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Scarpa Super Trek M3
Boots
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Price:
£120.00
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Weight: 1706 grammes (pair size
43)
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Features:
Cordura/Suede upper, Scarpa / Vibram M3 sole unit, 'Comfort
Technology' anatomical construction, mini-speed lacing,
Gore-Tex lining, Performance Flex mid-sole, cambrelle
lining. Crampon grade: B1 Men's and Women's
versions
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Lighter than equivalent leather boot, the SL, waterproof too
and crampon compatible
More flex due to softer upper
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The Super Treks are effectively a pair of Scarpas classic SL M3
mountain walking boots, but with a suede and Cordura upper - same
sole, same mid-sole and, theoretically, the same compatibility with
crampons. The big advantages though are a saving of around 120
grammes per foot over the SL and the waterproof / breathable Gore-Tex
liner.
So what are they like? Possibly the best all year round fabric
boot for mountain use we've used. The fit is classic Scarpa - but
without the SL's extra wide option - as is the build quality and they
immediately feel sturdy and supportive underfoot. They don't have the
SL's gizmodronic elasticated upper lace hooks, but the lacing system
is still slick and effective and the anatomical internal Comfort
Tecnology padding and flex panels work as well on this boot as on the
SL.
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Fabric upper, stiff sole,
waterproof, breathable liner, laces, toe rand
etc
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There's excellent lateral stiffness from the sole unit, which makes
them a decent choice for scrambling, where you can edge on most
reasonable holds and for backpacking with a heavy sack on rough
ground. They aren't as stiff lengthways as their leather brothers
though. The greater give from the fabric uppers makes for noticeably
more flex underfoot. If that sounds like a criticism, it's not. You
won't be front pointing in these boots, or toeing holds, but that's
not what they're about anyway, and they have just the right level of
flex for comfortable all day walking.
The weight saving helps here too. It's hard to quantify - perhaps
wearing one leather and one fabric boot might give an idea - but
subjectively lighter boots always feel daintier and less tiring,
especially over the course of a day's walking.
Other plus points include the waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex
lining, which has worked well to keep the wet stuff out so far and a
tough front rand come toe box for protection from rocks and
aggressive lizards.
What marks these out from the majority of fabrics though, is the
B1 crampon grading, meaning they're suitable for use with strap-on,
flexible grade C1 crampons. So are they? Yep, though for sustained
crampon use we'd suggest a stiffer leather boot, a quick experiment
suggests that the Super Trek will take a strap-on, though the
thinness of the upper means you need to choose your crampon with care
and modern 'full cradle' types are better than those with more
traditional straps, which can dig uncomfortably into your foot.
Because of this we'd say they're for occasional crampon use rather
than regular winter ice-spiking, but that's still pretty impressive
given the light weight of the boot.
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Verdict: Pretty much in a class of
their own. If you want respectable year round mountain
walking, scrambling and backpacking performance without
excessive weight and with the potential for occasional
crampon use and your feet are Scarpa -shaped then look no
further. Build quality and fit are up to Scarpa's usual high
standards and only the reduced support from the fabric upper
makes these slightly more flexible longitudinally than the
Scarpa SL. We've used them regularly in the Lakes and Peak
and they've thrived in both offering great support on rough
ground together with a decent weight saving over leathers.
Would also work well for mountain treks where you encounter
the odd ice field or glacier crossing.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time:
Scarpa SL M3s but without the leather uppers, these offer
great support and lateral stiffness with only a slight
increase in flexibility due to the softer upper. You save
around 120 grammes per boot over the SL and can even strap a
crampon on, though you need to make sure the straps won't
dig into your foot. The best fabric mountain walking boot
we've tried, they also hold their own on scrambles and would
make a good trekking boot for rough trails which take in the
occasional glacier crossing. Quaity.
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