Great news: These are also available in women’s fit.
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Excellent durability including option of resoling
- Excellent ankle support
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Can be pricey
- A little heavy
Scarpa are a very well-respected name in outdoor footwear manufacturing and their distinctively styled shoes and boots are a very popular choice on the trail. Their Rush family of hiking footwear includes numerous boots and shoes including these – the Rush TRK GTX.
Scarpa say these boots are inspired by trail running shoes, but they offer the support and rigidity you’d expect from boots intended for hiking over difficult terrain. They are well made, tough and water-resistant and, to top it all off, can be resoled, meaning they could last a very long time indeed. All in all, these are a very attractive option if you hike in mixed weather conditions and like to venture onto more technically demanding trails.
Editor’s note: This article is part of our guide to the best hiking boots, be sure to check out the rest of this guide for our top buying tips:
Compare to Similar Products:
Salewa Men's Alp Trainer 2 Mid GTX Boots | Hoka Trail Code GTX | Keen Targhee III Waterproof Mid | Asolo Fugitive GTX | Scarpa Rush TRK GTX | Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 | Oboz Bridger Mid B-Dry | Skechers Relment-Pelmo | Teva Grandview GORE-TEX | Timberland White Ledge Mid Waterproof | |
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Buying Options | ||||||||||
Our Ratings | Best Overall Men's | Most Stylish | Best for Long Distance Trails | Most Breathable | Best for Winter/Cold Weather | Best Lightweight | Best for Backpacking | |||
Pros | Excellent comfort. Great combo of breathability and water-resistance. | Excellent Grip. Excellent water resistance | Excellent comfort. Great durability | Tough and durable. Great water resistance. | Excellent durability (including ability to be resoled). Excellent ankle support | Very light. Extremely comfortable | Tough build. Great fit and comfort | Very comfortable. Reasonably priced. | Comfortable. Looks good | Often very inexpensive. Offered in a wide range of sizes. |
Cons | Can be pricey. May be a little tight if you have very wide feet | The styling is not to everybody's taste. Some durability concerns | The loos are a little dated. Are relatively expensive outside of the USA | Some may find the upper too flexible. Can be expensive. | Can be pricey. A little heavy | Long term durability concerns. Not well suited to more technical terrain | A little heavy. Not the most breathable | Not suited to technical hiking. Styling is a little dull. | Some durability concerns. Not suited for more extreme trails | Low water resistance. Less ankle support than others. |
Traction | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | Good |
Breathability | Excellent | Good | Very Good | Good | Low | Excellent | Low | Low | Good | Low |
Ankle Support | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Very good | Excellent | Good | Very Good | Good | Good | Average |
Arch support | Regular to good | Regular | Regular | Minimal | Minimal | Regular | Good | Good | Regular | Regular |
Fit | Fits true to size available in a single width | Fits true to size. Available in a single width | Fit true to size. Available in normal and wide fit and with a wide range of sizes | Fits true to size. Available in standard and wide fit. | Fits true to size. Available in a single width. | Fits true to size. Available in a single width | Fit is true ot size. Available ins standard and wide versions. | Available in a wide range of sizes with several width options. sizing may run large. | Fits true to size. Available in a single width | Runs small. Available in regular and wide fit. |
Materials | Suede leather upper and synthetic | Full synthetic | Leather upper and synthetic | Suede leather and synthetic | Suede leather upper with synthetics | Full synthetic | Leather upper with synthetics | Suede leather upper with synthetics | Leather and synthetic upper | Leather and synthetic upper |
Appearance | Modern hiking boot | Modern sports shoe inspired hiking boot | The design is a little dated | The design is a little dated | Modern hiking boot | Modern sports shoe | The design is a little dated | Regular hiking boot | Retro inspired modern hiking trainer | Traditional hiking boot |
Durability | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Good |
Water Resistance | Gore Tex membrane | Gore Tex Membrane | Keen.Dry' breathable waterproof membrane | Gore Tex Membrane | Gore Tex Membrane | In-house waterproof membrane | B-Dry Membrane | Water-resistant treatment and possibly a water-resistant membrane | Gore Tex membrane and water resistant treatment | Water resistant treatment and sealed seems |
Weight (pair) | 1.04kg/2lb 05oz | 868g/1lb 14.6oz | 970g/2lb 2oz | 1.39kg/3lb 1oz | 1.19kg/2lb 10oz | 856g/1lb 14oz | 1.08kg/2lb 06oz | 964g/2lb 02oz | ||
Insoles | Modular insole system to fine-tune fit | Padded removable insole | Padded removable insole | Padded removable insole | Padded removable insole | Padded removable insole | Shaped 'O-FIT' insole | Air Cooled Memory Foam Insole | Padded removable insole | Padded removable insole |
Break-in Period | Minimal | Minimal | Very minimal | Minimal | Short break in required | Very minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal |
Lacing system | Regular laces | Regular laces | Regular laces | Regular laces | Regular laces | Regular laces | Regular laces | Regular laces | Regular laces | Regular laces |
Toe Protection | Reinforced rubber rand on toe | Reinforced toe section | Leather reinforced with rubber toecap | Reinforced toe section with rubber rand | Reinforced rubber toe cap | Rubber reinforced toe | Reinforced rubber toe cap | Rubber rand at toe | Reinforced rand and rubber toe cap | Sole extended up to form a small toe cap |
Analysis and Test Results
The Scarpa Rush TRK GTX is a more rigid than average boot, built with a high level of durability and water resistance. Many will be quick to point out that these are relatively heavy boots and, whilst it’s true to say that we have assessed substantially lighter alternatives, these boots offer an excellent combo of foot and ankle stability that many hikers will be glad of – especially if hiking over more difficult terrain.
However, these are also not rigid, technical boots and they have enough flexibility and comfort to be worn on all-day hikes or long walks. Whilst they are classed as three season boots, these could well serve as year-round boots for those who hike in less extreme conditions and in this sense, they could genuinely be the only pair of hiking boots many people need to own. They can be a little pricey, but they are also designed to be resoled – potentially giving them a very long life indeed.
Performance Comparison
Traction
The Scarpa Rush TRK GTX feature Scarpa’s own ‘Presa’ sole that promises excellent grip and control on descents. The sole lives up to the hype and provides great performance – though, of course, there are some conditions like slick mud and ice that will thwart even the best grip.
Breathability
These boots prioritize insulation and water resistance over breathability. Breathability is often seen as a key trait in hiking footwear and, if you’re hiking in a warm desert, it’s certainly something you’ll want in your footwear. However, a lot of people don’t hike in deserts and if your adventures take you into colder conditions or places where you’ll encounter wet weather, then a less ventilated, more heavily insulated boot like the Scarpa rush makes a lot more sense.
Whilst these boots do not prioritize breathability, they do still allow some air circulation and, if you pair them with socks made from a moisture wicking fabric like Merino wool, you can avoid overheating or sweaty feet on your hikes. If you hike in very cold places, it’s worth noting that Scarpa also offers the Rush Polar – a more heavily insulated and slightly taller version of this boot.
Ankle Support
The Scarpa Rush range includes a number of different product variants including several different heights of boot. Whilst many would describe the rush TRK as a mid-high boot, the Rush Mid is actually a little shorter than these (and there’s also a lightly taller and more heavily insulated Rush Polar too).
Our reviewer – who tends towards wearing heavier duty mountaineering boots – was a big fan of the ankle support these boots offered. The slightly higher cuff, which is heavily padded and can be tensioned via the laces, gave great support and coupled with the stiffer feel of these boots, gave a great sense of ankle and general foot support.
Arch Support
The Scarpa Rush TRK GTX provide fairly minimal arch support out of the box – in this regard they are not too dissimilar to many of their competitors. This won’t be an issue for most buyers, but, if you benefit from having extra arch support in your footwear, then the supplied insoles can easily be switched out for something that offers more support.
Fit
Scarpa offer the Rush TRK GTX in sizes ranging from US 8/UK 7/EU 41 up to US 14/UK 13/EU 48. Whilst this range should cover most customers, it’s worth noting that many competitors offer their boots in a wider range of sizes. The Rush generally fits true to size and is available in a single width – those with wider feet may find the boot a little restrictive.
These boots are designed to lock the wearer’s heel in place, improving the sense of sure-footedness on the trial and this helps the boots feel a bit more like mountaineering boots rather than straight up walking boots.
Materials
These boots use a combo of synthetic materials and thick suede leather (Scarpa claim the leather is between 1.6 and 1.8mm thick). All the materials used are tough and give the boots a great sense of durability and toughness.
Appearance
The Scarpa Rush TRK GTX is a thoroughly modern hiking boot. It’s offered in a couple of color ways including the striking teal and orange combo that’s become one of Scarpa’s signatures. We think these are great-looking boots: the styling is bang up to date without being too in your face and the design also makes great use of contrasting material textures.
Durability
Scarpa have built their reputation on making quality footwear – there’s good reason why you’ll often see high altitude mountaineers wearing their boots. We’re pleased to report the Rush TRK GTX live up to what we’d expect from Scarpa in terms of their build quality and durability. These boots use inherently tough materials, and we’d imagine that they’ll give many long years of use before they give up.
These soles on these boots are also designed to be replaced when they do eventually wear out and provided the uppers are still in good condition (and they often are – soles tend to wear out first!), then the life of these boots can be substantially increased.
Sustainability
First of all, these boots are designed to be resoled. That used to be a given with hiking boots, but it’s something you see less frequently as the industry transitions to generally lighter boots inspired by trainers. If you’ve hiked for long enough to have worn through a pair of boots (or several), you’ll know that the sole often wears, separates or otherwise fails on hiking footwear whilst the upper is still in fairly good condition.
Whilst resoling can be more expensive than you might think, it’s still substantially cheaper than buying a new pair of boots and can really revitalize a worn pair and push the life of your boots into decades.
Beyond this, Scarpa are committed to reducing carbon emissions, using recycled materials and also carry out most (they state 90%) of their material sourcing and manufacturing in factories they own in Europe rather than contracting it out to East Asia – this means their manufacturing is subject to tighter environmental controls and the workers in the factories have better employment rights and pay relative to many of their competitors.
Water Resistance
These boots offer an excellent level of water resistance. The upper section is largely unventilated and is backed with a Gore-Tex membrane which keeps moisture out whilst still allowing breathability. Coupled with the higher than normal ankle cuff, these boots will keep your feet dry in rain, if crossing boggy terrain and even if you need to cross a shallow stream.
Remember, though, that water can still enter the boot if goes above the ankle cuff, and can also soak in if your socks get wet.
Weight
The Scarpa Rush TRK GTX weigh in at 1.19kg/2lb 10oz for a pair. Outwardly that’s quite heavy – especially when compared to some of the very lightweight trainer-inspired boots we’ve assessed elsewhere (for example the Hoka Trail Code GTX or the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 – both of which are roughly three quarters the weight of these).
However, these are a very different type of boot: they are far more rigid and, in our opinion, better suited to hiking on rough or even slightly technical terrain than the lighter boots we’ve assessed. When compared to the likes of the Salewa Alp Trainer 2 Mid GTX or the Asolo Fugitive GTX, both of which are more rigid boots with leather uppers, the weight of these Scarpas is much more competitive.
Absolute light weight is many hiker’s priority when choosing gear, and is especially important with footwear, where extra weight is disproportionately fatiguing. However, when it comes to hiking boots, there are many circumstances where more rigid, durable and, yes, heavy footwear is a better option.
If you hike in very bad weather, on more technical terrain, regularly carry a heavy pack, or benefit from improved ankle support then accepting a slight weight penalty in exchange for more rigid and supportive boots is a sensible tradeoff.
Insoles
The Scarpa Rush TRK GTX come with some fairly generic padded insoles. These will be fine for most buyers. However, if you need extra arch support, footbed padding or just want to fine-tune the fit of these boots, then swapping the insole out for a readily available third-party or even custom-made alternative is a great way to achieve just this.
Break-in Period
With their more rigid construction, these boots do take a little while to break in. If you’re coming to these from more rigid mountaineering boots, this will be trivial, but if you’re new to the world of stiffer hiking boots, then there may well be a bit of an adjustment period.
We’d always recommend wearing new boots on a few shorter local walks – or even just around your home for a day or so – before you take them out on a longer hike. This helps ensure the fit is right and that there’s no rubbing which can lead to discomfort. Thick hiking socks made form moisture wicking material like Merino wool and pulled up high above the ankle cuff can make a big difference to the comfort of new boots and can really help prevent rubbing and sores during the break-in period.
Lacing System
Like the vast majority of the boots and shoes we assess, the Scarpa Rush TRK GTX uses regular laces. These may not seem very interesting, but laces are actually a great way to fine-tune the fit of your boot.
It’s also possible to experiment with different lacing patterns to further refine – or even radically change – the fit of your boots.
Toe Protection
These boots feature a substantial rubber rand over the leather at the toe and the sole also extends up to form a toe cap. This offers good protection to your toes from the kind of bumps and knocks you can expect to encounter whilst hiking.
Conclusion
Scarpa boots have a tremendous reputation, so it’s perhaps no surprise that we were impressed by the Rush TRK GTX. Whilst they are not the cheapest option, and perhaps a little heavy too, they perform exceptionally well in many areas. They are probably overkill if you’re just after a pair of boots for fair-weather walking and hiking, but if you routinely hike in bad weather or if your hiking takes you onto more technical terrain, then these sturdy and rigid boots are an excellent option that we think are well worth considering.
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