Durable and Versatile: Scarpa Golden Gate LT Review

Nothing ruins a backpacking trip faster than blisters, and as someone who always tends to get them, I was nervous before my 96-mile hike along the Oregon Coast Trail. I was testing a new pair of trail runners — Scarpa’s Golden Gate LT — and brought a substantial first-aid kit for when blisters inevitably formed on my feet.

And yet, to my surprise, on the entire 7-day trip, which involved a 36-hour straight rainstorm and soaking-wet shoes, I never got a single one. I don’t know whether it was the shape, design, or fabric of the Scarpa shoes — or maybe it was my socks — that prevented blisters, but based on this experience, I won’t be deviating from my Smartwool sock-and-Scarpa shoe combo any time soon.

Scarpa put out the Golden Gate LT ($149) as a lightweight, performance-oriented version of its popular Golden Gate ATR trail runner. The new lug pattern gives the shoe standout traction, and it ditches the PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” that are in the original shoe.

In short: For hikers who prefer the nimble nature of a trail runner but want extra grip and stability, the Scarpa Golden Gate LT is an excellent choice. It offers all-day comfort from the road to the mountain, and can handle any conditions the trail throws at it. While technically trail-running shoes, I tested these mostly as hiking shoes on a long, rugged adventure. I did run in the shoes, but this review focuses on their use as hikers.

Compare the Scarpa Golden Gate LT with others in our guides to the best hiking shoes and best trail runners.

Scarpa Golden Gate LT Review

Design and Features

In designing the Golden Gate LT, Scarpa tweaked several elements of the Golden Gate ATR. It added a stretchy fabric into the tongue for a “sock-like fit” without any extra bulk. The upper is made with “Eco Mesh” and is reinforced at several points with TPU (a bendable plastic) for extra durability. Unlike the ATR, this shoe is not made with PFAS. For those concerned about the possible environmental effects of forever chemicals, this is worth noting.

The Golden Gate LT has a 6mm drop. This amount of drop is right between a low drop and regular drop shoes; 6 mm is usually the cut-off, making this shoe a good fit for most runners.

A single shoe (in size EU 38) weighs 8.5 ounces. This is lighter than HOKA’s Speedgoat 7 (9.7 ounces) or Nike’s Kiger 10 (9.8 ounces). For folks who are willing to sacrifice a bit of cushioning for a lighter, more responsive shoe, the Golden Gate LT is worth considering.

Comfort and Fit

I usually wear a women’s 9.5 (EU 40) in street shoes, and sized up to a 10 (EU 42) for the Golden Gate LTs, and this was the right choice. I had a bit of extra toe room in the front, but not so much that I felt like I was sliding around. I have narrow feet, and I found the fit on these shoes quite secure. Those with wider toe boxes should probably stick with brands like Altras and Topo Designs.

On an everyday level, the Scarpas were quite comfortable. I’m a coach for a youth climbing team and wore them during practice, since I’m always on my feet and moving around. I also wore them on long travel days in the airport, and my feet were happy.

On the trail was a different story, and it’s hard to say why. At the end of each of my backpacking days, which ranged from 13 to 26 miles in length, my feet were tired, achy, and sore to the point that I was hobbling once I got to camp. I would put on my camp sandals and then slowly shuffle along, wincing, as I set up my tent. For all those aches, however, I didn’t get blisters.

I can’t say for sure it’s the shoes’ fault. I do believe that no matter what shoes I wore, my feet would have been sore after hiking a literal marathon with a 40-pound pack on my back. The Oregon Coast Trail also had a fair amount of road walking, and asphalt is definitely harder on the feet than dirt.

Scarpa says the Golden Gate LT has only a moderate amount of cushioning, and maybe that’s why my feet hurt so much at the end of every day. I think it is safe to say that the Golden Gate LT is not the shoe to wear while carrying heavy loads.

My pack was pretty stuffed and heavy because I was testing a bunch of products for GearJunkie. Had it been lighter, I doubt I would’ve been in as much misery. The Golden Gate LT is a better choice for ultra-lighters and day hikers who aren’t carrying as much gear.

Traction and Durability

I feel confident saying I put these shoes through the wringer. On one of my days backpacking in Oregon, the trail I was on suddenly disappeared. A massive landslide had wiped out the entire trail, leaving dead trees and debris everywhere. I used my offline maps to navigate back to the main road, which involved an hour of bushwhacking and climbing over massive dead spruce trees.

The dead wood was wet and slippery, but the shoe’s wide, blocky lugs helped keep me upright. I easily could have slipped and hurt myself as I traversed down a ravine to the road, but I was really able to trust the grip of the Golden Gate LTs. Later on during my hike, I descended around 3,000 feet in around 2 miles on an uneven trail with loose rock. I never slipped or felt unsure of my footing.

I would estimate that I’ve put around 130 miles on these shoes, and overall, they’ve held up pretty well. The lugs are barely worn down, and there are no tears or damage to the mesh upper.

The foam on the outsole has a few scratches in it, but nothing that appears more than cosmetic. The mud and rain has definitely stained the white of the shoes, but that’s not a big deal.

Breathability and Weather Resistance

Waterproofing on shoes tends to be a double-edged sword. Waterproof shoes might keep out moisture, but they also tend to perform poorly in terms of breathability. The Golden Gate LTs have no weather-proofing, but they dried pretty quickly. I mistimed a small hop over a stream and got my feet pretty damp, but within a few hours of walking, the shoes were almost back to normal.

During the last 2 days of my trip, it rained nonstop, and my shoes got seriously soaked. At night, I took out the insoles and stuffed the shoes with paper towels I had gotten from a public bathroom. By the next morning, they were still a bit damp, but I was impressed by how much they dried overnight.

When it comes to breathability, the Scarpas also excelled. I live in the Midwest, and it’s been a boiling-hot, humid summer. Even with temperatures in the triple digits, my feet didn’t sweat much on runs or walks with my dog. The mesh fabric on the upper allows for a good amount of airflow.

A Note on Price

The Golden Gate LT retails for $149, $20 less than the ATR version. Comparing this shoe to our picks for best trail runners, the Golden Gate LT is definitely on the lower end of the price scale. The Salomon S/LAB Ultra Glide 2 costs $250, and Nike’s Kiger 10 costs $170.

The Scarpa model aligns well with the popular Altra Lone Peak 9 trail runner, which goes for $145. Given the current landscape, a durable trail running shoe like this one for under $150 seems like a decent deal.

Scarpa Golden Gate LT: Who Is It For?

I’ll take breathability over waterproofing any day, and this shoe is one of the most breathable in my arsenal. For backpackers like me who aren’t ultralighters (I will always bring a novel with me), the Golden Gate LT may not provide enough cushion and support for long days with heavy packs. The toe box isn’t the roomiest, so those with wide feet may want to think twice.

I am not a diehard runner, and I don’t care about my 5K time. I’d consider myself an active, outdoorsy person who is more likely to hike than run, and this shoe was a great fit for me. It can take on seriously rugged, rough trails, with traction I can count on. Whether it’s day hikes, backpacking trips, park runs, or long travel days, I’m confident that this versatile shoe can handle it, all at a reasonable price.