Blog

How do Scarpa describe their new Rush Trek GTX boot?
RUSH TRK GTX is the new benchmark for all day long and short mountain hike. It is a boot made in the name of comfort with technologies that reduce foot fatigue during the hike. It represents a culmination of soft comfort, solid stability and a lightweight feel.

Here’s a brief overview of the build and components used in the Rush Trek GTX.

Upper: The upper is mainly made from Perwanger suede leather with reinforcements at the toe and round the heel to offer greater durability. The ankle is wrapped with a padded collar for increased stability and ankle protection.

Lining: Gore-tex Extended Comfort is the membrane used to aid moisture and heat transfer out of the boot.

Sole: Scarpa have increasingly been using their own in house developed Presa sole. My own recent experience of their Supergum compound on their Gecko shoe has been extremely positive. It grips better on wet rock than most alternatives whilst also offering reasonable durability.

For the Rush Trek, Scarpa developed a trekking specific Supergum sole TRK-01, with high emphasis on wet and dry grip. The sole features aggressive lugs for grip on loose and muddy ground. There is also a heel brake, often missing on lighter trail shoes and boots, which aids braking on descents.

The boot features a double density mid-sole – medium/high in the forefoot to give stability and structure and low in the heel for maximum shock absorption. Scarpa have incorporated shock absorbing zones which support the body weight transferred through the feet on long mountain days.

In Use: These boots definitely fill a gap between stiffer hill walking and mountain boots like the R-Evo Pro and Scarpa SLs and trail runners.

Grip: The sole is great for typical Lake District routes as it offers confidence even on wet surfaces. The failing of many trekking boots is that the compound is too hard and feels like walking on ice on wet slate and granite. Scarpa have struck a great balance of wet grip and durability with their in house designed Presa sole unit. The small heel brake works well on loose surfaces when descending. I found that the sole pattern seemed to shed mud and stayed fairly clear in all but the worst clay soils.

Comfort: I’m used to wearing light weight trail running shoes or boots based on trainer technology. The Rush Trek are softer than a traditional leather boot but for me it did take a few walks to soften the ankle collar. Once broken in they were comfortable for all day use. The sole unit offers a more cushioned feel than traditional walking boots. Not quite the bounce of Hoka’s but this does mean a more stable platform. The mid-high height ankle collar provides excellent ankle protection from knocks and scrapes.

Fit: Compared to some Scarpa boots, the fit is quite roomy. There is space in the toe box to wiggle your toes although this does mean a slightly less precise feel if you are scrambling. I removed the Scarpa insoles and replaced them with Superfeet. This both reduced the volume of the boot slightly but also provided more support. All premium boot makers fit insoles that are total rubbish to keep the price down by £20-30. They must assume that most people probably change them anyway.

Waterproofing: The Rush Trek boots have remained waterproof during my time testing them. The suede leather outer provides more protection for the Gore-Tex membrane than the mesh and fabric outers of many other lightweight boots.

Overview
The Rush Trek make a perfect go-to Autumn to Spring boot where you want more warmth and protection than a fabric shoe or boot offers. They’ve been great for non-technical Winter walking. Durability has been good with the waterproofing still holding up and the sole is showing little sign of wear. The sole is the standout feature for me. It’s rare to get a sole that wears well but also grips as well as the Rush Trek in the wet.