Scarpa has been making the Golden Gate for a while now, and this isn’t my first time stepping into one. The original Golden Gate ATR was very much a trail shoe that could handle some road miles. It was capable and protective, but I found it a little bulky on pavement, with a firmer and more rigid feel than I was expecting.
The Golden Gate 2 ATR took a pretty significant step forward. It was lighter, more responsive and more comfortable while still retaining plenty of trail capability. Now Scarpa has the Golden Gate LT, which takes the concept in a slightly different direction, moving the shoe more toward the road-to-trail side of the equation.
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Looks:
The Golden Gate LT comes in three colorways: white, black and orange. My review pair is the white version, and personally, I really like this one. The black and orange options each have their benefits and definitely fill their own visual space, but the white just works for me.
There is also some geometric shading across the upper that gives the shoe a little more character without going overboard. It’s still a relatively clean-looking shoe, but those subtle patterns keep the white version from looking too plain.
Construction and Fit:
One of the things that stands out when comparing the LT to the previous Golden Gates is the change in overall purpose. The earlier ATR models had a more obvious trail-shoe character. The LT looks and feels more like something designed to live comfortably on pavement before heading onto gravel, dirt or an easier trail.
The 6mm drop is also a change from the 4mm drop used on the previous Golden Gates I’ve reviewed. It’s not a massive difference, but it does give the LT a somewhat more familiar daily-trainer feel.
As these come in UK sizing, I generally go down a half size with Scarpa. I usually wear a 12 in the US, but a 45 in UK (which actually translates to a US 11.5) fits me better in Scarpa shoes.
Specs:
- Weight: 10.5 oz (Mens 9)
- Stack: 30mm heel / 24mm forefoot
- Drop: 6mm
Upper:
The Golden Gate LT uses an Engineered Eco Mesh upper with TPU-reinforced areas that add some structure and support without making the shoe feel overly built up. On the foot, it comes across as fairly straightforward and comfortable, with enough structure to keep things feeling secure without making the upper the star of the show. The mesh also helps keep the overall feel relatively light and breathable.
Midsole:
The Golden Gate has also evolved quite a bit in the midsole. The original ATR had a firmer and somewhat rigid ride, while the Golden Gate 2 moved toward a lighter, more responsive feel.
The LT continues that progression with an EVA midsole blended with 20% PEBAX. On paper, that’s a pretty substantial change in direction, but what matters is how that translates to the run.
The ride here is pretty accessible, and I mean that in a good way. Scarpa has found a nice middle ground where the Golden Gate LT is cushioned and comfortable without feeling overly soft or squishy. There is enough underfoot protection for longer runs and mixed surfaces, but it doesn’t feel like you’re standing on a giant marshmallow.
It’s a ride that should be easy for a pretty wide range of runners to jump into without needing much adjustment.
Outsole:
The original Golden Gate ATR and Golden Gate 2 ATR both had a fairly aggressive 4mm lug pattern. That gave them plenty of legitimate trail capability, but it also contributed to the feeling that these were trail shoes not 100% ready to truly spend much time on pavement.
The LT takes a more moderate approach with its PRESA TRN-11 outsole. The tread is better suited to the mix of pavement, gravel, dirt paths and non-technical trails that this version is designed for.
That’s probably the biggest philosophical change in the Golden Gate line. The earlier versions felt like trail shoes that could handle the road. The LT feels much more like a road-to-trail shoe that can still handle the trail.
Conclusion
After reviewing the original Golden Gate ATR and then the Golden Gate 2 ATR, iI really like the lane of the LT. Gravel shoes are everywhere, and personally I love these types of shoes for travel – when I want to run roads and trails – but don’t have the luggage space to make it work.
I’m not necessarily looking for a shoe that can conquer the most technical trail every weekend. Sometimes I want to leave my house on pavement, hit some gravel or dirt, run a trail for a while and eventually find my way back to the road. A shoe that can handle that transition without feeling out of place on either surface is pretty appealing.
