Verdict from 5 user reviews
6 reasons to buy
- Most reviews about the Scarpa Gecko Air tell of the hiker’s supreme lightness.
- This high-quality approach shoe is truly remarkable when it comes to comfort, according to many users.
- Based on several reports, the Gecko Air is amazingly breathable.
- Less than a handful of patrons are very impressed with its super-grippy Vibram outsole.
- It has a glove-like fit, one tester claims.
- The finish of this Scarpa approach shoe is one for the books, says an adventurer.
1 reasons not to buy
- An owner finds the Gecko Air’s toe cap a bit lacking.
Bottom line
Banking on the super-lightweight Gecko Air by Scarpa equates to highly comfortable approach escapades. Donning one also translates to hikes where stuffiness is hardly a thing.
This grippy approach hiker, however, might disappoint those who need extra protection from frontal assaults, such as knocks and bumps. To sum up, the Gecko Air is an easy sell, what with all its convincing trail-to-rock qualities. Indeed, it is yet another Scarpa gem, despite its lone misfire.
Good to know
-The Scarpa Gecko Air aims to empower its wearers on approaches with its tough yet light and breathable construction. It is designed to be flexible enough for packability, allowing owners to travel light with it.
-Below its mostly knit upper, is its heavy-duty sole unit. It is comprised of the Gecko Air’s plush midsole and Vibram’s Reptilla outsole. This unified component is capable of “gliding” across level terrain, thanks to its moderately rockered toe region.
A low-top approach shoe built specifically for men is the Scarpa Gecko Air. Its sock-like upper provides a foot-conforming fit, while its gusseted tongue prevents bunching, especially around the wearer’s instep. Lockdown security is courtesy of the hiker’s ghillie lacing.
Hikers-slash-climbers have the Gecko Air’s Reptilla outsole to thank when it comes to underfoot traction. As it is based on Vibram’s Megagrip compound, it can produce and maintain enough grip both on dry and wet surfaces. It comes with a generous helping of low-profile lugs, which deliver multi-directional skid resistance over soft-soiled terrain.
Its developers gave it a substantial climbing zone. This feature, which is the smoothed-out front end of the outsole, grants extra latching power on smears.
The Scarpa Gecko Air mitigates shock on heel strike and provides a combination of comfort and stability with its compression-molded midsole. It is a one-piece component made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate)—a material akin to rubber commonly known for shape retention, resilience, and high durability. Its tapered design gives the hiker a slender silhouette.
Completing the Gecko Air’s midsole equation is Scarpa’s lightweight Comfort Fit insole. It doubles down on cushioning, as well as medial support. Scarpa designers imbued it with Carbon Active treatment, which fights off odor-causing bacteria.
This approach-specific hiker from Scarpa confines the foot in its below-the-ankle upper made of long-wearing knit fabric. Access to and from its plush shell is made relatively convenient with its pair of synthetic pull loops. Its tongue has its sides securely stitched to the upper, giving the shoe a sock-like appearance. For abrasion protection, Scarpa shoemakers furnished both its sides with ridge-like overlays.
Its lacing system rounds out all things upper in the Scarpa Gecko Air approach shoe. It is comprised of five pairs of non-plated eyelets and a synthetic lace.
-Fans of knit approach shoes can look into the La Sportiva TX2.