the Scarpa Rush 2 GTX review

The Scarpa Rush 2 GTX. A perfect mix of trail runner and hiker.

On a typical summer of guiding hikes I can flatten the bottom of a pair of shoes and blow out the midsole in a month. That was until I met the Scarpa Rush 2 GTX. They are a mix of trail runner comfort and styling mixed with hiking shoe durability that surprised me, and still does, after several months of tramping through the Alps and beyond.

The Scarpa Rush 2 GTX:

Upper: Eco Mesh + Eco Microfiber + Eco Film
Midsole: 2D EVA
Outsole: Presa HIK-03 / SuperGum
Weight: 380 grams
Country of Origin: China

Why are you in a Rush?

The Scarpa Rush 2 GTX is an updated version of the Rush, a shoe Scarpa says they designed to balance agility and support. The end product is a shoe that has the weight and looks of a trail runner with the support and longevity of a low cut hiking boot.

What is Eco?

The upper of the Scarpa Rush 2 GTX is made of three different recycled materials, Eco Mesh, Eco Film and Eco Microfiber. I have reached out to Scarpa to receive detailed info on what exactly these materials are, but the best answer I can get is: “products made of environment-friendly materials refers to products in which materials and processes are specifically chosen for their environmentally friendly characteristics.” If I get more info, I will update the review.

The Upper

Where the toe bumper of the shoe ends and blends into the mesh is, what I am assuming to be, Eco Mesh covered in Eco Film. This is a tough coating that effectively behaves as a rand but without the extra weight and stiffness that a full rand would create. So far the only place I have broken the Eco Film is on the right shoe where it meets the end of the outside toe bumper.

The majority of the upper is made with Eco Mesh. It has proven to be soft and rather durable, again, finally showing some wear at the 800km mark. I have also finally managed to put some wear into the inside collar of both shoes. I have a strange gate and this usually happens at the 150-200 km mark. The Rush 2 GTX made it around 500 until wear on the collar started to show.

There are five eyelets to keep your feet in the Rush 2. The lower four are made of nylon loops and the top is a rivet. The nylon loops have stood up remarkably well. Unfortunately, there is no extra eyelet to make a heel lock loop. Though I would’ve seldom used the lace lock on these shoes it still would’ve been nice to have the option.

The Heel

At the back of the upper is a hard plastic heel counter. It has stood up to many many attempts to crush the heel by wearing the Rush 2 as a sandal and it has not given up. The Heelside pull tab is nice for when I am too lazy to untie the shoe to put it on. As there is no sock style liner, putting the shoe on when untied is a breeze and does not require the pull tab.

Liner

The Rush 2 GTX marks the first time in a long time that I have used a Gore-Tex shoe as my main footwear in summer. I found them to be not breathable and so my feet would sweat and sometimes blister. I’d sooner have damp toes than blisters. Fortunately, the GORE-TEX® Invisible Fit breathes fairly well.

The Gore-Tex invisible fit membrane is bonded to the mesh of the upper creating a wrinkle free and foldless liner. Throughout the summer the Scarpa Rush 2 GTX breathed well and kept my feet dry in rains and when crossing streams. After ten months of wear though they are no longer waterproof. It could have something to do with the holes I’ve put in the uppers more than the lining giving up the ghost. Bush bashing is not kind to trail runners of any kind.

Midsole

The midsole is made with a dual density EVA foam. Medium density EVA pods in the forefoot and heel are used for cushioning. High Density EVA surrounds those pods to increase stability and longevity. As the softest EVA used in the shoe is medium density they are somewhat firm underfoot. I would not run much in these shoes as they are not meant for hard and fast strikes to the ground. They are designed to set a hiking tempo and provie support and cushion to the wearer and they do this well.

Wrapping from midsole to behind the heel is the DST FRAME. This is the Dynamic Stabilizer Torsion frame. Made of TPU, it wraps from mid foot to the lower portion of the heel acting like a cradle by providing side support at the hell.

Outsole

Scarpa uses two of their own technologies in the design of the outsole on the Rush 2 GTX.The first is SuperGum. This is a proprietary compound that in Scarpa’s words ”was formulated to deliver high friction performance in both wet and dry conditions, but at the same time offers 3 times the abrasion resistance.” I would say it is not quite as grippy as something like Salomon’s but only marginally so. The 4mm lugs perform moderately well in the mud and their broad nature helps them last longer than smaller narrower lugs.

Presa is the term Scarpa uses for their outsole design. There are 7 impact absorbing domes as well as lugs designed for pushing, braking, impact absorption and stability.

Fit

Like all Italian shoes, the Scarpa Rush 2 GTX fit a little narrow. I’m lucky in that they fit me well as I have a narrow foot. Heel hold is generally good. I’ve not gotten any heel blisters as slip is minimal. There are no extra eyelets to create a lace lock loop. Though I have not needed it, on some very steep descents, I did wish I had the option.

The tongue is thin but broad. This gives some decent support with no pressure points. It is gusseted so that there is no gap in height between the collar of the shoe and the tongue. This allows the shoe to be opened up very wide for easy on and offs.

Lifespan

I have worn these shoes for at least 6 weeks of guiding, that is, until the end of the season as I had tested other shoes prior. I’ve continued to wear them, though not exclusively, until the time I’ve posted the review.

I typically only get four weeks out of a pair of shoes. The Rush 2 GTX still has tons of life left in them. Though their 4mm lugs are now down to 2mm at best, it has been 9 months since I put them on for the first time. I have not worn them exclusively since last autumn but they have been my go to for hikes close to home in the autumn, I’ve worn them around town on the asphalt (typically torturous to soft outsoles) and they are now what I am wearing for hikes around Haines Junction as I wait to fly into Mount Logan.

At least 800km in and still lug left to use

On the Trail

Upon first wear the Scarpa Rush 2 GTX were a little stiff, and they still are and that’s a good thing. They are meant to be a hiker not a lightweight trail runner. As I average 200 lbs, the extra support is appreciated over longer days where my feet can get a little sore. Add on a heavy pack and the support is even more appreciated. Fortunately, that stiffness did not require a break in period per say, but my feet did need to adapt to them after getting used to wearing a relatively soft Norda 002 for the month prior.

Traction on the Scarpa Rush 2 GTX is decent. I still feel other softer soled shoes have better grip the trade off of such longevity is more than worth it for these shoes.

No sock fit so some trail dust can get in as well as moisture if you are bush bashing but then you should probably be wearing gaiters or pants anyway.

This is hands down the most durable trail shoe I have had in a long time.