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Ultra runner and coach Kim Cavill has been putting the new Scott Kinabalu 3 trail shoe through its paces as she builds up her training for her next 100-mile race in the spring. Find out what she thinks of the latest addition to Scott’s trail range.
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The Scott Kinabalu is now in its third iteration, and the women’s Kinabalu 3 boasts a full redesign. Scott promise improved comfort, protection and running efficiency as a result. The increased cushioning sets this shoe up as an ideal candidate for mixed terrain running. Best suited for switching between road and light trail, it’s important to note that if you’re looking for a shoe to tackle slippery mud or technical conditions underfoot – this might not be it. But for road runners just transitioning over to trail, or for those less technical explores, the Scott could be a great addition to your running shoe collection.
Kim Cavill has been putting them to the test against the Yorkshire winter during her early season training runs, and shares her thoughts on comfort, fit, durability and grip.
Summary
After wearing the first iteration of the shoe almost nine years ago, I can say with confidence that this is a totally different shoe! Despite its comfort, the original was heavy and quite cumbersome, so this new lighter model is a welcome update. It’s designed to be versatile, which makes it a great daily training shoe, especially suited to light, dry trail or road to trail and runners who enjoy a high level of cushioning. Just be aware that the level of grip isn’t designed for slippery mud or more technical terrain.
Note: The Kinabalu 3s are not yet available in the USA but are due for release later in 2024.
Initial impressions
Out of the box, my first impression of the Kinabalu 3 was that these were really chunky trail shoes. The heel looked massive, but I had in the past enjoyed that type of shoe as a daily runner or for recovery days. I’ve been wearing the light ‘soft yellow/melon orange’ colourway, which probably isn’t the most practical for conditions in a muddy UK winter. But that is low on the list of priorities for me, and they’re pretty!
As with any new pair of running shoes, they felt a little stiff at first, but I was able to happily wear them straight away on an hour-long mixed terrain run. I tend to run in anything from zero drop to 6mm so while these felt high off the ground, they didn’t feel too dissimilar to some of the more maximal shoes on the market now. The Scott Kinabalu 3 has lightweight Kinetic Foam, which promises 14% more energy return than its predecessor. It also has an ‘ER2 evo rocker’ which encourages you to roll through your foot and get the most propulsion possible. They certainly feel like they have plenty of bounce, and they feel far lighter than previous models.
Comfort, breathability & PERFORMANCE
With its high support and light grip, I was hopeful that the Kinabalu 3 might be a contender for my shoe of choice for a 100 mile race in the spring. However, after wearing them for no more than 90 minutes, I did experience a few issues with some rubbing on the heel. This was easily fixed by locking the lacing right down, though. There was also some friction on the insole where the tongue fabric meets the base of the shoe. It’s worth noting that I’m someone who is prone to blisters and sore feet, so I think this may be more my issue than a problem with the shoes!
While the Kinabalu 3 would be an excellent, comfortable shoe for an ultra-marathon for many people. I’m not sure they’re close enough to the ground for me, especially in the latter stages when feet can start to drag.
GRip & Support
Having worn the shoes for around a month now, I have taken them from road to light trail more often than not and they’ve suited both well. The Scott Kinabalu 3 is not well-suited to mud though. I’ve had to be cautious while running in slippery conditions, because the ‘bite’ from the grip only kicks in on drier mud, grass or hard packed trail.
In wet conditions – both rain and groundwater- the drainage on these shoes is good. They dry out pretty quickly and they don’t feel much heavier even when wet. With a 29.5mm sole at the heel and a 7mm drop, these are one of the chunkiest trail shoes I have tried. If you are not confident in your footing or you’re running on very uneven terrain, you will likely need something else!
VERDICT
The Scott Kinabalu 3 is very much a daily training shoe for light trails. They’re best suited for drier conditions on terrain with no technical areas. They’re not suited for muddy conditions, but the grip performs well on the intended light trail. I will definitely continue to use them and I’ll probably get more use from them as the weather changes and the ground dries out. They’re not the airiest running shoes I’ve tried, but they’re still plenty breathable. The width hits a sweet spot for comfort – not too narrow, without feeling sloppy. But for me the slight rubbing in a couple of places means I probably won’t use these for my 100-miler. The energy return is really solid, but with the bulk of the sole as someone who doesn’t pick their feet up much very often, I have had better from lower profile shoes.
All in all, the Scott Kinabalu 3 trail shoes are perfect for recovery days when your legs feel weary and you just need some bounce without having to work too hard. I would also recommend them for people moving from road to trail as a great transitional, supportive shoe.
