Scarpa Launches Alpine X Range

Scarpa has launched a collection of cross trainers for spring 2009 - the Alpine X range - which is intended to complement their existing walking, mountaineering and climbing boots.

If you think of them as outdoors-orientated trainers designed to move quickly across mountain and hill terrain then you won't go far wrong. The idea is that they're light but tough with a reinforced skeletal stiffener dubbed Trail Plate Technology giving support and stability along with reinforcement in the form of something called, er, Armour Lite.

There are four models in the range, all available in both men's and women's versions and two basic chassis, one aimed primarily at walking with firmer PU cushioning and a less aggressive out-sole design and a more running-orientated version with a more cushioned mid-sole unit and toothier underfoot grip.


The Raptor and Apex - above - fall into the 'runnable' category and feature a Synthetic Ribcage design which wraps around the mid-foot to give a very secure fit for added security on rough ground and trails. The uppers are also touted as highly breathable.

Meanwhile Axis and Meridian - women's version below - are more walking biased and we're guessing that Scarpa hope they'll also score well in the 'crossover market', in other words, outdoor trainers for wearing around town. They feature kerb-friendly abrasion-resistant toe rand and something called a 'TPU Arch Suspension Insert to enhance midfoot support and stability'.


The shoes are designed in Italy and manufactured in China and priced between £65 and £90. The easiest way to look at them is as two trail running shoes and two trail walking shoes that you could also wear around town with some decent technology and Scarpa design and quality. They definitely look funkier than Scarpa's previous trail shoes, so it'll be interesting to see how they do.

You can see the whole range along with more details of technical features like Armor-Lite and TPU Crossbow, ahem, at www.scarpa.co.uk