Category: Footwear

I bought my first set of Scott trail shoes over seven years ago and right from the off they felt better than anything I’d run in before. Because of injuries resulting in damaged ligaments and shortened muscle/tendon groups I can no longer get on with minimally cushioned, low drop running footwear such as the Inov8 shoes I’ve used in previous years. In fact, they’ve considerably worsened the problems I have although on people with a different physiology they can be superb.

That original set of Kinabalu Supertracs are still going, albeit looking a bit bald on the tread! They’ve since been superseded by an extensive family of Supertrac shoes – I’ve already had a couple of pairs of Supertrac 2’s and am now on the version 3 model.

Shoe reviews can never be totally objective since what fits and suits one person may not work for another. The first thing I found with the Supertrac series is that the lasting (foot shape) is reasonably universal so will fit quite a variety of foot types if the lacing is adjusted correctly. There’s more volume (width) than previously used moorland fell shoes such as Salomon’s Speedcross and a more boxy (roomier) toebox. Size seems to run true – some manufacturers footwear needs an adjustment up or down but not Scott’s.

I’ve bought two pairs half a size apart – one for winter use with waterproof and insulated socks and the smaller pair for summer. The heel fit is secure despite this extra volume and there’s enough malleability in the heel counters and ankle trim to mold well around differently shaped rear foot areas.

The Supertrac’s have a very constructed feel to them – similar to a conventionally cushioned and structured road shoe, so feel very stable. For a highly mobile or weak foot type (either genetically or through injury), this provides a very reassuring level of support and impact absorption and for me is essential these days.

I’d often looked at Hoka’s trail shoe offerings and now have a pair of Speedgoats which have their much publicised mid rockered sole unit. The Scott Supertrac 3 doesn’t feel dissimilar to be honest, you experience that rolling/propelling effect which is slightly alien to start with but quickly becomes unnoticeable and indeed advantageous. Those folk with pain or fusion problems affecting their big toe (hallux limitus etc.) will appreciate the stiffer midsole which demands less flexion from the offending toe joint.

The main difference between the two shoes is the level of grip – the Supertrac’s outsole is more aggressive and works really well in Pennine mud. The Hoka is better on harder pack trails – I tend to use it as a lightweight summer walking shoe rather than for running.

The Pennine terrain I live in is harsh for any footwear and the only criticism I can level at the Supertrac 3 is the lack of reinforcement around the big and little toe joints (1st and 5th MTPJ) which have resulted in the first signs of wear presenting in these areas and eventually in holes appearing. Once there’s a hole, it’s not the end of the shoe but I’d say they’d have a longer lifespan in less demanding environments to those of the Peak District.

However, advice from Scott is to try the more expensive but tougher Supertrac Ultra RC which is a shoe I’ll be trialling in a month or two. Fit, support and outsole remain the same but it’s a slightly heavier, more robustly engineered model with exactly the kind of reinforcing rand I’m looking for. A bit of extra weight in my opinion isn’t an issue although I appreciate some will be chasing top results and times in events where excess grams can count.

So to sum up, for those requiring support, stability and good grip for serious mountain running terrain couple with some cushioning and heel lift to alleviate Achilles tendon stresses, these could well be the shoes for you with maybe the harder wearing option of the Ultra RC version as first choice for high abrasion areas.

POSTSCRIPT: After now running several hundred miles in the Ultra RC version of the Supertrac, I can vouch for their durability. I was a finisher in both the Montane Winter Spine Sprint and Challenger South races and used the Ultra RC in both of them. They coped really well with the difficult conditions encountered on the Pennine Way in January. The link below is for this more durable model which in my opinion is the one UK winter trail runners should go for over the Supertrac 3.

Click here for more information.

I’m a big fan of approach type footwear and tend to wear this type of shoe both on and off the hill. Prior to discovering the Scarpa Mescalito a few years ago, I’d been mainly wearing Haglof’s excellent Vertigo – they were tough and being Goretex lined, very weatherproof. But they were never super comfortable due to the stiff sole unit and thick, fairly inflexible leather upper. Like a heavy leather boot, they needed wearing a lot before they softened and moulded to the individual foot – even if carefully fitted.

When production of the Vertigo ended, I looked around for something suitable for similar every day use. Mountainfeet already sold the Mescalito and feedback had been very positive. I was initially hesitant about trusting a non-membrane shoe to keep the puddles at bay – what swayed me to try them was the supreme comfort of the fit. The upper is a thermo-embossed and malleable suede which hugs the foot without ‘bagging’ (stretching) and has lacing right down to the toe for precision fitting like a climbing boot. You can wear them slack around town or work but really crank the fit up for technical trail walking or scrambling.

The Vibram Dynamis sole unit is flexible longitudinally for both comfort and placement against rock, yet torsionally supportive to aid foot stability. Grip is good on the majority of paths although not aggressive enough for really muddy conditions – at this point you’d likely be in a pair of walking boots anyway though…

The Vibram Megagrip outsole is made from a high performance yet durable rubber compound and works really well on rocky surfaces. The term ‘approach shoe’ was coined years ago to denote a shoe you’d walk to the base of a climb in before changing to more technical footwear. I’ve been confident enough with this shoe to scramble up to grade 3 and even do an easy impromptu solo climb or two with when walking by our local crag with Gyp the dog.

Durability is good for such a light and comfortable shoe. Repeated dog walking in peaty conditions saw my first pairs outsole part company with the midsole in a couple of places after a year but that was soon remedied with some ‘Shoe Goo’ and my two latest pairs haven’t had the same issue.

The Mescalito has a light but very tough polyurethane rand protecting the upper from scuffs and scrapes – this also seems to give the shoe great protection from water ingress when walking though shallow streams and puddles.

Despite this model not having a ‘waterproof’ membrane, Scarpa now produce a Goretex lined version for those that are going to be serial puddle paddlers! For me, the additional ventilation and breathability that comes with a non-membrane upper is worth the small risk of water ingress and I just make sure my foot placement in wetter weather is a bit more careful than usual. To be honest, during the many hundreds of miles I’ve walked in these shoes, I haven’t had wet feet – if conditions are boggy then it’s generally time for heavier duty footwear or maybe waterproof socks…

These are my go to shoe for virtually anything that doesn’t require a full on boot and I wear them casually too – last night’s party at a neighbour’s house being the latest example!

Fitwise, they are fairly versatile – this is partly due to the relaxed nature of the suede upper and the fact you can customise the tension of the laces to suit different foot shapes. They’re still unlikely to be the best option for a very high volume (wide) foot but I think Scarpa’s choice of last for this shoe is a clever compromise between technical precision and a reasonably universal fit.

There’s one last reason why I love this shoe and it’s pure vanity! It’s a great looking piece of footwear and works as well in the pub as it does on the hill. Not the cheapest product out there admittedly, but in my view well worth the outlay for such a versatile and technically capable bit of kit…

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I’ve worn Scarpa footwear of various types for forty years – my first serious pair of boots were the then brand new, but now legendary, SL’s. Since then I’ve used their classic mountaineering model, the Manta, the lightweight and technical Charmoz, freeride ski boots such as the Typhoon and for mooching around and approach work, their brilliant and comfortable Mescalito shoes (reviewed elsewhere on this page). Scarpa use many different lasts (foot shapes) throughout their footwear range which can often mean that if one doesn’t suit you then another will. For that reason, careful assessment by an experienced boot fitter will help quickly cut through to the appropriate models.

Over the last few years, Scarpa have been gaining a significant toehold (pardon the pun!) in the trail running sector, resulting in the design of a few models that very much suit the UK market and our unique terrain and conditions. Being located at the Northern end of the Peak District, our upland areas of heather, grasses, peat bog and gritstone are a challenge for any footwear and a great place to test new products to the limit.

My first experience of a Scarpa trail running shoe has been with the Spin ST, a nice looking model that was new for the 2023 Autumn season and a sibling to three other products in the Spin series of trail running footwear.
Understanding where the Spin ST fits in to this range is important as to whether it’s going to be the shoe for you. The other models are orientated towards the medium to long distance sphere of activity on firmer ground and as such are high on cushioning for repeated impact over a long period of time with squarer toe boxes. The ST is marketed as a more precise fitting, performance-based shoe for shorter distance routes or races involving technical and demanding terrain. Accordingly, the toebox is fairly snug – this isn’t a shoe for a high-volume foot! But what really sets it apart from its relations is the aggressive 7mm deep lugged and sticky outsole – a big hint towards the terrain it works brilliantly on!

I can’t in all honesty say that the Spin is a perfect fit for my widish forefeet – I had to jump up a size from normal just to take the pressure from the big toe joint. But that’s footwear for you – just ‘cos a shoe suits your mate, it doesn’t mean you’ll get on with it! But given I wasn’t going to be in them for hours at a time, I figured I could still give the Spin ST’s a few decent test outings.

My initial thoughts were, “is it reinforced enough for Pennine use?” It’s been designed to be light and that often means durability is sacrificed. But if you look carefully, you’ll see the likely areas of pressure and abrasion are well protected and the mesh upper is a tight weave unlikely to damage easily. That said, there’s plenty of opportunity for the shoe to drain of water after a stream crossing or puddle immersion.

This shoe balances well between enough structure to support the foot and the need for feeling the ground through the sole. As such, it’s quite flexible but without feeling too minimal and the designers haven’t gone overboard with cushioning. Yet there’s still enough to take the sting out of the occasional heavy heel landing and ample torsional and longitudinal firmness for off-piste stability.

For an old boy like me, the need for a shoe to pile downhill fast passed me by many years ago. But everyone will appreciate the awesome traction and grip of this shoe for descending – whether on mud, wet grass, slimy slabs, fresh snow or rock. The compound of the Vibram outsole is stickier than anything I’ve tried previously and as long as you’re not doing big miles on the tarmac to get to the off road stuff, shouldn’t wear too quickly. Our biggest nemesis on the tops around Marsden are the miles of slabs laid on the Pennine Way that when damp can feel like running on ice in most footwear. I’ve used screw in studs on other shoes in the past but the Spin ST’s are surprisingly secure once scrubbed in a bit.

Laces are traditional crossed affairs but the eyelets they run through pull on webbing woven into the upper to snug the shoe up around the mid foot and heel. There’s also a simple but cunning lace lock device that removes the need for tying a bow and a little pocket to stash the lace ends into.

Visually, the shoe looks a little boot like because of the soft Lycra cuff enveloping the lower part of the ankle bones. This provides some welcome protection from knocks and abrasions and will help keep debris out for most although with my stick thin ankles there was a tiny gap. You don’t feel the ankle cuff in any negative way – the shoe still feels super light and nimble.

The heel to forefoot drop is 4mm – just enough to take some stress off the Achilles tendon whilst still feeling in touch with the ground. I think those in the minimal or nil drop camp could still be happy with the reasonably natural sensation that comes through the shoe from the terrain, whilst anyone needing a degree of cushioning is still well catered for. There’s a basic foam insole fitted as standard which I replaced with a pair of Sidas 3Feet Run Protect insole as in all my running shoes.

So, to sum up; if I was twenty years younger and running shortish yet technical mountain and fell routes at speed then these would be a great go to shoe just for their immense grip alone. They hold the foot incredibly well when laced precisely and are light enough for the gram counters to race in at a serious level.

Folk wanting more impact protection on firmer surfaces over longer distances, will find the Spin Ultra and Infinity models well worthy of consideration. They feature much more cushioning and in the case of the Ultra, a 6mm heel to forefoot drop to reduce impact stresses still further.

For those like me who are looking for that elusive mid to long distance winter shoe that can protect, grip, insulate and cushion, then Scarpa’s Ribelle Run Kalibra ST and G models are winning favour in events such as the Winter Spine Series races. I’m currently on crutches after a mishap a couple of weeks ago but once recovered, there’s a shiny new pair of Kalibra ST’s waiting to be given the full Pennine test treatment.

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