Stepping into Gold: in the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR

Have you ever gotten a pair of shoes that completely blew you away? There are always those shoes that receive a never-ending stream of positive reviews from all the major running websites (including ours). There’s a 95% chance that they will meet your expectations. But today, we’re talking about the shoes with a little less fanfare. You know, the pair you’ve heard good things about but that aren’t as hyped up. And then, when you get them, they exceed all expectations.

Welcome to our review of the Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2.

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Gettin’ Frisco in the Scarpa Golden Gate ATR

We had heard through the grapevine that this updated shoe was really solid, but we wanted to experience it for ourselves. We haven’t reviewed much Scarpa gear in the past. Scarpa is rooted in the trail running sphere, and while we have a few trail running bloggers contributing for us, they have relatively selective needs to ensure their feet stay happy and healthy so they can keep putting in extended miles.

I, however, am a relatively average trail runner with relatively forgiving feet, so I decided to give these a shot. And am I glad I did.

Looks:

The colorway of the shoes is an updated, yet similar, styling to the original version. The various blue hues provide a classic look. While they look really nice, there’s nothing that visually jumps out. Fortunately, shoes aren’t judged solely on their appearance.

Fit:

Against my better judgment, I decided to take these shoes out for a medium trail run right away. I didn’t have a specific distance in mind, so what started as a likely 6 to 8-mile excursion turned into 12 miles. Generally speaking, taking a brand-new pair of shoes out for 12 miles the first time is probably not a good idea. But, these shoes held up to the challenge.

The terrain wasn’t super technical—a mixture of single-track dirt, bark, and some short stretches of grass and gravel—and my feet never felt worse for wear. The cushioning was amazing, I got no blisters, and I clocked in way faster than I anticipated. Let’s call that a win-win-win.

Construction:

This shoe is billed as an all-terrain shoe, and I think it does a pretty good job at that. The 4mm lugs are decent, making it feel more like a trail shoe than a road one. While it can handle a few miles of streets in a pinch, it really shines in situations where you need something for multiple terrains or on runs with intermittent pavement between trails.

I’m thinking of places like Willamette Mission State Park in Salem, the Amazon Trail to the Ridgeline System in Eugene, or Terwilliger Curves to Macleay in Portland.

Upper:

Scarpa kept the upper construction lightweight, but thanks to its EXO construction and SockFit System, it provides stability and protection on rough trails. The SockFit is particularly impressive—a one-piece tongue that wraps over the midfoot, adding stability to the sides. This design results in a secure fit that truly knocks it out of the park. I was super impressed.

Midsole:

The midsole is outstanding. Scarpa’s Dual Density EVA Bounce midsole is exceptionally nice—softer than its predecessor without venturing into pillow territory. It maintains a responsive feel while being more lightweight (the V2 shed over an ounce!) and adapts well to trail conditions. This midsole pairs perfectly with the outsole, enhancing the overall performance.

I enjoyed the original Golden Gate, but the Golden Gate 2 takes it to another level. It’s not often that I find myself thinking, “Dang, these are great!” during a run.

Outsole:

As mentioned above, I feel this is more of a trail shoe than a road shoe. This is due to the PRESA outsole and SuperGum rubber, complete with 4mm lugs, which firmly establish it in the trail category. Honestly, if I didn’t know this was an all-terrain shoe, I would use it as a standalone trail shoe without giving it a second thought.

Conclusion:

“My experience with these shoes has been nothing short of amazing. What I initially expected was completely surpassed—in the best possible way. I’m eagerly looking forward to logging more miles on the trails and taking them along for my upcoming runs in Hawaii this summer. I’ll be tackling road running, beach miles, and exploring the upcountry trails.

Highly Recommended!