Scarpa Gecko Review
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Narrow fit, quick adjusting laces, soft durable uppers
Cons: Expensive, doesn't edge well
Manufacturer: Scarpa
Our Verdict
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Scarpa Gecko | |||||
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Overall Score  |
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| Pros | Narrow fit, quick adjusting laces, soft durable uppers | 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 | Expensive, doesn't edge well | 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 | If your feet are on the narrow side, this a comfy, supportive approach shoe | 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 Gecko | 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 Gecko | La Sportiva TX2 | La Sportiva TX Guide | La Sportiva TX4 | La Sportiva Boulder X |
| Outsole | Vibram Reptilla SR micro-lugs | Vibram Mega-Grip | Vibram Mega-Grip | Vibram Mega-Grip with Trail Bite heel | Vibram Idro-Grip V-Smear dot pattern |
| Upper Material | Italian Suede | Polyester mesh | synthetic TPU, PU | Leather | Leather |
| Weight per Pair (in oz) | 27.6 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 | Dual-density 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
The Gecko excels as a hiker, keeping our testers sure-footed and supported as they lugged ropes and heavy racks all over Indian Creek and Yosemite.
Performance Comparison
Climbing Ability
The Gecko receives middle of the road scores in the all-important climbing metric. Thicker soled and less sensitive than the Evolv Cruzer Psyche, while not as stiff for edging as the Five Ten Guide Tennie, they aren't a favorite for climbing. But sticky Vibram rubber kept us feeling secure on easy scrambles.
Edging
These shoes are medium stiff, and they edge well compared to the floppier Five Ten Access, but aren't very sensitive, so standing on small edges feels pretty dicey. The Five Ten Guide Tennie is a better choice if you're going to be busting free moves in your approach kicks.
Smearing
The special Vibram Reptilia sticky rubber kept our testers from slipping on slabby approaches, but when the slabs start to get into the fifth class zone, we prefer a more sensitive shoe.
Crack Climbing
These shoes are supportive enough to keep your feet comfy in larger hand cracks and offwidths, but our testers weren't able to get their feet in cracks smaller than a #3 Camalot.
Hiking Comfort
Our testers used these shoes extensively in Indian Creek, where they hiked up steep approaches every morning and back down every afternoon. These hikes involve scrambling over talus blocks, hiking up slabby boulders, and negotiating cactus and other spiky plants. The Scarpa Gecko was more than up to the task, keeping our tester's blister-free. The thin mesh tongue does an excellent job venting moisture, so our feet stayed dry, especially when compared with leather shoes. The seven lacing eyelets that go all the way down to the toe are great for quick on and off as our testers moved around the crag from climb to climb.
Support
The medium-stiff sole on these shoes is plenty supportive for hiking shorter distances (three to five miles) with a heavy pack. The flexibility of the forefoot is comfortable but makes your feet work harder in the long run when carrying a heavy load. For approaches deep into the backcountry, you'll want a more supportive shoe like the La Sportiva TX4.
Weight & Packability
Weighing in at 27.6 oz, the Scarpa Gecko is not our favorite shoe to clip to our harnesses and drag up a long free climb (that would be the Evolv Cruzer Psyche). The extra comfort and support come with the price of more weight and bulk.
Value
These shoes are some of the most expensive in this season's line-up, probably something to do with the soft but durable Italian leather upper.
Conclusion
For the narrow footed rock scrambler, the Scarpa Gecko offers a good balance between climbing ability and hiking comfort, and if the shoe fits, it's worth the hefty price tag. If you've got a wider foot, take a look at the La Sportiva TX4, which is just as versatile as the Gecko, but performed better.
— Matt Bento