Scarpa SL Active Review 2024

Continuing our Icons Revisited features we take another look at the redesigned and lighter Scarpa SL Active.

The Scarpa SL Active has always been a popular boot amongst mountain adventurers. The lightweight feel belies the solid construction and durable material choices and means that for the lightweight-conscious adventurer who is prepared to pay for a premium boot that will last a lifetime, the SL Active has always been the smart choice. The SL stands for Super Leggero (super light).

The latest version has seen some tweaks and updates that mean the now 9^th generation of the boot is better than ever. The ability to be resoled means that, with care, the boots should be a great investment. Resoling can be arranged via Scarpa UK or a specialist repair shop should also be able to get hold of the sole unit and repair them for you.

The boots have a premium feel and a luxury look which comes from the Made in Italy tag so it’s good that Scarpa is still championing European premium manufacturing in a globalised world.  It’s worth noting that Italy remains a global leader in outdoor footwear (and other fashion footwear for that matter) and many companies send their premium boot and shoe manufacturing to Italy. The SL Active are (and always have been) the top-of-the-range leather walking boots, perfectly designed and made to withstand the worst conditions that the UK can throw at them. With their quality materials and cutting-edge technology it’s no wonder that they are a bestseller. 

The main material body of the SL Active is Scarpa’s Sherpa 2.8mm leather which is the most durable leather that Scarpa uses. The boot doesn’t have a waterproof lining and that means you will have to care for them with a suitable wax. This does, however, mean that they are a little more breathable in warmer conditions and in testing that has proved the case. They are factory impregnated with HS12 and I’ve covered some pretty wet and boggy ground this season and so far, my feet have been dry and warm. Scarpa recommends that you use their HS12 cream to reproof them and this is available from many boot retailers or online. I have now used several types of proofing on the test boots, Grangers G-Wax, NikWax Leather conditioner and Scarpa HS12 cream. The Grangers seems to dry on the boot and leaves it looking like I’ve rubbed a candle over them. The NikWax does work well but as it is a liquid it takes more effort to get into the leather. The HS12 cream works well and I use that most often as I feel I can get it well and truly ingrained into the boot. Scarpa UK produces an excellent Boot Care page on their website that is worth looking at. 

The Scarpa SL Active will protect you from any mud and water you can throw at them. However, they are not Gore-Tex lined so keeping them in tip-top condition will require care and attention. When they begin to look like they are ‘wetting through’ then applying HS12 cream will bring them back into condition.

The inner of the SL Active is made up of two parts. The front part of the inner is made with 37.5 which is a patented technology that is designed to keep your temperature at a constant 37.5 Degrees C and is used by many major sports companies and the US Army for a variety of materials and garments. To be honest my feet run so hot that it was difficult to feel if these worked and all I can say is that when I got back to the car after a rugged 20km hike on a winter day my feet were hot but not overly sweaty. The heel is lined with a one-piece, supple leather lining. This feels very luxurious and gives the SL Active a premium feel. The leather does have a purpose however, the seamless construction means that heel blisters should be less of a problem. 

The Scarpa SL Active are stiff enough to easily cope with the odd, steep snow patch.

On the first outing, I did develop a hotspot on my heel, but it didn’t develop into a blister and I put it down to breaking them in as they have been fine since. I really like the leather heel section and it has developed into a really comfortable hiking experience. The comfort levels are further improved by a nice Nubuck leather ankle padding and this was a godsend on my Achilles which often plays up towards the end of a long day.

The sole unit is made up of a new Vibram Biometric which is a combination of a stiff plastic shank, which offers the stiffness to take a walking crampon and gives the boot a B1 rating; a lightweight PU midsole and a Vibram outsole. The whole unit is anatomically designed to offer good support and traction over rough terrain. I have used the SL Active specifically for rough ground and mountaineering activities and have found them great in all circumstances. There is a climbing zone at the toe which means they can be suitable for technical scrambling and the tread on the rest of the sole is aggressive on steep and muddy terrain. Plenty of rear foot cushioning takes the sting out of the heel strike and the whole sole is finished with a full rand which means wet ground and wide cracks can be dispatched with confidence. 

The 2.9mm Sherpa leather is tough enough to cope with rocky terrain and the climbing zone enables technical terrain to dispatched with confidence.

The SL Active takes a C1 crampon, such as the Grivel G1 or the more technical G10 and even though the winter hasn’t been the best I have found some snow on occasion and the boots have offered a secure traverse of snow patches and gullies. I don’t think I would use the boots for anything more technical than Scottish Grade 2 but on that type of terrain, they should be fine. It’s the type of winter boot that you might wear on a day out traversing a long ridge line and an easy Grade 1 Gully. So, think an ascent of the Fiacaill Ridge and a snowy descent via the Goat Track, or a hike into the Ben to ascend No. 4 Gully and continue along Carn Mor Dearg ridge, or Helvellyn Striding Edge with the infamous Swirell Edge descent, or Central Trinity and return via Crib Goch – you get the picture. 

Finally, the SL Active has a great, improved lacing system and the newer semi- round laces have been great. Much better than round laces and less bulky than traditional flat ones. My secret has always been to tie the laces first with a reef knot (make sure it is one of these) and then finish it off with a normal bow. That way if your laces come undone when climbing at least the boot will stay tight and on your feet.

The Scarpa SL Active is a great lightweight boot (my pair weighed 820g for a size UK8 the Scarpa website states 809g) for a leather boot. They have been super comfortable and have performed in the many mountain situations I’ve put them through. I have struggled with them on warmer days that didn’t surprise me as my feet run very hot. They have been super comfortable and for a lightweight freak I’ve enjoyed wearing them through the winter. They will be ideal for long Scottish days where you can encounter all the types of terrain that wearing a solid pair of boots is a godsend – long rocky ridges with scree and snow. Look after them properly and will reward you with many years of service.

A great set of updates that should secure the place of the SL Active in the Scarpa Hall of Fame.

The Scarpa SL Active comes in sizes Eur 41 – 50 and a standard colour of Bordeaux (a dark red/brown). There is also a female specific version that comes in sizes 37-42 and the same colourway.

SRP: £300 and available direct from Scarpa UK and specialist outdoor retailers.

Disclosure – CGR reviewers and writers are never paid to provide a review and the website does not take advertising or link to affiliate sales. We are a bunch of keen climbers and travellers who accept sample products and offer an honest and independent review of the item.