Scarpa - Mescalito TRK GTX - Walking boots

Boots were returned due to a size issue. While length etc was good, the ankle area allowed movement. Not a snug fit - hence the return.

Bought these on sale.

I've worn Scarpa for years, I currently have the Manta pros, and several of their climbing shoes. I always liked them as they are one of the few brands that account for a slightly wider foot.

These however, have a really wider, poor fitting heel cup. I've tried lacing them in so many different ways, with different sock combinations and they just wont stop rubbing me raw. I've had to give up and sell mine as they just dont fit right. They are long enough, and there is enough space for the forefoot but the heel is so volumous that there's no chance of locking my foot in properly. The more I went out and walked in them, the worse it got. If you have a high-volume, wide foot you may be better off, but mine are quite low volume so they would lift.

The quality of the boot is decent, good construction and the lacing system is pretty reasonable. The insole is not great, very thin, it relies heavily on the sole to do the work regarding cushioning.

It's narrower and pointier in the toebox compared to the Zodiac, Vortex, Kailash and the ZG family of boots. So if those are your introduction to the Scarpa family of boots then this might not fit.
It's has the low volume of the ARG last boots (Ribelles). It's a bit less wide than the BN lasts (Zodiac).

If you like the Ribelle, this should be fine. If that's too snug then this is unlikely to fit. Unfortunately the Mescalito isn't quite wide enough or high enough volume for me, which is why I'm probably going to return these (as opposed to shaving a few mm off my little toes). It's a shame because this is a superbly built boot which appeared otherwise comfortable. Oh well!
Scarpa should really give customers a chart which shows their boot sizes as otherwise it's hit & miss when ordering.

EDIT: I see some people don't like this review. Before writing it I checked with 2 other friends who wear Scarpa boots and they concurred. I also checked with the Scarpa distributor to understand my subjective view of the toe box and width of the shoe matched their measurements of the "last". I think Scarpa make great shoes but these didn't work for me. I guess I should have just cut my pinkie toes off and given it 5 stars instead of 4 :-)

I have been a long term fan of Scarpa boots (I'm talking decades), but these are a great disappointment. In over forty years of hiking and mountaineering, these are the first pair of boots I have just about given up on. I bought these for a trip to the alps one year ago, but I have never been able to use them on anything longer than a couple of hours without getting a blister on my left heel. Maybe they just don't suit me, but a pal who bought the Planet version of the boots had exactly the same problem with his left heel. I'm wondering if I just got unlucky, or if Scarpa's QC has got lost somewhere. It's a pity, because if the heel did not rub I would have loved these boots. The sole has just the right level of stiffness for carrying heavy loads, they would be great on via ferrata and rough terrain, and much lighter than the leather Lowa winter boots I have continued using instead.