At UTMB, the SCOTT team gave us an exclusive first look at the all-new Kinabalu Trail set for a January 2026 launch. It’s a shoe that shares only very little with its stout predecessor, the Kinabalu 3. That previous model divided trail runners with its hefty build and firm ride. And while looks are subjective, the old model looked sad and dated too. This latest iteration, however, marks a complete overhaul. The Kinabalu Trail promises a livelier, more responsive feel, packed with the traction and confidence you need when the terrain gets technical. So, who is this shoe really for and does it deserve a spot in your trail rotation? Let’s dive in and find out.
Upper and Fit of the SCOTT Kinabalu Trail
What works for me
If you enjoy a more European precision fit, you will probably love this upper. The Kinabalu Trail runs true to size and performs best when you accept its snug, secure fit. Being someone with lower foot volume, I really appreciated just how sculpted the Kinabalu Trail was throughout the upper.
SCOTT carried over the honeycomb-patterned mesh from the Kinabalu 3 model but stripped back the overlays, resulting in a much lighter and more streamlined design. A thin, minimalist reinforcement line traces the midsole and wraps around the toe cap, offering just enough protection without adding unnecessary bulk. This gives decent breathability and a very lightweight feel for a trail shoe. We’re talking just over 200 grams in my (admittedly tiny) US size 6. There is a still nice big toe mudguard that saved my life through the mud and cow patties in my Autumn testing days.Two lock-in looped eyelets towards the top of the foot help secure the foot (and the runner with little reflective details). Padding is minimal but purposeful. There is just enough on the tongue for comfort, with extra cushioning around the heel collar to prevent chafing and improve overall hold.
It’s worth mentioning that my insole came with a women’s specific fit. From what I can tell, the insole has some sculpting to fit a higher female arch. Whatever it did, it fit spot on. Raoul tells me his insole was flat throughout suited for a more uniform male foot.
What doesn’t work for me
While the upper is pretty faultless, the cut is a little low, which might not appeal to all. I did have to play around with socks to get my heels locked in tight. Too thin and you may get some heel slippage. Too thick and the socks may not fit in this shoe. On a smaller note, the shoe laces can be slippery and come undone if not secured tight.
Midsole and Ride of the SCOTT Kinabalu Trail
What works for me
The ride is where the Kinabalu Trail comes to life with a good mix of bounce and responsiveness. Out with the firm midsole of the old Kinabalu, in with a new EVA/Pebax blended foam that brings a playful, energetic ride. This shoe feels quick and nimble on the trails, especially for all you lighter weight runners.
The cushioning strikes a fine balance between road shoe smoothness and trail ready precision for up to moderately technical trails. The midsole tapers from a more cushioned heel to a thinner forefoot, allowing you to sink slightly into landings while still feeling connected to the terrain. A subtle late-stage rocker allows the runner to roll forward efficiently through toe-off, adding a touch of momentum to each stride.With its 6mm drop the Kinabalu Trail feels eager and ready to run with great energy return. Imagine a well-trained puppy waiting at the door for its next adventure.
What doesn’t work for me
The midsole foam does face some limitations when the terrain gets rough. On rocky ground, the midsole doesn’t provide quite enough protection against sharp objects for my personal liking. Bring it back to forest trails, river paths, and rolling singletracks and the ride is agile and playful, with an ideal amount of cushion in my opinion.
Outsole of the SCOTT Kinabalu Trail
Grip and Traction
The Kinabalu Trail feels like a road shoe underfoot, but the grip is definitely capable of handling a range of off-road conditions. The 5mm lugs are arranged in a multidirectional pattern that provides reliable traction when both climbing and descending. A decoupled forefoot pod and dual heel pods add agility and help the shoe adapt smoothly to uneven terrain.
There’s quite a bit of exposed foam, yet at no point did I find myself wishing for more grip with more rubber coverage. The outsole remains impressively flexible, offering a confident feel on most surfaces. I have started to notice some early wear on the lugs, but so far it hasn’t affected traction or performance.
Durability
While the foam felt springy out of the box, I began noticing quite some creasing around the 50 km mark. We discussed in a recent team chat that creasing doesn’t always signal a breakdown in cushioning. That said, along with the wrinkles, I also started to feel a noticeable increase in firmness underfoot. After roughly 120 km of running and another 20-30km of hiking in them, the midsole seems to have compacted slightly, losing some of its initial rebound. The shoes are still enjoyable, just missing that initial wow factor.
For me, this has resulted in harsher landings on steep downhills, with some of the impact transferring up through the knees and leading to a bit of overpronation. Raoul is currently putting more miles on his pair in Spain for a second opinion. We’ll see if he agrees on my initial assessment.
Conclusion
Value for Money
I would have said €150 is a pretty spot on retail price for this type of shoe at launch. Yet with the questions around durability of the midsole and the light lug wear, I would have loved to see this priced more around the 120-130 range. At that price, it’s a fun shoe to add to your rotation.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
After a few longer outings in the Kinabalu Trail, I’d say this probably isn’t your go-to for ultra distances. After several hours, the lack of structure starts to show, and you’ll wish for a bit more support underfoot. Where it truly shines is in those 10–20km runs bounding around mountain towns, cruising along ridgelines, and weaving through forest paths.
Fresh out of the box, it’s lively enough for tempo sessions or even a short trail race, but it’s not a do it all tool. Think of it more as your “fun run” companion, the one you grab for spontaneous trail adventures or coffee runs after a jog with a friend.
In your rotation, it will pair well with a more robust, cushioned option for long runs (something like a Hoka Mafate 5 or Brooks Caldera 8) and perhaps a dedicated road daily trainer for recovery days. Depending on the colourway, it could even double as a casual lifestyle shoe. It really does look that good.
Final Verdict
The Kinabalu Trail is a refreshing step forward for the SCOTT brand. It’s lighter, livelier, and far more refined than the hefty Kinabeluga. The Kinabalu Trail was never built for ultras, and to be fair, SCOTT never promised it was. This is a shoe designed to bring the fun back to trail running, and that’s exactly what it does.
Light, springy, and snug through the upper, the Kinabalu Trail suits lighter runners best. With minimal stability features, it rewards good form and those who love a more precise fit. On forest paths, ridgelines, and rolling singletracks, it feels quick, playful, and confident. It’s the kind of shoe that makes a 10–20km trail run something to look forward to. The grip is solid, the ride is smooth, and there’s a bounce that keeps you smiling.
There are a few trade-offs. The Kinabalu Trail is not the most cushioned choice for longer or rockier efforts, and some midsole compression is a real possibility over time. Still, for its intended purpose, it delivers a lively, modern ride in a sleek package. If you could find these closer to €130, it would be a fun add to your rotation. That’s because it’s a trail shoe that reminds you why running off-road is supposed to be fun.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
SCOTT Kinabalu Trail vs. ASICS Fujilite 6
The Kinabalu Trail sits in a very similar category to the ASICS Fujilite 6 we recently reviewed. It has a comparable weight, feel, and even lug depth. The Fujilite 6 comes in about €10 cheaper and seems to offer a touch more durability through its outsole. That said, the ride and lockdown on the Kinabalu Trail give it an edge in comfort and fun factor.
Fit-wise, the Kinabalu Trail feels more sculpted and secure, wrapped in a sleeker, more modern design. In short: the Fujilite 6 might last a little longer, but you’ll probably smile more often running in the Kinabalu Trail.
Other Opinions
Raoul’s Take on the SCOTT Kinabalu Trail
I agree with what Esther is saying above. I loved the lockdown of the laces, and the heel is a superb fit without any heel lift for me. There is a little give in the laces, but it helps the shoe feel a little more dynamic overall. It looks fast and feels fast. While I did not experience the sock dilemma that Esther is mentioning, I would love to see a textured lace on this shoe to aid a little with them coming loose if not locked down properly.
The ride felt classic in a way that reminded me of a road racing flat from the early 2010’s. Hyper dynamic and explosive. Close to the ground with a lot of trail feel. It felt like a throwback to the running in this shoe. For shorter runs I really enjoyed the shoe, especially on a mix of fire roads and fast, flowing single track. However, he technology in shoes has come a long way since the early 2010’s and there were limitations to the midsole and what I have come to expect from trail shoes in 2025. It felt like a paired back NNormal Kjerag 1 when it came to foot protection, which kept me from taking it on loose trails.
Meanwhile, the outsole is reliable and gave me no reason to doubt it, even in the fastest turns I made in the shoe. The material is showing no signs of the abuse I have put it through, and Scott have a winning formula on their hands here. The shoe continued to make me feel like it was from another era when foams broke down measurably from exciting to dull in just a handful of runs. While the change in the dynamic nature of the midsole is not as apparent as the bygone era, it was noticeable. The midsole has a little less spring in its step after just 100km in the shoe, which I had hoped was a mistake in the pair Esther has.
