Verdict from 31 user reviews
6 reasons to buy
- Many purchasers are impressed with the Scarpa Epic GTX’s fantastically grippy outsole.
- According to a decent number of patrons, this remarkable approach shoe is mighty comfortable.
- Its adamantine durability is one for the books, based on several reviews.
- On the breathability front, the Scarpa Epic GTX is quite amazing, say some of those who have purchased the shoe.
- Less than a handful of customers find this approach hiker from Scarpa incredibly waterproof.
- It has a pretty robust construction, a few testers claim.
1 reasons not to buy
- The Scarpa Epic GTX approach shoe could be a bit more spacious around the sides, according to an owner.
Bottom line
When it comes to sticking power, the Epic GTX is, to say the least, not too shabby. It is also a piece deserving of much attention in the areas of comfort, breathability, and longevity.
That said, this watertight offering might not get the approval of wearers whose feet are bulkier than usual. Nevertheless, the Scarpa Epic GTX is a phenomenal approach companion—one that promises agile performance without giving up the ghost too soon.
Good to know
-The Epic GTX is Scarpa’s bold response to adventurers who require lightness, control, and power in their step. Versatility is among the main facets of its core design, making it a shoe that blurs the divide between approach kicks and casual sneakers.
-Its mostly leather upper is waterproof, thanks to Gore-Tex. Its ability to give owners surefootedness over tricky surfaces, on the other hand, comes from the shoe’s Vibram outsole.
The Scarpa Epic GTX is a low-collared approach shoe for men and women. It owes its snugness to Scarpa’s Sock Fit technology. Since it is built on a slim last, its interior provides a more intimate in-shoe experience. Its to-toe closure system allows for a highly personalized and secure fit.
With the Epic GTX’s Vibram Elias outsole, hikers-slash-climbers can navigate rocky approach routes with sufficient grip underfoot. It comes with Megagrip subcomponents at key locations, which deliver surefootedness on different types of terrain, be they wet or dry.
Blocky and node-like protrusions (a.k.a. lugs) are strategically scattered around it for multi-directional skid resistance over slippery surfaces, such as loose soil and muddy slopes. For added toeing and smearing adhesion, on the other hand, the outsole in question comes with a proper climbing zone.
What mitigates shock and provides footing stability in the Epic GTX is the hiker’s EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) midsole. Scarpa engineers gave it a partial construction (it does not reinforce the forefoot section), so as to bolster the shoe’s toe sensitivity.
Improving its cushioning game is the Comfort Fit footbed—a Scarpa exclusive. On top of comfort, this comfy layer grants additional rear and arch support. It is a fully removable insert.
The mildly fuzzy upper of the Scarpa Epic GTX is made mainly of water-resistant suede leather, which has a thickness of 1.8 mm. Access to and from its adequately padded confines is made more convenient with its heel pull tab. Its main bootie is imbued with a Gore-Tex liner, making the approach hiker sufficiently water impervious.
Scarpa designers placed enough randing around the shoe’s toe box. This rubber coating delivers abrasion protection and forefoot traction at the same time. The same designers also furnished the footgear’s rear with a heavy-duty overlay (also known as tensioned rand) to provide owners with extra heel support.
All things upper-related in the Epic GTX is rounded out by the shoe’s ankle-to-toe lacing. It consists of a synthetic lace and more than a handful of regular eyelets, the top two pairs of which are with plating.