Is SCOTT Kinabalu Trail the Goldilocks Shoe?
SCOTT’s trail range is split into two families:
- Supertrac: the performance-oriented mountain and ultra shoe with aggressive traction and stability for technical terrain.
- Kinabalu: the lightweight, versatile trail shoe aimed at everyday trail running, now fully relaunched in the latest Kinabalu Trail model.
The SCOTT Kinabalu Trail builds on a lineage of Kinabalu models but with a noticeable shift toward agility, cushioning and increased grip.
Box fresh
Background
The Kinabalu series has been around for a while as SCOTT’s versatile trail shoe and one that I turned to for years as my every day shoe in the Peak District; this version of the Kinabalu Trail is my 5th pair of Kinabalu’s which will give you an idea of how much I loved them. Early versions offered a great balance between decent traction and comfort and for me, they did exactly what they said on the tin.
With the Kinabalu 3, SCOTT introduced Dual Density Kinetic Foam and ER2 (Evolved Rocker) for better responsiveness and gait efficiency. Now, the latest Kinabalu Trail (released 12th February) goes a bit further with Kinetic Fusion Foam, which combines EVA and PEBAX in the midsole, and it offers a better energy return, a lighter weight and a redesigned outsole for traction across varied terrain, plus deeper, 5mm lugs.
This evolution shows SCOTT’s intent to make the Kinabalu a genuine useful shoe which fills the gap between fast trail shoes and heavier mountain racers.
A new shoe is a thing of beauty
Key Features
- Kinetic Fusion Foam midsole – lively, responsive cushioning (EVA + PEBAX)
- Versatile Traction outsole – redesigned lug pattern for varied trail use
- Ripstop Mesh Upper – lightweight but durable
- ER2 – Evolved Rocker – efficient gait assistance
- Women-specific insock (in women’s version)
- Weight: ~220g
- Drop: 6mm
- Lugs: 5mm
- RRP £130
Look at that rocker
Midsole
The new Kinetic Fusion Foam combines EVA and PEBAX, which gives a lightweight yet energetic cushioning that absorbs impact and returns energy efficiently, even on softer ground. The ER2 (Evolved Rocker Technology) encourages smoother transitions and reduces heel-strike impact for a more dynamic run. Firmer ground is needed to truly feel this feature, but you can feel the rocker the moment you put the shoes on.
Outsole & Traction
The redesigned lugs grip well across varied terrain, from hard surfaces through to soft ground and the extra depth they have in comparison to previous models gives you that little bit more confidence when throwing yourself around.
Upper & Fit
The lightweight ripstop mesh upper with TPU overlays offers structure and durability; this is an element I have always found great with SCOTT shoes; they’ve always lasted me a long time and while I wouldn’t want to stub a boulder in them, the upper is sturdy enough to protect and enclose your foot. I would say my feet are fairly regular in width and the Kinabalu Trail wrapped my foot in a cosy and secure embrace. The built in tongue is a good feature; so much better at keeping out grit and the tongue in place although a teeny bit more padding on the tongue would be nice.
Not so box fresh
Insole
“The SCOTT running shoe insole system offers two different insoles for men and women to ensure a better fit. The women specific insole delivers increased thickness to adjust for smaller forefoot volume and a higher wrap to adjust for narrower heel width.”
In practical terms, the women’s insole is a bit more contoured with slightly more material under key areas of the foot, whereas a men’s insole in the same model is flatter and wider by default. Whilst I can’t compare the two, the SCOTT Kinabalu Trail certainly felt very comfortable and my foot was kept snug when running.
Pros
What stands out to me about the Kinabalu Trail is the combination of grip and comfort; for a light trail shoe the redesigned lugs bite confidently on mixed terrain without feeling too aggressive. I was surprised at the level of cushioning, but the Kinetic Fusion Foam offers a more comfortable run that you don’t get with other standard trail shoes and they don’t feel too “stacked” and therefore unstable for the trail. The synthetic upper drained nicely (everything is so wet at the moment!) and my feet felt super comfortable.
The tongue
Cons
As I mentioned, I wouldn’t want to do anything too technical across boulder fields; on very sharp, rock-strewn ground you may miss the beefier guard and lower height of the more mountain-focused Supertrac. While the lugs are deeper, they would struggle in deep mud or on steep ascents/descents; if your local trails are very gnarly, the lighter lug pattern might feel less sure-footed. And a bit more padding on the tongue – my bony forefoot would be grateful.
Conclusion
The Scott Kinabalu Trail is the latest evolution of the Kinabalu line it sits in that very appealing middle ground: it feels lighter and more agile than many trail shoes, but more cushioned and forgiving than stripped-back race shoes. Where models like the Saucony Peregrine or Brooks Catamount lean firmly toward speed and ground feel, the Kinabalu Trail adds a noticeable layer of comfort through its Kinetic Fusion Foam midsole without losing that quick, responsive ride. It’s less maximal and specialised than heavily cushioned or highly technical options, but offers a versatility when agility and moderate traction matter most. On grassy and rolling terrain it delivers confident grip and cushioning that keeps you moving fast without feeling bogged down. In muddy fields it holds its own better than many lightweight trail shoes as the lug pattern still bites into softer ground and on fell and mountain routes the Kinabalu Trail shine on mixed surfaces and short technical bursts.
Price
With many direct competitors selling equivalent shoes at over £150, at £130 these offer great value, particularly if they last as long as my previous Kinabalus.
Good Grips
So how different are these Trails from previous versions? In essence they still provide grip; only it’s better now; they’re still comfy but the cushioning is deeper. I’d say the fit is more snug than it used to be; if I was doing an ultra I would consider going up another half size, or putting a wider shoe in my drop bag. For me, this is indeed a Goldilocks Shoe; it’s excellent across varied countryside and rolling fell terrain, very capable on grass and mud, and offers a distinct level of cushioning to keep your feet happy for many miles.
Have you tried the SCOTT Kinabalu Trail yet? Don’t agree with this review? What’s your opinion? Add your own comment below this review and share your experience and passion for running with others.
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About the author:
Kate Allen is the owner and Editor of RunUltra and a Mountain Leader. In her spare time she can be found either running or hiking around the hills of Cumbria, Yorkshire and the Lake District.
