Società Calzaturiera Asolana Riunita Pedemontana Anonima, or SCARPA, translates to Associated Shoe Manufacturing Company of the Asolo Mountain Area. Located in the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains, in the Asolo / Montebelluna region of Northern Italy, SCARPA was founded in 1938. Their mission was to bring together the best shoemakers in the Asolo region to hand build the best footwear anywhere. Eventually purchased by Luigi Parisotto and his brothers in 1956, SCARPA has been family owned and is now run by the next generation of Parisottos. SCARPA continues to innovate in the mountaineering, trekking, hiking, alpine running, climbing and skiing segments.
My affinity for SCARPA shoes is evident when you peer into my closet. For over a decade, I’ve been using their shoes for everything from Adventure to roofing. Yes, as a contractor, I use the Crux when working atop walls and roofs. Although I’m not a rock climber per se, the style of the approach shoe has always appealed to me. A hybrid between a rock climbing boot and a hiking shoe, the approach shoe is a great choice that covers several outdoor activities. Over the years I’ve transitioned between several SCARPA approach shoes. Starting with the Crux, then the Mojito and now the Margarita. The silky suede upper, sticky rubber sole and laces that extend to the toe box all make for an extremely comfortable and capable shoe.
SCARPA Margarita
The Margarita is considered a lifestyle shoe within the SCARPA line. Borrowing the basic construction elements from the more conventional approach shoes, this version is well suited for urban life. Not quite as edgy as the more functional climbers, this shoe still has the ability to wander off the beaten path. I’ve been rocking the Margaritas for 6 months and have yet to find a flaw. They are great shoes to pack when you only have room for one pair. Classy enough to be worn with khakis in a business casual setting. And comfortable enough for light hiking adventures. The Margarita is a contender for best all-day-footwear in my collection.
The past two years have found our family traveling Overland more and more. During these adventures, we continually fine-tune our gear. Not only the vehicle set-up and camping gear, but personal gear as well. And this includes our footwear. A lot of time traveling Overland is spent in the vehicle. However, setting up campsites, exploring and vehicle recovery all come into play at some point. I’ve found that an approach shoe is a solid choice of footwear. One that can be comfortable wearing all day yet still excel in all areas of Overland travel. The SCARPA Margarita is as comfortable in the cockpit as climbing up rocky trails or crawling under the vehicle. Yet fits right in walking around the towns we visit on the way.
SCARPA Margarita Specs courtesy of scrap.com:
MSRP: $125
The longevity of the SCARPA shoes is a clear testament of their 80 years of experience. My original pair of SCARPA Crux approach shoes, although a bit dirty, are as good as the day I bought them. Maybe even better now that they’re well broken-in. The Mojito is another approach shoe that remains in my rotation of SCARPAs. So, if you’re looking for a shoe that can do it all, explore the SCARPA website and see what they can offer you. Regardless of your adventure, I’m confident they’ll have you covered.
