Scarpa Rush Mid GTX Review: Our Testing Shows This Is Best Hiking Boot You Can Wear

The Scarpa Rush Mid GTX (available for men and women) was the winner of the best hiking boots overall award in our tested best hiking boots roundup. Here you can learn more about this superb hiking boot and why we recommend it so strongly.

The Scarpa Rush Mid GTX hiking boot is a comfortable and breathable day hiker that excels on all type of terrain, from well-graded trails to technical singletrack. For this reason, it won our top pick for best hiking boots when we tested it against nine pairs of the most popular models. This boot is ideal for day hikes without a heavy pack, but it is also a great lightweight backpacking boot option for hikers who don’t need high ankle support.

Overall, this boot is ideal for hikers who don’t suffer from ankle instability and want a nimble, all-purpose hiking boot for both casual trails and rugged mountain hiking. Unlike a traditional leather backpacking boot, it is entirely synthetic, so it does not require a break-in period like its more traditional leather colleagues. It’s moderately cushioned so it’s ideal for long days on the trail. Plus, the boot is protected by a Gore-Tex waterproof coating so you can hike in various weather conditions. One stand-out feature from my month-long testing period was the excellent traction from the grippy rubber sole.

Scarpa Rush Mid GTX Features

A Lightweight Boot With Plenty Of Cushion

At around 13 ounces per shoe, the Scarpas are about as lightweight as a hiking boot gets. Without the heavy weight of a traditional boot, I felt agile as I navigated tricky trail sections and my feet stayed fresh for longer as I wasn’t lifting a couple of pounds with each step.

While some other lightweight hiking boots skimp on cushioning to reduce weight, this boot offers superb cushion thanks to a well-thought-out design and high-quality materials. Scarpa used its proprietary ActivImpact Technology, which it claims features shock-absorbing materials, and I found this to be true during testing. I used these boots straight out of the box on an eight-mile hike and they provided enough cushion that I stayed blissfully unaware of the sharp granite underneath me. Plus, the boots felt nearly as light as my trail running shoes.

I also tested them with a 30-pound backpacking pack. Even loaded down, the boots still protected my feet from rocks and roots with the weight pushing me into the ground. However, if you’re looking for a backpacking-specific boot with similar features, Scarpa recently released the Rush TRK GTX (men | women) that is a heavier, more supportive and more durable version of this capable boot.

Sticky Rubber Sole Traction For Technical Terrain

Traction is one of the top qualities to look for in a hiking boot. While everyone should look for a boot that makes them feel secure, this is especially important for hikers who want to break into moderate-to-difficult trails. An unstable shoe can cause problems like rolled ankles, which can quickly transform your hike into an unplanned search and rescue mission.

Scarpa makes some of the best climbing shoes and mountaineering boots, so it’s really no surprise that it manufactures high-performance outsoles for its hiking boots, too. Many hiking boot brands source soles from a third-party manufacturer like Vibram. However, the Scarpa Rush integrates Scarpa’s own sole design and rubber, the Presta SuperGum, which sticks well to both dry and wet rocks. It’s soft enough that you can paste your entire forefoot on a rock (more surface area means more traction). The sole is also rigid enough that it will last you hundreds of miles. I tested the rubber by ascending a route covered in smooth granite boulders and felt confident moving up slabs and across rocks. But these boots also kept me stable when I had to cross wet logs over Little Cottonwood Creek.

While the rubber is top-notch, the entire design of the outsole stood out in testing. The reinforced toe cap protected my feet in technical terrain, and the tread pattern also provided excellent traction. The lugs, the knobby features on the bottom of the shoe, are divided into five dynamic zones that compress when your foot lands to enhance the contact between the lugs and the ground. Out of all the shoes that I tested, these performed the best on everything from loose dirt to solid rock.

Breathable And Waterproof

If your feet overheat or sweat while you’re hiking, you may experience discomfort from foot swelling, blisters, and worst case, trench foot. That’s why breathability was one of our top criteria when reviewing the best hiking boots. Breathability refers to both the boot’s ability to keep your feet cool while hiking and its ability to dry quickly when exposed to water.

In general, waterproofing and breathability don’t go hand-in-hand. While waterproof coatings, like Gore-Tex (GTX), and materials like leather keep your feet extra dry during short-term exposure to water, they can cause problems because they are non-permeable—meaning sweat and moisture can’t escape the boot. When your shoe is made of less-breathable materials, like a heavy waterproof coating, the shoe (and your foot) will stay damp if they do get wet during a creek crossing or intense rain storm.

But the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX manages to balance both waterproof protection and breathability. The synthetic materials are light and meshy, and the Gore-Tex Extended Liner inside the shoe is more breathable than some waterproofing mechanisms (like the Gore-Tex Performance Comfort Liner) because it is lighter and was designed for non-insulated shoes. Compared to other tested boots, like the Zamberlan Vioz GTX which is leather with a Gore-Tex Performance Comfort liner, the Scarpa shoes kept my feet cool during soaring summer temps.

However, if you frequently hike in cold temperatures, you may want to opt for a shoe with a more insulated liner.

How Does The Scarpa Rush Mid GTX Compare?

If your hikes frequently involve loose rocks, scrambling, or long mileage, you’ll be happy with the traction and performance of the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX—especially if you don’t have a heavy backpacking pack. However, even experienced backpackers looking for a lightweight shoe will be served well by this boot. The breathability is nearly on par with a non-waterproof trail running shoe, making it one of the most breathable hiking boots around.

However, if you need high ankle support for maximum stability, you’ll be better off with the Adidas Terrex Skychaser or Salomon Quest 4 hiking boots. Also, since this boot is so lightweight, it is not designed to be as durable as traditional, premium hiking boots like the Zamberlan Vioz GTX.

How I Tested The Best Hiking Boots

We tested nine of the best hiking boots available and narrowed down our selection to four stand-out picks after rigorous testing on mountain trails. During and after the testing period, we compared the boots by considering a few key features including traction, stability, comfort, breathability, and weight.

I tested the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX on multiple hikes, including the White Pine Trail outside Salt Lake City—a moderately-graded trail that climbs to an alpine lake in the Wasatch Range. I also took them off the trail into a boulder field to test how they performed in rocky, uneven terrain. During testing, I kept track of how comfortable my feet felt after miles of hiking and if they stayed cool when I worked up a sweat. I also paid attention to how much traction the boots provided on rocks and loose trail and whether my ankles felt stable with a heavy pack.

My Expertise

I’m a journalist who covers gear for Forbes and writes about the outdoors for publications that include Outside, Travel and Leisure, and SELF. You can read my comprehensive tested review of the best hiking boots (which includes the Scarpa Rush GTX as my top pick).

But I developed my outdoor expertise before I was a writer. I worked as a backpacking guide from 2015 to 2020 in national parks across the country. As a guide, I wore hiking boots and trail running shoes for thousands of miles in terrain ranging from sandy desert washes to rocky ridgelines. I also instructed guests on the best shoes to wear for their trip location and foot type.

Is The Scarpa Rush Mid GTX Good For Wide Feet?

Although this shoe is suitable for both narrow and wide feet, the toe box runs slightly narrow. Additionally, the sizing is smaller than American brands, so you may want to size up half a size. I have wide feet and sized up from my standard 7.5 to an 8. This size felt comfortable with enough room to move my toes with ease.

Does The Scarpa Rush Mid Come In A Non-Waterproof Option?

Sadly, the mid-height Rush hiking boots do not come without the Gore-Tex liner. However, Scarpa offers a low-top, non-waterproof model of the Rush.

Are The Scarpa Rush Mids Lightweight?

The Scarpa Rush Mids were one of the lightest boots we tested, weighing just 13 ounces per shoe. However, please keep in mind that lightweight boots are not as durable as heavy backpacking boots, so you can expect a shorter lifespan.

Are The Scarpa Rush Mids Good For Winter Hiking?

While the Scarpa Rush Mids are waterproof, they are not ideal for winter hiking because of their short ankle cuff and lack of insulation. They are best for hiking from the spring to the fall. If you use them in the winter, you should pair them with a gaiter to keep out snow, and thick socks for extra warmth.