The Scarpa Spin is a lightweight, low-profile trail shoe with a sock-like fit and an aggressive Vibram Megagrip outsole. The responsive midsole is built on a nimble 4mm drop platform that keeps the feet protected with a high density EVA rock shield. I’ve been wearing the Scarpa Spin for the past few months, and will share my experience in this review.
Upper
Fit and Weight
My size 12.5 (46.5) of the Scarpa Spin comes in at a lightweight 10.6oz (300g) per shoe. My normal shoe size is a 12, so you’ll want to look at sizing up by one half size on the Spin. Scarpa ships the Spin with a super thin performance insole that’s glued down, but also includes a high cushion insole with more support. I quickly swapped the performance insole for the support option to add more of a plush feel underfoot.
The heel area of the Scarpa Spin fits my slightly narrow heels perfectly, without any slip at toe-off or wiggle for side to side movements. There is no counter in the heel, which helps the Spin cup the contours on the back of my foot. Despite the lack of a counter, I find that my heels stay locked down on off kilter trails.
The midfoot of the Spin has a ‘wasp-body’ taper which leaves my slightly wide foot hanging a bit over the edge of the shoe’s last. The overall fit in the midfoot is snug and comfortable otherwise.
The toebox on the Scarpa Spin has a nice anatomical shape for all day comfort and toe splay. Even heading downhill on steep ridges, I find my feet stay very comfortable up front in the Spins.
Build
When I first tried on the Scarpa Spin, it felt like I was testing out a new Salomon model. The Spin has a very similar fit to the SLAB Sense and Sense Pro lineup from Salomon. The similarities include a ‘Sock-Fit’ wrap like Salomon’s ‘Endofit’ and an exoskeleton like Salomon’s ‘Sensifit’. The Scarpa Spin accommodates wider feet much better though, and has a better lacing system in my opinion. As much as I love the ease of quick-laces, having standard laces allows for a more dialed in fit.
The majority of the Scarpa Spin’s upper is made of a breathable open mesh that breathes well, and will dry and drain quickly when wet. On top of the mesh is a welded exoskeleton overlay for structure and support. The exoskeleton is very comfortable, but I wish it was a little more rigid for lateral support on steep and off camber trails.
Midsole
The midsole of the Scarpa Spin is built on a low-profile 4mm drop platform. The durometer of the midsole is on the firm side, but the shoe remains very flexible at toe off and has little torsional rigidity. This is the perfect midsole for someone looking for underfoot protection on a shoe that won’t encumber their foot or get in its way.
In the forefoot of the Spin, Scarpa uses a high density EVA rock plate to provide underfoot protection. This rock plate has proven to be highly effective on the rockiest of terrain, which is a huge plus given the terrain I tend to cover.
Due to the low stack height of the Spin and the firm durometer of the midsole, this is a shoe I reach for on shorter days when stability and precision are paramount. As a heavier hiker and runner, I find the Spin to lack the kind of cushion I need for longer days. I also find them to ride a bit harsh on buffed out single track or fire roads. For rocky ridge routes, off trail scree fields, and grassy or muddy paths these have been my first choice trail shoe.
Outsole
The Scarpa Spin has a Vibram MegaGrip outsole with aggressive 4mm lugs that are perfect for sloppy and challenging terrain. The Spin has cutouts that run down the sagittal plane of the shoe. The cutouts on the shoe help keep the Spin lightweight, and also allow for greater flexibility from heel to toe.
In use, this outsole has been amazing. The MegaGrip compound provides really nice traction on a wide variety of surfaces. The outsole pattern is definitely better suited for soft ground, with deep and widely spaced lugs. The 4mm lugs provide grip in mud, sand, and gravel, and provide enough surface area for traction on smoother surfaces as well.
Closing Thoughts
The Scarpa Spin has been a valuable part of my rotation this year for trails that require precision footwear. When I’m wearing the Spins, I know that my feet will stick to the trail wherever I place them. The aggressive Vibram MegaGrip outsole digs into loose and sloppy trails with ease, and also does well on firmer ground. The upper is truly socklike and incredibly comfortable. The comfort of this upper is pretty tough to match so long as you don’t have a very wide foot. The ‘wasp body’ taper of the Spin’s last isn’t a perfect match for my foot shape, but they fit well enough. The midsole on the Spin is firm, and provides a lot of underfoot protection despite its small stature. It’s a little too firm for me on longer days or days with really firm trails, but that’s not really what they’re meant for. At $130, the Scarpa Spin is a high value shoe given its feature set. If you’re looking for a low profile shoe that fits like a glove and will grip on to anything, you’ll want to give the Spins a try.
Scarpa Spin
$135.00
You mentioned Salomon shoes. Can you tell me whether the size of the Salomon shoes and the Scarpa shoes are matched or I still need to buy half number larger Scarpa Sneakers?
Thanks
I’d still buy a half size up. My foot is a size 12 which is a 46. I needed the 46.5 for the Scarpa, and it’s snug. I could have probably worn the 47 without too much extra room.