Introduction
There is no shortage of choice when it comes to trail running shoes. One brand I hadn’t tried before was Scarpa, so it was good to try out the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR which are designed to handle a mix of both road and trail.
First Impressions
Bright and bouncy! The shoes come in two colour choices; Azure Lime or Orange Flouro/Spring Green. I got the orange and green which brightened up my day. On first wear the underfoot cushoining was immediately apparent and it was clear that these were a shoe for firm terrain. I was amused by the wording on the insole which proclaimed them to be “All Terrain Crushers”
Features
There is nothing radically different about the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR when compared to other trail shoes, but that’s not a bad thing – running shoes don’t need to be complicated! The upper is a lightweight, breathable mesh which Scarpa claim is more durable and breathable than on the previous version. At the back there is a fabric loop, presumably to help you put the shoe on and get it off, but I found that I didn’t need to use it. There is a sturdy toe bumper at the front which offers protection on stony ground and the shoes use a conventional lacing system with flat laces that didn’t come undone when tied in a double knot.
The midsole gives the cushioning and uses “Bounce foam” which Scarpa say “provides a more elastic response for greater energy return”. The outsole has shallow lugs designed to offer a mix of traction and durability both on and off road. In terms of profile the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR are quite sleek with a 4mm drop from heel to toe. The price is in line with other trail shoe brands.
- Drop: 4mm
- Stack: Heel 28mm – Toe 24mm
- Weight: 510g per pair size 42 (my size 7 (41) weighed 508g)
- RRP – £145
Fit
I always find it difficult to comment on fit because it is subjective as people have different shaped feet! I usually take a men’s size 6.5 or 7. I tested the 7s and they felt pretty much like I’d expect a size 7 to feel. If I was selecting these for short trail races I’d probably go for the 6.5 for a bit more of a snug fit. In terms of width, again these felt fine for me, neither too tight or too sloppy. They are only offered in one width fitting.
One thing I did notice was the high heel tab at the back. Although this is well cushioned I found that it pressed against my achilles tendon, especially whilst running downhill. This aggravated my tendinopathy after about an hour of running. These aren’t the only shoes that have this design although the height of the tab does seem higher than on other shoes in my collection.
The shoes do come in a women’s version but Scarpa’s technical data doesn’t state how they differ from the men’s shoe other than colour differences.
On Test
I tested the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR over a four week period in the Peak District and in North Yorkshire on parts of the Coast to Coast route. The terrain was varied, including tarmac roads, firm tracks, short grass and some boggy fell type terrain. I wore them for long sessions (a couple of 3 hr slow runs) and also some shorter, faster training runs on firm trails.
The shoes performed best on firm terrain such as hard packed paths and tracks where good cushioning is required. On faster paced runs the return from the midsole was noticeable and the ride felt smooth and bouncy. I ran some 1km intervals on a firm, dry trail and was pleased with how they (if not I) performed. I think they would be a good choice for trail races or a Parkrun that involves a mix of tarmac and trail.
Some of the Coast to Coast route involved sections of minor road and flagstones, on which the Scarpas performed fine. Other sections were a bit more boggy and the shoes didn’t fare so well at “crushing” this type of terrain! Whilst the outsole can cope with a little mud they certainly aren’t designed as a fell running shoe ad I did find myself slipping on muddy slopes. (It is difficult to select the best shoe when the terrain is so varied. An aggressive shoe will work well on steep, muddy sections but be overkill and uncomfortable on tarmac and flagstones. It is always going to be a compromise.)
When running in warm, dry conditions I found the shoes breathed well and my feet didn’t feel too hot. Nor did they become waterlogged when running in the rain – the breathable upper lets water in and out. Other than my niggling achilles the shoes still felt comfortable after 3 hours of easy running. Personally I don’t like too much drop on my shoes so the 4mm heel to toe difference felt fine. Obviously this is personal preference and some people might prefer a bit more drop.
Conclusion
The Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR are a lightweight tail running shoe that cope best with firm underfoot conditions. Their cushioning means they are comfortable on tarmac and so they are ideal for mixed terrain runs such as road to trail. They are suitable for all distances from a short Parkrun to a long day out on the trail – just don’t expect them to crush boggy terrain!
Find out more at Scarpa
Dave Taylor is an experienced, competitive fell runner based in the Peak District and runs for Dark Peak Fell Runners. He is a UK Athletics coach specialising in fell and mountain running and navigation training – Fell Running Guide
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