Scott Women’s Kinabalu Ultra

Our View – Scott Women’s Kinabalu Ultra:

The Kinabalu Ultra sets a new standard for long-distance performance at SCOTT Running. Designed for trail runners who demand versatility and endurance, this shoe is engineered to thrive on the unpredictable terrain of long-distance efforts. With a Kinetic Nitrogen midsole delivering unmatched comfort and energy return, and our ER3 rocker technology ensuring a smooth, responsive ride, the Kinabalu Ultra is built to endure and perform, no matter how far you go. Featuring a low-volume fit, the Kinabalu Ultra Women's shoe provides tailored support and comfort for trail runners tackling their longest adventures.

In comparison to shorter distance focus of the Kinabalu Trail the new Ultra model is built for long distances, comfort, and stability and it absolutely nails all three! It does so without compromising on fit or weight too, the Scott Kinabalu Ultra is unbelievably light for such a well cushioned shoe, and you don’t lose the feeling for the ground or responsiveness like you can with some ultra shoes.

Cushioning & midsole

Stack height and is where you immediately notice the difference to the Kinabalu Trail, with a lofty 40 mm heel and 33 mm forefoot cushioning depth, compared to … and ….. As soon as you slip your foot into the shoe there is an instant feeling of comfort and underfoot impact protection. You just know this is going to be a shoe for the long haul.

The cushioning itself is provided by Scott’s Kinetic Nitrogen Foam which is created by infusing nitrogen into the foam during the production process.  By doing so, the midsole is remarkably light, more responsive, and more agile than traditional foams. This certainly shines through in use with the shoe feeling lively and reactive to run in, feeding back energy well as you up the pace, while keeping the legs feeling fresher for longer.

If you are looking for a super soft, squishy ride then this isn’t the shoe for you, but if you want a really well cushioned, but slightly firmer ultra distance shoe then this is the shoe for you. The cushioning and impact protection is there, but you still get to feel fast and flowing.

Despite the relatively high stack, the Kinabalu Ultra feels extremely stable on the trails, in part thanks to the slightly wider underfoot outsole platform that provides high levels of confidence on uneven terrain.

Rocker wise, the Kinabalu Ultra features Scott’s new Evolved Rocker 3 (EV3), which is slightly less obvious when running than the ER2 in the Kinabalu Trail. This new technology from Scott is incorporated into the shaping of the midsole foam rather than a specific rocker plate. What this means in action is that you feel encouraged through the gait cycle from foot strike to toe off rather than forced, a very natural feeling that encourages efficiency.

In addition to the classic back to front guidance from the rocker, the ER3 design also provides medio-lateral guidance to maximise stability throughout the gait cycle further enhancing stability and support. All vital considerations when running longer and longer distances.

Outsole Grip

Utilising the Scott Ultra Traction outsole means a virtually full covering of well-spaced 5mm deep lugs that are aimed at harder packed, mixed terrain. This is not a mud shoe, but it isn’t designed to be but is certainly capable of providing traction on wet ground when needed.

With a softer feel to the rubber and the larger contact areas this is an outsole that performs well on rocky terrain. While the lack of a rock plate may concern some, the sheer depth of cushioning should be ample to keep any protruding rocks at bay.

Upper & Fit

The Scott Kinabalu Ultra feels instantly comfortable, not just underfoot, but upper wise too. The Matryx upper wraps around the foot well and offers an excellent balance of weight, durability and breathability. The material is highly flexible and soft so it never feels like there are any creases or pressure points when feeling the foot so you can concentrate on your running.

A fairly traditional lacing system locks the midfoot in place well preventing any unwanted movement within the shoe and the toebox is ample wide enough and will allow toe wiggle room for most. Those with wider feet or running extra long miles may find its not wide enough, but for most it will work well. A nice touch is the use of slightly elastic laces which provides a nicely noticeable freedom without compromising the security of the foot hold.

As with the Kinabalu Trail there is no heft synthetic overlays, but Scott has included a lightweight, reinforced overlay rand that covers the base of the upper right around the toebox providing just the right level of protection from rocks, brash and other trail debris.

The heel appears relatively low, and this will be a personal preference as to whether this is a positive or negative. It means that there is virtually no chance or Achilles irritation, but some may find that locking their heel in place may be slightly tricker. That said, the double eyelets at the top of the lacing system mean most people will be able to get the fit they want.

In conclusion, the new Scott Kinabalu Ultra ticks all the boxes for a long-distance shoe and offers a smooth, stable feel that is more responsive and agile than a lot of shoes with this level of cushioning offer.

Specifications - Scott Women’s Kinabalu Ultra:

• Range of use - Trail
• Upper: Polyamide (PA) - Polyester (PES) - Polyurethane (PU)
• Upper Overlays: Polyurethane (PU) - Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
• Upper Tongue: Polyester Engineered Mesh
• Midsole: Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)
• Outsole: Rubber
• Footbed: Polyester (PES) - Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)
• Heel - 39mm
• Forefoot - 33mm
• Heel to forefoot drop - 6mm
• Nitrogen infused midsole
• Rocker geometry combining increased stride efficiency and support
• Outsole for varied ground
• Engineered Mesh Upper
• Approx. weight - 240g
• Fit - Regular
• Ultra Traction – Scott’s Ultra Traction outsole is designed specifically ultra races on fast rolling trails. Utilizing a semi radial design to give maximum efficiency in forward motion while maintain multi direction traction elements to keep you feeling confident when the trail starts to twist and turn. Scott’s newest traction solution is best suited to fast, smooth summer trails of any distance at any speed.
• Kinetic Nitrogen Foam - The Kinetic Nitrogen Foam is our newly developed, innovative midsole foam making shoes softer, lighter, and more responsive. Whether it is freezing cold or blistering hot, the shoe will perform the same. The running sensation is exactly where Kinetic Nitrogen Foam delivers. It's simply fun to run in the shoe because it perfectly combines comfort and liveliness with a low weight.
• ER3 - Evolved Rocker Technology – Scott have developed a new Rocker Technology, the ER3. While the previous ER2 was designed for impact control and an efficient running stride. ER3 is our new technology adding a third plane; the medio-lateral guidance. The geometry is designed to guide the runners through their natural stride and provide support where needed.