Scarpa Crux Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Supportive, durable, very sticky rubber
Cons: Heavy
Manufacturer: Scarpa
Our Verdict
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Scarpa Crux | |||||
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Overall Score  |
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| Pros | Supportive, durable, very sticky rubber | Lightweight, comfortable, supportive, climb well | Stiff for edging and standing in aiders, excellent for scambling, good hiking support | Awesome balance of hiking and climbing abilities, great support | Durable, great traction in dirt and mud, excellent value, workhorse approach shoe |
| Cons | Heavy | Synthetic uppers not as durable as leather | More narrow than the rest of the TX line, expensive | Relatively heavy and bulky | Heavy and bulky, especially when carrying on your harness or in a pack |
| Bottom Line | A good all-round approach shoe, especially for folks with narrow feet | These are our first recommendation for the majority of climbers due to elite all-around performance | A great shoe for climbing guides or anyone who needs support for hiking but also a precision fit for climbing | This model combines high performance with the ability to handle big loads | These durable shoes are well-equipped for miles of hiking and scrambling at a great price |
| Rating Categories | Scarpa Crux | La Sportiva TX2 | La Sportiva TX Guide | La Sportiva TX4 | La Sportiva Boulder X |
| Climbing Ability (35%) | |||||
| Hiking Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Support (20%) | |||||
| Weight And Packability (20%) | |||||
| Specs | Scarpa Crux | La Sportiva TX2 | La Sportiva TX Guide | La Sportiva TX4 | La Sportiva Boulder X |
| Outsole | Vibram vertical approach | Vibram Mega-Grip | Vibram Mega-Grip | Vibram Mega-Grip with Trail Bite heel | Vibram Idro-Grip V-Smear dot pattern |
| Upper Material | Leather | Polyester mesh | synthetic TPU, PU | Leather | Leather |
| Weight per Pair (in oz) | 27.2 oz (size 9.5) | 20.3 oz (size 9.5) | 24.8 oz (size 9.5) | 26.2 oz (size 9.5) | 32.8 oz (size 9.5) |
| Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular |
| Mid Height Available? | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Midsole | EVA | Mem-lex/C2 Combo Cord | dual-density compressed EVA, TPU Torsion Shank | Traverse injection MEMlex | Micropore EVA |
| Sticky Rubber? Toe Rand? | Yes, Yes | Yes, Yes | Yes, Yes | Yes, Yes | Yes, Yes |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Climbing Ability
For a medium-stiff shoe, the Crux climbs very well. Though it lacks the sensitivity of the thin-soled shoes, its rubber is stickier and more slab ready than many other options. This pair gave our testers more confidence than most other pairs in this review. Not the absolute best, but pretty darn close.
Edging
Don't expect any miracles; you're not wearing climbing shoes. What you can expect is plenty of support so you can toe into holds about an inch wide. Any smaller than that and your edging abilities are more subject to climbing skills than the shoes you're rocking.
Smearing
Armed with Vibram Mega-Grip soles, our testers found these shoes deliver the stick icky when the approaches get slabby. We generally felt confident scrambling around on smooth Yosemite granite. Use your judgment when it comes to hiking on exposed slabs.
Crack Climbing
The durable leather/mesh (but mostly leather) uppers prevent these shoes from falling apart in cracks. If you're a proficient off-widther, you might even enjoy cruising the wide in these approach shoes.
Hiking Comfort
While there are more comfortable hikers out there, the Crux balances climbing and hiking prowess well. If long-distance mega slogs are your cup of tea, we are more inclined to bring along a different pair. The Crux is one of the narrower shoes in our review and fits a touch small compared to La Sportiva and Five Ten.
Support
These shoes have a medium-stiff midsole that offers the support we expect from a good hiking shoe. Their level of support makes them a strong choice for aid climbing or schlepping heavy loads.
Weight & Packability
A pair of size 9's weighs in at 27.2 ounces. These are not our favorite shoes to have to hang off our harness. We prefer something much lighter if we will be climbing with the shoes clipped to us. The Crux does feature a robust clip-in tab, so they will remain securely attached to your harness with a carabiner if you choose to do so.
Value
The Crux isn't a sucker punch to the wallet, considering it's a well crafted, durable leather shoe, ready to withstand the use and abuse that accrues from hiking and more vertical endeavors. This pair offers solid value, especially when you consider that it will last longer than several other options out there. Its longevity combined with its well-roundedness push the value envelope.
Conclusion
The Scarpa Crux is a great all-rounder. If you want to save space in your crowded closet, they're a great choice, especially if you have a narrower foot. While it doesn't take home any awards, we highly recommend giving these kicks a try.
— Matt Bento