April 07

SCARPA RAPID: ALL AROUND MOUNTAIN SHOES, APPROACH, RUN, HIKE… AND EVEN CLIMB.

Posted by Héctor Rubio on April 7, 2021 in trail running, trail running gear, trail running spain, trail shoes, trailrunning shoes | Leave a comment

SCARPA RAPID: ALL AROUND MOUNTAIN SHOES, APPROACH, RUN, HIKE… AND EVEN CLIMB. Our TRAIL SHOES section has already introduced you to the new SCARPA 2021 models. They are several sisters, combining evolution of veteran models such as the Spin 2.0 with new launches of the Italian brand, such as the Ribelle Run.

All of them share the same drop 4mm and medium height dimensions. But they provide a wide variety of soles, cushioning and reinforcements according to the intended type of use. We also introduced you the protagonist of the quartet, the brand new SCARPA RIBELLE RUN, with which Marco De Gasperi himself has already achieved the record of Sentiero di Roma. We start now with this SCARPA RAPID analysis by Mayayo.

SCARPA TRAIL RUNNING 2021: A GROWING BET

Like many of you know, SCARPA is an Italian company with a long history among the world leaders in the production of mountain and outdoor activities. For a couple of years it has been committed to relaunching its trail running range, under the guidance of the five-time World Mountain Running champion Marco de Gasperi as brand manager. The first semester 2021 arrives with four great novelties:

SCARPA GOLDEN GATE ATR: All-rounder, versatile shoe for easy and mixed trails
SCARPA SPIN INFINITY: Ultimate shoe, dedicated to long running with light weight and high performance
SCARPA RIBELLE RUN: The most technical and rocky version, for alpine-type events
SCARPA SPIN 2.0: Evolution of the model that covers the short and medium distance

Scarpa Trail Running 2021: Four new features, plus two veterans.

SCARPA RAPID: ALL AROUND MOUNTAIN SHOES, APPROACH, RUN, HIKE

SCARPA RAPID was born as a mountain shoe. Its goal is not to run fast itself, but to move fast and light on alpine terrain. It belongs to a very popular technical category in Italy, christened as “approach shoes”. Therefore, it is designed for us to alternate with it both running, walking and even climbing.

Being designed by and to move fast in varied mountainous terrain, it will serve us well as jogging on technical trails as well as to make the alpine approach to the foot of the track. Or of course, go down from the top running, once the ascent is crowned. In fact, they are also designed to be easy to attach to the harness. And that they provide a good performance on steep and fast descents.

SCARPA RAPID: DATA SHEET

Price149€. Average price. In the same line as his Spin Ultra sisters.
Weight 295gr (42EUR). Light weight for a mountain shoe. Just 45g more than the Ribelle, okay. But watch, same weight as her long-running sisters, the Scarpa Spin Ultra.
Ground height: 18.5-24.5mm. The usual in technical shoes, for example Salomon.
Sole Width: 10.7cm front and 8.5cm at back. The usual also in shoes that seek agility and precision when stepping.
Drop: 6mm. A medium drop. It seeks to keep us safe, “feeling” the ground while padding if we cut down too much.
Vibram Megagrip sole. Great in smooth wet rock. 5mm lugs for firm traction in soft smooth, snow/mud.

SCARPA RAPID: HIGHLIGHTS

VERSATILITY: Although not specifically born for running, their lightness, protection, cushioning and sole combine into a true alpine SUV. With it the body will ask you to jog at pace, to approach the track, climb some areas. And once up, remove the climbing shoes and set them back to run down to celebrate the adventure.

FITTING: It has been sought to be very precise and enveloping, to be able to fine-tune each support on technical trails or on climbs on small lines. It does this thanks to SCARPA’s Sock-Fit LW construction system that we saw in its running sister, the RIBELLE RUN. It is a kind of neoprene inner sock that holds while avoiding compression points. Thus, we have a well wrapped foot and greater lateral stability. At the same time we avoid risks of rubbing and blistering. In my personal case, this Rapid, as happened to me with Spin Ultra, fits my foot like a glove.

PROTECTION: A mountain shoe should be able to move without easy deterioration between courts, bramble and shear slits. That’s why it comes with a technical mesh to breathe the cover, of course. But all of it protected with an external TPU “cage”. This heat-sealed side support film will make it much more difficult, but impossible to crack. It also includes anti-pressure components and anti-impact mesh at the ankle and tongue. Key parts to ensure not only durability, but greater protection in shock-sensitive areas such as ankle and instep.

MIDSOLE: the new Agility sole has an EVA midsole with different densities to cushion impacts and increase comfort. It doesn’t have much rubber underneath because it’s a bonus to have “touch” of terrain over running long with them. logical. Stability is backed by a TPU Insert placed in the medial zone. Complete the package a construction named Dynamic Protection System (DPS) on the fore foot for propulsion and reactivity.

VIBRAM MEGAGRIP SOLE: A well-tested and well-known classic. In fact, it is the same rubber used by their spin ultra sisters, who gave us so good results this summer running and climbing peaks such as Pico Palas, Midi d’Osau or Balaitous through the Pyrenees. However, here the tacking is more straight and prominent, especially with a perimeter band that avoids any slip on forced supports.