Scarpa Epic

The Scarpa Epic shoes are the type of footwear that are rather hard to categorize. Are they hikers? Trail runners? Approach shoes? Really, I don't know, nor do I care what they're called. They are comfortable and light, which is what I was looking for.

Unless I'm planning a backpacking trip where I know I'm going to be carrying some weight (more than 15 or 20 lbs) I like a shoe with multiple personalities. I usually start wearing this type of footwear as a casual, everyday shoe. Where it around the property, where it in town to shop or eat.  

After a few months of that it "graduates" to car camping and light hiking trips. I know they are not made for 20 miles a day over rock and scree and swamp with a multi-day pack on your back, and I don't ask that of them.  

I've had the shoes at least 6 months now and these are the first Scarpa brand shoes I've owned. I can say I usually wear Salomon footwear but I bought these based on Scarpa's reputation and the price was right.  

Going through the Trailspace check list, I feel the fit is right on the money, though ever so slightly narrow for my foot. Not uncomfortably narrow, just one of those things I notice when first putting them on and 15 minutes later have forgotten about. The lacing does help to adjust the fit and Scarpa's method of fit adjustment is quite effective. 

No break-in was needed. These shoes never had any hot spots or pinch points for me. 

So far I have used these shoes as described above, ie, around the house and around town as well as some day hiking with a light daypack in Rocky Mountain National Park and in the sweaty woods of East Texas. They have proved to have good "breathability" and temperature control hasn't been a problem. I haven't had them out in any nasty wintry type weather so I can't comment on their waterproofness. In tall grass with heavy dew I haven't had an issue with them wetting through. 

All in all I'm happy with the Scarpa Epic Trail Running/Light Hiking/Casual wear shoe, and if the fit works with your foot shape I think you'll be happy.