Scarpa – New For Spring 2015
Latest in our series of previews from the OutDoor 2014 European trade show is a look at what’s new from Italian footwear supremos Scarpa for spring 2015 ranging from a new, lightweight scrambling come lightweight mountain boot through to an approach shoe using the new Gore-Tex Surround technology.
New Marmalada Scrambling Boot
New next year, the Marmalada – main pic above – is the spiritual successor to the late Cristallo boot. It’s a lightweight mountain boot designed for scrambling and via ferrata-type use and it’s been stripped down for minimal weight and complexity. There’s a Sock Fit tongue, but to save weight, cord rather than metal lace hardware is used – see right.
Further weight savings come from a lightweight EVA mid-sole though the Vibram outsole is actually quite toothy and aggressive, and a fabric upper. Finally, like Scarpa’s integrated gaiter Phantom mountaineering boots, the Marmalada uses OutDry waterproof technology where the waterproofing is bonded directly to the inside of the fabric of the outer boot rather than using a Gore-Tex type floating sock liner – again the intention is to reduce weight and bulk.
It feels seriously light for a mountain boot and the scores on the theoretical doors bear that out with claimed weights of 1060g for a pair of men’s size 42 and just 920g for the women’s version in a 38 despite a full rubber rand. Both will retail for £199.99 once available in early 2015.
The New Kailash
The fabric-based Kailash three-season trekking boot returns as the New Kailash with the addition of Scarpa’s Activ Fit technology. It looks familiar from the outside and is intended as a less radical, more traditional option than the Sock Fit equipped R-Evo GTC boot we have in for review at the moment.
That said, there’s new, more ‘slippery’ or maybe free-flowing, lacing hardware and a Gore-Tex waterproof liner. It’ll be available in both men’s and women’s versions and will retail for £165, some £15 cheaper than the R-Evo GTX option.
Oxygen GTX with Gore-Tex Surround
Plenty of brands – 24 worldwide – are using a new technology from Gore-Tex called Gore-Tex Surround and Scarpa is one of them with the new Oxygen GTX approach shoe.
The idea is that a new special Gore-Tex construction allows water vapour to escape not just from around the foot, but also by using a special, ventilated spacer under the foot, from under the foot where it’s transmitted outwards through special side-vents. Oh, it all remains 100% waterproof as well says Gore.
Apparently one third of the sweat produced by our feet comes out of the soles, so it makes sense on paper, though we’ll have to wait to see how it functions out in the real world. Otherwise the Oxygen looks like a pretty conventional all-round outdoors approach shoe come trainer.
The price is a slightly brutal £160 in both men’s and women’s versions.
Moraine Plus GTX And More
Talking of shoes, the Morraine Plus GTX is a new walking shoe with a younger sort of look with leather uppers, and underfoot EVA wedge and both shoe and mid versions.
Other stuff you might like to know is that there’s now a range of Scarpa kids’ shoes and mids – see images below – just like mum and dad’s but in junior sizes. There’s a new Zen Pro Mid approach shoe and finally, the venerable Crux approach shoe gets a minor makeover. It still has the same sole unit, but the fit has been tweaked with a snugger toe and lower lacing. And there are lots of new colours too.
More Information
All the new models featured are set to be available from early 2015, but you can find information on the current Scarpa range at www.scarpa.co.uk.
