A excessive precedence for the model Scarpa is their dedication to sustainability, and I’m blissful they built-in this ethos into creating the Scarpa Spin Planet ($159) — aptly named for Scarpa’s small step in preserving us spinning round this superb blue-green rock, and enthusiastic about its well being and well-being within the course of. A lot of the shoe is constructed out of recycled supplies.
If Scarpa is a new-ish working shoe model to you, then let it’s recognized that the mountain-focused footwear firm with roots in Italy is making exceptional strides in off-road working. Though they’re broadly recognized for his or her snowboarding, mountaineering, and climbing footwear, the rising ensemble of path trainers are designed and engineered with the identical excessive altitude-minded craftsmanship.
The specs of the Scarpa Spin Planet hold the technical and mountain runner in thoughts, however in my expertise this shoe might be for the all-terrain path runner over 50 kilometers to 50 miles or longer, relying on particular person match. This shoe even took Scarpa athlete Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz to victory within the 2023 Hardrock 100.
It performs exceptionally with average cushioning and an total agency trip for lengthy, rugged days. The shoe can go the gap, however my ft want a a lot wider toebox for any 50- to 100-mile efforts. The consolation, help, and cushion are there, however my phalanges get aggravated. The Spin Planet is breathable and broad total, however as famous with a tapered toebox.
The precise weight is 11.5 ounces (325 grams) for a U.S. males’s dimension 9, with a 4-millimeter drop and a claimed stack top of 28.5 millimeters. Thanks to Scarpa for nonetheless being considerably in contact with the bottom.
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The Scarpa Spin Planet. All images: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Scarpa Spin Planet Higher
The Scarpa Spin Planet higher is a extremely breathable engineered dual-mesh system with structural and wrapping underlays. It has an total minimalist but safe really feel. There are key sections of thermally welded polyurethane (PU) for augmented foot safety across the toebox and across the heel cup for lateral stability. They work as functionally designed and have withstood the take a look at of the path. There’s a thicker and extra constructed up TPU on the base of the heel higher, which gives substantial stability and integrity. The higher is 100% constructed out of recycled supplies.
A singular promoting level of this shoe is the whale fluke-like tongue development that evenly hugs the ankle with softness and stays securely in place. All socks are welcome, and the fluke tail catches particles with out the necessity for gaiters. It retains the path bits out! The mid-step aspect of the tongue is totally gusseted whereas the lateral tongue is elastically linked to the bottom of the midsole for quantity changes if wanted. Scarpa refers to this design as Axial TR Tech — in a way it retains our foot axis safe as we sail longitudinally alongside the path.
The pull tab loop is asymmetrically interesting, however its operate is honest to middling.
A lateral view of the Scarpa Spin Planet.
Scarpa Spin Planet Midsole
Scarpa saved their midsole engineering on the Scarpa Spin Planet acquainted to most path runners. It’s a reasonably cushioned high-volume midsole embedded in medium density ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).
The midsole nevertheless, has a a lot firmer really feel out of the field over the primary 50 miles than most different EVA foams I’ve beforehand skilled. I’ve run near 175 miles on this mannequin, and over time it has softened right into a extra versatile typical EVA midsole trip, however with out the sensation that it’s breaking down. It felt much like the dual-density EVA midsole within the Scarpa Spin Infinity — additionally take a look at our Scarpa Spin Infinity evaluate — whereby the underside layer is much less dense and softer with shock absorption qualities whereas the higher foam is firmer for help and stability. Collectively they supply an incredible, enduring package deal by being each versatile and stiff, providing compression resistance.
As I proceed to accrue miles, the sturdiness and safety have remained fixed. To me it is a signal that the Spin Planet can face up to the take a look at of mileage and lengthy mountain days. The midsole additionally boasts 45% recycled content material, staying true to its sustainability mission.
A medial view of the Scarpa Spin Planet.
Scarpa Spin Planet Outsole
The Scarpa Spin Planet’s Presa outsole is uniquely designed and engineered by the corporate’s analysis and design workforce. The elements and compounds within the proprietary Presa ATR rubber are maximized for a shoe’s efficiency indicators and its supposed actions — all terrain and all day. A Presa outsole is claimed to strike a steadiness between management, precision, and luxury.
The Spin Planet Presa outsole consists of variable stiffness and 4-millimeter multi-directional lugs. There are 4 most important underfoot zones designed for propulsion, braking, grip, and stability — that are distinguished by distinct lug patterns.
The braking zone is predominantly the heel area, whereas the propulsion zone consists of the lateral and medial lugs on the outsole’s forefoot. The steadiness and grip run up the middle of the outsole, which based mostly on my variable terrain working, appears to work as said. After all, multi-directional lugs aren’t new or novel, however I believe the midsole and outsole mixture of the Spin Planet performs properly for these lengthy, mild-weather summer season mountain days.
Additionally, as anticipated, the outsole is constructed out of 30% recycled supplies.
The outsole of the Scarpa Spin Planet.
Scarpa Spin Planet General Impressions
The images of the Scarpa Spin Planet on this evaluate present the sneakers after they have been nonetheless new and contemporary. My sneakers, nevertheless, are carrying the dust and dirt of a summer season well-trodden and path blasted. In my view they appear higher this fashion — worn, exhausted, and exhilarated to have skilled rugged and scenic landscapes alongside lone stretches of the Pacific Crest Path close to the place I reside in Oregon. They saved me transferring ahead and upright on unforgiving and relentless sections of singletrack.
When I’m not adventuring, I additionally put on these sneakers on mountain bike trails with banked turns and moguls. Pondering of the shoe as an built-in entire, I believe it fantastically retains tempo with hurried and always altering downhill terrain. It’s a blast. As famous above, this mountain path working shoe is all-terrain and designed for endurance and sturdiness. I’ve already logged substantial miles, and I’ve many extra within the imminent future.
Importantly, when selecting a shoe dimension with a European sizing chart, it might be advisable to decide on the bigger of the sizes wherein the U.S. dimension overlaps. It has been my expertise that European sneakers are inclined to run barely small.
Moreover, I believe it’s commendable that every one three most important components of the shoe boast recycled supplies whereas having structural integrity. It’s a apply many different working shoe firms can be sensible to undertake.
As a bicycle owner I typically reserve the verb “spin” for my two-wheeled street forays, however throughout this Scarpa Spin Planet testing journey, I verbed the identify, saying I used to be going for a “path spin” — and maybe I used to be.
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A high view of the Scarpa Spin Planet.