Scarpa Rush TRK GTX Hiking Boot Review

The Scarpa Rush TRK GTX is a supportive, protective boot built for high-mileage backpacking over varied terrain. I took the women’s version to Peru’s Cordilleras Blanca and Huayhuash, where I wore them for 23 straight days—10 with a loaded pack—on everything from boulders and steep scree slopes to thick mud. I came away impressed by the Rush’s balance of weight, protection, and support for covering technical ground with a full load, though the roomy toe box caused some discomfort on descents. Below, I break down my experiences with the Rush TRK GTX. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our articles on the best hiking boots and best women’s hiking boots.

Editor's note: We updated this article on February 2, 2026, to reflect the most current information about the Rush TRK GTX, and to adjust product references, prices, and weights throughout.
 

Table of Contents

• Comfort
• Weight
• Traction
• Stability and Support
• Waterproofing and Breathability
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Comfort

Leather backpacking boots are often stiff and hard to break in, but the Scarpa Rush TRK GTX was comfortable right out of the box. The first thing I noticed was the spacious toe box, which accommodated my wider feet and offered plenty of room to wiggle my toes. I initially wondered if I would be better off with a smaller size, but ended up liking the more generous fit, although I advise narrow-footed hikers to try them on before purchasing. Despite the roominess at the front, I experienced no issues with slippage or unwanted movement inside the boots once they were laced up. The tongue and collar are nicely padded with soft, molded foam, and the Interactive Kinetic System (IKS) in the outsole provides excellent shock absorption, particularly under the heel and along the back of the foot. Even on remarkably steep descents in Peru—including dropping 3,000 feet in less than two miles—I suffered no pressure points or toenail damage.
 

After around two weeks of daily wear, I started to notice a wrinkle in the forefoot of one boot that pressed into the joint above my big toe. This was only noticeable on particularly steep descents, but the Huayhuash was rife with these, and I had to side-step to reduce pressure on the medial side of my left foot. To be fair, I gave the boots very little time to break in, and the problem is only with one boot. I’m hopeful that the upper will continue to soften over time.
 

Weight

My pair of women's Rush TRK GTX boots weighs 2 pounds 5.2 ounces for size 40.5 (they’re listed at 2 lb. 0.8 oz. by Scarpa). This stacks up to other leading backpacking designs like Salomon’s Quest 4 GTX (2 lb. 5.7 oz.), which offers a nimbler feel than my Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid boots (2 lb. 2.2 oz.). You can go lighter with a more flexible design, like Salomon’s X Ultra 5 Mid GTX (1 lb. 11.5 oz.) or Hoka’s Anacapa 2 Mid GTX (1 lb. 13.4 oz.), but both are less supportive for navigating technical terrain with a full pack.
 

I initially purchased the Rush TRK GTX to wear with a loaded backpack in Peru, but I also brought the boots on a 10-day supported trek where I only had to carry a light daypack. I expected them to be overkill and packed my trail runners as a backup, but only swapped them out on two short day hikes. The Rush TRK felt agile and light enough underfoot even without the weight of a heavy pack. Day hikers who stick to well-maintained trails may find them excessive, but I feel Scarpa did an excellent job balancing weight and technical performance.
 

Traction

Scarpa is a climbing and mountaineering company, so it comes as little surprise that they’ve got traction dialed in. Many high-end competitors use Vibram rubber, but in this case, Scarpa opted for an in-house design with their SuperGum compound. That said, the Rush is still very trustworthy: The deep and aggressive lugs are confidence-inspiring on everything from wet rocks to thick mud, gravel, and even sand. Much of our time in Peru was spent on off-camber and slippery trails, but the Rush didn’t falter.
 

Stability and Support

The Cordillera Huayhuash is notorious for its unrelenting and challenging terrain, but the Scarpa Rush TRK GTX handled the steep and often off-camber slopes with relative ease. I hiked parts of the circuit twice during our trip and opted for the more involved variation on my second attempt, often scrambling along the “alpine route” with a lighter pack. In both cases, the Rush TRK performed admirably. Rear-foot stability is impressive thanks to the boot's Dynamic Stabilizer Torsion (DST) frame: a rigid plastic that wraps around the heel at both sides and prevents ankle rolls. The rest of the design has an equally supportive and foot-hugging feel, from the molded foam around the ankle to the trusty lacing system that makes it easy to snug things down. 
 

Waterproofing and Breathability

Gore-Tex is the gold standard for waterproofing, and the Rush TRK GTX predictably sealed out moisture while crossing streams, bogs, snow patches, and frosty fields in Peru. I even opted to keep the boots on at a few of our campsites near bogs, since I knew they would keep my feet dry. As with all waterproof footwear, you’ll want to check water levels before crossing, but the Rush’s tall collar and solid lacing system create an effective seal.
 

In terms of breathability, Gore-Tex footwear can't match non-waterproof designs, but I did find the Rush TRK GTX to be a solid performer. I'm not prone to running too warm, but I was still surprised that my feet didn’t overheat in the boots, even as mid-day temperatures reached into the low 80s Fahrenheit in Peru. I was equally surprised that I didn’t get cold on mornings that dipped into the mid-teens. As someone with notoriously poor circulation in my fingers and toes, I was impressed by the boots’ temperature-regulating abilities: They allow a decent amount of hot air to vent out in warmer weather but still provide enough insulation to stay comfortable when the mercury drops.
 

Build Quality and Durability

Out of the box, it was immediately clear that the Rush TRK GTX is a well-built hiking boot. Everything has a hardwearing, high-end feel, from the suede leather and synthetic upper to the molded foam around the ankle and the thick rubber outsole. The boots have held up well during my testing, with only minor cosmetic wear after weeks of consistent use on aggressive, unforgiving terrain. The rubber toe cap has done an excellent job at softening the blow from direct hits to rocks, and the sides are similarly protective and confidence-inspiring on technical ground. In addition, the laces and eyelets are holding up well, and the cushioning is in good shape with no signs of packing out.
 

My boots are showing some light cosmetic wear: the suede upper is caked with dust and mud, the lugs are starting to wear down, and there are a few visible nicks and scrapes. But this was expected considering what I put them through, and it hasn’t impacted overall performance. I expected these boots to have a long lifespan based on my initial experience, and that turned out to be true: I have continued to wear the Rush TRK in the ensuing years, and they have held up well. After my Peru trip, we went to the Canadian Rockies and hiked the Northover Traverse, which is full of technical, challenging terrain.
 

Fit and Sizing

I opted for a size 40.5 in the women’s Rush TRK GTX, which falls between 8.5 and 9 in U.S. sizing (I typically wear an 8.5). The toe box is noticeably roomy, offering ample space for my wider-than-average feet to move comfortably without feeling cramped. I worried this would lead to slippage on steep ascents and descents, but the lacing system and sturdy heel cup keep my foot locked down. Finally, although the Rush TRK doesn’t technically have a locking eyelet, the hook at the midfoot (where the boot flexes) grabs the laces well enough that you can customize tension at the forefoot and ankle depending on how snug or loose you prefer each area.
 

Men’s Version of the Scarpa Rush TRK GTX

I tested the women’s Rush TRK GTX for this review, and Scarpa also sells a men’s model that shares a nearly identical design and feature set. Like the women’s version, the men’s Rush TRK GTX features a Gore-Tex Extended Comfort membrane for waterproofing, a suede and synthetic upper, SuperGum rubber at the outsole, and molded foam at the ankle. The only notable differences are weight and colors: The men’s boots are a little heavier at 2 pounds 7.2 ounces per pair. The Rush line is extensive though, and includes a lighter women's Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX (1 lb. 10.2 oz.) and the low-top women's Rush 2 Pro GTX (1 lb. 7.2 oz.) for hikers seeking a more minimal option. 
 

What We Like

• The Rush offers ample support and protection for covering technical terrain with a full pack without a significant weight penalty.
• Deep lugs and thick rubber outsole provide great traction over a wide variety of surfaces.
• The Gore-Tex membrane effectively balances waterproofing and breathability, and the tall collar does a nice job sealing out moisture.
• All of the materials have held up impressively well throughout testing, from the suede and synthetic upper to the lacing system. 

What We Don’t

• One of the boots wrinkled at the forefoot and pressed into my big toe, causing issues on steep descents.
• The roomy toe box may cause issues for narrow-footed hikers.
• A little heavy and overkill for well-maintained trails.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Rush TRK GTX stands out in the hiking boot market for its excellent support and protection at a reasonably low weight. Scarpa also offers the Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX, which is a step down in technical abilities from the TRK but is still a capable backpacking boot. Both models share the same waterproofing, DTS frame for rear-foot stability, and SuperGum rubber compound for traction. The Rush 2 Pro is lighter at 1 pound 10.2 ounces per pair, although the shorter cuff and streamlined construction detract from the boot’s stability on aggressive terrain.
 

The Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid is another close competitor. As expected from the hefty leather build, the Renegade offers hardwearing construction that translates to great support and protection on technical trails. Comfort is another highlight: The Renegade balances cushioning and impact protection and comes in wide, narrow, and regular widths to accommodate most foot shapes. The Lowa falls short of the Scarpa in breathability and doesn’t feel particularly light or nimble. But the performance is similar, and many backpackers will love the combination of comfort and support in a less techy-looking package.
 

Salomon’s Quest 4 GTX is another boot designed to provide stability and protection on technical terrain. Highlights include excellent all-day comfort with generous foam padding, aggressive lugs that bite well on a wide variety of terrain, and a solid chassis that offers great protection both underfoot and at the heel. We also love the lacing system, with locking eyelets that secure the heel in place and allow you to customize the fit at the forefoot and ankle. The Quest is heavier than the Rush TRK at 2 pounds 6 ounces, but it offers similar technical capabilities for a slightly lower price.
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