Scott Ultra Carbon RC

This is the first time I have had Scott shoes in my hands. According to its name, Scott Ultra Carbon RC, would be indicated for long distance and also have a carbon plate that gives them rigidity and reactivity. The finishes are spectacular, you can feel the quality of the fabrics and the finishing touches are perfect. The sole is quite stiff and the foam does not seem too soft. The lugging is not very prominent but it is quite separated to avoid mud accumulation and the rubber seems adherent. The shoe is also aesthetically very successful with an attractive design and suffered if you go out to run in muddy areas.

Running with the Scott Ultra Carbon RC

When you put them on your feet it is a hard shoe and does not invite you to think about long distances. On the other hand, it feels heavy. Running with them is not easy because they are indeed hard. This confirms the sensations to the touch; the foam is excessively dense and after a few hours of use does not seem to yield too much.

It is somewhat contradictory that having a rigid element such as the carbon plate, the brand also opts for the use of such hard foams to cover it, missing the opportunity to gain comfort with a less dense and of course, lighter compound.

As the kilometers go by, at medium-low paces it is not a comfortable shoe, too much impact. When we move to medium-high paces, the shoe is more consistent in terms of reactivity and transmission, so it performs better in less technical terrain where we can run fast.

Type of terrain ideal for the Scott Ultra Carbon RC

In terms of terrain, on trails they are a fairly safe shoes. On trails they perform well because the size of the shoe is regular, unlike other ultrarunning models that are much more oversized.

Of course, on dirt they have good grip but in mud they are limited and on hard ground in the absence of moisture, the grip is very good.

The finishing details are very good but once again something is not right. The foot is well supported, with no binding. The collar and tongue are minimalist, quite hard but with very little foam, a detail typical of lighter shoes. It is easy to get chafing (achilles tendon and malleolus) due to the thinness of the edges, especially downhill. Otherwise, the soles of the feet feel protected, which is normal with such a hard sole.

Conclusion

I think this is a shoe designed and manufactured for strong and heavy runners capable of making such a reactive sole work, with good running technique, light runners will have a hard time getting the most out of it, they are too heavy and hard. They need some time to adapt due to chafing. With these characteristics they are indicated for medium distances and at most marathon, in ultra distance we will suffer too much by the lack of absorption. They will work better on less technical and dry terrain. It is a very technical shoe and yet too heavy.

In a remake, without touching the rubber outsole that seems suitable for long distance little or medium technical, I would look for a softer and more absorbent foam to gain comfort and above all, reduce weight. The tongue is perfect but the collar has too much height and lacks a bit of padding to avoid chafing. This model has an imminently technical DNA even though it is designed for long distance.

Txus Romón's notes

• Lightness: 6
• Responsiveness: 8
• Cushioning: 7
• Stability: 8
• Flexibility: 5
• Grip: 7