Review: Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR Women’s

Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR Women’s Travel to Trail running shoe

Finding that perfect pair of shoes comes with challenges. Some shoes are designed for the pro’s and are overly technical. Others are built for casual user but are missing all of the technology that make shoes great these days. The hard part is to find that pair that fits both the beginner and casual user and the pro alike. That was the goal of the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR from women. A shoe that was built to go from first timers to pro’s, and between the pavement and the trail to give the user a great experience. I asked my friend Brooke to put the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR Women’s shoes to the test and here is her review.

As a disclaimer we would like to mention that we were given this product so that we could write this review. All opinions on this page are our own and based on our own experiences with the product. we are not compensated for the opinions on this review. Your experience with the product may be different. This site uses affiliate marketing links. If you click a buy now button and make a purchase we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

About Brooke

To test the new Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR Women’s shoes, I asked my friend Brooke to lend a hand. Brooke recently hiked the Salkantay Trek in Peru. She took the Golden Gates to test them in some extreme weather. She also got to test them around the mountains of Pennsylvania to get a full feel of how they held up. Brooke writes her own website, Brookeitlist.com that you should check out! She also has done several reviews for us at FMLT including: Royal Robbins, Oboz and Mystery Ranch. Take it away, Brooke.

From Scarpa

Before getting into our review, we always like to see what the brand is saying about their product. About the Golden Gate 2 ATR, Scarpa says this on their website, “From beginners to pros, the Women’s Golden Gate 2 ATR is the perfect transitional shoe for those who spend time on the road as well as the trail.”

Here is a bit more on the specs before the review.

Specs

Price*

$169.00

Sizes*

Women: 5-11

*based on availability

Colors*

Velvet Rose/Bright Green

Weight*

Women: 7.6 oz

Features and Technology

• SIZE OPTIONS : 36 – 43 (1/2 sizes)
• WEIGHT REFERENCE : 215g; 7.6oz (½ pair size 38)
• UPPER : Mesh / Bio Print / Microfiber
• LINING : Polyester Lining
• MIDSOLE : 2D EVA-CM
• OUTSOLE : PRESA® TRN-07 / ATR Gum
• DROP : 4mm
• LAST : ATR2W
• CUSHION : High
• COUNTRY OF ORIGIN : Vietnam
• PRODUCT CODE : 33085352

Sole Technology:

1. MIDSOLE: MEDIUM/HIGH DENSITY EVA FOR SUPPORT AND THRUST RESPONSE
2. BOUNCE FOAM MIDSOLE: LOW DENSITY MIDSOLE FOR SHOCK-ABSORPTION AND REBOUND
3. OUTSOLE: PRESA OUTSOLE IN SUPERGUM COMPOUND FOR EXCELLENT GRIP AND DURABILITY ON MIXED TERRAIN

SCARPA is the first brand to integrate RECCO® into its trail products. The RECCO® reflector makes the wearer searchable for added peace of mind.

All information from Scarpa’s website and subject to change. Check the website for full details and options.

What I liked about Scarpa

This was my first time hearing about Scarpa, let alone using anything from their brand. My first initial thoughts upon picking up the hiker and checking them out was that they were simultaneously lightweight, yet felt secure/sturdy. I would go on to confirm my original thoughts were correct when I’d run up the miles on them real quick in South America and back home in the states. Here are some more details and observations about my experience with the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR’s.

Support and Sturdiness

I really made these trail runners work hard on their first go. If you’ve ever been to Cusco, Peru- you know that you will be putting in those miles getting around town. Walking is the primary way that tourists sightsee and explore the vibrant city. We put in a little over 12 miles the first two days while we were there. Think lots of cobblestone streets and steps- LOTS and LOTS of them!

From the City to the Trail!

We would later add 40+ miles collectively between the Salkantay Trek and Rainbow Mountain. While that sounds like a great adventure and was, my shoes really went through the ringer. I was able to test the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR out in multi-terrain area, both city and nature, and was impressed with the overall support they provided. I felt that was one of the biggest strengths of these shoes. Even though they are lightweight, they still provided adequate stability for all of the weight I put on every hard earned step.

I’m not sure if support came from the steady traction on it (which I will talk about more later), but I would get to see how sturdy these shoes were when we had to hike through the aftermath of rainstorms and mudslides. There was one section we just sank into the mud and I thought to myself this was going to be a miserable day with these shoes. But that wasn’t the case. The shoes held up so well considering the mud ate my shoes.

I read that the midsole balances out the tough outsole by providing a lightweight cushion. I found that statement to be very true. The entire trail my hips, legs, and knees felt good and there was no added pressure despite the mountains kicking my bum. Which is surprising considering the significant elevation gains and descents, as well as rocks/ uneven terrain.

Traction

If this photo above doesn’t give you a glimpse into what these shoes originally went through, I don’t know what will! Peru really did them dirty- literally and figuratively! Traction is an extremely important part of a shoe- and I’d argue one of the most important selling points. I have two left feet and need all of the help I get!

I hike all over the world and in particular the Northeast of the United States, as that’s where I currently reside, and it can be quite rocky and uneven. Pennsylvania didn’t get coined Rocksylvania for no reason! This is where the Golden Gate 2 ATR truly shined, besides the stability/ sturdiness aspect. According to Scarpa, their exclusive Super Gum rubber compound “was developed to provide equal or better slip resistance as compared to other high-friction rubbers but with vastly superior abrasion resistance,” and reportedly offers three times the abrasion resistance in wet and dry conditions compared to similar transitional shoes.

I can confirm this statement a million times over! The traction was a lifesaver for me on rocky and slippery hikes. Even on the super muddy parts of the Salkantay! The rubber teeth on the bottom were extremely durable and grippy.

Weight

These hikers only weigh 7.6 ounces! As I mentioned above, they are very supportive and sturdy, yet remain lightweight. I loved that they didn’t weigh my feet down in my travels enroute to Peru and on the trail. They remained light on my feet despite the pressure and strain I was putting on my body every single day. They also proved to be a good alternative to some of my other shoes in my day-to-day line up for outdoor excursions. I also love that these shoes are very easy to pack and don’t take up too much room.

Travel

These shoes are definitely a transitional shoe, as in they are great for activity, but also great to travel in. With all of the positives I mentioned above, they were extremely lightweight on my long flights. I love that when I got to Peru, I could immediately head out in town and meet my friends but also hike in them the next day. A true travel to trail shoe- for sure.

What I didn’t Like

I primarily used the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR as a hiking shoe as I do not trail run. For me, I felt that they were a bit stiffer compared to what I usually prefer to hike. I like more of a cushioned trail runner as that has always worked better for my feet. According to Scarpa, these shoes are designed as a transitional shoe between pavement running and trail running. So the design had to cover both options. For me, this didn’t allow enough flexibility on my outdoor adventures. However, I know that there are runners out there who may enjoy the added support that a stiffer shoe provides. This could be a great solution for those who trail run, but not for me and what I do.

Wrap Up of the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 Trail Runners (Brooke)

Ultimately, I appreciate the opportunity to see the contrast in shoes to what I normally wear though I don’t think this would be my go-to. It’s more rigid in its structure then I would hope for . Again- I’m a hiker so my preferences differ from someone who may be a long distance trail runner or one who wants a more rigid and sturdy structure. I’d also say that someone who does not like super cushioned shoes would love and benefit from having a shoe like this.

I think any trail runner that could hold up as well as Scarpa did with the steep slopes and elevation gains, as well as every other element and extreme environment I put it through deserves credit. My first experience with Scarpa was generally an overall positive experience. I found this trail runner to be a great middle of the road shoe. From roads to trails- it served its purpose and was well made.

More from the Fatman

For a list of other products that I have reviewed you can check my Product Review page here. If you have any products you would like me to review or any comments you can email me at fatmanlittletrails@gmail.com or you can follow me on any of the below social media platforms. Happy Hiking!