Hiking Pennsylvania's Pine Creek Canyon in the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX
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Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX Review
My Scarpa Rush review is based on more than two years of first-hand hiking experience in the lightweight Rush series. I've tested and reviewed the original Rush hiking boot, the Rush 2 hiking shoe, and all-leather Rush 2 Pro (new for 2025). My first test hikes took place in Pennsylvania, a state with several rocky, boot-killing trails that expose hiking boots' limitations. This included sections of award-winning trails, such as the Standing Stone Trail, Mid-State Trail, West Rim Trail, and Allegheny Front Trail. After moving to Albuquerque, I've continued to hike in the Scarpa Rush 2 and leather Rush 2 Pro in New Mexico. As always, this is an independent review (not a sponsored post) based on significant mileage and informed by my work as an oudoor industry professional.
Scroll down to see why I consider the Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX to be one of the best lightweight hiking boots—and one of the best hiking boots overall for recreational hikers.
testing the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX
Support
The Scarpa Rush 2 Mid is surprisingly supportive for a lightweight hiking boot. Thanks to a TPU stability frame, it's sturdy through the midfoot and forefoot with a little flex at the foot's natural flex point. For me, that's the sweet spot for any hiking boot—sturdy enough for tough trails while flexible enough for easy ones. The Rush also shows good torsional rigidity, which makes it tougher to turn an ankle on rocks and roots. Even though I mostly hike tough terrain, my (weak) feet and ankles haven't had any issues in the Scarpa Rushes I've owned.
The ankle collars offer a little over-the-ankle protection. But they're not particularly tall or rigid. Most of the boot's ankle support comes from that stiff, stable base. Among the lightweight hiking boots I've worn, the Scarpa Rush Mid comes closest to matching the stability and support of classic, mid-weight hiking boots—even though they weigh a half-pound less than the midweights in my gear closet.
2lb 4.5oz (men's 12.5)
Weight
EXCELLENT WEIGHT-TO-SUPPORT RATIO
The Scarpa Rush Mid GTX just makes my unofficial cut-off for a "lightweight" hiking boot. The average pair of men's hiking boots weighs between 2.5 and 3 pounds (depending on size). My pair weighs 2 pounds 4 ounces (men's size 12.5). In my size, that's the average weight of a low-cut hiking shoe and similar to the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid (which many people consider the best lightweight hiking boot). For comparison, the Scarpa Rush is slightly heavier (and more supportive) than my other lightweight hiking boots—the Topo Trailventure 2 (2lb 1oz), Hoka Trail Code (2lb 2.5oz), and Hoka Anacapa (2lb 3oz). The Rush weighs 8-9 ounces less than my go-to midweight hiking boot—the Oboz Bridger—while offering similar support.
Overall, the Rush's weight-to-support ratio is exceptional.
Women's Rush 2 Mid GTX
Fit
The Scarpa Rush 2 runs slightly small but not as narrow as most Italian hiking boots. I recommend sizing up one full size from your everyday shoe size—maybe more if you have wide feet. My everyday shoe size is a men's 11.5. I can get by with a 12.5 in the Rush but appreciate the added width of the size 13.
Men's Rush 2 Mid GTX
Comfort
With hiking boots, comfort boils down to fit, hiking style, and personal preferences. If you like your hiking boots light, you may like the Scarpa Rush 2's feel — it runs a half-pound lighter than the average hiking boot. The Rush has moderate cushioning and padded ankle collars for comfort. However, casual hikers and newbies may find it a little stiff if they're new to performance hiking boots. This isn't one of those "lightweight hiking boots" that's little more than a glorified sneaker. It's a real hiking boot that's up to the challenge of moderate to difficult terrain.
Personally, I like the feel. The boots' backbone has kept my feet fresher on moderate to difficult hikes than softer hiking boots. Overall, though, the comfort doesn't stand out.
Traction
This is yet another plus in my Scarpa Rush review.
As a leading climbing shoe brand, Scarpa usually delivers clutch traction on rock. The Rush's outsoles feature versatile tread that's good on most surfaces with SuperGum rubber that's grippier on rock than most hiking soles. The Scarpa Rush Mid has impressed me on Pennsylvania's rocky trails, providing stable footing on the MId-State Trail's rocky ridgelines and the Standing Stone Trail's ankle-killing rock gardens. The 4mm lugs aren't especially deep or aggressive, so they're not the best for steep descents on mud, snow, scree, or gravel. But the boots have good, versatile traction that can handle more technical trails, rock scrambling, and wet or dry conditions.
Weather Protection
The "GTX" in the Rush Mid GTX stands for GORE-TEX. The Rush features a GORE-TEX Comfort Lining inside the boot to keep liquid moisture from getting to your feet while releasing evaporated moisture vapor from inside the boot ("breathability"). GORE-TEX remains the industry standard for waterproof and breathable footwear. Under normal conditions, GORE-TEX should keep hikers' feet drier than the average waterproofing. It won't work miracles, however, with sustained hiking in puddles, wet grass, or heavy rain. Also, keep in mind that the waterproofing does not extend to the top of the boot. The GORE-TEX bootie stops around the ankle bone for approximately 4 inches of weatherproof clearance for puddles, snow, mud, etc.
The GORE-TEX has performed as expected on my test hikes, keeping my feet dry through 11 sloppy miles on the Moss-Hanne Trail in Black Moshannon State Forest. GORE-TEX is breathable (in spite of what some bloggers say), but the Rush's TPU overlays reduce the boots' breathability. Overall, though, the weather protection is pretty good with the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX.
Value
EXPENSIVE
Scarpas are expensive. The lightweight Rush family costs less than traditional Scarpa trekking boots. Still, they're expensive. The Scarpa Rush Mid GTX debuted at $200, and the new Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX sells for $219 full price. That means it costs $25-50 more than the other lightweight hiking boots that I recommend. If you're looking for a lightweight hiking boot with the support of a midweight hiking boot, the Scarpa Rush is probably the best lightweight hiking boot out there.
Lucky for you, the economy sucks for outdoor retailers, so there's a good chance that you can find the Scarpa Rush on sale right now. Click below to see current prices:
Men's Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX
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Women's Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX
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Scarpa Rush Mid GTX: Pros vs. Cons
For more than two years now, I've tested the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX on some of Pennsylvania's toughest trails and some of Albuquerque's signature trails, too. My Scarpa Rush 2 review shows a whole lot of plusses—and few minuses.
Conclusion:
Based on my Scarpa Rush review, I recommend the Rush 2 Mid GTX to fast hikers with light packs, to hikers who want a lightweight option that still provides good support, and to men and women who most mostly hike moderate to difficult trails. It's a versatile hiking boot that does many things well. In terms of quality and performance, the Scarpa Rush 2 GTX runs neck and neck with the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX as the best lightweight hiking boot for serious hikers. I test and review a ton of hiking boots. The Scarpa Rush 2 GTX is one of the few hiking boots that I keep wearing for personal use months (and now years) after my initial review. If it fits your feet and matches your hiking style, it's a solid hiking boot.
Testing the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro hiking boot in New Mexico's Sandia Mountains
