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Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GORE-TEX Review
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Key Stats
Ideal for: Fell running, racing or very muddy routes
Main Features: 7mm Vibram lugs exclusive to Scarpa. Protective Collar and NBS lace lock
Stack Height:
- Men's: 22mm (heel) / 18mm (forefoot)
- Women's: 22mm (heel) / 18mm (forefoot)
Drop: 4mm
Fit length: EU 45. Sizing as expected
Width: Normal
Fixion ST Outsole: 7mm Vibram Megagrip outsole exclusively designed for Scarpa
Price: £150
Summary
Scarpa only started making trail running shoes a few years ago. By using their 90 years of footwear experience they have made some superb shoes that have been very well received.
Their UK-based athletes have been asking for a shoe designed for rough, wet and muddy UK conditions (a fell shoe) and this year the Italian company has delivered. But are they any good? And can they go up against the inov-8 X-Talon and adidas TERREX Speed Pro SG?
Our Tester
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Initial Thoughts
Straight out of the box, the Spin ST look like a ‘proper’ fell shoe. It’s low profile and the lugs are big and look like they will do the job required of them. Putting my orthotic in and then slipping them on, they feel like a fell shoe too. I found the lace lock a bit fiddly, but it performs the job required by them.
On my first run, I crossed a field after 5 minutes with a little angled up-and-down trod. This is a really good test of a shoe's traversing ability. Many trail shoes fail here immediately. The Spin ST performed exactly as I hoped. I enjoyed solid foot placements with a secure foothold. Cushioning feels good and is plusher than I’ve experienced in many fell shoes, although, I don’t notice any extra stack or feel unstable because of this.
The descents are mainly peaty and rocky near where I live, which might not be the best test, but I’m still able to let gravity do some of the work and let myself go. I was really impressed; they held my foot well, felt very stable, had a great ground feel and gave me the confidence to keep pushing.
So far, so good.
After 12 miles
Thoughts After a Few Weeks
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Initial Thoughts
So, the grip and the foothold are what I’d expect from a fell shoe but what about the other features?
I’ve gotten used to the lace lock after Howard from Scarpa showed me the right technique. I still think it would be quicker if they just tied, but I’ve had no issues with the laces slipping or becoming loose.
Its most noticeable feature, the protective collar, could turn out to be its best feature. The reason; when traversing in lower cut fell shoes the cuff can press into your foot just below the ankle bone and make things uncomfortable. This just doesn’t happen with the Spin ST. If I really think about it, I can feel the higher cuff against my ankle but it’s barely noticeable. The collar just seems to mould around my foot and ankle rather than put any pressure on it. It’s not the most attractive feature and it's different from most other fell shoes, but Scarpa may have made one of the best fell shoes for traversing. At least out of the models that I’ve tried.
Thoughts After a Few Weeks
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Recommended for
For fell runners and racers, obviously. Also, for those who run on muddy terrain and would prefer more traction or technical terrain and would prefer more precision.
Scarpa Spin ST Trail Running Shoe Review
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