Details
Brand
Scott
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Very lightweight for a trail shoe• eRide technology• AeroFoam midsole• Smooth outsole that still provides a lot of traction control
Upper
The upper of the Trail Rocket 2.0 features both sewn and welded overlays. The forefoot includes a sewn overlay to serve as both a toe bumper and protection from wear and tear in the shoe. The rest of the shoe features welded overlays which add a hint of structure to the upper. Underneath those, the dual layer mesh allows air to move through freely. The heel collar is nicely padded for additional comfort, but the tongue does sometimes shift or cause pressure on the top of the foot, which can be uncomfortable for some runners. Generally, the upper works well to allow air to move in and out while keeping debris away from your foot.
Midsole
The midsole of the Scott Trail Rocket 2.0 features a shape that is designed to create a rocker effect, which should make for a fast heel to toe transition. This eRide technology is similar to what is used in Hoka shoes as well. It promotes a faster and more efficient stride. This is also meant to convert impact energy into a forward motion which will help you get down the trail a little faster. The AeroFoam is Scott’s specific injected EVA foam and it provides a firm yet resilient ride. Many runners notice that the low stack height and rocker shape help them achieve faster running times.
Outsole
The outsole of the Scott Trail Rocket 2.0 is very unique. It offers minimal lugs but is made of a specific wet traction rubber and provides great traction even on demanding trails. There is no rock plate on the Trail Rocket 2.0, but many runners find that the Aerofoam eliminates the need. The lug height is also low, which means the shoe can be comfortable on roads and hard surfaces, even though the durable lugs are meant to be used on technical trails. This shoe is a solid all around choice for many runners.
Breathability
The upper mesh in the Scott Trail Rocket 2.0 offers superior breathability. The overlays do not cause restriction of air movement and the shoe lends itself to running without socks. This contributes to the minimal feel. Overall, your foot will be well ventilated and cool while you are moving down the trail.
Comfort
Comfort on the trail is very important. Many times, trail shoes can be comfortable on the dirt, but when you hit hard pack or gravel, they have such large lugs that they become cumbersome. The Trail Rocket 2.0 offers smaller lugs than the average shoe and they are sparsely placed around the outsole. This means that when you are on multiple surface types during your run you will continue to be comfortable. Also, thanks to the dual density mesh that makes up most of the upper, you won’t get overheated either. Many runners find the rocker shape contributes to their comfort level as well.
Style
The Scott Trail Rocket 2.0 wasn’t built to be the prettiest shoe in the marketplace, but it has a style that is likely to appeal to many runners. Featuring the bright colors that Scott shoes are generally known for, this shoe will stand out while you are moving through the woods. The men’s is available in a bright red with a yellowish-green tongue and logo on the outer edge. The women’s version features the same yellowish-green logo and tongue but is mostly a baby blue color. Both are very attractive shoes and would serve well during general wear as well as during your next big trail race.
Durability
Scott has been in the outdoor game for quite some time, and their products get better and better over time. While their early versions of shoes were not the best, they have improved with each new version and every new year. The Trail Rocket 2.0 is an improvement over the original. It offers several benefits, but the durability is one high point for many runners. The toe box overlays at the front protect the shoe from both the elements and general wear and tear. The dual density mesh is also designed to stand up to what’s out there and last for as many miles as you can put it through.
Protection
The Scott Trail Rocket 2.0 features a large amount of protection specifically because of the tough outsole that also offers superior grip. The rocker design allows for a smooth transfer of energy from heel strike to toe off. Although this shoe offers a low heel-to-toe differential, this transition helps smooth your stride and promotes a quick step that also absorbs energy. The toe box offers additional protection with an overlay that keeps the elements away from your foot and keeps the shoe fitting well around the front of your foot.
Support
Support for the Scott Trail Rocket 2.0 comes from the midsole’s rocker shape and AeroFoam cushioning. This shoe is firm and designed to absorb shock while creating a very stable midstance position. The upper features overlays which grip the foot and hold the shoe in place well, providing additional support to the overall design. The placing of a small strap across the tongue at the lower third of the lacing attempts to fix the slippage problem that was created in previous versions of the shoe.
Terrain
The Trail Rocket 2.0 was designed to be used as a lightweight, functional trail shoe. Often, shoes designed for trail running feature large lugs that are meant to tear into the dirt to create traction. This design, on the other hand, features a smoother bottom with small and extremely effective lugs. They grip when they need to, but the overall feel of the shoe is different than some of the overbuilt maximalist options. Due to the outsole design, this shoe can function on a wider variety of terrain without feeling cumbersome.
Price
Price can make or break the decision to purchase a shoe. The Scott Trail Rocket 2.0 is sold at a price comparable to other trail shoes, such as the Inov-8 Terraclaw, while providing a slightly different and sometimes preferable platform. With design features meant to provide durability and a long-lasting product, this Scott shoe is likely going to hold up over time and provide a good value for the money spent on it.
Drop
Many runners have changed to zero drop shoes over the past few years, but some runners are looking to minimize the drop without eliminating it. The Scott Trail Rocket 2.0 can serve just that market, offering a 5mm drop from heel to toe. Instead of the higher heel height that some shoes provide, this shoe provides a good amount of cushion while keeping your foot relatively flat from back to front. For those with a heavy heel strike, this can promote a smoother step and even a midfoot style strike.
Stability
Stability in the Scott Trail Rocket comes from the rocker shape design in the midsole. This eRide technology creates a stable motion from heel strike to toe off that promotes stability and speed. This occurs specifically at midstance, as traditional running shoes have two separate parts of the outsole with raised arches in the middle. The Trail Rocket 2.0, on the other hand, has one solid bottom and provides both stability and comfort throughout the step.
Flexibility
The Scott Trail Rocket 2.0 is a firm shoe that provides some flexibility through the outsole and midsole foam. The lack of a rock plate provides a bit more flexibility than if one was present. The upper mesh contains the foot but also allows for flexibility and small adjustments throughout the run. This shoe performs similarly to many Hoka shoes while out on the trail in terms of flexibility. The rocker design is solid enough to make a difference in your stride but the shoe is flexible enough to still be comfortable.
Traction
While many companies use large lugs on the bottom of their trail shoes to create traction, Scott has chosen a different approach. With smaller lugs built into specific parts of the outsole designed to grip as needed for traction, these shoes provide a smoother run than some of the competition. This is especially true on hard packed dirt or gravel, but also is true out on the single track trail while weaving through the woods. The traction and grip are even adaptable enough to be used during road workouts. The benefit of the rocker design and the smoother outsole work together to create a unique running experience that is on par with some higher end running shoes.
Bottom Line
The Scott Trail Rocket 2.0 is a nice updated version of the original Trail Rocket. Scott has been making running shoes for over a decade after venturing out from other outdoor sports markets. This experience has led to them create better shoes with each new version that comes out. Instead of being locked into a specific style or design, Scott can explore all possible options to create the best running shoe possible. The Trail Rocket 2.0 is built upon a solid base including a tough outsole that grips even the peskiest trails.;The specific eRide rocker design creates a smooth transition between the heel strike and the toe off with each step. It also creates a solid midstance platform which helps provide stability. The dual-density mesh upper features a few synthetic overlays and provides both protection and breathability. The toe covering provides extra protection from the elements. Overall, the shoe is very light and offers minimal drop in order to create a comfortable minimalist shoe that will help you make quick work of even the toughest singletrack trail or dirt path. The Scott Trail Rocket 2.0 is a solid choice for trail runners looking for both protection and a light and competitive option.
