Reivew: Scott Kinabalu SuperTrac

If there’s one trail shoe out there that can give the Salomon Speedcross a run for its money, it would have to be the Scott Kinabalu Supertrac. I picked up a pair in my search for something rugged without the 11mm heel-to-toe drop and weight of the Salomon, and I really like them. In fact, I’m now on my second pair!

Promo Copy from Scott:
The updated Scott Kinabalu Supertrac shoe is your trail weapon to help negotiate the toughest of terrains; whether soft mud or technical mountain trails. It is built to be fast with a supportive upper, full-length cushioning and an extremely lugged outsole ensuring excellent traction to help traverse over soft and rough surfaces.
 
Stats & Construction:

• Shoe type: Neutral
• Weight: Men’s approx 330g; Women’s approx 310g
• Heel-to-toe drop: 8mm
• Stack height: 27mm at the heel; 19mm in the forefoot
• Aggressive outsole with 7mm deep lugs (approx)
• Running shoe insole system that offers two different insoles for men and women to ensure a better fit
• AeroFoam midsole material is more elastic with increased durability and rebound while maintaining an efficient stride
• eRide technology offers a unique rocker shape that creates a very stable midstance, promoting the faster and more efficient running style that runners strive for
• Lace bungee

My Take
 
Appearance & Price
Out of the box my first impression of the Scott Kinabalu Supertrac was that the shoe looked sturdy yet a bit bulky. The shoe retails for $145, and trust me, the price is well worth every penny. You can find them online for as low as $120.
 
Fit & Feel
I wear a women’s size 9 in trail running shoes, and Scott brand shoe sizing is pretty spot on. Foot in the shoe, it feels a bit stiff although comfortable. It’s got a roomy toe box and a soft upper. This shoe requires a breaking in period along with getting used to the eRide technology, but the 8mm heel-to-toe drop is a welcomed support from my 4mm drop shoes.

Ride
I logged about 700 miles of trail in my first pair of Kinabalu Supertrac, including a 100-mile race in muddy, wet conditions. I’m currently on my second pair, as my first pair sits in my garage with screws in the lugs for winter running. I’ve used these shoes for training and racing, and they are my go-to shoe for running on technical terrain, wet and muddy trails, and snowy trails.
 
Bottom line: This shoe is built to last through the most aggressive of trail conditions. Once broken in, the shoe is pliable; it’s perfect for anyone looking for that sweet spot between the extremely high and very low heel-to-toe offsets. The shoe offers superior grip, and the wet traction outsole rubber compound works really well on a multitude of surfaces.
 
The eRIDE technology in these shoes offers a “rocker” platform that is designed for a more efficient mid to forefoot strike. For those of you who already have an efficient foot strike, this may be less noticeable. However, for someone with heel strikes, the rocker does aid in rolling you forward on to your toes.
 
The shoe upper has a tight weave fabric with rubberized strips, and the toe box is reinforced extremely well to not only provide good protection but also withstand serious contact with rocks or other obstacles. The tongue is padded, which makes it extremely comfortable when laced, and the bungee laces are thin and textured to stay tight when tied. The lace locker is another feature on these shoes that provides a no-nonsense solution to store loose laces when running.
 
Conclusion
This shoe is a trail beast! If you are looking for an extremely dependable shoe with cushion, solid grip and all-day comfort without any gimmicks, then this shoe is for you.

Pros

• GRIP
  
• Cushioned
• Spacious toe box with protection
• True-to-size fit

 
Cons

• Bulky (while not the heaviest shoe out there, it could use some weight reduction; the downside to the cushioning, protection and heavy tread is the tradeoff in weight)
  
• The tongue slides off to the side when running on a technical terrain over distance, but it’s not a deal breaker

Author: Shalini Kovach is a trail junkie and ultra distance runner, forever in search of the perfect gear that will make life easy out in the wilderness.