Stu our Tech buyer lets you know what he thinks of the Scarpa Rush TRK boots.
I first came across these boots online before we stocked them, and honestly, my first impression wasn’t great. Another fabric and leather boot that looked too soft, unsupportive, and overpriced – I thought I’d pass.
Then we got them in stock, and I was underwhelmed. Where were the sturdy leather boots I believed were the best? So, I picked one up and gave it a flex test. “Hang on,” I thought, “this is actually pretty rigid and has good torsional strength.” I flipped it over to check the sole – it read ‘PRESA’. Hmm, not Vibram. I wondered if it would be any good. (Scarpa explains that PRESA is their own development, allowing them to do things with rubber outsoles that Vibram can’t.)
I decided to try on a pair in size 42. They felt great in-store – the heel was locked in, there was plenty of room in the toe box, and there was no movement on inclines. This is a solid boot, I concluded. Still, I probably wouldn’t buy a pair myself as I prefer full-grain leather and a higher ankle – less that can go wrong and more durable, though admittedly heavier.
Fast forward six months, and I was planning our staff training trip to Scotland to walk the Affric Kintail Way. Having recently invested in lightweight kit, I thought I’d give a lighter boot a try. Scarpa offered to supply me with the Rush TRK.
These boots turned out to be the best thing that’s happened to my feet on long-distance walks with a heavier pack. The difference compared to wearing my heavy Altberg High Country boots was huge. I didn’t have time to break in the Rush TRKs; I just put on some Bridgedale Trekkers and set off. No blisters, no sore feet at the end of the day, and no overheating – it was a revelation.
We spent two days walking on forest tracks, covering about 20km per day, followed by two days on mountain paths. The distance was shorter, but the terrain was more technical.
The PRESA sole is easily the best feature of these boots. It has something called IKS (Interactive Kinetic System), which means there are five domes in the rubber sole that act as shock absorbers – something Vibram doesn’t offer yet. This, combined with the EVA-CM foam midsole, provides an incredible experience on hard-packed trails and rocky ground, which you find on most waymarked routes. In my heavier boots, my feet usually ache after a long day on this type of terrain, but not in the Rush TRKs. I also have to mention the grip – on our last day, we were on a wet, rocky mountain path with steep ascents and descents, and these boots performed more like technical approach shoes than walking boots. While other staff were slipping, I was steady as a rock.
The boots are also quite lightweight – 555g per boot in a size 42 – not ultralight but definitely noticeable compared to other boots of similar stiffness. I was particularly impressed with the fit around the collar, which uses different foam densities and memory foam to provide a close, customised fit that holds your foot securely in place.
The sole is aggressive enough to handle off-track walking on wet, boggy ground, but there is a slight caveat: the Gore-Tex tongue is stitched in quite low, so it doesn’t offer great water protection in deeper bogs or puddles. However, this does improve the breathability of the boot. I wore my trousers in ‘gaiter mode’ and had no issues, even in wet, boggy conditions.
If you’re looking for a high-quality, lightweight boot for trekking and mountain trails, I can’t recommend these enough. When I first saw them, they were a 0/10. Now, they’re my favourite boots – a solid 10/10. Try a pair and join the PRESA revolution!
Update:
I’ve had these boots for 12 months now and have done a lot of backpacking in them – twice across Dartmoor (both South and North), a week in the Highlands in June, and the West Highland Way in September. They’ve been amazing!
