Our verdict
A grippy, toe-hooking champ—this is how many describe the Booster from Scarpa. Those who snag this great-fitting offering also consider it a fantastic conqueror of edges, whether big or small. That said, its enticing pros hide behind its equally blinding asking price. Senders who are on a tight budget, however, are advised to look elsewhere.
Pros
- Ultra-expensive piece of gear
- Satisfying fit
- Remarkable underfoot grip
- Excellent toe hooks
- Super dependable closure system
- Incredibly sensitive
Cons
- Ultra-expensive piece of gear
- Not very reassuring on the heel-hooking front
Who should buy the Scarpa Booster
The Scarpa Booster has all the trappings of what makes climbing shoes exemplary. It is a solid option if you:
- Prefer a climbing shoe that is built with a combination of responsiveness, precision, supportiveness, and power in mind.
- Why trust us.
- Super dependable closure system.
Updates to Scarpa Booster
- The Scarpa Booster is built with a combination of responsiveness, precision, supportiveness, and power in mind. It is the updated version of the Booster S.
- Compared with its former self, the Booster has a burlier build. This is evident in the construction of its adjustable straps, which are noticeably broader. Its toe patch also covers more toe space than the Booster S’.
- Scarpa designers engineered it around a new last. This particular last leaves the shoe with a narrower heel region but with a slightly wider forefoot zone.
- The Booster’s upper now comes imbued with ceramic microfiber and Alcantara coating. The former delivers ample abrasion resistance without adding much to the shoe’s overall weight. The latter, on the other hand, bolsters the shoe’s durability.
- New in this refreshed model is a strip of heavy-duty rubber attached to its grippy heel. Its presence delivers additional purchases where heel hooking is required.
- The Booster does away with the Booster S’ Tri-Tension system. In its place is the DTS-Tension system, which drives the foot forward, granting the user improved toeing capabilities with less effort.
- It inherits the previous model’s Flexan midsole. This time around, however, it has a fuller construction, making the featured rock climbing shoe stiffer which enhances support.
Profile
Downturn. The Booster from Scarpa has an aggressive downturn. With it, senders can land a secure footing on tricky projections, such as micro-edges, chips, and sags. This type of downward camber helps the wearer toe into slots with as little lower leg strain as possible. Note that Same brand only Same brand only.
Applications. Sport-type ascents and bouldering are the types of climbs for which the Booster is made. It scales steep terrain and overhangs. It can be used both in the gym and outdoors.
Fit
The Scarpa Booster is a below-the-ankle rock climbing shoe for men and women (unisex). Climbers from the female gender camp are advised to get it in a full size smaller than their sneaker size for a snug fit.
Its interior has a high asymmetry, which means the foot will bend inward in it. Scarpa designers engineered it around a new last, leaving the shoe with a narrower heel region but with a slightly wider forefoot zone. For fit management, Scarpa shoemakers equipped it with a highly customizable Velcro closure.
Excellent surface adherence
The Booster comes equipped with Vibram’s XS Grip 2 outsole for surface adherence. Compared with its numberless predecessor—the XS Grip—this updated component doubles down on slip resistance with a kind of rigidity that enhances performance on edges.
Provides extra flexibility
This sticky layer is 3.5 mm in thickness. The three holes lined up vertically at its center allow for extra flexibility, giving users more mobility options as a result.
Supportive underfoot cushioning
When it comes to support, the Scarpa Booster relies on its proprietary Flexan midsole. It covers a wider area underfoot compared with the Booster S’. It still has an overall thickness of 1 mm, however.
Easy to wear
Enveloping the foot in the Scarpa Booster is a low-top synthetic upper, which is made with a combination of Alcantara fabric and ceramic micro-suede. It has a pair of pull loops at the heel that expedites on and off.
Lateral grip and hooking security
Its rear region (arch + heel) is adequately randed for lateral grip and hooking security. The shoe’s forefoot, on the other hand, comes with a rubber rand and a textured toe patch which ensures toe-hooking traction.
Scarpa Booster's lacing system
The Booster’s fit management system consists primarily of two straps engineered in opposing directions. These straps are built with hook-and-loop (Velcro) fasteners for adjustability.
Scarpa Booster vs. Boostic
The Booster is one of the most sought-after rock shoes Scarpa has ever produced. That said, it shares prestige with the Boostic—arguably yet another Scarpa favorite. The following points will discuss a few of their differences.
Weight. The Booster is about 5 g lighter than the Scarpa Boostic.
Outsole technology. As previously stated (see: Outsole), the Booster sports the long-wearing Vibram XS Grip 2 outsole. Its competitor, on the other hand, is furnished with XS Edge (also a Vibram product). The one in the featured shoe is thinner than the Boostic’s by approximately 0.5 mm.
Nice to know
-The Booster is one of Scarpa’s vegan-friendly kicks. Climbing shoes of this sort are made up of animal-free components.
