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Scarpa has been on a bit of a roll lately, consistently blurring the lines between a burly approach shoe and a nimble mountain trainer. The new Scarpa Rove Rock GTX are the latest contender in that modern “do-it-all” category. We’ve been putting them through their paces on everything from greasy Welsh slate to long, scrambles to see if they lives up to the hype.
Out of the Box
First impressions? It’s a handsome bit of kit. It feels more substantial than a standard trainer but lacks the “clunk” of a traditional leather approach shoe. The Gore-Tex Extended Comfort liner is a welcome addition for anyone who spends their life in the UK’s damp uplands, and the lacing—although not running right down to the toe, offers plenty of options for a precise fit.
Performance on the Rock
The heart of any approach shoe is the sole unit. Scarpa has opted for the Vibram® XS Trek Evo compound. While it might not be quite as “magic-smeary” as the ultra-soft climbing rubber found on some specialist shoes, it offers a much better balance for high-mileage days and durability.
- Edging: The “Climbing Zone” at the toe is stiff enough to feel secure on small edges. If you’re tackling Grade 3 scrambles or easy V-Diffs, these will feel right at home. Although there is no ‘edge’ as such the friction offered enough confidence to tackle small, technical steps safely.
- Smearing: There’s enough flex in the forefoot to get plenty of rubber on the rock when things get a little more sustained on longer rock scrambles.
- The Lug Pattern: Unlike some “slick” approach shoes that turn into ice skates on wet grass, the Rove Rock has deep enough lugs to provide actual traction on the walk-in.
Fit and Comfort
Scarpa is known for their precise fit, and the Rove Rock GTX is no exception. It’s built on a slightly more generous last than their pure rock shoes, meaning your toes won’t be screaming after a two-hour downhill hike. They are designed for all day comfort and for most people who are planning to use them casually, or for lower level hiking they will be fine.
Pro Tip: The toe-to-eyelet lacing allows you to keep the forefoot loose for the hike in, then crank it down tight when you reach the base of the crag for maximum precision.
The Heel Tension System does a great job of locking your foot in place, preventing that annoying heel lift if you’re hauling a heavy pack up a steep incline. I did like the rigidity of the heel system as I have had Achilles Heel problems in the past and the rigid heel patch together with the set leather lining offered excellent comfort in this area.
Durability
With a full rubber rand and a tough leather upper, these are built to take a beating. After a few weeks of jamming them into cracks and scuffing them against rough mountain rock, the uppers are holding up remarkably well. The Gore-Tex membrane has remained waterproof through the inevitable bog-trotting, though, as always, it can get a bit warm on those rare Scottish summer scorchers. It is of the new ePE standard so you can be sure of excellent performance and sustainability credentials.
The Verdict
The Scarpa Rove Rock GTX is a fantastic “workhorse” shoe. It’s technical enough for serious scrambling but comfortable enough to be your daily driver for crag approaches, hiking and urban adventures. It hits that sweet spot for the outdoor person who wants one shoe to handle 90% of their mountain days. Unusually for a Scarpa shoe, I felt the Rove Rock GTX needed a little wearing in as they felt stiff out of the box. After a couple of months, however, they have worn in nicely and are as comfortable as any Scarpa hiking shoe I have worn in the past.
Pros:
- Great balance of stiffness and walkability.
- Excellent lacing system for a custom fit.
- Solid wet-weather protection.
Cons:
- Can run a bit warm in high temperatures.
- Maybe a bit “too much shoe” for very easy, flat approaches.
The Scarpa Rove Rock GTX comes in sizes EUR 41-48 and one colour: Natural.
They are currently on sale at Scarpa UK so grab a pair whilst you can!
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