Article by Markus Zinkl
Scarpa - Spin Race (199,00 €)
Introduction
Trail running is one of my favorite activities, and the right footwear plays a key role. As a big fan of lightweight, agile shoes for technical terrain, I was very excited about the Scarpa Spin Race. Even the initial data, such as the low weight and robust workmanship, aroused my curiosity. I tested the shoe mainly in the Alps, and here are my impressions.
Pros:
Very light: only 246 g in US 11 (EU 44.5)
Robust and breathable Matryx mesh upper material
Very precise fit: perfect for narrow feet
Excellent support thanks to Sock-Fit LW construction and reinforced lace holes
Minimalist midsole with good reactivity
Direct ground feel: ideal for technical terrain
Vibram outsole with good grip on rock and dry/wet ground
Cons
Tester:
Markus Zinkl is 34 years old and lives in a small village in Bavaria, Germany. He started running only to support his main sport, soccer. Since he stopped playing soccer, running has become his main sport to stay fit.
He now runs between 60 and 80 kilometers 5-6 times a week. Apart from a local relay race, he rarely runs races. Markus runs both on the trail and on the road and is an absolute gear geek. Besides running, he spends most of his free time hiking including long ultralight backpacking treks, especially in the mountains, where his interest in equipment also comes into play.
Specs
Weight:
Official: 215 g (men's EU 42.5 / US 9)
Test shoe: 246 g (men's EU 44.5 / US 11)
Drop: 4 mm (22 mm / 18 mm)
Available from specialist retailers in Europe only for now for € 199.00
Link to all RTR reviews: HERE
First impressions, fit and upper material
I was impressed by the lightness of the Scarpa Spin Race as soon as I unpacked them. At just 246 grams in size US 11 (EU 44.5), it is one of the lighter trail running shoes that I have tested.
The Matryx mesh upper impresses with its blend of robustness and lightness. There is a protective layer of lightweight overlays over the toes, which provides additional protection without noticeably increasing the weight.
The fit of the Spin Race is rather narrow reminding me a lot of the Salomon Sense Pro 4. This is perfect for my narrow feet, but runners with wider feet should be careful as the shoe could be too narrow for them.
The size recommendation is also an important point: while the EU sizes are quite standardized for most manufacturers, an EU 44.5 corresponds to a US 11 for Scarpa, which is something to bear in mind.
The breathability of the upper material is excellent, which is a clear plus point, especially on long runs in warm conditions.The tongue made of thin, neoprene-like material is sewn to the sides and therefore does not slip. This sock-fit construction ensures a good fit, with the lace pocket offering practical lace storage. This pocket is part of the NBS lacing system.
The black rubber edging around the lace holes makes loosening the laces a little awkward, but offers very good grip and keeps the laces in place.
It’s a plastic clip with which the laces can be tightened and secured. It holds surprisingly well, but is also a little fiddly. The shoe cannot be laced as quickly as with the Salomon Quicklace system, for example.
The black rubber edging around the lace holes makes loosening the laces a little awkward, but offers very good grip and keeps the laces in place.
Like the rest of the shoe, the heel is minimalist and only lightly padded. However, this does not detract from the comfort. I had no problems with comfort, even when I had the shoe on for more than 6-7 hours.
Midsole
The midsole of the Scarpa Spin Race is minimalist, with a drop of 4 mm (22 mm heel, 18 mm forefoot). The Spring Foam used is probably a nitro-infused EVA foam, which gives the shoe surprisingly good reactivity.
Although the cushioning is rather low, you get a significant energy return with every step, which is particularly advantageous on technical trails and at high speeds. The narrow construction in combination with the direct proximity to the ground ensures that you can place your steps very precisely.
Stabilizing foam inserts on the inside (medial side), which are slightly firmer, provide additional stability. This was a great advantage, especially on demanding terrain, as I tested in the Alps.
Outsole
The Vibram outsole is another plus point of the shoe. With 3.5 mm deep lugs, it offers excellent grip on various surfaces, especially on dry or wet rock.
The heel area is optimized for better braking performance, while the forefoot area provides a powerful kick. However, the studs show their limits in deep mud, where they do not offer enough grip.
Running feel
The Scarpa Spin Race offers outstanding ground feel. Despite the thin midsole, the shoe provides an amazing level of reactivity, and the energy recovery really comes into its own at high speeds. It is perfect for short, fast sessions. It achieves this even without a plate in the midsole. As a result, its strength is particularly evident on technical terrain. The narrow construction and excellent fit ensure a high level of confidence, even on demanding trails.
I mainly tested the shoe in the Alps, and it feels right at home in this environment. The combination of light weight, excellent grip and direct ground feel makes it an ideal companion for technical terrain.
Summary and recommendations
The Scarpa Spin Race is an impressive trail running shoe that impresses above all with its lightness, reactive running feel and excellent grip on technical terrain. It is an excellent choice for runners with narrow feet who are looking for an agile shoe for demanding trails. However, runners with wider feet should be careful, as the shoe is cut quite narrow.
I recommend the Scarpa Spin Race especially for short to medium-length runs on technical terrain where precision and a direct feel for the ground are required. For muddy trails,here are better options.
Markus’ Punktzahl: 8,88/10
Laufgefühl: 9 - Passform: 9,5 - Wert: 8 - Stil: 9,5 - Traktion: 9 - Steinschutz: 7
2 Comparisons
Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx (RTR Review)
The Skyfire 2 is extremely similar to the Spin Race. I think the Scarpa is slightly ahead in terms of upper material and fit. The Skyfire has a slightly stiffer Matryx upper, while the Spin Race adapts a little better to the foot.
I also like the midsole of the Spin Race a little better, as it doesn't have a plate and is therefore better suited to technical terrain. Even without a plate, it offers similarly good propulsion.
The outsole of the Skyfire, on the other hand, is a tad better. Merrell also relies on Vibram, but gives the Skyfire slightly deeper lugs which makes it a machine on wet and muddy forest ground.
Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx (RTR Review)
The Long Sky 2 is extremely similar to the Skyfire 2. The comparison with the Spin Race is therefore almost identical. Despite having a nominally thinner midsole than the Skyfire, the Long Sky offers slightly more comfort. The upper and heel are also slightly more comfortable than the Skyfire. Here I see the Race and Long Sky on a par. I like the midsole of the Spin Race better and the Long Skyoutsole is again, like the Skyfire, a tick ahead of the Spin Race.
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