Scarpa

Scarpa : an Italian story

Società Calzaturiera Asolana Riunita Pedemontana Anonima. Better known today by the acronym Scarpa, the name of this famous Italian shoe brand means "associated shoe manufacturing company from the mountainous region of Asolo". Originating from northern Italy, this company was founded in 1938 in the foothills of the Dolomites between Asolo and Montebelluna. This region is renowned today for the beauty of its mountain ranges, but also for the quality of the shoes produced there, with Scarpa being a local emblem. At that time, Scarpa's intention was to gather all the best shoemakers in the region to create the best mountain shoes possible. Scarpa is also the story of Luigi Parisotto, who was immersed in shoe making from a young age; he was only 11 years old in 1940 when he crafted his first models. At 13, he began working for Scarpa alongside the other shoemakers of the time. Then, at 21, he opened his own shoe manufacturing company, S. Giorgio, with the help of his brothers, where he would design about fifteen pairs a day known for their comfort and durability. With his expertise and the quality of his shoes, he managed to save enough money so that in 1956, with the help of his family and three of his brothers, he could make a buyout proposal to Scarpa. As you might guess, the offer was accepted, and Scarpa brought together 17 expert shoemakers in its first year of acquisition, producing 50 to 60 pairs a day. Gradually, the number of shoemakers grew alongside the quality of the shoes, and they soon became known beyond their small region in northern Italy. Today, the Scarpa brand is internationally renowned because it has continued to innovate year after year, particularly positioning itself in the climbing and mountaineering markets, which were underdeveloped at the time. In 1965, nine years after Scarpa was acquired by Luigi Parisotto, the brand exported for the first time across the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the first brand from the Asolo region to set foot in the United States. In 1970, still on a quest for summits and extreme cold, Scarpa launched the Vega, a mountaineering shoe model that was so well received that it was worn on expeditions in the Himalayas as well as Antarctica and found its way onto the feet of several European and American armies. Always in search of technological advancement, Scarpa was the first brand to integrate Gore-Tex membranes into its shoes and to offer, among others, versatile telemark shoes. This passion and sense of creation continue to this day, as the Parisotto family remains at the helm of the company. Pushing the limits of the sports they equip, they offer models for hiking, trekking, mountaineering, climbing, skiing, and even alpine running/trail running. Since 2005, with a headquarters in the United States, the brand continues its development in parallel on the American continent, and there is no doubt that their story is far from over; it remains to be seen how far they can go. At the intersection of a passion for sport and footwear, performance is born through Scarpa!

Scarpa: exploring all horizons

As we began to mention earlier, Scarpa is now specialized in various sports practices. Having come a long way since its beginnings with shoes that were as heavy as they were durable, they now offer models that are both lightweight and comfortable for practices as diverse as skiing and trail running. To tackle snowy slopes, Scarpa has developed shoe models for Telemark (a pioneering field where they remain a current reference), as well as for ski touring or freeride with the highly regarded Maestrale XT model. Designed for demanding ascents, but especially for the steepest faces on the planet, they are an example of rigor. Now, in terms of climbing, the choice is vast, but models like the Scarpa Instinct VSR or the Scarpa Furia S still resonate in climbers' minds as a reference in the field, and the Scarpa Origin appears to be one of the best solutions for beginners. As for mountaineering, we touch upon Scarpa's area of expertise. Selecting models is no easy task as their shoes are as diverse as they are sought after. From the iconic Scarpa Mont Blanc Pro GTX to the extreme Scarpa Phantom 8000, there are shoes for all altitude practices. In recent years, Scarpa has once again made strides in comfort and lightness, particularly with the Scarpa Ribelle Tech HD, a revolutionary mountaineering shoe designed for ultra-light expeditions. In the hiking segment, you will find products like the Scarpa Mojito Hike GTX or the Scarpa Mistral GTX, which are excellent compromises for one to several day hikes. When it comes to trail running, Scarpa has recently made a big splash with models like the Scarpa Spin RS 8 or the Scarpa Proton XT, both recognized for their lightness and dynamism. It is worth noting that some pairs will be more versatile thanks to the addition of a Gore-Tex membrane, as is the case with the Scarpa Neutron 2 GTX. Lastly, let’s remember that there are many user-favored models available at Scarpa. Regardless of the practice, segment, or specific shoe feature you are looking for, they manage to meet nearly all conceivable expectations. We have mentioned the big names in each of the relevant categories so far. Now, if there is one single shoe model that embodies the brand's reputation, if we had to name just one, an inseparable model from the Italian giant, only one name comes to mind: the Scarpa Mojito. A multifunctional approach shoe, it has been favored for years and continues to delight its users. To transport you from the city to the mountains, transitioning from pavement to technical trails, no one does it better than it. If you have never tried it, beware, you might end up buying it!

Scarpa: find the brand on Hardloop

Now, you are up to speed on the history and wide range of Scarpa products. And if this family story began over 80 years ago in the remote regions of northern Italy, it continues today online at Hardloop. We take your comfort in the mountains very seriously, which is why we strive to offer you the best products available. You might think it’s easy to choose products from a brand that seems to have no missteps in its field. That’s only half true. Indeed, to help you make the best choices, our experts have pre-selected Scarpa shoe models that, in their opinion, boast versatile use and are ideal for your outings. A selection that will allow you to enjoy the best of what the brand has to offer and guide you towards your final choice. To do this, here are some models available with us that we highly recommend, each in their respective area of use. 

Hiking/trekking: Scarpa ZG Trek GTX: comfortable, precise, and above all very durable, it will be suitable for your longest treks without ever failing. Equipped with a Gore-Tex membrane, face the elements and move forward without delay! 

Climbing: Scarpa Vapor V: neither too beginner nor too exclusive, it constitutes a very good compromise for climbing with precision, grip, and stability. 

Mountaineering: Scarpa Phantom Tech HD: covering, protective, and highly performant, it is an excellent shoe for reaching summits above 4,000 m.

Trail-running: Scarpa Spin Ultra: a shoe with which you will go fast, go far, but above all, go well! Grippy Vibram sole, lightweight construction, and cushioning as comfortable as it is dynamic, it is designed for the terrain.

Ski: Scarpa F1: devouring the ascent, it offers you total control on the descent. Packed with technology, BOA tightening, Recco reflector, Vibram sole, it will allow you to achieve unexpected performances, taking your ski outings to the next level.