Scarpa Men's Ribelle Cross 2 Mid GTX Review: a fast hiker that feels like a trail runner

I’ve been using the Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 Mid GTX (size 47 / UK 12) for a few weeks now on mixed terrain: forest tracks, rocky paths, muddy slopes after rain. I bought them because I wanted something lighter than a classic hiking boot, but more protective than my trail running shoes. On paper, that’s exactly how Scarpa sells this model: halfway between a runner and a hiker.

In practice, it really does sit in that middle zone. The first time I put them on, they felt closer to a robust trail running shoe than a stiff trekking boot. The ankle height is mid, so you get some support, but it’s not that rigid ski-boot feeling you get with proper mountain boots. If you’re used to soft sneakers, you’ll feel they’re a bit firm; if you’re used to big leather hikers, you’ll find them pretty light and agile.

I’ve mostly used them on day hikes with a small backpack (10–12 kg max), in cool spring weather and a couple of wet days. The idea was to see if they could replace both my trail shoes and my heavier boots for 80% of my outings. I didn’t baby them: wet grass, loose gravel, some scree, and a lot of muddy puddles.

Overall, they do the job well for fast hiking and technical paths, but they’re not perfect. There are a few details that annoyed me, mainly on ventilation and how the ankle feels after several hours. If you want a clear view from someone actually walking in them and not just repeating the catalog, keep reading.

On value for money, it really depends what you compare it to and how you hike. Scarpa is not a budget brand, and this model sits in the mid-to-high price range for hiking footwear. You can definitely find cheaper hiking shoes from generic brands, but from my experience, those often wear out faster, have weaker grip, or lose waterproofing quickly. Here, you’re paying for a mix of sturdiness, good outsole, and a design that actually feels thought-through for fast hiking.

If you’re only doing short Sunday walks on easy paths, this shoe is probably overkill. You could get something cheaper and lighter with less structure and be fine. But if you regularly hike on technical terrain, carry a backpack, and want one shoe that covers both day hikes and a few multi-day trips, the price starts to make sense. You’re basically buying a hybrid that replaces both a trail shoe and a heavier boot in many situations.

What I like is that you feel the quality in the build: clean stitching, solid sole, good waterproofing, and a fit that feels secure. It’s not luxury, but it feels like gear that’s made to be used hard. On the downside, for this price, I would have liked a bit more comfort for long hot days, and maybe a slightly better insole out of the box. I can see some people immediately swapping the insole for something more cushioned.

So for me, the value is good if you hike often and on real trails, average if you’re more of a casual walker. It’s not a bargain, but it’s not a rip-off either. You pay a fair amount, but you get a solid, efficient shoe that should last and actually perform on rough ground.

The design is clearly aimed at people who like trail running shoes but want more security. The profile is fairly slim for a hiking shoe, especially in the heel. You don’t get that big blocky boot feeling. The mid-top around the ankle is cut low enough that I can flex my ankle normally on steep climbs without feeling locked in, but high enough to keep out most stones and debris. I’ve kicked a few rocks and roots and the front protection is decent; the toe area has enough rubber to take hits without feeling them too much.

Visually, the Black Olive is pretty discreet. It’s mostly black with very small olive/green details, so it doesn’t look like a carnival on your feet. Personally, I like that: I can wear them from the train station straight onto the trail without feeling like I’m in costume. The shape is slightly aggressive, with a bit of rocker in the sole that encourages you to roll forward when walking fast. You feel that on long flat sections: the shoe almost “pushes” you to keep the rhythm.

The lace system works well. There are enough eyelets to fine-tune the tightness between the forefoot and the ankle. Once laced properly, I didn’t have to re-tie them constantly. The tongue stays in place; it doesn’t slide to the side like on some trail shoes I’ve had. One small gripe: the lace length is a bit long for me. If you don’t double-knot, they can flap around, so I just tuck the knot under the laces.

My only real complaint design-wise is the volume around the ankle. It’s a bit snug if you have thicker socks or wider ankles. After a few hours, I sometimes feel some pressure on the front of the ankle if I over-tighten. You can fix it by lacing a bit looser at the top, but then you lose some support. So the design is good overall, but if your ankles are sensitive or quite wide, I’d definitely try them on before buying.

Comfort-wise, the first impression is firm but supportive. The PU insole and midsole don’t give that trampoline effect you get with some running shoes, but after an hour or two, I appreciated the stability. On uneven ground, my foot stayed well locked and I didn’t feel any twisting or rolling. The mid-top cut adds a small sense of security around the ankle without making it completely rigid.

The fit in size 47 (EU) is true to size for me. I have fairly normal-width feet, slightly wide forefoot, and I didn’t feel squeezed. There’s enough room in the toe box to avoid crushed toes on descents, as long as you lace correctly. However, people with very wide feet might find it a bit snug. It’s more of a performance fit than a big roomy hiking boot. I did one 20 km hike straight out of the box and didn’t get any major blisters, just a small hotspot on one heel that disappeared after adjusting the lacing and socks.

Where I’m a bit less positive is long-duration comfort in warm weather. After 4–5 hours of walking at a good pace, my feet felt quite warm and the shoe felt a bit rigid under the ball of the foot. Not painful, but you definitely notice you’re not in a soft sneaker. With thin hiking socks, it’s manageable, but I wouldn’t pick these for a super hot summer trek with long daily distances unless you really need the waterproofing and protection.

So for me, comfort is pretty solid for 3–5 hour hikes, technical paths, and cooler days. It’s not the most relaxed shoe for long, flat, easy walks on hot days. If you like a firm, precise feel and good support, you’ll probably enjoy them. If you want a soft, cushioned, super airy feel, you might find them a bit too stiff and warm.

The shoe uses a lot of polyurethane (PU): outer material, insole, lining. On top of that, you’ve got EVA foam inside and a rubber sole. That combo gives a pretty firm and supportive feel underfoot. It’s not a soft, bouncy sneaker, but you do feel that the sole protects you from rocks and sharp stuff. On rocky trails, I never felt stones poking through, which is a big plus if you hike on rough ground.

The upside of all this synthetic material is easy maintenance. Mud, wet grass, dust: everything wipes off fast. After one properly muddy hike, I just rinsed them quickly and they looked almost new. PU also tends to handle abrasion pretty well. After several outings, I don’t see any serious wear on the sides or at the toe, just some light scuff marks that are normal. The rubber outsole also looks solid; the lugs are still sharp and not rounded off.

On the downside, all that synthetic material and the waterproof membrane mean breathability is only average. On cool spring days, it’s fine. On a warmer day (around 20–22°C) with a decent pace, I could feel my feet getting warm and a bit sweaty. Not horrible, but definitely warmer than a mesh trail shoe. If you hike in hot climates, that’s something to keep in mind. The inner lining dries reasonably quickly overnight if you remove the insole, but it’s not instant.

Overall, the materials feel robust and practical, but not super premium or cushy. It’s more “tool that you can abuse” than “luxury comfort shoe”. If you like durable, easy-to-clean gear, you’ll probably be happy. If you’re after a very breathable, fabric-heavy shoe, this is not really in that category.

In terms of durability, after several weeks of use on rough ground, I don’t see any worrying signs. The PU upper is holding up very well: no tearing, no peeling, just some normal scuff marks on the sides and toe. This is where you feel the benefit of synthetic materials: they don’t care much about rocks, branches or mud. I’ve scraped them on sharp stones a few times and the damage is purely cosmetic.

The rubber sole also looks solid. The lugs haven’t flattened yet, even after a lot of walking on rocky paths and some asphalt sections to get to the trailhead. The glue between the sole and the upper is intact, no separation, no cracks. That’s often where cheaper shoes start to fail, so it’s a good sign. I can’t speak for multi-year use yet, but the start is promising.

Inside, the EVA foam and insole haven’t collapsed noticeably. The shoe still feels as supportive as on day one. No weird creases or pressure points have appeared. The heel counter is still firm and holds the heel well. Stitching around the collar and tongue is fine, no loose threads. I’ve pulled pretty hard on the tongue when putting them on and nothing has torn.

If I had to guess, I’d say these should easily last a couple of hiking seasons with regular use, especially if you’re not abusing them on sharp alpine scree every weekend. They feel more durable than many fabric trail shoes I’ve owned. The trade-off is a bit more weight and less breathability, but if your priority is a shoe that can take a beating, this one seems on the right track.

On the trail, the grip is the thing that stood out first. The rubber outsole bites well on dirt, rocks and roots. On dry and slightly damp terrain, I had full confidence, even going downhill at a good pace. On wet rocks, like always, you still need to be careful, but I didn’t have any scary slips. In mud, the lugs dig in reasonably well, but if it’s really sticky clay, they clog like most soles. Nothing miraculous, but clearly better than my old low-cut hiking shoes.

The waterproofing does what it should. I walked through wet grass, shallow streams, and a lot of puddles. As long as the water didn’t go over the ankle collar, my feet stayed dry. After 2–3 hours in very wet conditions, no leaks. Of course, once water gets in from the top, it takes a bit of time to dry because of the waterproof membrane, but that’s normal. For typical rainy-day hikes or muddy spring trails, it’s perfectly fine.

In terms of stability and support, the shoe feels secure. The midsole isn’t floppy, and the mid-cut helps keep the ankle from rolling on uneven ground. I had a couple of missteps on loose rocks where my foot twisted a bit, but the shoe held it together and I didn’t feel like I was about to sprain anything. With a 10–12 kg backpack, I felt comfortable; I wouldn’t hesitate to use these for hut-to-hut treks with moderate loads.

The main limit I found is speed vs. comfort. Yes, you can move fast with them thanks to the rocker sole and light weight, but if you really push the pace for hours, the firm cushioning can feel a bit harsh. For me, they hit a good balance for “fast hiking” rather than actual running. I tried a short jog downhill and it’s doable, but I wouldn’t use them as trail running shoes regularly.

On paper, the Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 Mid GTX is a mid-cut, waterproof hiking shoe that leans towards fast hiking. You’ve got a rubber sole, PU midsole/insole, and EVA foam inside, so it’s clearly built to be light and reactive rather than super cushioned and plush. My pair in size 47 weighs around what the spec says (about 1.3 lb per shoe give or take), which is pretty light compared to my old leather boots.

The model I have is the Black Olive colour. In real life it’s basically black with dark green/olive touches, so it doesn’t scream “technical neon mountain shoe”. I’ve worn them in town a couple of times and they don’t look too out of place, which I like. The shaft height is ankle / mid-top, so you get some protection against rocks and a bit of support, but it’s not a full-on high boot.

The shoe is lace-up, classic system, nothing fancy like Boa or speed laces. I actually prefer that: easier to repair and adjust. The outer is mainly polyurethane (PU), which gives it a bit of structure and makes it easier to clean. Mud wipes off pretty easily with a wet cloth; they don’t stain as fast as fabric shoes. Inside, there’s EVA foam for comfort and a PU insole that feels fairly firm.

In terms of use, Scarpa labels it for walking/hiking, spring/summer. I agree with that: I wouldn’t pick this as a deep-winter boot, but for 3-season hiking and fast treks, it fits. If you’re looking for a super soft, street-sneaker style shoe, this is not it. If you want something that can handle rough paths, stay dry, and still let you move at a good pace, this is more the idea.