I’ve walked over 100,000 steps in the Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX — and they’re some of the most comfortable and grippy shoes I’ve tested so far

The importance of a comfortable and durable pair of shoes can’t be overstated, whether you’re climbing a mountain or traveling across the world. Having walked 100,000 steps in the Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX and flown halfway across the world in them, I can confirm these are some of the best hiking boots around.

The Ribelle Cross 2 GTX provides excellent support, flex, grip and traction on most wet and dry surfaces. They’re extremely comfortable and breathable, making them great for cold and hot climates alike — trust me, I’ve worn them in 104°F / 40°C Indian heat! Thanks to Gore-Tex fabric, they’re highly waterproof and quick to dry, too. As long as you don’t mind the short break-in period and the slightly narrow fit, these could be an awesome choice for your next hike.

For the complete breakdown, read my full Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX review.

Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX review: Specs

Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX review: Price & availability

The Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX are well-priced hiking shoes, available for $189 / £160 at Amazon. They’re available in a range of sizes for men and women. Men can grab the shoes in U.S. sizes 4.5 to 9 or U.K. sizes 7 to 13, while women can get them in U.S. sizes 5.5 to 10 or U.K. sizes 4 to 8. Half sizes are available for both, too.

On its official website, Scarpa says the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX have a medium ‘last’ — so the shoes have a balanced width and volume and should fit average feet without being too narrow or wide. That’s great for most people but means they won’t be ideal for those with wide feet.

The Ribelle Cross 2 GTX comes in a few colors. Men can get the shoes in Black/Olive or Fog Beige, while women can grab them in Dark Gray/Purple, White/Orchid, or Fog/Aqua Green.

As mid-range shoes, the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX are priced similarly to the Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof ($185) and slightly pricier than the Keen Targhee IV ($169), the Merrell Moab Speed 2 ($140) and the Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry ($160). The Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX are worth the extra spend if you want hardcore hiking shoes that provide peerless traction on a variety of surfaces.

Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX review: Design

Beauty is subjective, and you might find something pretty that I personally don’t, and vice versa, but I think the Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX are really good-looking shoes. They look rugged with their low-cut silhouette and clean, angular lines. The colors available feel modern and striking too. I tried the Fog/Aqua Green model, which utilizes a combination of beige and teal green, and I think the shoes look fantastic.

Chunky soles with deep, aggressive lugs make the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX look and feel like hardcore hiking and trail shoes. In my opinion, they look much better than the Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry, whose design wasn’t my cup of tea. I also like the Scarpa branding on the side of each shoe as it doesn’t look too garish — or too minimal like on the Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof.

You’re getting your money’s worth with the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX, as they feel extremely well-built and durable. They’re also supremely breathable, so they can be worn all year round — unlike the Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry, which feels slightly suffocating around your feet. They run a little narrow, though, which was fine for my size seven feet, but may not be ideal for those with wide feet. I’d recommend the Keen Targhee IV ($169) or any of the brand’s Original fit boots with wide toe boxes.

Having walked nearly 40 miles in the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX and worn them during a long-haul flight, I can confidently say they’re some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. The upper is made of breathable mesh and TPU overlays, both of which add structure and stability to the shoes. The laces are made of durable synthetic technical cord, and they haven’t come undone at any point during my testing.

One thing to note is that there is a bit of a break-in period with the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX. I found them slightly uncomfortable when I wore them for the first time, and it took about a week for my feet to feel fully comfortable.

The Ribelle Cross 2 GTX’s insoles and midsoles are made of dual-density EVA which features a soft layer for cushioning and a firmer layer for support and stability. This material doesn’t feel as bouncy or springy as Columbia’s Techlite+ cushioning in the Tellurix Titanium OutDry, but the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX features better shock absorption and support.

According to Scarpa, its in-house PRESA HIK-06 outsole, used here, is held together with SuperGum rubber — this is all “engineered to provide maximum comfort during medium to long mountain hikes, adaptable to trails of varying technical difficulty.” The outsole is further bolstered by the pronounced 6mm multi-directional lugs which provide maximum bite on steep, wet, or muddy ground.

Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX review: Performance

The Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX are exceptional walking, hiking, and everyday shoes, and having worn them for a month, they haven’t given me loads to complain about. Regardless of the terrain or weather I tackled, the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX didn’t let me down.

Water & hiking

The Ribelle Cross 2 GTX are some of the grippiest shoes I’ve worn so far, and that’s down to their 6mm multi-directional lugs which provide phenomenal traction on wet, muddy and dry ground alike. To test the shoes, I first went on a hike in the U.K., and I appreciated the tread on the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX. I was able to maintain my balance and footing on gravel, mud and occasionally slippery rocks, too.

Steep inclines felt like a walk in the park, as the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX offers lots of flex in the forefoot. The shoes didn’t feel too stiff (after the initial break-in period, at least) and bent easily around the front, which helped me find my footing easily while climbing up elevated surfaces.

I tested the Gore-Tex waterproofing during thunderstorms and heavy rain when visiting family in India. I was pleased that no water made its way through to my socks and feet, even when I was walking through puddles. My trousers may have gotten drenched, but my feet certainly didn’t. The shoes are quick to dry, too.

The Ribelle Cross 2 GTX are low-cut shoes, so I wouldn’t recommend dipping your feet into ankle-high puddles or streams, as water will certainly make its way in. You may want to consider mid-cut hiking boots for extremely wet conditions instead, like the Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof — or the Ribelle Cross 2 Mid, if you really love the design.

Everyday

As I mentioned earlier, I wore the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX on two 9-hour flights. Feet have a tendency to swell on planes due to reduced cabin pressure, gravity and prolonged sitting, and even if mine did, I didn’t feel any discomfort thanks to my comfy Scarpas. Sprinting across airports felt effortless too, thanks to each shoe weighing just 12.5oz.

I’ve also worn the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX extensively in urban landscapes and concrete paths on my way to and from work. I’ve been able to stand on my feet for hours without getting any blisters or feeling pain in my muscles. The Ribelle Cross 2 GTX look sleek too, so they don’t feel out of place in the city. Even in 104°F / 40°C Indian heat, with the concrete probably being an even higher temperature, I still felt like my feet could breathe.

Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX review: Maintenance

Scarpa provides extensive instructions on how to maintain its shoes. As per the instructions (which I found easy to follow), I used a nylon brush to remove any mud on the outside. The best way to do so is by removing the shoelaces, which I did, to ensure I got into every nook and cranny. To remove mud, I used warm water (not boiling), and it proved to be very effective. If you want to remove embedded dirt particles, you should use a spray-based cleaner (though I didn’t need to do so).

Scarpa also recommends cleaning the linings of your shoes with a warm damp cloth after each use to increase the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX’s lifespan. If you want to re-waterproof your shoes, you should apply re-proofer when your shoes have been cleaned and dried completely. I didn’t need to do this as I’d only been wearing the shoes for a month by the time I wrote this review.

If you aren’t happy with your shoes, Scarpa offers free 60-day returns, and all shoes come with a 2-year warranty in the U.K. and a 1-year warranty in the U.S. (terms and conditions applied, naturally).

Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX review: Verdict

If you want a comfortable and reliable pair of hiking shoes that doesn’t feel out of place in cities either, I can’t recommend the Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX enough. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed wearing and testing them. They provide phenomenal traction on wet, dry, and muddy surfaces, and thanks to their breathable design, they’re great for all kinds of weather.

Once you get through the short break-in period, the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX feels supremely comfortable to wear all day long — even over 18 hours of flights. However, I’d preface that by saying that the fit runs a little narrow, so you may want to consider alternatives from the likes of Keen if you have wide feet.

For me, though, the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX feels fantastic, and it didn’t take long for them to become part of my shoe rotation. They’re built and designed well, and they pack performance in spades — what’s not to love?