Scarpa Spin Planet Review
A well-rounded trail running shoe pushing the sustainability envelope
Well-rounded and effective is how we would describe the construction and trail performance of the Scarpa Spin Planet. From weight, to cushion, to width, to drop, they take a crowd-pleasingly middle-of-the-road approach, with something to offer everyone. But it’s their sustainability chops that really set Spin Planet apart, with a well-above-average volume of recycled materials. Shop now.
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- Price: $159
- M’ Weight: 10.2 oz | W’s Weight: 9.2 oz
- Heel-Forefoot-Drop: 28.5-24.5-4
- Lugs: 4.5 mm | Rockplate: No
- Width: Average |Â Overall Fit: True to size
- Wide Sizes Available: No
- On Trail/Off trail? Either
- Pros: Above average use of recycled materials. Unusual-but-effective tongue. Good looking. Lightweight. Breathable.
- Cons: Expensive. Slightly too narrow in forefoot.
Compare to more our great options in our guide to the best trail running shoes.
Construction & Features
We’ve tested and reviewed many a trail shoe, and few, if any, performance models can boast such serious sustainability chops. The mesh upper is made of 100% recycled content. Some previous trail shoes that have wowed us in that regard include the On Cloudvista with a 88% recycled upper, and REI Swiftland MT, with a 90% recycled upper. Spin Planet comes out on top.
What’s more, the mesh upper on the Spin Planet is quite breathable, with a loose, airy weave ready to dump heat and sweat. Compared to some of our all-time favorites like the HOKA Challenger and the HOKA Speedgoat, which have a more fabric-y feel on the upper, Spin Planet does come off a bit stiffer and less soft, but not in a problematic way. Perhaps this is because of the “internal support matrix,” a reinforced zone wrapping the midfoot which adds structure and stability. A reinforced toe rand helps increase the lifespan by protecting the toe box against scuffs and scrapes.
While apprehensive at first, we have been extremely pleased by the unique Axial TR Tech Tongue. This is a low bulk tongue with minimal padding. It is a direct extension of mesh upper material extending from the inner side of laces, wrapping over the top of the foot, and down below the outer side of laces. It is comfortable to wear, to tighten down, and stays in place exceptionally well. It meets the ankle with a large gap that situates without rubbing or chafing as you move, and always protecting against lace-on-sock contact.
Unlike most trail shoes, which give up on sustainability entirely at the midsole, Spin Planet is built with an exceptionally high 45% recycled content. And it does so while still offering a bouncy and responsive ride without feeling sluggish. Scarpa calls this a heavily cushioned shoe, but maybe that’s a euro standard, as the 28.5mm heel stack height seems moderate/average to us.
Closing out the build is the rubber outsole and aggressively grippy 4.5mm lugs. Again, Spin planets bests the competition with the use of 30% recycled rubber. This shoe has great traction whether used for running or hiking.
. . .Compare to more our great options in our guide to the best trail running shoes.
Fit Review
We found the Scarpa Spin Planet to deliver a fairly standard fit, very much true to size in terms of length, no need to size up or down. My men’s euro size 46 fit exactly like I expect a US 12 to fit. In terms of width, it’s fairly standard, if not ever-so-slightly narrow through the heel and mid-foot. But we wouldn’t have minded a bit of extra width at the forefoot. I like a wide-not-too-wide toe box with room for my feet to expand a bit over the course of a long day/run, and if we have one knock on Spin Planet, it’s that the forefoot rounds out too quickly. We don’t recommend this shoe to runners and hikers with wide feet.
Scarpa Spin Planet Review Verdict
Choose the Scarpa Spin Spin Planet shoes for a well-rounded pair of premium trail runners with exceptional use of recycled materials. Fit is true to size trending narrow in the forefoot. This is a really sweet shoe, the blue colorway looks excellent, and we commend Scarpa on such a sustainable design.
. . .Compare to more our great options in our guide to the best trail running shoes.
