Men’s Scarpa Moraine Polar GTX Boot Review

Bottom Line

The Scarpa Moraine Polar is a rugged winter boot made for serious mountain travel. Its extremely durable outer, paired with a super stiff sole. This makes it perfect for kicking steps in firm ice and snow or for pounding down scree-filled slopes. This boot has quickly proven to be one of our favorites for its durability and foot protection for the most demanding environments.

Although Scarpa may not be a household name in the US hiking world, it’s a powerhouse European brand known for high-quality footwear. The Moraine Polar continues this tradition. It’s supremely durable, withstanding miles of rocks, scree, and snow we encountered on winter hikes without showing a scratch. The Moraine Polar comes equipped with GORE-TEX Storm Laminate construction that keeps water out while keeping our feet dry and happy. These boots may not look as big or warm as others, but the Primaloft Pure insulation punched above its weight, keeping us warm in moderate temperatures.

The Moraine Polar comes with some drawbacks – most noticeably when it comes to comfort. These are the stiffest boots we tested with almost zero flex in the sole when hiking. That’s great for kicking steps or more technical adventures in steep terrain, but they felt clompy and unyielding on flatter terrain. The stiff heel cup gave us hot spots due to how stiff and firm it was. Lacking substantial midsole cushion and coming with a narrow fit, these boots may not fit most foot types. 

Despite these shortcomings, the Moraine Polar is a niche boot that will serve specific purposes in steep terrain well for the dedicated mountain hiker.

How We Tested

We tested the Scarpa Moraine Polar GTX over the course of two months in Alaska’s notoriously frigid winter conditions. From icy hikes to slogging through alpine scree to standing in icy creeks, our tests in real-world environments give you the most comprehensive and reliable analysis possible.

Comfort

The Scarpa Moraine Polar is unique in our lineup because of its extremely stiff sole. Feeling more akin to a mountaineering boot, the Moraine Polar is great for kicking steps up a steep, icy slope or in firm snow. However, this almost unyielding sole makes it less comfortable for flatter terrain. It felt clompy, making our gait feel uncomfortable and less natural than with a more flexible sole. 

The heel cup and ankle cuff were other points of discomfort. We experienced hot spots on our heels and discomfort on our protruding ankle bones due to the extremely stiff construction.

Keeping in line with a more technical mountaineering boot, it also lacks substantial midsole cushioning and is very firm. This left our feet tired after a few hours of hiking. These boots may not be the best fit for those with wider feet as they are very narrow, particularly through the midfoot.

Warmth

The Moraine Polar comes packed with 200grams of  Primaloft Pure insulation. Eschewing the bulk of most winter boots, the Moraine Polar is lightweight and sleek while still being warm enough for most winter temperatures. During our testing, we found that these boots are best for more moderate winter temperatures. They work well for active outings down to ten degrees or for stationary use to around 15 or 20 degrees. We found our toes getting cold in them in the single digits, making them better for not as frigid winter temps. 

These boots are likely not the first choice for deep winter conditions, but their moderate insulation gives them three-season versatility. Or, it’s perfect for someone whose feet tend to run hot during exercise.

Traction

The Moraine Polar is armed with 32 sharp-edged lugs per boot. Widely spaced, they shed snow and easily avoid clumping. The sharp edges of the lugs are great for getting a grip in firm conditions, and the stuff rubber is not only highly durable, but also helps to chip out steps while hiking in steep terrain. 

However, the lugs are relatively shallow compared to other boots, meaning they don’t grip as well in loose snow. The stiff rubber, while giving great durability, doesn’t grip as well on ice as a soft rubber compound does. The Moraine Polar offers solid traction for most instances, but we found ourselves slipping on ice more than we expected.

Weather Resistance

Standing in an icy creek confirmed our suspicion that the Moraine Polar is a superbly weather-resistant boot. The leather outer beads moisture that rolls away quickly, and the GORE-TEX liner kept all water from penetrating to our feet. 

The only weakness of these boots is their relatively short shaft height. These are not our top choice for post-holing as they are quickly overwhelmed in deep snow – and lack a gaiter attachment ring to boost weather resistance.

Durability

For a lightweight boot, the Moraine Polar is one of the most durable we’ve tested. The stiff sole has resisted repeated impact with rocks and scree, leaving no chips or scuff. We love the lightweight yet highly durable leather outer. Kicking rocks was no problem, thanks to its rubber rand, and our feet felt protected no matter the terrain. If your hikes regularly encounter sharp rocks and scree, then the Moraine Polar is one of the best lightweight options to hold up for many more hikes.

Should You Buy The Scarpa Moraine Polar GTX?

Those looking for a stiff boot with minimal cushioning will find the Moraine Polar the perfect fit. Its narrow midfoot shape works better for slender feet, and its extremely stiff construction makes it great for kicking steps in steep snow. However, this may make it lose some of its mass appeal as it is not as comfortable for more casual use. With moderate insulation and a slender profile overall, the Morain Polar works well as a three-season boot or a boot for more moderate winter weather.

What other winter boots should you consider?

Check out our full gear guide for all of our favorite winter hiking boots.

Salomon Crosstrak Powder Review: If the Scarpa Moraine Polar left you wanting more traction, the Crosstrak delivers ultimate traction performance.

Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid Review: At a more accessible price, the Thermo Chill 2 Mid is great for anyone looking for an affordable yet still high-performing boot.

KEEN Revel IV Polar Review: Similarly durable, the Revel IV Polar delivers great warmth but with the added durability of leather.