SCARPA Spin Infinity – Test and Review

The Italian Company SCARPA was a new brand to me in terms of the ultra-running shoe, as any previous experience with SCARPA had been mainly with mountainous equipment, so to trial and review the SCARPA Spin Infinity trail running shoe was an exciting prospect and something I really looked forward to.

Before trialling the shoe, I researched the main attributes to better understand what I could expect. My research told me that that the Spin Infinity is a trail running shoe made with long days in the mountains in mind.  My normal ‘go to shoe’ (HOKAs Speedgoat 4s) is similar in design, however I found the Spin Infinity a lot more shoe with the firm cushioning, versatility, and added stability.

As with my normal running shoes, the Spin Infinity has a 4 mm drop conducive to my stride type. The shoe has a substantial stack heigh, 35 mm at the heel and 31 mm at the forefoot and weighs 10.7 ounces for the men’s size 9 which is in part due to the stack height.

The additional bulk allows the shoe to provide adequate protection for the runner to spend many consecutive hours on their feet. Its obvious that the shoe is an exceptionally high-mileage shoe, especially for those with a high-volume foot that doesn’t require a wide toe-box. Don’t however be put off by the wide toe-box, as I normally opt for this feature on my running shoes but have experienced no issue with the design so far as I simply sized up to cater for the tapered toe-box design.

The Scarpa Spin Infinity upper has a pretend-sock-like feel with a good snug fit on top, in the toebox, and in the heel. The simple, symmetrical, and reinforced heel is deep and secure. The upper uses a dual-mesh system with an inner mesh that attaches the midsole to a padded and fully gusseted tongue.

The laced section does not allow for the ‘lock lace’ method I normally use but this doesn’t detract from the shoe as the laces can be tucked away.

My foot shape (wide) did leave moderate room on both the lateral and medial sides of the midfoot. The internal mesh extends to the toebox, which is breathable and performed well in the cold but unfortunately struggled to drain as well during the wet muddy days. The trial was conducted in November so I’m unable to comment on the breathability during warmer weather, but I would guess the mesh sections would allow for adequate ventilation. The crossed overlays at the forefoot gave extra security for my foot even though I would normally opt for a wider toebox.

As a heavier runner I especially liked the Spin Infinity’s Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA) midsole coupled with ample cushioning which was more than capable of dampening my impact throughout the gait cycle. The bottom layer is less dense and softer with shock absorption qualities. The upper foam is firmer for support and stability. The combinations of EVA and other absorption qualities offered a complete platform of flexibility, stiffness, compression resistance, and waterproof traits. Lastly, on top of the midsole sits an OrthoLite insole, adding another layer of absorption material to further enhance the resistance to compression.

With ample grip, supreme comfort and sticky traction designed to last even longer, the Scarpa Spin infinity is the perfect choice for both training and racing.  Suitable for all distances and almost every type of terrain, this is the ultimate shoe for big trail miles. The perfect choice for beginners to elite level and those runners who just want one trail shoe to do it all.

After over 100 miles over varying terrain, I can confidently say the Scarpa Spin Infinity is a well-made firmly cushioned shoe with durability and stamina.  The protection and stability it offered me throughout the trialling period was surprising. It’s a great all-round shoe which I would have no hesitancy in purchasing again, the shoe is fantastic value at this price point and I would happily recommend it not only to novice trail runners, but also to those with more experience who are looking for an affordable trail running shoe.

You can check out the Scarpa Spin Infinity mens edition at https://www.scarpa.co.uk/running-shoes/spin-infinity/ or the ladies version at https://www.scarpa.co.uk/running-shoes/spin-infinity-wmn/

Test and review by Ryan Black