From trail to rock, alpine to running, SCARPA leads footwear tech in Spring 18 for core mountain sports

July 19, 2017

In 14 new models of shoes, SCARPA shows how singular focus on the category of footwear yields higher performance.

BOULDER, Colo. (July 19, 2017) – Based in Italy’s Dolomites where mountain sports are a way of life, SCARPA for 80 years has focused singularly on footwear innovation crafted from real-world experience. For Spring 2018, SCARPA continues its focused category leadership with 14 new models of shoes and boots across the range of core mountain sports – rock climbing, alpine climbing, hiking, backpacking and trail running. Not content to simply offer new and updated models each season, SCARPA shows through technological innovation in each of its categories how shoes and boots can be built to perform more effectively for the sports they serve.

In climbing, SCARPA unveils the Maestro family of rock shoes, which bring high-performance construction using active rubber rands to a flat-lasted, comfortable profile for more difficult trad climbing and alpine rock. Meanwhile, the Ribelle Tech OD redefines what’s possible in a mountain boot, combining a running shoe mentality with footwear built for snow, ice, rock and approach.

For trail and backpacking, SCARPA unveils its new Hydrogen collection, a lighter, more modern take on all-around trail footwear incorporating SCARPA’s innovative Sock-Fit construction, which reduces bulk and weight and improves fit. The Hydrogen shoes also offer 360-degree waterproof breathability thanks to GORE-TEX® SURROUND® construction. SCARPA also builds on time-tested concepts – a new family of three Kailash backpacking and trail boots expands the award-winning platform created by the best-selling Kailash GTX.

And in Alpine Running, SCARPA introduces the Spin RS, a new ultra-running shoe that pairs outstanding shock absorption with forward-thinking design, including Sock-Fit construction. In addition, it unveils a redesigned and updated version of its all-around trail-running platform, the Neutron.

SCARPA will show its new innovations at booth 3001 at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City, July 26-29.

ROCK AND ALPINE CLIMBING

Maestro Mid and Maestro rock shoes – Countering the notion that rock shoes built for trad climbing have to be stiff in order to perform well, the new Meastro family redefines how trad shoes are built thanks to a new high-performance rubber rand system and soft, supple, comfortable Eco Leather. The Maestro collection, four men’s and women’s rock shoes, achieves seemingly competing goals by combining high performance with all-day comfort. The Maestro shoes start with SCARPA’s new IPC-Tension active rand system. This creates design that provides serious support without unnecessary stiffness. To help with comfort, innovative patterning in the upper relocates seams away from spots where they could cause discomfort, particularly when wedging feet into cracks. Comfort also stems from the use of a premium Eco Leather, an incredibly soft and supple, yet durable, leather. In addition, Eco Leather uses a process that alleviates the environmental impact of tanning. The Maestro Mid has a higher-cut for ankle protection in cracks, and the women’s Maestro Mid is the first women’s specific high-cut trad shoe on the market. The men’s and women’s Maestro, by contrast, are lower-cut, ideal for technical face climbing. They also use a more powerful version of the IPC-Tension active rand. All four shoes use 4mm Vibram XS Edge rubber. Built to counter the uncompromising and at times uncomfortable positions that come with trad climbing, the Maestro family represents a new paradigm for climbers who want comfort, performance and protection all in a single shoe. Men’s and women’s fit available. Meastro Mid, $190; Meastro, $180.

Ribelle Tech OD – This category-defying hybrid boot is the future of light-and-fast alpinism. The Ribelle Tech combines elements of both running and mountaineering footwear to create a truly innovative tool for ultralight, high-output climbing. Winner of the 2017 ISPO Product of the Year Award, the 1-pound, 3.4-ounce Ribelle walks as well as it climbs. All-around trail function stems from an enhanced rocker in the toe and a durable, lightweight, shock-absorbing PU midsole. The Ribelle performs superbly across rock, scree, snow and ice thanks to its stiff midsole, a lugged Vibram mountaineering sole, semi-automatic crampon compatibility, a full-perimeter rubber rand and an integrated waterproof Outdry gaiter. On the upper, it employs SCARPA’s proprietary SockFit construction. Rather than using a traditional tongue with gussets and a more standard ankle construction, SockFit employs a stretchy softshell material, which allows the shoe to more readily adapt to a user’s foot, reducing bulk, improving breathability and yielding lighter weight. $500.

TRAIL, HIKING AND BACKPACKING

Hydrogen GTX and Hydrogen Hike GTX – Tipping the scales at a weight approaching a lightweight trail runner, SCARPA’s new Hydrogen collection is a modern, nimble take on all-conditions trail shoes. Light, flexible, waterproof and highly breathable, the Hydrogen collection pairs a fresh, athletic profile with the latest version of Gore-Tex Surround waterproof construction. Gore-Tex Surround offers waterproof protection using a construction that allows breathability not only in the upper, but also underneath the foot, resulting in increased breathability throughout the shoe. Superb lateral support in such a light shoe results from a TPU frame that surrounds the fabric and synthetic leather upper. The Hydrogen GTX (371 grams per shoe) is a lighter, low-cut shoe, while the Hydrogen Hike GTX (425 grams per shoe) is a lightweight, supportive, mid-cut shoe. Men’s and women’s fit available. Hydrogen GTX, $180; Hydrogen Hike GTX, $195.

Kailash Trek GTX, Kailash Plus GTX, Kailash Lite – A perennial award-winner with accolades from Backpacker and Outside, the Kailash is one of SCARPA’s best-selling backpacking and trekking boots over the last decade. For Spring 2018, it gets a full redesign and also grows into a family of three boots offering different levels geared toward different types of trail use. The Kailash Trek GTX replaces the current Kailash, and drops nearly 3 ounces per boot. It also features a more open toe-box design, lacing closer to the toe for improved fit, and a new midsole/outsole package, which provides shock absorption at a lighter weight. The midsole features a very lightweight, durable polyurethane construction, paired with a Vibram Biometric sole, yielding a very supportive boot at 1 pound, 5.5 ounces per boot. Like its predecessor, it is suede and Gore-Tex construction with an added TPU toe cap. The Kailash Trek GTX occupies the sweet spot of versatility for long hikes and lightweight backpacking. The Kailash Trek GTX is bracketed on either side with a stiffer, more supportive boot, the Kailash Plus GTX, and a lighter, softer, more breathable offering, the Kailash Lite. The Kailash Plus GTX offers rugged protection with full-grain nubuck leather increased underfoot stiffness and support. Though similar in weight at 1 pound, 6 ounces, the Plus version adds support, stiffness and more durable leather for longer trips, heavier backpack weight, and more rugged terrain. The Kailash Lite, on the other end of the spectrum, put all the features that make the Kailash a best-seller into a lighter, more breathable package for lighter-duty trail use. A suede leather and fabric upper without a waterproof membrane is breathable and supportive. Men’s and women’s models available in each. Kailash Plus GTX, $265; Kailash Trek GTX, $235; Kailash Lite, $180.

ALPINE RUNNING

Spin RS – Designed for high-mileage training or ultra-running, the Spin RS is lightweight but well cushioned. The Spin RS features an 8mm drop (21mm heel midsole and 13mm forefoot) and a new Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole with Lightbase technology, a design that makes the base of the outsole lighter in order to minimize weight. In the upper, Sock-Fit LW construction replaces a traditional tongue with a stretchy softshell material, reducing bulk, saving weight and optimizing fit. A synthetic leather and mesh upper breathes well, dries quickly and provides excellent support. A TPU toe cap rounds out trail protection. The 10.5-ounce Spin RS is the answer for runners who are seeking lightweight cushioning or logging miles. Men’s and women’s models available. $135.

Neutron 2 and Neutron 2 GTX – SCARPA’s best all-around trail runner now features an all-new last, a more open toe-box area and a redesigned sole pattern for added traction and durability. The Neutron 2 remains the do-it-all trail runner with a supportive yet capable design for everything from after-work jaunts to rocky, more technical terrain. The Micro-nubuck and mesh upper is breathable yet protective, SCARPA’s proprietary Sock-Fit LW construction reduces bulk and enhances fit and a TPU toe cap offers trail protection. The Neutron 2 features a 6mm drop (14 to 8 mm) with a forefoot rock plate, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole offers traction on the most demanding trails. The Neutron 2 GTX features the same updates but with a fully waterproof Gore-Tex upper, ensuring you get your miles in no matter what the weather has in store. Men’s and women’s fits available. Neutron 2, $130; Neutron 2 GTX, $170.

About SCARPA and SCARPA North America

Founded in 1938, SCARPA builds performance footwear for climbing, hiking, skiing, mountaineering, trail running and other outdoor pursuits from its headquarters in Asolo, Italy. SCARPA has been owned and operated by the Parisotto family since 1956. In 2005, SCARPA opened its North American headquarters in Boulder, Colo., staffed and directed by veterans of the North American outdoor industry, to oversee sales, marketing and distribution in the U.S., Canada and South America. For more information about SCARPA footwear, visit www.scarpa.com.

-X X X-