Scarpa Rush Trk LT GORE-TEX® Boot In-Depth Review

Stuart Hedley is an outdoor photographer based in Northumberland. An avid hiker, mountaineer and wild camper, his usual stomping grounds are around Scotland's mountain ranges, where he captures incredible shots of his adventures. With outdoor equipment being essential to his work and hobbies, he knows what to look for when it comes to finding good, reliable kit. We asked Stuart to test out the Scarpa Rush Trk LT Hiking Boots and give us his verdict. Here's his review from a "very wet summer's day in Scotland".

Who is the Scarpa Rush Trk LT for?

The Scarpa Rusk Trk LT GORE-TEX® Hiking Boots are available in men's and women's styles. They feature water-resistant suede uppers with breathable mesh zones and a GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort membrane for additional wet weather protection. This makes them a boot suited to year-round hiking in both warm and cold temperatures, from dry to wet weather. The shock-absorbing Interactive Kinetic System (IKS) extends comfort over long distances while the Presa® Supergum sole delivers a strong grip on varied terrain, meaning the Rush Trk LTs are well-equipped for more serious, long-distance hikes.

Stuart: "Over the past couple of years I have made a steady transition into favouring trail running shoes for hiking in fair weather. However, having worn Scarpa boots in the past I was eager to try the new Rush Trk LT’s. This boot is perfect for classic Scottish weather conditions and terrain. The GORE-TEX® extended comfort membrane offers substantial waterproof protection. Yet the boot remains breathable during the warmer temperatures."

Are the Scarpa Rush Trk LT Boots good value for money?

The two main factors for value for money when it comes to walking boots are performance and durability. Scarpa boots are renowned for being comfortable straight out of the box and they use industry-leading materials to guarantee performance, such as GORE-TEX® waterproof membranes and Scarpa's own Presa® rubber outsoles. Such is their commitment to longevity, the brand also offers a resoling service for worn-down soles where they send your boots to their factory in Italy. They also have a few approved UK resoling partners detailed on the boot repair page of their website.

Stuart: "At £190 I would say that these boots are excellent value for money, they are sturdy and well made. The other pair of Scarpa boots that I own, the Mantas, were handed down to me from my dad after 10 years of wear and are still in great condition. Scarpa boots last."

What did you like most about the Scarpa Rush Trk LT?

Stuart: "When I received the boots I checked that they fit and then foolishly didn’t really wear them in at all before the trip. I’ve made this mistake with boots in the past and ended up with horrendous blisters. However, I didn’t need to worry because the Scarpa Rush Trk LT’s were padded in all the right places and comfortable from the get-go until the end of an 8-hour hike. The rainy conditions turned the path we were climbing into a stream meaning our feet did get wet in the end, however, the boots still didn’t rub and remained comfortable. The rubber toe rand and the Presa sole also made easy work of the rocky summits even in the high winds."

If you’re in the market for a pair of boots that are grippy, comfortable and made for huge mountain days whatever the weather, then buy the Scarpa Rush Trek LTs.

What would you improve about the Scarpa Rush Trk LT?

Stuart: "Having worn the boots a few times there isn’t anything I would change. There is nothing I find more important in a walking boot than comfort and that couldn’t be improved with these boots. If you’re in the market for a pair of boots that are grippy, comfortable and made for huge mountain days whatever the weather, then buy the Scarpa rush trek LTs."