Scarpa Ribelle Run XT Review
Burly. Durable. Exists at the intersection of trail shoes and mountaineering boots.
The Scarpa Ribelle Run XT are what you get if you cross a mountaineering boot with a trail runner, the end result being closer to a low top hiking shoe than a running shoe. This is some truly burly footwear, likely the toughest and most protective we’ve ever tested thanks to the 360 rand (shop now). However, this comes at the expense of it being heavy, stiff, and better suited to walking than running.
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- Price: $179
- M’ Weight: 12.5 oz | W’s Weight: 10.4 oz
- Heel-Forefoot-Drop: 6mm drop, stack height unlisted
- Lugs: 4.5 mm | Rockplate: Yes
- Width: narrow | Overall Fit: Slightly short, consider sizing up .5
- Wide Sizes Available: No
- On Trail/Off trail? Off trail only, overkill for most trails
- Pros: Exceptionally durable and rugged. Great traction, foot protection. Some recycled materials.
- Cons: Very stiff. Heavy. Requires break in period. Narrow-but-high-volume forefoot. Better for hiking than running.
Compare to more our great options in our guide to the best trail running shoes.
Construction & Features
Let’s start with the 360 rand, perhaps Ribelle Run XT’s loudest feature. This offers complete TPU protection surrounding the entire lower half of the foot. The tech and design are pulled directly from their mountaineering boots. As such the shoes are perfect to pair with MicroSpikes for light duty snow/glacier travel, or walking through scratchy/pokey landscapes, such as those with cacti.
While this model does not have a waterproof breathable layer, you can step through shallow streams without worrying about soakage.However, they have less mesh surface area than the average trail runner, and zero drainage, so if they do get wet, are likely to dry slowly. A Gore-Tex version is also available.
We don’t have stats on the midsole, but Scarpa states it is of medium density EVA foam, and we would describe it as of medium thickness. Ribelle Run XT features a 6mm heel-to-toe drop, but we also don’t have exact numbers on the stack height. A glass-fiber (fiber glass?) shank (aka rockplate) sits below the arch and adds additional protection and stability.
The reinforced mesh portion of the upper is made with 60% recycled content and does add a nice dose of breathability to what would otherwise just be a low top boot. The heel cup and tongue are both well-padded, ensuring a comfortable fit. The laces have great staying power and are plenty long enough.
The rubber PRESA TRN-05 SuperGum outsole features massive, burly lugs delivering exceptional traction on natural surfaces like mud, snow, dirt, and rocks.
. . .Compare to more our great options in our guide to the best trail running shoes.
Fit Review
I’m wearing my US size 12/Euro size 46 Scarpa Ribelle Run XT as I write, and I would describe the fit as generally true-to-size in terms of length, and narrow in terms of width. If you are in between sizes, go up, rather than down. If you intend to wear midweight or heavy weight socks, you may wish to go up half a size. I also note the rounding of the forefoot that makes it feel slightly narrower than it actually is. This is not a shoe for wide footed individuals, and you may notice that your pinky toe contacts the side wall.
One interesting results of the 360 rand is how it adds height-based volume to the forefoot in a way that gives your toes lots of vertical wiggle room. This is pleasant, but not necessarily beneficial as in any technical sense.
Scarpa Ribelle Run XT Review Verdict
Choose the SCARPA Ribelle Run XT for next-level, rugged, mountaineering-boot-inspired protection against sharp terrain. While they’re a bit too stiff and heavy duty for our running preferences, they makes for a nice pair of burly hiking shoes, and are well suited to snow travel with microspikes. The Ribelle Run XTs are likely to serve for many years thanks to the 360 rand and overall exceptional durability.
. . .Compare to more our great options in our guide to the best trail running shoes.
