I have been testing the new Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G Shoe. The footwear is meant for trail running in tough conditions, whether it’s very muddy, cold or snowy, or all three.
The shoe is designed in partnership with BOA® and Polartec®. The BOA lacing system is similar to that you might have encountered on snowboard boots, as well as an increasing number of running shoes.
The Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G uses the BOA Li2 Platform and TX6 Lace.
More about BOA
- BOA’s Li2 Platform offers impact protection and resistance to accidental opening and dirt contamination.
- It also allows the wearer to fine-tune the fit with incremental tightening and loosening. You can also do this on the move, if the terrain changes and you need to adjust.
- The new TX6 lace uses recycled Polyester (rPET) and UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene).
The Polartec® Windbloc® fabric is claimed to be a first for a trail running shoe.
More about Polartec Windbloc®
- The technical fabric provides breathability, water resistance and comfort for gnarly conditions.
- The shoe’s gaiter defends against wind, water and cold temperatures, while still allowing moisture vapour to permeate outside.
Other features of the shoe include a built-in gaiter made of Polartec polyurethane membrane to protect from wind, water and cold temperatures, while still allowing moisture vapour to permeate outside for comfort and breathability.
Other features
Sole: Presa TRN-04
Lugs: 5mm
Heel-to-toe drop: 4mm
Sizes: EU39 to 48
Unisex fit
Weight: 370g per shoe (size 42)
Price: £240.
Buy from: Scarpa and SportsShoes (£126). I gain a small commission for sales through SportsShoes.
My thoughts: Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G Shoe
Unisex shoes are always going to be a problem for me. I have a long foot but it is slim and low volume. I also have a narrow heel. While the length of the UK85 is good, the volume is a bit on the big side. I was still able to test run the shoes but I was away that my feet wallowed a bit. I think the shoes will be best suited to men or women who have a wide and chunkier foot.
The BOA is very good for achieving an even tightening along the foot. It is not so good if you want one part of the shoe, say the forefoot, looser than the area around the ankle. The BOA system does stay tensioned so there is no need to stop to retie. If you need to quickly adjust you simply turn a dial.
The gaiter felt a bit too much to start with but I quickly forgot about it once I was running. You need to make sure you wear socks that rise up the leg above the gaiter otherwise the fabric rubs, especially where the side zip is.
It’s a shoe that I would describe as robust, durable and a bit stiff. This is fine for the conditions it is created for, such as deep snow or lots of mud. The stiffer sole makes it easier to run in slippery conditions.
The lugs are deep and grippy. I found the good in the snow and in mud.
The shoe are well-insulated and, with the addition of the Polartec cover, my feet stayed snug, warm and dry. Note that this is water resistant and not waterproof so if you are out in prolonged wet, they may be some water ingress.
It’s a shoe for very specific situations and I found I only turned to it a couple of times during our Scottish winter. The rest of the time I was happy to wear Gore-Tex trail shoes and waterproof socks.
There were times when I reached higher altitude on a run this winter and suddenly wished I was wearing these shoes. They make good run-hiking shoes as well.
They are not cheap, especially given how specific they are to certain conditions. I think that if you live in a place where snowy running is more likely then they will be a better investment.