HikingScarpaWalking boots

Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX review: fast, light, ready for hills

A lightweight, mid-cut boot that borrows from trail shoes but delivers the grip, waterproofing and protection of a traditional walking boot.

By Tom Holding

✓  Recommended Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX RRP£200Weight1018g/pairWaterproofingGore-Tex The good ✓  Very lightweight build
✓  Strong Gore-Tex waterproofing
✓  Fast rockered sole
✓  Grippy PRESA outsole
✓  Eco-conscious materials
The not-so-good ✗  Limited lacing hooks — needs fiddling
✗  Requires break-in time
✗  Not for mountaineering or scrambling
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At a glance

Buy the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX at LD Mountain Centre →

Overview

Scarpa has been a benchmark name in European outdoor gear for decades. Based in northern Italy, this family-owned brand is best known for its technical mountaineering boots and trail shoes — blending craftsmanship with cutting-edge design. We've previously tested the Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 trail shoes, and today we're looking at something a little different: the Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX.

These boots were made for speed. Positioned as a crossover between a traditional hiking boot and a trail running shoe, they're built for hillwalkers who like to move fast — particularly on multi-day hikes with varied terrain. At 1018g per pair (UK 10.5), they're seriously light for boots that still offer cushioning, ankle support, and full waterproofing. The Gore-Tex ePE lining keeps things dry, while a mix of nubuck leather and synthetic material strikes a smart balance between durability and low weight. RRP is £200 — a premium ask, but in keeping with Scarpa's technical pedigree.

They sit somewhere between the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX (a lighter, trail-first mid) and something more robust like the Scarpa Ribelle Lite, which pushes into mountaineering territory. In that mid-weight, fast-hike niche, they're right at the top of the pile.

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How we tested

We took the Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX on several test outings across the UK. First: a wet weekend in the Lake District, crossing grassy upland and boggy trails where the waterproof membrane had its work cut out. Then, a three-day Duke of Edinburgh expedition over mixed gravel and forest terrain — around eight hours of walking per day with a full pack. Throughout, we paid close attention to comfort, grip, durability, and fit.

Features and performance

Feel and construction

From the moment you pull them on, the Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX feel different — and that's no bad thing. While most leather boots sit stiff and heavy underfoot, these take clear inspiration from Scarpa's trail running lineage. The rockered sole gently rolls you forward as you walk, the slim midfoot keeps you nimble over uneven terrain, and the lightweight construction gives you the sense that you're wearing something far more minimal than you actually are. You're not trudging — you're moving. Quickly.

But this isn't a stripped-back trail shoe in disguise. There's real structure here. The mid-cut cuff wraps the ankle snugly, giving a touch more support when descending loose ground or hauling a pack up rough trails. The upper combines soft nubuck leather with tough synthetic overlays — enough to shrug off heather scrapes, rocky bumps and general hillwear without dragging weight up unnecessarily.

Waterproofing and sole grip

The Gore-Tex ePE membrane delivered on boggy moors, sodden fell paths and one very committed stream crossing. Feet stayed dry throughout, and the boots didn't stay waterlogged — they shed moisture quickly and were dry again by morning. That's the kind of real-world reliability you want when wild camping or moving hut to hut.

Underfoot, Scarpa's PRESA HIK-03 sole grips confidently on wet rock and muddy ground, and didn't clog as easily as we feared — though, like most soles, it struggled in thick clay. The EVA midsole offered enough cushioning for long days without feeling squishy under pressure, keeping foot fatigue at bay until well into hour six or seven.

"The weight-saving design really comes into its own when you're five hours deep into a hike and your legs still feel fresh."

Niggles

Two niggles. The single top hook in the lacing system felt like a missed opportunity — more hooks would help lock the heel in and reduce movement on long days. And while comfort was strong early on, some rubbing appeared once the miles stacked up. Nothing dramatic, but enough to warrant careful sock choice and a break-in period on shorter walks first.

Quick tipBuild up mileage graduallyThe Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX is brilliant once broken in, but the nubuck leather needs a few shorter outings before extended multi-day use. We'd recommend a couple of day walks before taking them on a 3-day hike — your feet will thank you.

How they perform in the UK

For use in the UK specifically, we were impressed. These boots felt tailor-made for the kind of hiking most people actually do on home turf — a mix of muddy footpaths in the Brecon Beacons, rocky Lake District ridgelines, and remote wild camping spots where you're carrying more than just a daypack. What they're not built for is true winter or alpine use — not stiff enough for crampons, nor confident on steep icy ground.

Buy the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX at LD Mountain Centre →

Comparison with rivals

Against the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX, the Rush 2 Pro feels faster and more trail-inspired, while the Salomon is lighter and marginally more versatile across casual day hikes. Against the Scarpa Spin Planet, the Rush 2 Pro adds ankle support and Gore-Tex waterproofing, making it the better call for multi-day hikes in variable UK conditions. For the serious hillwalker wanting trail-shoe agility in a proper boot, the Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX sits in its own niche.

Our verdict Trail-shoe agility meets proper boot protection — nailed it. The Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX is a smart, versatile and impressively capable choice for British walkers who value speed, comfort and support — and don't want to haul stiff leather boots across rolling hills or multi-day trails. They shine on the types of hikes most of us actually do: wet weekends in Snowdonia, spring fastpacks in the Cairngorms, or summer wild camping trips where weight matters and the weather changes every ten minutes. Fast hikers, DofE leaders, long-distance ramblers and anyone after a more dynamic feel from their hiking boots should give these serious consideration. Buy now →

FAQs

How durable are the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX boots?Very. The mix of nubuck leather and synthetic overlays has held up to bogs, rocky paths, and general British conditions. The Rush 2 Pro hasn't shown premature wear across our testing period.

How much traction do the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX boots deliver?Plenty. The PRESA HIK-03 sole offers great grip on wet rock, gravel and most UK trails. Only thick clay slowed them down — which is true of most soles.

How breathable are the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX boots?The Gore-Tex ePE lining balances waterproofing and breathability well. We didn't experience overheating, and the boots dried overnight after full soakings. For UK conditions, this is the right trade-off.

Are the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX boots suitable for the Lake District?Very much so. The Rush 2 Pro was tested on boggy upland and fell paths in the Lake District and delivered excellent waterproofing, grip, and foot fatigue management across long days.

Are the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX boots worth £200?At £200, they're not cheap — but the build quality, fit and performance justify the price if you're a regular hillwalker. The combination of trail-shoe agility with proper waterproofing and ankle support fills a niche that most boots miss. Available at LD Mountain Centre.