensation and more about managing the reality of a long day outside.
But for runners who know that an ultra is rarely decided in the first hour, that approach makes a lot of sense.
Final thoughts
The 4T2 sayonara is a highly reliable ultra trail shoe. It is not the lightest, the most aggressive or the most obviously performance-driven model on the market.
Instead, it focuses on what becomes important when distance starts to change the race: protection on rocks, grip when the terrain is uncertain, comfort under the laces, a stable ride and a construction that still feels trustworthy after long hours.
At Lavaredo, that reliability was the point. The sayonara did not ask for attention. It simply kept doing its job.
And for an ultra shoe, that is often the best compliment possible.
Shop the 4T2 sayonara
Discover the 4T2 sayonara on Atmo — a dependable ultra trail shoe built for long hours, technical ground and the uncertain terrain that comes after the easy part of the race.
FAQ
What is the 4T2 sayonara made for?
The 4T2 sayonara is made for ultra trail running, long mountain days and mixed terrain. It is designed around long-distance comfort, reliable grip and protection on rough ground.
Is the 4T2 sayonara good for technical trails?
Yes. The 4T2 sayonara uses a Vibram Zegalite outsole with 5 mm lugs, a flexible toe bumper and a stable construction that make it suitable for rocky and uneven terrain.
What is the difference between the 4T2 sayonara and get lost?
The sayonara has a 9 mm drop and a smoother, more forgiving ride for ultra distances. The get lost has a 6 mm drop, a firmer feel and a more protective construction for rougher, more technical terrain.
Does the 4T2 sayonara fit true to size?
Yes. The 4T2 sayonara has a standard unisex fit and is generally true to size.
Is the 4T2 sayonara a lightweight trail shoe?
The sayonara is not designed as an ultra-light racing shoe. Its value comes from long-distance comfort, grip, stability and protective construction rather than chasing the lowest possible weight.