Makeover for existing Scapra classics, plus a brand new three-season walking boot.
Leading outdoors footwear brand Scarpa has a whole lot of new stuff coming soon on the hill walking and trekking front with overhauls of the popular SL mountain-walking boot and the Ranger plus a complete new Delta family of boots.
The key to the changes in the existing boots is Scarpa's Activ Fit project. It is, says the brand, all about 'instant comfort' thanks to an all-round overhaul of its boots. That means changes to the lasting – boot shape and volume – sole, ergonomic design and a new sock liner.
Men's and women's Activ Fit lasts are claimed to give better toe spring, more toe room, 'perfect heel hold' and something called 'Ball Girth'. All you really need to know though, is that the boots should be a better, more efficient shape.
There are new 'Sock Liners', footbeds in other words, using memory foam for better cushioning and a moulded insulating layer and, like the lasts, they're specific to men and women.
Plus underfoot, there's a new Biometric Vibram outsole which is reckoned to give better stability, foot roll and grip with an anatomical design.
Updated Ranger 2
The popular Ranger hill-walking boot is reborn as the Ranger 2 with the new BD Last, memory foam footbed and new Auto-fit foam inserts in the heel area, which are claimed to give 'perfect foot hold'.
Interestingly, there are two versions of the Ranger. The Ranger 2 GTX which comes in men's and women's versions and has a Gore-Tex liner and the Ranger 2 Activ.
The latter doesn't have a waterproof liner, but uses super high-wicking coconut-based Co-cona lining material. Good to see Scarpa giving those who prefer not to have a wateproof liner the choice.
New Delta Models
The new Delta looks like an interesting one. It's desribed as 'a premium three-season walking and trekking model for the discerning consumer' and has all the benefits of the Activ Fit programme built in.
That means the new BD last, the memory foam footbed, Auto-fit foam inserts in the heel like the Ranger 2 and the Vibram Biometric sole unit with Dynamic TPU shank.
Like the Ranger 2 it has calf leather uppers and comes in two versions – the Gore-Tex lined GTX in men's and women's variants and the Delta Activ with a Co-cona liner and no membrane.
Should be good for all-round mountain walking below the snowline and we're looking forward to seeing it in the flesh, erm, leather?
Scarpa SL Updated
Last but not least, the 3-4 season SL also gets an Activ Fit makeover. New last, memory foam footbed, Co-cona liner – no Gore-Tex option – the foam heel inserts, Vibram Biometric sole and, like the Delta, a new Mini Speed lacing system for ease of adjustment and lace cinching.
Good to see Scarpa refining its existing models as well as launching new ones. We're looking forward to trying them and we expect them to be in the shops in the early autumn of 2011.
Details of the current Scarpa range at www.scarpa.co.uk.
