With the Rapid XT, walking comfort may come first, but on-the-rock performance is a close second. This is a capable approach shoe that feels like it's built to last, says Dan Bailey.

Scrapa's new Rapid XT blurs the line between walking shoes and approach shoes, offering the all-day comfort of the former and the on-rock ability of the latter. If your emphasis is solely on hard scrambling or easy rock climbing then there are more capable models out there; however for those more into versatility the Rapid XT is really worth a look. It would be a great choice if you're after one shoe to do a bit of everything, from hill days to crag approaches, dog walks to scrambles. With its sturdy build and supportive sole, the Rapid XT should last for years of hard use, and if so then the price would look like solid value.

Three models are available in the line, each coming in both men's and women's (lower volume) versions:

• Rapid XT £165 - a low-cut unlined shoe
• Rapid XT GTX £185 - the same, with an added Gore-Tex lining
• Rapid XT MID GTX £195 - more of a boot with a low ankle cuff

With spring and summer in mind, we're looking here at the unlined shoe. For me this is unarguably the cooler and more comfortable choice for warm, dry days - though of course waterproof-lined shoes do also have their fans.

In use

At 934g/pair in my size 47 (Scrapa say 800g/pair size 42) the Rapid XT is in similar territory to other suede approach shoes such as the Scrapa Mescalito or La Sportiva TX4 Evo, being a bit heavier and slightly less nimble on the foot than a decent trail shoe, but correspondingly more protective. It's light enough to hang from your harness on a multi-pitch climb, too, though a light pair of trainers would obviously be preferable for that. But unlike most running-oriented shoes it feels like it should last for years of hard use, which has to count as a bonus in a world of high prices and throwaway products.

While I don't feel it quite matches the rock climbing performance of more technical alternatives such as the Mescalito, it has certainly proved itself capable on scrambling terrain. Having worn it perfectly happily from grade 2 scrambling up to Modetate-grade rock climbing, I can say with confidence that the Rapid XT would be a solid and reliable choice for classic hillwalker's scrambles and technical crag approaches alike. Perhaps it's pushing the remit on more technical ground or smeary slabs, but the comparatively stiff sole does offer plenty of support for edging, while the flat climbing zone at the toe and grippy rubber provide good traction.

Fit and comfort

With a broad and fairly rounded toe, a soft ankle-hugging cuff, and a stretchy and forgiving tongue, the Rapid XT is made with comfort in mind. It might look quite hefty, but after a couple of uses I found the upper softened a bit, and the shoe feels nimble on the foot when walking, not at all clumpy. If the fit suits you - and, as ever, we'd urge all readers to try it on for themselves - then it's a shoe you could walk in all day with ease, not a foot-squasher as some more climbing-dedicated approach shoes can be. But this comfort does not come entirely at the expense of scrambling precision.

This is a quite a wide-fitting shoe, which suits my chunky spade-ended feet well. It's also pretty high volume, and to soak up some of that space I need to lace it quite tight. Lacing is smooth-running, and extends reasonably far forward to help get a close fit when you want extra precision at the front end - though the Mescalito and TX4 are both better in this regard. I'm not a great fan of the thin, lightweight laces, which flop around a lot and are slightly more fiddly to tie than a thicker lace, but that's a small point and they'd be easy to replace.

Upper

The suede upper of the unlined shoe is a good choice on warmer days, aided by the slightly air-permeable tongue. For foot protection you get a full rand, and because this comes high right around the shoe it also helps to keep out water when you're hopping across bogs and streams, usefully compensating for the lack of a waterproof lining.

Sole

Stiffness for edging and foot support comes courtesy of a TPU midsole, and while I was initially worried that this might give the Rapid XT a clumpy feel, the concern proved unfounded. Out on the trail the cushioned midsole feels nice and spongy underfoot, putting a bit of a spring in your step on hard-packed gravel tracks.

Its Vibram Megagrip outsole gives reassuring traction on the rock, though this soft compound seems like it'll probably wear down fairly quickly. On dry ground the tread pattern is more than adequate, but as with most approach shoes you don't get a hugely aggressive lug depth for bite on soft, wet terrain - something to bear in mind on slippy UK mountain crag descents. However I don't think it's bad in this regard, as approach shoes go, and you do get a bit of a heel breast to help with downhill security.

Sustainability

One of the most sustainable things you can do is to continue to use your gear for as long as possible, and while we've not yet subjected it to a proper long term test I do feel confident that the Rapid XT is built to last, with its quality suede upper and protective rand. And when that sole does wear down, Scarpa have designed it for easy resoling.

Summary

With the Rapid XT, walking comfort may come first, but on-the-rock performance is a close second. This is a capable approach shoe, and while I would still prefer my TX4s for something meatier like a Cuillin Ridge traverse or a big mountain Diff, I'd happily choose the Rapid XT for hillwalking, scrambling days, and rugged crag approaches. It's well built, too, and looks like solid value at the price.