As a self-confessed ambassador of Scarpa’s Spin Ultra and Scarpa Spin Ultra 2, the Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 GTX was always going to be an exciting product up for review. However, as I had been so ridiculously impressed before, this always comes with high expectations.
Living in the Scottish Highlands requires running shoes with major durability, with the ability to conquer difficult terrain including peat bogs, hags and heather. There is also the added criterion of being able to survive all weathers. A Gore-Tex shoe was always going to be appealing for all of those points, particularly with a USP of durability, security, and comfort on technical terrain.
The additional selling points of the Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 GTX as a trail running shoe are its precision and high adaptability on any degree of difficulty or type of terrain. With a 3S Frame, (Secure, Stable, Sensitive), it completely wraps around the shoe structure ensuring ‘unparalleled support and protection’, making your feet feel as secure as possible, especially on unbalanced trails. The shoes are designed for short to medium distance trail running, more towards the medium distance end, and skyrunning. This means it was never designed to be an out and out and out ultra-running shoe, which is an interesting point for consideration when concluding the model. Scarpa says that these shoes are “perfect for athletes who are seeking sensitivity and precision on rough, technical terrain,” and with the Isle of Skye and Cairngorms National Park as my playground, I thought I’d see if what they said on the tin, delivered or not.
Features
- 3S Frame; A system that wraps the shoe for Secure, Stable, and Sensitive support and protection on technical terrain
- Reduced volume fit – great for a more technical-oriented shoe
- EVA band to stabilise the heel and wraps around the shoe
- The upper is built with Scarpas sock fit LW construction with a lightweight, super breathable mesh bootie and heat-sealed reinforcement for more precision, stability, and comfort
- PRESA® sole is made with high-performance Supergum W outsole, with 6mm lugs delivering excellent grip on both dry and wet/muddy surfaces. This means great traction on rocky terrain, which is unsurprising for a brand like SCARPA
- Weight: 690g (per pair size 42, size UK 8) for men, 580g for women (per pair size 39, size UK 6)
- A low heel-to-toe drop of 4mm, a toe stack height of 22.5mm and heel 26.5mm in the forefoot
- Lining: Fitted with GORE-TEX ePE, which is waterproof and highly breathable, and is free from PFAS (per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances otherwise known as ‘forever chemicals’ because of their persistence in the environment – all round bad eggs)
- Fast System: self-locking lacing system that allows the elastic lace to slide quickly and create the perfect fit
- Price: £161.99 on Sports Shoes (RRP £179.99 on Scarpa website)
First thoughts
I find Gore-Tex shoes are always difficult to impress because they are generally heavy, uncomfortable, and can be pretty ugly, too. However, first impressions, which absolutely count, were that although larger and bulkier than some of my minimal fell shoes, they were actually aesthetically pleasing, therefore looked the part. The colour varieties are simple, yet one of the more attractive pairs in the shoe shelf.
When first trying these on, it felt evident that for Scarpa, comfort was absolutely key when creating this model. The 3S frame system is not just to sound clever, they really deliver, and my foot felt stable, comfortable, and secure from the off. They didn’t feel offensively heavy, but again, as someone that wears fell shoes often, they were never going to feel (nor do they claim to be) feather light.
One thing I liked right away was the lacing system – my feet don’t suit Salomon shoes, but I envy those using the simple lace system that so many of their models have, so my eyes lit up where I saw the Ribelle 2 GTX’s had the self-locking lacing system. For me, it is efficient and so easy to store the laces away. It also takes any unwanted pressure off the forefoot, which is ideal for longer days out.
Sizing wise, the ’wiggle room’ was adequate, and I felt they were true to size. My size 6.5’s felt the same as other Scarpa models, and although they are a reduced volume fit, I felt space in all the right places and security where my feet needed it most. The heel was notably supported, but I didn’t feel as in touch with the ground as other contact shoes – but the proof was always going to be in the running.
On Test
The feel of the shoe when trying them on remained, even when running; comfort was still king. Their first outing was in the Cairngorms up a rocky Munro, to see how they performed on rough trails, and rock. They were reactive and comfortable but did feel much heavier than my normal shoe. That said, my toes are usually battered after a day out in the Cairngorms, but with these, they were not! There was most certainly precision on tough trails, like a big hug in a shoe protecting me from the elements. The support was appreciated, and the extra weight didn’t feel like a big deal after a while.
I admit I was worried that the reduced volume in these shoes would not suit my arthritic toes when running downhill, but actually the fit is perfect and I didn’t encounter soreness, although the hill was only 15 miles rather than the longer Cairngorm hill day options. I was also concerned that my feet may have melted with sweat with them being Gore-Tex, but no, the GORE-TEX ePE material was breathable, so much so I forgot they were waterproof, until a river crossing came along.
River wading is absolutely part of my vocabulary and almost all my training, and the shoes were crying out for good paddle – granted it was their first outing, but I’d say these submarines are built to last, and it felt like Christmas day having dry socks by the end of my run!
Their second outing was on Sgurr Alisdair on the Isle of Skye, which involved a huge uphill and downhill rock garden. The EVA band technology to stabilize the heel made me feel secure, though unlike my fell shoes, I didn’t feel the point of contact quite so much, which I missed. That said, I think that’s something I would get used to in time and would save a fair few bruises as a byproduct. With the 6mm lugs, the grip was decent, even on the slippery rocks. At times, they felt like a great mix between a grippy mountain shoe and a walking boot, but with added comfort.
The lace system is one of the highlights for me, and I loved not having to worry about tying them tight, especially on the ridgelines – there’s enough to worry about, never mind worrying that your laces are tied 4 times over. Did I mention I like the lace system?!
Testing these shoes over varied terrains was important to me as the selling point is very much ‘medium distance’ mountain running, and technical at that. The shoes delivered on both mountain runs, and have both the dunk factor and comfort factor.
Shoes are no longer bargainous, and the retail price for these shoes is high. However, Scarpa have won me over the last few years and I always follow the ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ policy. Scarpas, thus far, have always been worth the investment for me, as a die-hard walking boot since my mountaineering career started.
Conclusion
Though I was concerned about the waterproof aspect of this shoe, there was no need to be. The breathability of the materials (and added benefit of being PFAS free) used turned the scepticism into a positive, and my socks are living a much drier life since the shoes have been a solid member of the running shelf. I’ve tried many shoes that deliver in grip, but nothing quite compares with the PRESA outsole grips in the rain, and downhill scree running felt almost enjoyable in these shoes.
The lugs are built to last and made me feel much more confident on both dry and slippery rocks (there’s a lot of those in the Scottish Highlands) and technical terrain. Yes, they are heavier than my fell shoes, but they have the added benefit of the 3S system, and I felt they performed to a high level and I still feel confident when I put them on.
There are many who say these shoes are the most technical and innovative shoe in their category, and I find it hard to argue with that. The shape works really well, but the sole is understandably much more solid than your average trail shoe. They are robust, and are designed to protect you – the parents of the mountain trail running shoe if you will. When terrain gets trickier, and you need a shoe that you can really trust, these will now be my go-tos.
Overall, I think these are worth the money- a cracking set of multi-terrain shoes, that I know I can trust on ridges and wet rock. The downside is the durability for longer distance running, but the primary focus of this model was to perform well for medium distances, which is exactly what they do. I’m looking forward to seeing the next pair, built for longer distance running, and I will be eagerly awaiting these from the side lines!
About the author: Em is an ultra runner at heart, and likes nothing more than running up mountains, dancing on ridge lines and awkwardly runs her way down to the pub with her dodgy ankles!
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