Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

Scarpa specializes in technically capable footwear for climbing and mountaineering, but their foray into the lightweight hiking boot market hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Rush 2 Pro Mid is the latest update to the Rush line and features a nubuck leather upper (the previous version was synthetic) and an updated TPU that provides more support without increasing the shoe's weight. We’ve tested past versions of this boot on backpacking trips in Iceland and hikes in British Columbia, and the latest version on both day hikes and a multi-day trek in the Dolomites. In sum, the boots offered great all-day comfort and agility for covering ground quickly, as well as excellent grip on most surfaces. Despite the upgrades, we still feel like they might lack the stability some need for hauling a heavy load over technical terrain, but for lightweight backpackers and fast-moving day hikers, the Rush 2 Pro has a lot of appeal. Below we outline our experiences with the Rush 2 Mid GTX. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our article on the best hiking boots.
 

Table of Contents

• Comfort
• Weight
• Traction
• Stability and Support
• Waterproofing and Breathability
• Toe and Ankle Protection
• Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• Other Versions of the Scarpa Rush 2
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Comfort

As expected from a running shoe-inspired design, the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX is a very comfortable and well-padded boot, just like its predecessor. The EVA midsole feels cushioned underfoot, and my arch felt well-supported. I had no hotspots or aches when wearing these out of the box, and I was never in a hurry to take them off at the end of the day. I’m a big fan of the one-piece collar and tongue, which provide a sock-like fit that keeps out debris. The boots provided enough underfoot protection that I didn’t feel sharp rocks, and the rubber toe cap fended off several strikes to the front of my foot. The fit is similar to a running shoe, with less room in the forefoot, but this, combined with the light weight, made them very nimble and forgiving, which I liked for technical terrain and fast hikes.
 

We had some comfort-related issues with the lacing system on the previous version of the Rush Mid, specifically when tightened around the ankle. However, I didn’t experience any specific discomfort in the latest Pro version. It doesn’t look like the lacing system changed much between versions, but the nubuck leather upper might offer better cushioning than the previous version’s synthetic upper. The collar was flexible and comfortable, even on long downhill stretches. That said, my foot is shaped differently from my husband’s (who tested the previous version), so it’s best to try this boot on before purchasing, especially if you have a high instep.

Weight

At 1 pound 12 ounces for my pair in a size 40 (the women’s is listed at 1 lb. 10.1 oz., and the men’s at 2 lb. 0.1 oz.),  the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX is competitive with many other trail runner-inspired designs. For comparison, Salomon’s X Ultra 5 Mid GTX weighs the same at 1 pound 12 ounces, Hoka’s max-cushioned Anacapa 2 Mid GTX is 1 pound 13.4 ounces, and La Sportiva’s Nucleo High II GTX is 1 pound 10.9 ounces. Importantly, I never noticed the weight of the Rush underfoot, even during long days on the trail. You do make some concessions in stability and protection (both of which I cover below), but I enjoyed how nimble the boots felt over the terrain in the Dolomites, which varied from steep and rocky to muddy and flat.  
 

Traction

Scarpa is a climbing company at its core, so it comes as little surprise that the Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX boasts excellent grip, especially over rocky terrain. Even when climbing ladders, steel cables, and bolted steps that were slippery after rain and dew, the Rush 2 Pro’s Presa/SuperGym outsole gripped easily. Back home on Vancouver Island, these shoes had no issue tackling hard-packed clay, sand, mud, and polished rocks. They were even trustworthy in some snowpack. I can’t recall a single instance of losing my footing, and I didn’t have any problems with mud or rocks catching between the lugs (we had some issues with mud caking in the last version, so we’re happy this wasn’t an issue in the latest design). 
 

Stability and Support

Shaving weight almost always comes with sacrifices in stability and support, and the Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX isn’t immune to that pitfall. On the bright side, the well-padded interior does a great job absorbing impacts, while the TPU frame adds rigidity to help keep the heel planted and snug. This version also includes a rigid plastic that wraps the heel, providing more rear-foot stability and preventing torsion. That said, I feel like the collar doesn’t provide much stability, especially when coupled with just a single eyelet. The collar seems to serve more as a gaiter to keep debris from entering the shoe than as a stability feature.
 

With that in mind, this wouldn’t be the first shoe I'd recommend to backpackers who plan to carry loads over long distances. To be fair, my husband tested the previous version on a multi-day backpacking trip on Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail, where he carried a 50-pound backpack over mellow terrain. If the terrain had been more technical, the shoe likely wouldn’t have provided enough support. Those prone to rolling ankles might also want a stiffer boot for backpacking trips (it’s worth noting that Scarpa offers the Rush TRK, which has a higher collar and more support). But it is up to your preference, at the end of the day. Backpacking aside, I think the Rush 2 Pro excels as a fastpacking or day hiking shoe, where support for heavy loads isn’t an issue.

Waterproofing and Breathability

Gore-Tex is the gold standard among waterproof/breathable membranes, and the Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX was a strong performer in the wet. My trip in the Dolomites was very rainy and drizzly, and several hikes I went on had stream crossings, but the Rush did an admirable job of keeping moisture out and keeping my feet dry. It’s worth noting that the collar ends at about the Achilles, so you’ll want to be careful not to cross streams that are too deep. I waterlogged the Rush in a stream, and it took a while to dry (a waterproof membrane coupled with a leather upper is never a quick-drying combination). But the shoes were still comfortable to hike in, even when wet. They also fared well on summer days with temperatures reaching into the upper 70s Fahrenheit, although non-waterproof designs will breathe better in sweltering heat. 
 

Toe and Ankle Protection

Along with support, protection is another area where lightweight hiking boots often fall short of their heavier counterparts. This held true with the Rush 2 Mid: While a notable step up from mid-height trail runners, the Rush doesn’t have the same level of protection as burlier hiking boots. A rubber toe cap and siding do a decent job of protecting my feet from sharp rocks, and the leather upper is more protective than the last version’s synthetic, but you’ll still want to be careful where you step. But overall, I think Scarpa did a nice job at balancing weight and protection. As I mentioned above, the outsole and midsole offer ample padding underfoot, and I never had to worry about stepping on sharp rocks. Unless you’re headed into the alpine or expecting to encounter a lot of challenging terrain, the Rush 2 Pro Mid should get the job done.
 

Quality and Durability

Scarpa has been pumping out quality footwear for decades, and the Rush 2 Mid GTX is another well-built and hardwearing design from the Italian brand. After considerable use and abuse, my boots are showing very minimal wear: The rubber toe cap and synthetic upper have no signs of abrasion or delamination, the outsole is holding up well with no visible cracks, all of the laces and eyelets are intact, and the thick midsole has maintained its cushy feel. The exterior of the midsole does have some minor scuffs and dings, but they’re purely cosmetic and to be expected with frequent use. The nubuck leather upper is a nice durability upgrade from the last version’s synthetic upper, and it has only a few minor scrapes after testing. Ultimately, the Rush is very tough and durable for its weight.
 

Fit and Sizing

I normally wear a women’s 8.5 in US sizing, which is between 40 and 40.5 in European sizing. I opted for the 40 and found that the Rush fit me perfectly. In the previous version, my husband found his normal size too snug and ultimately had to size up, but I found this version to fit spot-on. The toebox does feel narrow at first, but the shoe stretched nicely over time and eventually conformed to the shape of my foot (another benefit of nubuck leather). It only took a couple of short walks to break these in. And I was happy to see that the laces held tight with no slippage on the trail, which isn’t always the case with hiking boots. 
 

Other Versions of the Scarpa Rush 2

I wore the women’s version of the Rush 2 Mid GTX, but Scarpa makes a nearly identical men’s version for the same price. The men’s version weighs slightly more and comes in a different color, but has the same features and overall construction. For those who don’t need or want ankle support, Scarpa also sells the Rush 2 in a waterproof, low-top version for women and men (no non-waterproof option is available). Alternatively, those who need more support might like the Rush TRK, which features a higher collar with two eyelets for added stability. And lastly, the Rush Trail GTX is a sleeker and more streamlined version of the low-top Rush. 
 

What We Like

• Comfortable to wear all day thanks to the well-padded interior, sock-like fit, and flexible build that allows for a natural gait.
• Competitively light at under 2 pounds for the pair, with a very agile feel to match.
• Gore-Tex membrane provides reliable waterproofing without restricting breathability. 
• The outsole provides excellent grip on most terrain, from softer surfaces like snow and riverbeds to hard-packed trails and rocky slopes.
• Well built and durable for a lightweight design—our pair shows virtually no wear after considerable use.
• Improvements to the rear-foot support in the latest version add torsional stability.
• Fits well in my normal size, and the leather upper material conforms to the foot over time.

What We Don’t

• Not the most protective or stable option—for covering technical terrain with a full pack, you might step up to a beefier and more substantial boot.
• The Nubuck leather upper takes longer to dry than the previous version’s synthetic upper.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Rush 2 Mid does a nice job balancing on-trail performance and weight, but there’s no shortage of capable lightweight hiking boots to consider. For a boot with some more support, it’s worth checking out La Sportiva’s TX Hike Mid Leather GTX, which has a taller collar (especially in the back) and a more supportive lacing system. It’s still not as supportive as burlier hikers, but it has worked well on backpacking trips on technical terrain. That said, the TX Hike isn’t as nimble as the Rush 2, and it has a more planted, stable feel. For fast, light missions, we’d still stick with the Rush 2 Mid for its springier midsole and lighter weight. 
 

La Sportiva’s Nucleo High II GTX is another worthy contender, boasting a much higher collar and dual eyelets. It also has a more aggressive tread and nice rubber reinforcements along the toe and outside of the boot. But despite looking burly on paper, the Nucleo is still flexible and nimble. And the boot is competitively lightweight, weighing just a few ounces more than the Rush on average. The Nucleo is a nice alternative to the Rush for someone looking for a bit more ankle support without sacrificing weight or nimbleness. The biggest downside of the Nucelo is the price, as well as the technical aesthetic. 

Salomon’s X Ultra 5 Mid is another popular model in this space, and it stands out from the Rush in a few ways. Salomon’s lacing chassis is one of the best designs we’ve tested, and this boot is easy to snug down when you need extra support around the ankle. It doesn’t have the same trail-runner-like springiness or nimbleness as the Rush, but it does offer a more generous fit around the forefoot and a stable feel on the trail. It’s still lightweight despite having a chunky toe bumper and a decent amount of rubber on the sides, and Salomon’s outsole is trustworthy on a range of terrain. For technical missions (scrambling or fastpacking), we’d still opt for the Rush, however, for its precision and stellar grip.