Details
Brand
Scott
Heel To Toe Drop
5 mm
Breathability
6/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Racing
Key Features
• AeroFoam+• Rockplate• EVA rubber outsole• Wet traction rubber• No-sew upper• Breathable mesh material• 5mm drop
Upper
The upper uses a lightweight mesh material that protects the foot. Scott was going for a minimal approach on the upper. It uses a seamless, one-piece design that bonds the components. The closed mesh keeps debris out and keeps the foot dry. Some reviewers felt that the material, while breathable, was hot. The upper provides protection with support. However, reviewers thought that the security on the upper was lacking a bit. The tongue has a lot of padding that allows for tighter lacing without an overly snug feel. There is also a removable insole. The upper is clearly designed with performance in mind as Scott has reduced weight and added in breathability. With that in mind, reviewers were impressed with the upper.
Midsole
The Kinabalu RC midsole uses a new design that is more responsive. The midsole uses AeroFoam+, an injected light foam that has added properties for more rebound. It uses an eRide shape with a minimal curve. This is designed to help with cadence and form. The foam is also highly durable with added traction. The cushioning helps protect the foot while running on trails and other hard surfaces. Reviewers were pleased with the amount of cushioning provided on this lightweight shoe.
Outsole
The Scott Kinabalu RC outsole is designed using EVA rubber. The strong rubber is designed to withstand wear and tear from abrasive elements often found on trails. The outsole is optimized for trail running with a ton of traction. The wet traction rubber is grippy and holds up well on trail surfaces wet and dry. There is also a rockplate that protects against often rocky and debris-filled surfaces. Reviewers felt that the rockplate was a welcome addition to the shoe, as it helps during some of the more technical terrain. However, some reviewers had an issue with the rubber on the outsole peeling from the foam midsole.
Breathability
The Kinabalu RC is designed to be a more breathable shoe to help runners perform more efficiently. Keeping the foot cool and dry is a key feature that Scott has continued to upgrade. The mesh material, while some feel is a bit warm, still keeps the foot dry.
Comfort
This shoe uses features to help users run more efficiently. With that in mind, the shoe is clearly more performance-drive. Scott does its best to keep the foot comfortable. By using a comfortable, removable insole, foam cushioning and mesh material, the foot stays cool and comfortable. However, some felt that the shoe ran a little narrow, and that the shoe is not overly comfortable.
Style
The Scott Kinabalu RC is designed with the bright, wasp-like colors, of yellow and black. For those looking for a bold shoe that stands out, this is the shoe for you. It comes in a sleek design that is tailored for racers. Reviewers, however, were looking for some other options in color, as bright yellow is not necessarily everyone’s favorite.
Durability
This shoe is a highly durable shoe that is built to stand up to the wear and tear of trail running and racing. The strong outsole uses EVA rubber with a rockplate to combat rocks and debris often encountered while running on trails. The midsole uses a strong, yet light AeroFoam to provide cushioning that is built to last. In addition, the upper uses no-sew mesh that is light enough to be breathable, yet strong enough to protect the foot from debris. Reviewers only had one issue related to durability and that was with the outsole. Some had an issue with the rubber on the outsole starting to peel from the midsole.
Protection
The Scott Kinabalu RC is a trail shoe that is built to protect the foot. Starting with the rockplate, this welcome addition is meant to combat rocks and debris that runners often encounter on trails. The rockplate is meant to reduce bruising from rocks. The outsole’s strong EVA rubber also keeps the foot protected. The upper uses a no-sew mesh material that is specifically designed for trail running, so that debris does not get to the foot, keeping it safe. In addition, the foam midsole provides an added layer of protection by cushioning the foot during impact.
Responsiveness
The Kinabalu RC is designed to provide responsiveness for runners where performance is important. The shoe’s midsole uses AeroFoam+, a lightweight foam compound that is built to provide more rebound. The midsole has been updated from the Trail Rocket 2.0 to provide more traction and responsiveness, items reviewers often complained about previously. Reviewers were impressed with the updated midsole and its responsive handling, while still providing the experience of running on a trail. One reviewer noted that it had the perfect amount of responsiveness, while not bring spongey. The shoe also has a 5mm drop.
Support
The Scott Kinabalu RC offers an adequate amount of support for a trail and racing shoe. While it is not built with an overabundant amount of support, the shoe still has features that keep the foot supported and secure. The midsole has a light layer of foam that supports the foot during toe off and to help with rebound. The strong outsole is designed to support the foot during impact. The shoe uses a no-sew mesh upper to lock the foot in place. Users had mixed reviews related to support as some thought there was an adequate amount of support, while others felt that there was no lateral support.
Terrain
This shoe is designed to be used on trails for racing or training. It is built with many features that are commonly found on trail shoes. This includes the newly added rockplate that is meant to protect the foot from rocks and debris often found when running on trails. The traction on the shoe also lends itself to trail running as it is grippy when moving over various terrain. The outsole uses strong EVA rubber to withstand trail elements, while the upper uses material that protects the foot from debris. Even though the shoe is incredibly light and similar to a road-racing shoe, the Scott Kinabalu RC is definitely designed to be used on trails.
Price
The Scott Kinabalu RC is a relatively expensive shoe. However given its versatility and the upgrades that were made to its predecessor, the pricing is inline, if not a bit cheaper, than some of the other similar models on the market. Given the limited durability issues, purchasers should feel comfortable spending a bit more on the Scott Kinabalu RC.
Drop
The Scott Kinabalu RC has a 5 mm drop. This is slightly low for running shoes, but typical of trail running shoes. With the light midsole foam that uses AeroFoam+, Scott has balanced out the cushioning across the length of the shoe. Reviewers thought that the drop was a good level as it gave trail runners comfort for running while still providing the balance needed for running over rocks.
Stability
This is a trail shoe, so there is not a lot of additional stability features added to it. However, some of the features contribute to keeping the foot stable. The shoe’s upper uses no-sew mesh that is meant to hold the foot in place and uses what’s described as a stability-fit. The shoe’s outsole uses a strong EVA rubber that can keep the foot stable and protected, as it provides a good foundation while running. Purchasers that need stability built into a shoe though should look at shoes that fall into the Motion Control category, as they will get more customized options.
Flexibility
The Scott Kinabalu RC is not designed to be overly flexible. However given that it is promoted as a racing shoe, there is some level of flexibility. The no-sew mesh upper moves with the foot and allows the foot to move as needed. The lightweight foam midsole also is light enough to allow for some flexibility as the foot moves. Purchasers who are looking for more flexibility in their running shoe should look for something outside of the trail category as there is not typically as much flexibility built into the shoes.
Traction
The Scott Kinabalu RC is designed to be used on trails, so the traction on the shoe is above average. The outsole uses a wet traction rubber that is grippy and helps when running on varying terrain. While the tread is described by some as unimpressive, the shoe’s micro-studs combined with the traction rubber, improve the traction. Scott has taken the time to upgrade the shoe’s traction from its predecessor. Reviewers were impressed with the new level of traction and thought that it worked well even on wet conditions.
Bottom Line
The Scott Kinabalu RC is a lightweight trail running shoe. It is designed to be used for racing and everyday training. While versatile, this is a serious shoe for serious runners. With the low drop and limited stability and support, runners should be a bit more experienced when using this shoe. That said, Scott has designed a great shoe. They have taken all the good features from the Trail Rocket 2.0 and upgraded those that needed some tweaking. The Kinabalu RC has an upgraded upper that uses no-sew mesh material to lock the foot in place. While the upper provides needed breathability, some reviewers had an issue with the foot getting too warm on longer runs. Scott has also added a rock protection plate that is added to help trail runners keep their feet protected from stones and rocks. The midsole now uses the lightweight AeroFoam+ that is meant to provide better responsiveness and more rebound. In addition to these added features, Scott has taken the time to improve the shoe’s overall traction, and reviewers were impressed with the new level of grip on both dry and wet trail conditions. With all these upgrades, Scott still manages to provide the shoe at a price that is hands down less than many models already on the market. The only potential issue is the one color option, a bright yellow. However if style isn’t a consideration, this is the shoe for you. This trail shoe will make runners significantly faster as it is built with performance in mind.
