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As Scarpa's first step into shoes for softer, muddier ground, the Spin ST are a bit of a winner, says Rob Greenwood. In this 12-month review he's really put them through their paces, and still failed to test them to destruction.

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Those look in impressively good nick for a years use, outsole look barely worn down! Always difficult to find something that works reasonably well on all the different surfaces usually found on the fells..

If you compare them to a new pair they definitely look worn, although the fact that you’ve got 7mm of tread means that even when worn - they’ve still got plenty of grip.

Clicked for the thigh pic, stayed for the vest.

What shoes? I only saw those quads 😍

Impressive quads aside, how would you rate them for general hillwalking then? Obviously without any scrambling, etc.

Most lightweight running shoes tend to not last very long there in my experience, so any sturdier sole and build would be a welcome change. And there is a market for lightweight running shoes in hillwalking use because of being lightweight.

The one off-putting thing is the non‑removable insole. I prefer moulded orthopaedic customs, as my arches need some support. I can sort off understand their preference for gluing it in a running shoe (less chance of a free insole crumpling up during a run), but it's still a bit of a bummer.

I've got a pair of these and have been similarly impressed. Just to add that I removed the non removable insole with a bit of force, not sure I could get my orthotics in though as they're already a bit narrow for me in the toe box.

The only issue I would foresee would be fit, which is - to a large extent - a personal thing; however, the reason Scarpa have reduced the volume in/around the forefoot/toe box is to lock the foot in place whilst running and racing. If that works for you, great; if not, less great...

I completely agree with this. A decent pair of fell running shoes can easily double as a lightweight shoe for hillwalking or as an approach shoe. The other shoe it'd be worth taking a look at, which has a very different fit (i.e. it's much wider) is the Ron Hill Reverence. It's at the opposite end of the spectrum as far as width goes, but ticks a lot of the same boxes being highly durable, whilst also being impressively light (again, its 'light' as opposed to 'superlight').

Thankfully probablylost has answered your question - it is possible, you just have to remove the insole, which sounds possible - if not ideal.

If you're not using them for non hill use, fell running shoes for hill walking should in theory be more durable than using the same shoes for running. I use fell/trail shoes for all hill but walking unless it's likely that crampons are gonna be used. 

What is the heel fit like, I have found Scarpa's a bit loose in the heel in the past, so I was curious at to how these compare?