Customer Reviews Scarpa Zen

I was looking for hiking shoes that are light, comfortable, stick on all terrain, grip on wet rocks, drain and dry after a walk through a stream, and even look good for city hikes into nice corner eateries. These shoes accomplish that with some style and Vibram soles that stick. I expect these shoes to last through a year of travels into rainforests, desert rock scrambling, mountain backpacking, city walks and still feel good on my feet.

Exceptional quality and fit. Look good with shorts. Not clunky at the end of my chicken legs like some brands. :)

I chose this Scarpa because I sought a light hiking shoe that would work with my narrow foot (wear a 12 AAA). The Zen fits me well with the addition of a thicker insert and is quite comfortable. I have done short hikes on the trails around my home and along Lake Superior. It gave me good support, good comfort, and good grips on the rocks. The styling is unique and has received several compliments. The shoe is not supposed to be waterproof, but so far it has not leaked through in wet conditions. I would readily recommend these shoes to others with narrower feet.

This shoe is awesome! So comfortable! Wore them day one on a hike in the Santa Fe Wilderness, no break-in time needed. Very supportive and stable. The lacing runs all the way to the toes, so you're able to adjust the width anywhere along the foot for a custom fit. I originally ordered size 38 (men's 6) but had to return them for size 39 (men's 6.5 - I normally take a women's 7.5W). I would recommend these to anyone. Will buy a second pair - great fit & great value for the money!

They are made in Romania not in Italy but they are 100% better built, better fitting, and better quality than all the other junk built in Asia that will fall apart in just a few months. Why people buy Nikes and such when much better choices are available is beyond my comprehension as a human being! The Zen are the best running/trainning/x-country shoes I've ever bought.

These are well constructed and comfortable shoes that work for the street and light hiking. For a geezer like me the sticky, non-slip sole gives me a sense of security and the toe box is generous for those with larger feet. The water resistance was not an issue in my decision to purchase these but if you are searching for waterproof shoes these are not the ones. Overall these are good looking and accommodating shoes for everyday wear.

These are one of the best fitting shoes I've ever tried on (though the Asolo Mantras were also excellent). I have narrow-ish size 11 feet and like my footwear "tight". I hate having my shoes slip or roll when I walk on a side slope or having the heel move slightly with every step. If you have wide feet, these will NOT be for you. If not; try these. I only knew of Scarpa's from my long past rock climbing days; didn't even know they made anything but technical footwear. In the Zen, that heritage shows through. The lace-to-toe configuration allows for a custom fit and the sole is fairly stiff. These seem to run true to length, but I opted for a half size up, then added a thin insole to give a little more cushion since my usage won't be technical approaches, but harder pavement - however, they're still rock solid. As an added minor bonus, they don't look like big bricks at the end of my legs like my Keens do. It's extremely hard for me to find shoes and boots that fit well, and as hard as it can be to do this by mail, it's even harder to find bricks and mortar stores with enough selection to do it at all. Zappos' return policy has made me a true believer, and probably a customer for life.

Fantastic shoes! I bought three pairs (something I do when I find shoes that I love). Vibram sole makes trail walking supremely easy. They also rock for city walking. They look narrow and the sole looks thin (though it's durable), if you favor a shoe that doesn't resemble a brick on your foot (as I find most sneakers). The toe is very hard, which once spared me a sprained-possibly-broken big toe. Fantastic traction on the bottom. Only drawbacks: toe area may be a little narrow and lack of cushion and arch support in the sole (I use a non-customized orthotic in 2 pairs, no orthotic in the third). Seem reasonably water resistant despite lack of Gore tex. I've always loved the look of Scarpas.

I have wide feet and although I ordered one full size larger than normal, the two small toes on my left foot still rubbed against the inside of the shoe and I could feel the seam near these toes. No doubt this would have caused trouble, so the shoes were returned. It is important to note these shoes are designed on a European-style skinny last. It is also fair to note this shoe is designed for technical climbing situations and the laces tighten all the way to the toe so the shoes can be very snugly laced to the foot just prior to technical climbing usage. The shoes are extremely well-made. Very impressive. Wish they were available in a wider size option. Turns out Garmont makes comparable shoes which are considerably wider in D width, clearly built on a non-European-style last.

My husband bought these shoes and three other pair of causal sneaker/shoes when we went to DisneyWorld. We walked an average of 8-10 miles on concrete every day for two weeks. He ended up liking these shoes the best. His feet never hurt in these shoes and he could walk and walk. Exceeded our expectation for this shoe.

These are my go anywhere, do anything shoes. Excellently constructed for all day comfort - these shoes can take you from the office to the trail and have you back in time for dinner. The full, custom lacing system provides an excellent fit and the Vibram out soles give great stability and security on just about any terrain. I highly recommend these shoes to anyone looking for a versatile and stylish trail shoe.

In a "coals to Newcastle" scenario, I've just returned from wearing these in Italy to hike, boulder and bike-tour. Better all-around approach shoes than any I've ever worn, and almost as sticky as my Asolo Rage climbing shoes.

These are great day hikers and summit scramblers. They are perfect for Summer/Fall peak approaches and light backpacking. The firm sole protects my feet, but the Vibram is plenty sticky for third and fourth class climbing. Lastly, Zappos' exchange policy saved the day. These are great shoes!

I'm 6' and have normal to narrow feet. Usually wear a 10.5 but ordered an 11. Glad I did. Perfect fit! This is my first pair of Scarpa shoes and I must say I'm a fan. Very well made and attention to detail. It took only a few days to break in (mainly the bending point at toes). The outsole is very sticky and feels really secure on pavement or rocks. I immediately replaced my insole with Dr. Scholls running inserts. What a combo!

Very pleased with this shoe. Bought them before a 3 week trip to China and wore them all day every day. They're extremely durable and look good enough to wear to dinner and meetings. Note that they are narrow and sold by EU size. I'm typically an 11.5 / 12 with a narrow foot and the 45 was a perfect fit. The tongue has a tendency to drift to one side which is a little annoying but not uncomfortable. Heavier than a typical trail runner, but more substantial and better looking.

This was my first time ordering shoes online, very nervous about it. Thought to self, no possibility that these will be what I want/will fit. Conclusion, order from Zappos. I ordered the Zens in one half-size larger than my size, and nailed it. So they come a bit small. But these shoes are awesome looking with jeans and cargos. They are sturdy. They are leather. A shoe, that is leather, not mesh. Finally.

Well-constructed, true-to-size light hiking or casual shoe. Walked in them for days in Europe. Clearly heavier than sneakers, but much better traction and support.

I went camping for 3 days right out of the box. These are comfortable, durable, and great looking. I love how they look and perform, no blisters, and felt as good as my Scarpa climbing boots. Only suggestion would be not to use them in loose dirt or sand; they fill up easy.

Great shoe! It seems like it might takes a bit to break them in, but the best shoes/boots I ever had were the same way. The arch support is awesome and they just look good on whether in shorts or jeans. One thing I like is they make my feet look smaller. Would have given them a 5, but they feel a bit small/pinched in some areas. Again hopefully this will change after they're broke in. Very happy with my choice.

Great shoes. Super comfortable for hiking or daily wear. Handles well over uneven/sharp rocks. Good grip on steeper verticals. No problem slogging through puddles either (feet staid dry). They slip a little in deeper mud, but nothing substantial. All in all very happy with these as a pair of shoes for knocking around town or hiking through the woods.

Cool looking, comfortable and great service from Zappos!

Probably the most comfortable shoe I've had. Material quality and build are A +. Highly recommend. This shoe can stand up to the abuse.

My husband loves these shoes. He wore them daily for years. We ordered a second pair from Zappos because he needed them to look less worn for work.

Great approach shoe that is equally suited for trail use as it is stepping into a nice restaurant after a full day's hike. Beautifully crafted and a stellar performer with grippy soles and diaphragm that protects against protruding rocks yet has enough flexibility to make it comfortable. The removable insole is a nice feature too, in airing things out. Runs a little small. I would suggest stepping up a 1/2 size to accommodate for athletic socks, and a bit on the narrow side. Overall, good support for this type of shoe.

Great shoe except the top of the shoe seems to crease when the shoe bends; causes top of my foot to get sore.