Free 2-Day Shipping on orders over $50*
Memorial Day SaleMemorial Day Sale
Detail Pics

Description

Choose wisely grasshopper.

Reach the summit of calm in the Scarpa Zen Approach Shoe. The supple all leather upper balances the burly Vibram Spyder sole, forming an unparalleled equilibrium of foot comfort and confidence. Reinforced arches and EVA heel cushioning comfort your steps on the path of one-pointedness. When you lose focus, molded toecaps protect you from meditation-disturbing stubs against inert rocks and roots. Sure you could sit in lotus position all day trying to achieve Samadhi while stern Japanese monks whack your back with a stick. You can also lace up the Scarpa Zen Approach Shoe and reach peace hiking through Aspen groves.

Share your thoughts

What do you think of the

Scarpa Zen Multisport Shoe - Men's

? Share a...

No file chosen

Rather attach a photo from another website?

Rather attach a photo from your computer?

  • Product review:
  • Share a video
  • Share a photo

How familiar are you with the product?(optional)

Invalid filetype.

Save

Here's what others have to say...

5 5

T-Bone

Member since 
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I have had these shoes for at least three years and I wear them everyday. That is to say from the mountains to the office. These have been a very durable shoe for me. I usually ruin shoes in less than half the time that these lasted.
They were a bit too stiff for me at first, but I gave them time to break in, and they became some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever had.
They grip well and handle just about any terrain. I hike, bike, and climb in them. I have even climbed some 5.10's in them. They are also pretty water proof. I have hiked through snow and water in these and my foot only got wet if water got in the top. These are do everything super shoes.
I can't recommend this shoe enough. I love it.

4 5

Jesse Trovillion

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I had a pair of these for almost 4 years of moderate use.

The Good:
Performance was great. They were sticky enough without sacrificing durability, they edge well for a shoe that's not too tight to hike in, they're outrageously comfortable, and the sole and upper are very wear-resistant. It's stiff in the forefoot (supportive and protective, though not extremely sensitive) and in the toebox (saved me from many stubbed toes). They can handle boulders in the V2-V3 range no problem. I'd buy them again without hesitation if it weren't for...

The Bad:
The sole is textured in such a way that if you walk in mud or wet dirt (pretty common in Oregon) it sticks in the forefoot area. The embedded mud doesn't come out when rubbed on, say, a friend's door mat, but once you are inside said friend's house and the mud dries it starts flaking out all over this hypothetical friend's carpet.

...and...

The Ugly:
I wore these at Smith Rock last summer. I left them at the base of the wall while I did some climbing (they were in the shade at first, but the sun moved in at some point). After a couple of hours spent on a few routes I went to put them back on and the sole on the heel of one of them slid half an inch across the midsole as soon as I put weight on it (the glue melted) and stuck there. It was hot out, but not *that* hot. Mine was the only shoe to have this issue in our group of four. Resoling is an iffy prospect since I wore down the foam midsole some on the hike out and the following day. This may have been an extreme circumstance, but I'm still less-than-thrilled about it.

Perform great, other issues
4 5

tim4138416

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

After returning the first pair, due to getting a slightly too small pair, I found the fit I was looking for. The fit is fairly narrow in the toe box, which is quite nice for front-point, steep approach hiking over talus and roots. The midsole provides nice cushioning under the forefoot and heel when plodding along over flat and uneven ground--making them nicer than some non cushion models for longer approaches. My few complaints are: wish they had a pull-loop on the tongue for getting them on easier, due to the lacing pattern used. Though that being said, the lace pattern does work well to keep them fitting snugly after they're on. Also, wearing custom orthotics makes for a rather tall fit within the shoe--allowing a sense that my heel wants to lift out of the heel pocket when ascending. This could be resolved by adding another set of lace eyelets next to the top eyelets--allowing for a better tension at the ankle. Other than these issues, the shoe fits very precisely, and is my go-to shoe for technical terrain. This shoe is no replacement for my 5.10 guide tennies, which I still prefer for sketchy 4th classing on rock, due to their superior flexibility and "stickiness", but are not nearly as comfy as the zens for long approaches. Zen rubber, as mentioned, is not nearly as sticky as five-ten, but neither are most other shoes, for that matter.

4 5

tim4138416

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Initially, I ordered the wrong size--too small, which is easy to do if you don't know that Scarpa generally runs a tad smaller than other shoes--namely, Five ten. I wear a street shoe size 12.5-13 and a Five ten guide tennie size 12 for a snug (performance) fit. The Zen is sized European, and therefore not a direct conversion to US sizing. That being said, converting Scarpa's size to US, can be challenging if you're not familiar with wearing a Scarpa shoe. I'd have to say that the Zens run about one size smaller than Five ten. Originally, I ordered a size 46 in the Scarpa, but returned it for a size 47, and I am really glad I did; they now fit perfectly--like a glove. Lastly, I wear custom (soft) orthotics, and these shoes allow for this nicely.

Unanswered Question

Anyone know how the Zen compares in fit...

Keith Boyd

Member since 
Posted on

Anyone know how the Zen compares in fit to the Scarpa Epic? Its very rare that I find a shoe that fits my very narrow feet as well as the Epic, though I have to lace them almost as tight as they'll go and replace the insoles with Montrail Enduro-soles for arch support. Thanks. Keith

5 5

Coryander the Great Denning

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

I love these for hikes that involve easy to serious scrambling. They are very sticky on rock but if your wall climbing I would get a rock shoe not approach/scrambling shoe. These fit me very well and are very comfy, I hiked in these for 11 miles and my feet were happy.

Lovely

Is this shoe basically like the bottom...

Logan F. Crooks

Member since 
Posted on

Is this shoe basically like the bottom half of a Scarpa Kailash?

Wally Phillips

Member since 
Groups:
Best Answer Responded on

Hey Logan F. Crooks,

Good question. The bottom of the Scarpa Zen Multisport Shoe - Men's and the Scarpa Kailash are different as they both use different sole treads from VIBRAM and the Zen has EVA cushioning while the Kailash uses the sole only for cushion. Also, the Kailash has a smaller toe rand on the end than the Zen as the Zen can be used as an approach shoe while the Kailash is more for backpacking.

4 5

efh5619620

Member since 

Sturdy, supportive hiking shoes. Lace to toe gives custom fit. Very comfortable. Could use a tongue gusset to keep trash out. I have only had them a month (worn almost every day for a few hours), but they look as if they will last a long time. Heavier and tougher than trail runners. Good value for the money, I think.

5 5

rob2139966

Member since 

These shoes are without question the best built shoes I have had on my feet for many years. It seems that many shoes lately are thrown together. Like they didn't get all the pieces glued just right. Well not with these, they may be a tad heavier but you can tell your feet are completely supported.

Do they run true to size, or are they...

rum4145472

Member since 
Posted on

Do they run true to size, or are they narrow?

Michael Gurtman

Member since 
Responded on

I feel they are a tad narrow.

Paul Nanawa

Member since 
Responded on

They feel average width to me. I have a wide foot and am able to get a comfortable fit in these. The lacing to the toe really allows for a lot of adjustment.

5 5

Michael Gurtman

Member since 

I purchased these in 2009 and have put them to work. These are light, comfortable and durable.

How stiff are they (in the forefoot flex)?...

Stzzo

Member since 
Posted on

How stiff are they (in the forefoot flex)? I'm looking for something on the stiffer side to reduce forefoot pain, with a nylon shank. Can't find anything about "P-flex" online.

Paul Nanawa

Member since 
Best Answer Responded on

I've found these to be really stiff for a low cut shoe. These are actually my go to backpacking shoe because I don't feel I need a high top and most low cuts are too soft underfoot. These are perfect.

5 5

ciscooyagu2193584

Member since 

It is very light approach shoes that still perform very well. I was looking for a comparable shoe but is been difficult to find a shoe that is as light a durable. I wore this shoe every day for 2 years and I was completely happy with them (after 2 years the leather on the side ripped). Since I could not find another shoe that was comparable to it I decided to buy another pair.

Anyone know how these compare to the Five...

jow4064148

Member since 
Posted on

Anyone know how these compare to the Five Ten Guide Tennie? I have the Guides and I love them, but I'm always looking for alternatives.

-Joe

Is the Scarpa Zen suede or Bubuck,

A Brown

Member since 
Posted on

Is the Scarpa Zen suede or Bubuck,

Ryan Hamilton

Member since 
Responded on

I believe its nubuck. Seemed to be a good sturdy upper.

Mark

Member since 
Responded on

Suede

5 5

brian kelley

Member since 

Cant say enough about this shoe! Good approach, but a way better hiker in my opinion. Great on slick granite!

3 5

hikerX

Member since 

Nice looking shoe and good construction.
I found the fit to be a little snug across the instep due to an overly padded tongue.

Where are these shoes made?

scarymaninbushes

Member since 
Posted on

Where are these shoes made?

Member since 
Responded on

These are made in China

Kirk Haskell

Member since 
Groups:
Responded on

Scary man.. Elise is incorrect . These shoes are made in our Italian Factory ..so Italian made.

Kirk Haskell

Member since 
Groups:
Responded on

Scary man.. Elise is incorrect . These shoes are made in our Italian Factory ..so Italian made.

scarymaninbushes

Member since 
Responded on

Okay, I am thoroughly confused. Amazon sez made in CHINA!!

scarymaninbushes

Member since 
Responded on

Okay, the final answer is Romania (size 44.5 purchased from REI).

58g4738445

Member since 
Responded on

Just bought a pair. Made in Romania.

View all contributions... Be patient, it might take a while.