ZEN

Price $145.00

Overall Rating: 1 2 3 4

SCARPA Sizing Chart
ONLINE PARTNERS
P2P Eastern Mountain Sports
P2P Bent Gate
P2P Backcountry.com
P2P Zappos
P2P Moosejaw
P2P Oregon Mountain Community
  • The Zen blends the comfort of an approach shoe with the support of a light hiking boot. This is ideal for hikers who like to venture off trail. The athletic last makes it comfy on approach, and the outsole features a honeycomb tread pattern in the center for grip with lugged treads on the outside for traction. This hybrid outsole maximizes traction and durability but also supports more technical scrambling. All-leather uppers mean durability for the alpine or word traveler.

  • Features

    * Roll over any of the highlighted features above to see more detailed information about that feature.
  • Sizing

    SCARPA Sizing Chart

    Measure your foot with a ruler, using cm or inches; convert to Euro or US using this chart. If you need mondo sizing, please refer to the SCARPA chart on this page/tab. We recommend you purchase two sizes, the size you think you are plus one .5 size bigger for fit testing at home. As long as the products are in like new condition and the packaging is 100% intact, we will credit you for the returned product.

    General fitting rules depend on the product's intended use... follow the appropriate guidelines below for best results.

    Trail/mountain/approach/lifestyle products:

    • The bigger/heavier/more supportive the product, the more you may want to upsize .5 - 1full size. Lighter, softer, more supple shoes can be sized closer to your measured size.
    • Note: SCARPA Plastic mountain boots all use UK sizing; UK converts easily: 1 full size smaller than US men's size, 2 sizes smaller than US women's size.
    • Try on with appropriate socks for your usage. The bigger the boot, the more appropriate a bigger sock (sounds crazy, huh?)
    • If you use orthotics or already have aftermarket footbeds, measure against the standard footbed in boot. Fit into boot for sizing/fitting the boot.
    • Best to try on at the end of the day when your feet are larger/swollen, than when your feet are fresh to ensure good fit after a long day.
    • Lacing can play an incredibly important part of a good fit. Be sure to play with lacing when analyzing fit.
    • Make sure your heel isn't slipping.
    • Make sure your toes aren't hitting the end.

    **Approach shoes may be sized smaller for performance purposes but beware... small shoes are really uncomfortable on the trail.

    Rock climbing shoes

    • From your measured size, you'll want to consider downsizing .5 - 2 full sizes. The flatter the shoe, the closer to your measured size; the more downturned/aggressive the shoe, the more you'll want to downsize.
    • The best fit is comparative between sizes and only you will be able to judge that, though an experience climber could offer good insights to your fit.
    • If it feels painful, it may break in... or it may not.
    • Pain sucks as a rule of thumb though and makes climbing miserable.
    • Only you can judge what's 'acceptable' discomfort.
    • Good fitting rock shoes shouldn't necessarily be 'comfortable' by walking/running shoe standards.
    • Look for looseness/bagginess in the toes and heel. Bagginess can mean 'slop' when climbing with feet perspiring, etc.
    • Toes should completely fill the toebox.
    • Heel should feel solid; like they won't pull off if heel hooking.
    • Any foot movement in new shoes will mean sloppy fit when broken in.

    Ski boots

    • From your measured foot, convert to US size using the scale. Translate the US size to Mondo size using the SCARPA mondo scale (not 'true' mondo conversion)
    • Shell fit: taking liner out of the shell and inserting foot, toes touching end of shell but completely flat.
    • Should have 1.5 - 2 fingers of space behind heel and heel of shell (between 14mm - 20mm)
    • Too little space = go up one shell
    • Too much space = go down one shell
    • If not sure... fit test BOTH shell sizes
    • Put on a ski sock for gosh sake!
    • Use and orthotic? Put it the boot (after taking out the standard footbed).
    • Put foot in boot AND BUCKLE IT! You can not tell a boot fit without buckling it
    • This will pull your heel back into the heel pocket, relieving cramped toe space
    • Boots do pack out! A 'comfy' fit when new will mean slop later.
    • Regardless, your toes should NOT be pressed against the end of the liner
    • Get your Intuition liners molded! This provides THE BEST FIT available.
    • Any minor pressure points or space will be eliminated by molding
    • Find an experience SCARPA dealer for fitting/molding
    • Boot fitting is an incredible service and generally requires a service fee of varying amounts... it's worth it though!

    More good information fitting available here.

  • Specs

    • Upper: Suede
    • Lining: Vellutina
    • Plate: P-Flex
    • Midsole: Dual-Density Molded EVA
    • Outsole: Vibram® Spyder®
    • Last: BH
    • Sizes: 38 - 47, 48 (half sizes)
    • Weight: 440g; 15oz (1/2 pair size 42)
    • Color: Smoke/Fog, Light Grey
    • Product Code: 72565/511
  • Technologies

    • Vibram
  • Recent Reviews

    Submit A Review
    • Anonymous May 15, 2013

      Ranking:

      I bought my first pair of these shoes almost six years ago and I still have them. They've survived everyday use, climbing trips, alpine scrambles, 5.10 cracks, and now see use in my workshop. I bought a second pair and they are going strong as my everyday do it all shoe. They are super comfortable and wear really really well! I would recommend them to anyone!

    • Anonymous Sep 17, 2012

      Ranking:

      I bought these shoes 3 years ago. They have taken all sorts of abuse and are still in amazing shape. They are incredibly comfortable and highly functional; if scrambling is involved, I grab them for sure. These are a very high quality piece of gear.

    • Anonymous Sep 1, 2012

      Ranking:

      I was told these are the preferred shoe/boot by Delta Force operators by someone I trust who was in Special Ops.

    • Anonymous Oct 24, 2011

      Ranking:

      This is the shoe that I compare all other approach shoes with. I have worn them for more than two years and they are still in very use-able condition. There are no holes (not even wear spots on the edge of the tongues!) on the inside of the shoe and the soles still have sufficient traction. The only thing I don't like about the shoe is they don't breathe as well as a trail runner, but for 9 months of the year they are perfect. I use them to do any climbing approach for that lasts longer than 20 minutes, like Trout Creek. These shoes are well worth the money. Pros: Keep your feet close to the ground (zero rolled ankles!) Sticky rubber that lasts Climbable (5.10-) Most Durable shoe on the market (that I've tried, the Geko looks like the next best thing, which I just bought my wife) Shoelace broke after only 26 months of wear  Cons:Not very breathable (better than a lot of other approach shoes thanks to the mesh material tongue, where a lot have leather) Heavy for carrying on routes with nasty descents As you can read I love these shoes and will buy another pair if these ever wear out.  

    • Anonymous Aug 1, 2011

      Ranking:

      This is Rob Pizem. The Zen is the best approach shoe that I have worn. The Zen has a strong base which allows you to walk on uneven terrain and not lose stability. The upper is leather and will not fall apart while bushwacking or scraping it on boulders and finally, it breaks in immediately and it is totally comfortable out of the box. These things don't just last one season like the other brands. They last for seasons. If you like this shoe and want a water-proof version check out the Mystic GTX. For those mountain days with wet grasses and afternoon rains your feet will stay dry!