Product · Scarpa
Scarpa SL Active: 2.7 mm Sherpa leather, Vibram
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The Scarpa SL Active is a traditional leather walking boot. Amazon lists a 2.7 mm HS12 Sherpa leather upper, a lining that is leather in the back half and 37.5 fabric in the front half, a Vibram Biometric sole with XS Trek rubber and a 785 g weight. There is no membrane, which is exactly why many walkers seek it out.
- Upper
- 2.7 mm HS12 Sherpa leather
- Lining
- Leather back, 37.5 front
- Outsole
- Vibram Biometric / XS Trek
- Membrane
- None stated
In its favour
- The listing gives the leather thickness as 2.7 mm, thick enough to take wax and hard use.
- A Vibram Biometric sole in XS Trek compound is named, a known outsole for hill ground.
- The listing states the leather is PFAS free, which matters to buyers avoiding those treatments.
Good to know
- No membrane is listed and it is rated water resistant, so it relies on waxing to keep water out.
- Thick leather boots usually need a longer break-in than fabric boots before a long walk.
Our take
What the listing says
Both the upper and lining are listed as PFAS free. The insole is Activ Plus, and the shaft is ankle height, though the height map says high top. The water resistance level is water resistant, consistent with a boot that relies on thick leather rather than a membrane.
A 2.7 mm leather is thick for a walking boot. Thick leather holds its shape, resists abrasion, and can be kept water-repellent with wax for years.
Why go without Gore-Tex
A membrane boot keeps water out until the membrane wears or the water comes in over the top. A thick leather boot without one breathes better and dries more evenly. The 37.5 fabric at the front is a moisture-management lining, which should help in warm conditions.
The catch is maintenance. Wax the leather regularly, especially in wet seasons, and dry it slowly. In return, a boot like this ages well and can feel very comfortable once moulded to the foot.
Resoling and comparisons
The listing does not state the construction, so it cannot confirm resoling. Buyers who care about that should ask Scarpa or a cobbler. Lowa's Camino Evo GTX, also in our resoleable guide, is the one whose listing explicitly calls it resolable.
Within Scarpa's range, the Kinesis Pro GTX adds a Gore-Tex Standard ePE lining to a 2.4 mm leather upper. Choose that if you want a membrane. The SL Active is for walkers who prefer the old-school approach.
Who should skip it
Anyone who wants a boot that stays dry without upkeep, or who walks only occasionally and dislikes break-in, will be better served by a membrane boot.
It is also not the lightest choice for summer valley walks. At a listed 785 g, it carries real weight on the foot, and people who walk mainly on dry, well-made paths may prefer a suede mid that needs far less care.
Verdict
The SL Active is for walkers who prefer a thick leather boot without a membrane and are willing to wax it regularly. If you want Gore-Tex in a Scarpa leather boot, choose the Kinesis Pro GTX, and if a stated resolable construction matters, the Lowa Camino Evo GTX is the safer bet.
Compared with alternatives in: Best leather walking boots for long life, Best walking boots you can resole, Scarpa walking boots compared
Amazon listing title: SCARPA Men's SL Active Hiking Boot