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Bottom Line
The Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 is a performance-oriented shoe with a narrow fit, solid durability, and some of the best traction in our lineup. Tested by gear analyst Miles Knotek in Alaska’s rugged Chugach Mountains, it quickly proved itself capable in steep and rocky terrain. With its excellent traction and durability, the Ribelle Cross 2 stands out in our list of best hiking shoes for men.
The Ribelle Cross 2 is a hybrid hiking-and-running shoe with the durability of a boot. This Frankenstein of a shoe is most at home in steep terrain and loose rock. Its deep lugs bite into mud and rock, and the stiff sole is perfect for kicking steps into steep hillsides. Running on the narrow side, this low-profile shoe is perfect for sidehilling or balancing on rocks or ridgelines. With their European mountain pedigree, Scarpa delivers a strong, technical shoe for mountain travel.
The fit probably won’t work for some feet. And it feels firm and less comfortable than others in our lineup. Still, the Ribelle Cross 2 is a good choice when venturing into steep, rocky terrain where traction and durability are paramount.
Quick Specs
Men’s Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2
Best Hiking Shoes for Narrow Feet
CleverHiker Rating:
4.4/5
Price:
$159
Weight (Pair):
1 lb. 11.6 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop:
Unknown
Pros
- Excellent traction
- Durable
- Breathable uppers
- Protective
Cons
- Long break-in period
- Not the most comfortable
Comfort
The Ribelle Cross 2 prioritizes performance over plush comfort. This technical terrain-oriented shoe has a pointed shape that may be too narrow for most feet. The Ribelle Cross 2 is not the shoe for those with wide feet or those who prefer a natural toe splay. It’s also the stiffest shoe in our lineup. We found that this stiffness outlasted the usual break-in period and lasted stiff for much longer than we anticipated. While this makes it perfect for kicking steps in steep terrain, it is less comfortable on flat terrain or on more moderate hills.
The Ribelle Cross 2 delivers a firm feel with little bounce or cushion. While this extremely rigid and firm shoe does an excellent job of sheltering feet from sharp rocks, it is less comfortable for logging long miles on trail.
Traction
The Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 offers some of the best traction of any shoe in our lineup. Testing these shoes on a climb that covered 2,000 vertical feet in less than a mile, often on loose scree and dirt, the Ribelle Cross 2 kept us securely attached to the mountainside. The deep, sharp chevron-shaped lugs are among the most aggressive we’ve seen. For mud, loose rock, or steep terrain, the Ribelle Cross 2 gets some of our highest marks for traction.
Weight
Weighing in at almost a pound per shoe, the Ribelle Cross 2 is the second-heaviest shoe in our lineup. Their extreme durability and aggressive traction come at the price of their weight. Those seeking a fast-and-light option might not find the Ribelle Cross 2 to be their top choice. These are far from the lightest shoes in our lineup, but if you’re ok with a little more weight on your feet, the Ribelle offers great performance.
Durability
For a shoe that looks like a cross between a trail runner and a hiker, the Ribelle Cross 2 has the durability of a boot. The extremely stiff construction, while not the most comfortable, has shown no signs of breaking down. The breathable mesh upper is much stronger than we anticipated, and a hefty TPU weld protects the lower section of the upper. We have yet to find the limits of this shoe, and we are planning to count on it for many miles to come.
Weather Resistance
The weather resistance of the Ribelle Cross 2 falls more in line with that of a trail runner. After accidentally stepping into a deep, muddy section of the trail, the water immediately penetrated the mesh upper. Better suited for drier days, the Ribelle Cross 2 offers great breathability, but low weather resistance. The TPU overlay around the lower half of the mesh does offer a little weather resistance, but these are not our first choice for taking out on wet days or overly muddy trails.
Should You Buy The Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2?
If you’re someone who prioritizes traction and dexterous performance for technical alpine trails, then the Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 is the shoe for you. Built with a performance fit that may be too narrow for most, this shoe excels at scrambling up steep rock, pounding down scree, or sidehilling on precarious mountain trails.
It has some of the deepest lugs of any shoes we’ve tested, making it perfect for mud and loose rock. The second-heaviest shoe in our lineup, the Ribelle Cross 2 is not for the fast-and-light crowd. But for those willing to add a few extra ounces to their feet, the Ribelle Cross 2 is an extremely durable shoe built to withstand many miles in the mountains.
What Other Men’s Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?
Curious about our other favorite hiking shoes? Head over to our gear guide to check out all our top picks.
On Cloudrock Low Waterproof Review: More weather-resistant than the Ribelle Cross 2, the Cloudrock is the perfect shoe for keeping your feet dry on wet trails.
Saucony Peregrine 16 Review: If you’re looking for a lighter shoe but without compromising on traction, the Peregrine has got you covered.
HOKA Speedgoat 7 Review: With a more forgiving midsole, the Speedgoat 7 is perfect for stacking long miles.
The post Men’s Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 Review appeared first on CleverHiker.
