Meet the Scarpa Rush
Hiking Pennsylvania's Pine Creek Canyon in the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX
In the hiking world, Scarpa is best known for traditional trekking boots, such as the Kailash or Zodiac Plus. Both are high quality boots. But they're sturdier (and more expensive) than what most hikers now buy. That led to Scarpa launching its lightweight "Rush" line of hiking boots and hiking shoes.
From heaviest to lightest, the Scarpa Rush family includes the
Scarpa Rush Trek
Rush 2 Mid
Scarpa Rush Trail
Scarpa Rush 2 Low
My Scarpa Rush review evaluates the Rush Mid GTX—Scarpa's lightest and most versatile hiking boot. This review should also hold true for the Rush 2 Mid GTX (new for 2023). The differences between the original Scarpa Rush and the Scarpa Rush 2 are mostly cosmetic. The Rush 2 Mid GTX has slightly different coloring and branding than the original Rush Mid GTX and now has one lace hook over the ankle instead of two. But both boots are built on the same last, so their fit and performance should be pretty much the same.
You can currently find great closeout prices on the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX. The Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX has a MSRP of $219:
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Scarpa Rush Review
My Scarpa Rush review follows from a series of 7-12 mile day hikes that I hand-picked to test the support, comfort, traction, and waterproofing of the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX. My 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. 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.
Here's why I now consider the Scarpa Rush 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
GOOD FOR A LIGHTWEIGHT HIKING BOOT
The Scarpa Rush 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 Rush hiking boot.
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
TRUE TO SIZE
Italian brands generally run narrow, especially in the toes. However, Scarpa (based in Italy) has a more standard fit. Most hikers will want to buy the Rush in their usual hiking size (which is often a 1/2-size larger than their everyday size). Hikers with wide feet (like me) may (or may not) be able to wear the Scarpa Rush by sizing up a full size from their everyday hiking size. I usually wear a 12-wide in hiking boots and fit fairly well in Scarpa's size 12.5.
Men's Rush 2 Mid GTX
Comfort
AVERAGE
With hiking boots, comfort boils down to fit, hiking style, and personal preferences. The Rush's fit and feel probably favor more serious hikers who prefer a more technical hiking boot. Its moderately stiff build and performance fit are best suited for technical terrain. 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.
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
SOLID
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
GORE-TEX
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.
With 2023 being a tough year for outdoor retailers, there's a good chance that you can find the Scarpa Rush on sale. Here are current prices:
Scarpa Rush Mid GTX: Pros vs. Cons
My Scarpa Rush review is overwhelmingly positive. The pros clearly outweigh the cons:
Conclusion:
Over the past three months, I've tested the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX on some of Pennsylvania's toughest trails. My Scarpa Rush review shows a whole lot of plusses—and few minuses. In terms of quality and performance, the Scarpa Rush GTX probably nudges the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX as the best lightweight hiking boot for serious hikers. I'll be adding it to my lists of recommended hiking boots.
But that doesn't mean that you should rush out to buy the Scarpa Rush. The key is buying a hiking boot that fits your feet and matches your hikes.
Based on my Scarpa Rush review, I recommend the Rush to hikers with standard-sized feet. I also recommend it to fast hikers with day packs or light backpacks, 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.
Best Fit
standard fit
Best Match
fast-and-light hikers
technical terrain
where to buy the Scarpa Rush hiking boot
You won't find the Scarpa Rush or new Scarpa Rush 2 at sporting goods chain stores. Dedicated hiking and backpacking shops may carry Scarpa, especially in mountainous areas. However, you're most likely to find a good selection of Scarpa hiking boots at leading outdoor specialty retailers, such as REI or Backcountry.
If this Scarpa Rush review has sold you on Scarpa's lightest hiking boot, please consider buying your new pair through the affiliate links above. That's free for you and helps me out. Those small commisions pay for the footwear I review and give me a little back for all the unpaid hours I've spent creating free content to help others find the best hiking boots and hiking shoes.
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Happy Hiking!
