Sustainability claims have become as ubiquitous as selfie sticks in the trail running shoes world, but brands are often guilty of greenwashing their products. Scarpa appears to be breaking the mould with a range of shoes made from a high percentage of recycled materials including the Spin Planet.
Pros
- Strong sustainability credentials
- Excellent drainage
- Comfortable fit for long runs
Cons
- Sticky laces attract debris
- Unusual tongue fitting
| RRP: | £150 / $159 |
| Men’s sizes (UK): | 6.5 to 13 |
| Women’s sizes (UK): | 3.5 to 8 |
| Weight: | 290g / 10.2 oz |
| Drop: | 4mm |
| Stack height: | 28/24mm |
| Lug depth: | 4.5mm |
| Waterproof version: | No |
Summary
Designed for pushing further, the Scarpa Spin Planet is the eco-cousin of the Spin Infinity, both of which are made with considerable midsole cushioning to absorb impact and provide comfort over ultra distances.
For everyday trail running they're a versatile pair, but they really come into their element on long runs, thanks to their sustained comfort.
The 100% recycled upper performs as well as any virgin material and appears just as durable, if not more.
How we tested
A change of season from summer to autumn meant these shoes were tested on hot summer days and during heavy downpours.
Run length varied between 5km to 30km, and they were worn during a stormy 10km trail race across muddy fields and along country lanes.
They were mostly worn on footpaths across the rolling English countryside for up to 150 minutes.
No blisters formed during the test, but I do have concerns that on ultra distances these might not be the best fit for my wider feet.
Having previously tested the Spin Infinity I found blisters emerged around the three-hour mark.
Upper
While some brands boast of their 100% recycled laces or tongues, Scarpa has leap-frogged their innovations by creating a completely recycled upper.
All the yarns and microfibres used in the EXO upper construction system are entirely made from recycled materials without compromising on design or comfort.
With lateral protection and a thermo-welded cage, the upper supports foot movement while allowing heat and sweat to escape.
Even on hot summer days the shoes felt breathable owing to the aerated mesh of the upper and the light touch padding in the gusseted tongue.
A slight word of warning though. The axial TR tech tongue is rather unusual with an asymmetrical design, meaning it's difficult to centralise. However, once in the correct position it does a good job of keeping debris out.
Meanwhile, the internal support matrix which wraps the midfoot is flexible enough to prevent the feeling of swaddling, but is perhaps slightly stiffer than the popular Hoka Speedgoat.
One major gripe with the upper is the fluffy laces have a sticky quality, meaning they hold onto grass seeds and dry debris very easily. After a few minutes running in a grassy field the shoes were dragging blades of grass and weeds along with them.
The Spin Infinity solves this problem by having a handy pocket to tuck the laces into. Something which is sorely missed on the Planet.
Midsole
There are some impressive environmental credentials in the midsole, too, which remains quite rare for trail shoes.
Made from 45% recycled medium density ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), the result is a bouncy and responsive ride which continues mile after mile. It feels very similar to the Scarpa Spin Infinity with a firm upper foam, underpinned by a softer shock-absorbing bottom layer.
Like the Infinity, the Spin Planet can withstand long days on the trail without causing feet to become sore. The only caveat is the slightly narrow toe box won’t suit all users and may cause blisters after several hours running.
The most impressive element is the shoes draining capabilities. During an apocalyptic 10km trail race with torrential rain turning lush green cow fields into sodden quagmires, the water appeared to instantaneously pass through the shoes with no feeling of squelching.
Outsole
With wide, medium thickness lugs on the Presa outsole, these shoes perform best on mixed terrain, from stony paths to grassy fields. They don’t have the technical mountain precision of the Nnormal Tomir 2.0, but handle most wet and dry surfaces with reliable traction.
Designed for medium difficulty routes, they adapt to most conditions and remain comfortable on the road.
Running through ploughed wet fields is problematic, however. As with many trail shoes, the mud clogs to the Spin Planet lugs, weighing down the feet considerably. Not what you want mid race.
For regular muddy runs something with a more aggressive lug may be more suitable.
The multi-directional lugs are clustered in four zones designed to aid propulsion, braking, traction and stability.
The braking lugs sit in the heel, while the grip and stability run up the middle of the outsole in opposite directions.
The propulsive lugs sit at the front of the foot, enabling the user to push off with stable force.
The combination of lugs is part of what makes these shoes such a dependable all-rounder.
Sustainability
As outlined already Scarpa is making some substantial waves in sustainability, which goes beyond lip service.
An impressive 90% of manufacturing and materials supply takes place in Europe, and more than half of production is carried out in Italy, the company’s home.
And there is no doubt it's leading the way when it comes to recycled durable materials.
The bigger question is whether this is the most sustainable option, because recycled materials come from fossil-fuel-derived origin products.
Verdict
The Scarpa Spin Planet running shoes impressive all-rounder with sustainability claims moving in the right direction. Comfortable for long distances especially for those with slightly narrow feet. Extremely adept at dealing with sudden downpours but less effective at staving off grassy debris. If you are a fan of the Scarpa Spin Infinity these are a perfect, environmental alternative.
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About the author
Lily Canter is a freelance journalist and running coach (among a myriad of other jobs, including competitive ultra running) who contributes to LFTO with expert coaching advice and granularly detailed gear reviews.
She also founded women’s running club Great Bowden Runners. As a qualified England Athletics running coach, Lily loves nothing more than seeing women achieving their running goals.