Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 trail running shoes review: dependable all-round trail shoes
The Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 is a tough, responsive and brilliantly grippy trail shoe built for fast and light missions on technical ground. With a sock-like fit, breathable upper and standout traction, it’s a top-tier all-rounder for trail runners and backpackers chasing confidence and comfort across UK terrain. But are they worth the comparably high price tag?
Scarpa Ribelle Run 2
Ideal for: Trail running, backpacking, thru hiking, fastpacking
Not suitable for: Road running
Scarpa’s Ribelle Run 2 trail shoes deliver a smooth, responsive and protective ride across virtually all terrain types. With a 4mm drop, sock-like fit, excellent breathability and the best outsole we’ve tested in recent memory, they’re a dependable all-rounder that’ll appeal to anyone chasing big miles over technical ground. Whether you’re hitting rocky mountain tracks, soaked moorland paths or dry forest trails, they strike a rare balance between agility and protection – giving you the confidence to move quickly without sacrificing comfort or control. If you want one pair of shoes that can do a bit of everything, and do it well, these might be it.
The Good
Supportive and comfortable
Amazing traction
Come with added protection due to the S3 Frame
Quick to dry
Quick lace lock mechanism is easy to use
Sock-like fit is consistently comfortable over miles
Easy to clean
The Bad
Not as flexible as other lines
4 mm drop is not for everybody
Expensive compared to competing lines
Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 trail running shoes review
Scarpa is one of those rare brands whose name still carries serious clout after almost a century of making shoes for the mountains. Founded in the Dolomites and still family-run, the Italian company is perhaps best known for its hard-wearing climbing boots, ski touring gear and iconic hiking footwear like the Ribelle HD hiking boots or Zodiac series.
The Ribelle Run 2 is a trail running shoe that builds on that bootmaking legacy, with a few clever twists to cater for those moving fast and light through the hills. It’s an update to the original Ribelle Run, with tweaks that improve the fit, support and feel underfoot. Built for short to mid-range technical trail runs, it’s designed to offer superb traction and comfort in a low-profile, protective package. Each shoe weighs in at 313 g in a UK 8 / EU 42, and at £160 RRP, they’re not cheap – but they’re not unreasonable either for the quality on offer.
So, where does it sit in the market? In our eyes, the Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 comfortably positions itself as a premium, high-performance option for those who want a dependable trail running shoe that doesn’t compromise on protection or comfort. It’s a direct competitor to the likes of the Hoka Speedgoat 6 (£140), but where the Speedgoats lean into plush cushioning and a wide, rockered base, the Ribelle Run 2 offers a more precise fit and noticeably more robust construction. Over time, we’ve found Hokas tend to wear out faster – especially if you’re using them for more rugged terrain or heavier use like fastpacking or multi-day missions. The Scarpas, by contrast, feel built to go the distance.
Then there’s the Altra Lone Peak 9 (£130), beloved by thru-hikers and trail runners alike for its zero-drop, natural ride. We’ve worn several iterations of the Lone Peaks over the years and have always appreciated their out-of-the-box comfort and featherlight feel. But if you’re looking for something with more structure, more protection underfoot, and a bit more bite in technical terrain, the Ribelle Run 2 wins out. It offers a noticeably more stable platform when descending rocky trails or traversing uneven ground – and you’ll get more miles out of them too.
Even budget options like the Decathlon Kiprun Race Lights (£99.99) do a commendable job of keeping up in terms of specs on paper – similar weight, equivalent drop, and decent traction. But in use, they lack the finesse. The Kipruns feel like a good shoe for someone trying out trail running for the first time, whereas the Ribelle Run 2 feels like something made for seasoned mountain-goers who care about long-term performance, subtle design features, and all-day comfort.
All things considered, the Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 is best suited to runners and hikers who treat the trail as their training ground, testing gear over big distances and expecting kit to hold its own when conditions get rough. Whether you’re moving fast over fells, backpacking through upland terrain, or racing a local trail ultra, these shoes strike a rare balance between comfort, confidence and capability – and that’s what makes them such a compelling option in today’s crowded trail shoe market.
Our experience using the Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 trail running shoes
We’ve had several pairs floating around the GBAC kit room for a few months now, and they’ve clocked up a fair few muddy miles. We first took them out on a 15-km trail run along the Thames Path – not your average trail running terrain, but a great test for grip thanks to the ankle-deep mud and waterlogged riverside banks. From there, we headed into the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), clocking a full day’s hike from Pen y Fan via Tal y Bont and back along the reservoir. With both long days on foot and different terrain underfoot, we got a proper sense of what these shoes can (and can’t) do.
A feature-rich all-rounder
The first thing to note is the drop – 4mm isn’t unusual for mountain running shoes, but if you’re coming from zero-drop footwear like the Altra Lone Peaks, you’ll definitely notice the difference. It shifts your posture slightly forward and puts a touch more emphasis on the forefoot, which can take a little adjustment. One of our testers, after spending years in zero-drop shoes, reported some mild discomfort for the first few kilometres – particularly in one foot – but this eased off as the shoe began to bed in. Once your feet adapt, the Ribelle Run 2s deliver a ride that’s soft, balanced and impressively supportive. The added structure brings stability on technical ground without that stiff, overbuilt feeling you sometimes get in more maximalist shoes.
And that support is backed up by one of the standout features of the entire design – the Presa sole unit. It grips like nothing else we’ve tried in recent memory. Across wet rock, greasy roots, loose scree, compacted gravel, forest singletrack and steep grassy slopes, the 6mm lugs provided unwavering traction. The only time we felt them slip was in one of the worst kinds of UK mud – that silty, soupy gloop that swallows your whole shoe and offers nothing to bite into. But let’s be honest, no sole in the world is going to perform miracles there. On all other surfaces, these shoes stick to the ground like glue – which makes them feel not only grippy, but genuinely confidence-boosting too.
Secure, stable and sensitve
Helping deliver that confident ride is Scarpa’s 3S Frame – a structural component that wraps the foot for extra protection and stability. The name stands for secure, stable and sensitive, and to be fair, it lives up to all three. It helps the shoe feel snug without being restrictive, and when you’re bouncing between boulders or cornering fast on downhill sections, that little bit of extra midfoot support really comes into its own. Combined with the snug fit and integrated tongue, the whole setup works together to create a locked-in feel that doesn’t shift around even after long hours on the move.
Then there’s the upper, which rounds out the experience nicely. It’s lightweight and extremely breathable – great on warm days, and surprisingly quick to dry once wet. No, it won’t keep out water – this isn’t a waterproof shoe – but we’d argue that’s no bad thing. Gore-Tex-lined trail shoes often trap sweat and end up feeling like a steam room for your feet. The Ribelle Run 2s breathe freely, and even when soaked through, they dry fast. We had them dry overnight more than once, and a quick stint on a radiator had them good to go again within the hour. For a shoe with this much cushioning and padding, that’s impressive.
Finishing touches
There are a few more smart design touches worth flagging too. The lock lacing system is fast, secure and refreshingly simple. For anyone heading out in a rush – or transitioning between disciplines in an event – the ability to cinch the shoes tight in seconds is a welcome feature. It’s not as precise as traditional laces if you want a really dialled-in micro fit, but for most runners, it’s more than enough. There’s also a built-in lace keeper to help stop the toggle from bouncing around mid-run. It’s not perfect – we did find we had to wrap the laces around a few times to keep things tidy – and the laces themselves are quite long, which feels like both a blessing and a curse. Still, we’d rather have too much lace than not enough.
How the Scarpa Ribelle Run 2s perform in the UK
Put simply, these shoes were built for British trails. From the boggy banks of the Thames to rocky ridgelines and gravel trails, the Ribelle Run 2s handled everything we threw at them. The grip is astonishing, the cushioning keeps your feet feeling fresh and protected even over long distances, and the overall fit just works.
They’re not the lightest shoes out there, but they don’t feel heavy either – a real testament to Scarpa’s balanced design. And while they might not be everyone’s first choice if you only run dry, dusty trails, for UK conditions – wet, varied, unpredictable – they’re close to ideal.
Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 trail running shoes FAQs
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Exceptionally durable. The Ribelle Run 2s are built to handle serious mileage on rough ground, with a tough outsole and reinforced upper that show minimal signs of wear even after well over 100 km of testing. They’re more robust than many similarly lightweight trail shoes and hold up well under repeated abuse, making them a great long-term investment.
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A huge amount. The Presa sole with 6mm lugs offers outstanding grip across a wide range of surfaces – wet rock, grass, scree, gravel and hard-packed mud. It’s one of the best outsoles we’ve tested, offering confidence-inspiring traction whether you’re climbing, descending or cornering at pace. Only the deepest, slipperiest mud could make them falter.
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They’re not built for warmth, but the snug fit and slightly padded construction offer just enough insulation for year-round use in the UK. Pair them with a strategic set of socks and you’ll stay comfortable on cooler run and warmer when it’s cold.
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Very breathable. The lightweight mesh upper allows excellent airflow, which keeps your feet cool and dry even during high-output efforts or on warm days. If you do end up in wet conditions, they drain quickly and dry fast – much faster than Gore-Tex-lined shoes, and without the swampy, sweat-trapping feel.
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We think so. At £160, they sit at the premium end of the market – but with that price comes top-level performance, excellent build quality and a thoughtful set of features that really do make a difference on the trail. If you’re looking for a reliable, all-terrain shoe that’ll go the distance, they’re a solid investment.
Conclusion
All things considered, the Scarpa Ribelle Run 2s are some of the most capable all-round trail shoes we’ve tested in a while. They’re protective without being heavy, breathable without being flimsy, and stable without sacrificing feel. Whether you’re trail running in your local woods, tackling a long-distance path with a pack, or racing over technical ground, they’ll keep you confident and comfortable.
We’d recommend them to anyone looking for a dependable shoe that can do it all – and do it well. If you’ve got the cash and want something that’ll go the distance, they’re well worth the investment.
