I have had the pleasure of testing Scott’s latest version of a racer for fast trail runners. I used the shoe throughout my training for the 19 km mountain race Nations Cup, and I also used it for the race. So it was exposed to long runs, hilly intervals, hilly threshold workouts and now also a mountain race.
Specifications:
Weight: 258 g. for a size 43 (own weight)
Drop: 3 mm.
Heel: 21,5 mm
Forefoot: 18,5 mm
Midsole: Kinetic Foam
Target group:
The shoe is designed for runners who wants a trail shoe with a true race-feel. Its not a shoe for muddy trail but the sole is equipped with a fine allround-profile which is able to handle most challenges. Its a very simple and somewhat hard shoe mostly suited for lighter runners and forefoot/midfoot runners.
Its a shoe which must be broken in but its worth the effort. The first day I wore them, they felt a bit awkward. The laces are attached with powerful rubber which created some discomfort across the base of the big toe, they felt a little tight across the midfoot and the upper generally felt somewhat stiff and immobile. However, already during my second run, the shoe felt much improved and during my third run, it was as if the shoe and my feet really started to hit it off. In spite of the fact that I am still struggling a bit with the lacing (see photo), the shoes have now become really comfortable.
In terms of fit, the shoe is somewhat narrow across the ankle and midfoot while its wide in the forefoot. For a trail runner it can be an advantage that the shoe is designed with a somewhat narrow midfoot section as this allows the shoe to wrap itself better around your foot and ensure a tight fit which prevents you from sliding around inside the shoe when you are running downhill. But if you have very wide feet you might struggle to find comfort.
In general its not a shoe that you should buy for its comfort - or rather the lack of it. Its a straight-forward shoe with a relatively thin and solid midsole and an explicit race-fit. Its best suited for short-distanc racing - from 5 km til half marathons depending on weight, running style and normal shoe preferences of the runner.
Credit: Trail Run Denmark
Performance on the trail
One of the most important things for a trail running racer is that it feels stable and secure. If a shoe feels clumsy and you lose touch with the surface, you just can´t run as fast going steeply downhill or pass through challenging trail. And this is where Kinabalu RC 2.0 excels.
Straight from the first run, I felt safe in these shoes, and even on uneven and rocky surfaces, I was never afraid of twisting my feet at any time. So, its a shoe where I really feel that I can let go going downhill and trust that the shoes and my feet together will handle the challenge.
The outsole grip is best suited for dry trail. If you are going to race in Danish woods in the winter season, I´d probably choose a shoe with additional grip. But for running on less muddy trail and dry conditions, the grip works really well. The fact that the outsole isn´t so aggressive is even an advantage if you are going past asphalt stretches. The shoe performed outstandingly during the Nations Cup which included a lot of steep downhill passages. You could feel the cushioning and the great return energy from the Kinetic Foam-midsole and the shoe almost felt like a road running racer.
Conclusion
Scott Kinabalu RC 2.0 is a great option for the runner who is looking for a fast shoe for short trail competitions. You have to be aware that its not a shoe with comfort coming out of the design. Perhaps it takes some adjustment but its worth the effort. Once you have broken it in, you instantly get a super-fast, comfortable and not least light shoe with a large amount of cushioning for short trail runs.
