Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR Review 2024

The Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR is a versatile road-to-trail running shoe that offers a comfortable, cushioned ride without sacrificing responsiveness or grip. With its durable construction and Presa outsole, this shoe is perfect for mixed terrain, from paved roads to hard-packed trails.

Key Features:

• Durable Presa outsole: Provides excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces.
• Cushioned midsole: Offers a comfortable ride without being overly soft.
• 4mm heel-to-toe drop: Promotes a midfoot landing for improved efficiency.
• Lightweight design: Weighs in at 255 grams for men and 215 grams for women.
• Supportive upper: Provides a secure fit and stability.

I got the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR shoes to replace my ageing On Cloud Flyers which were not even fit enough to be worn down the pub (however trendy they are). I eventually got fed up with the constant cleaning required to keep the sole clear and the degradation of the bounce for running. The Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2 shoe has been an excellent replacement for the sort of runs I do, which are shorter distance training runs and crag approaches on varied terrain.

The Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2 is a great improvement on the original shoes. The soft bounce and Presa sole offer a great all-round running experience.

Performance:

The Golden Gate 2 ATR shines on mixed terrain, offering a balance of comfort and responsiveness. The cushioned midsole provides ample protection on hard surfaces, while the Presa outsole ensures excellent traction on trails. The shoe’s 4mm heel-to-toe drop encourages a midfoot landing, promoting efficiency and helping reduce the risk of injury.

While the Golden Gate 2 ATR is not designed for deep mud, it handles softer ground well, making it ideal for trails with varying conditions. The shoe’s lightweight design and responsive midsole make it suitable for both long runs and tempo workouts. The excellent Presa sole unit has been well tested on a variety of Scarpa running shoes as well as hiking shoes and boots and is durable and offers a secure grip on dry, rocky ground. The 4mm lugs are not really aggressive enough for really muddy ground or steep, wet grass but for most standard training style runs it has been great. 

I have really enjoyed all my summer trail running in these shoes – so comfortable.

Fit and Comfort:

The Golden Gate 2 ATR offers a comfortable and secure fit. The upper is well-ventilated with a durable and breathable mesh and the Sock Fit LW tongue provides ample support,while and is gusseted to keep out debris. The lacing system worked really well and you should be able to thread a variety of lacing styles to suit your foot shape. The shoe runs true to size, and the toe box is roomy enough to allow your toes to spread out naturally. The front toe bumper offers just enough protection from water and debris but is very soft so do not expect protection from toe stubbing! They are a great alternative to my general trail running shoes.

The heel is nice and stiff and I really liked this feature as a year or so ago I injured my Achilles tendon so the extra support this has offered has been very welcome indeed. The heel is finished with a nice, large pull tab that not only helps with getting the shoes on and off but is gear for clipping onto my climbing harness for descending from crags.

Stiff enough to offer security on rough scree descents.

Overall Impression:

The Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR is a versatile and comfortable road-to-trail running shoe that is well-suited for runners who enjoy mixed terrain. With its durable construction, responsive midsole, and excellent grip, this shoe is a solid choice for runners looking for a reliable and versatile option. They have proved to be a highly versatile shoe that I have worn for all my summer running, hiking, gym work and climbing approaches. They have been super light, felt very nimble and very comfortable in hot weather. One downside is that the ATR 2 shoes only come in full sizes so you will have be sure of the fit – I tested a size UK 8 and found them a little on the bigger side so had to wear thicker socks, for a more performance fit I would like to have half size options.

The Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR comes in two colour ways and sizes EUR 40 – 48. There is a female specific version that comes in one colour options and sizes EUR 36 – 42

The SRP is £145 and they can be bought directly from Scarpa UK and specialist 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.