Kit & Gear

REVIEW: SCOTT Ultra Carbon RC

Combining years of expertise in advanced traction, rocker technology and trail running, SCOTT have created the Ultra Carbon RC: their most technological trail racing product to date.

Featuring a Carbitex Gear Flex plate that keeps you moving efficiently for long hours combined with our evolved rocker technology and an Ultra traction outsole with strategically placed lugs for outstanding traction. The shoe feels light and cushioned thanks to Kinetic Light Foam and has a specifically designed engineer upper for comfort. The SCOTT Ultra Carbon RC is your go to shoe for trail marathons to ultra race distances.

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Our SportsShoes Trail athlete, Ben Mounsey, has been busy putting the SCOTT Ultra Carbon RC Trail Shoes to the test. Check out his review below;

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SHOP ALL SCOTT ULTRA CARBON RC TRAIL SHOES NOW

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LOOK, FIT AND FEEL

Firstly, I love the design and I really like the fact SCOTT have stayed true to the Black and Yellow colour scheme, it gives all SCOTT shoes a real sense of identity. 

In terms of fit, it's consistent in length with other shoes in the range - I'm a UK 10 in all SCOTT shoes. Width-wise I feel that this particular model is more of a precision fit, suiting my thin feet - so no complaints from me. However, for anyone looking for a shoe with a wide fit, this might be an issue.

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"THE SCOTT ULTRA CARBON RC OFFERS PROTECTION AND SUPPORT IN ABUNDANCE"

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UPPER 

The upper material is warm, comfortable and feet feel well-protected. The tongue design of any shoe is a really important feature for me and I'm pleased to say that the length, shape, fit and feel of the tongue design on the Ultra Carbon RC is perfect! It sits exactly where it needs to and doesn't aggravate my foot or annoy me (some tongue designs do!). It also offers just the right amount of padding/protection against the laces when they're pulled and tied together tightly. In cooler weather, the upper materials help to keep the feet warm. My only issue is that in hot conditions, I don't find the shoe very breathable - perhaps it's the double-layer of upper material either side of the laces? As a consequence my feet are hot and sweaty after a run. This is literally the only thing I can pick fault with.

When I test and review any shoe, there are always particular features and benefits that really stand out. With the Ultra Carbon RC, it is undoubtedly protection and support. By support I mean stability and the heel counter offers rear stability in abundance - more so than any other trail shoe that I've tested. In addition to this, the top of the upper wraps around the foot like a cradle and the extra lace loops offer a really secure and personalised fit. This shoe really provides a 'locked in' feel, which is extremely noticeable and especially when negotiating challenging technical terrain. I can't think of a better trail shoe in terms of protection and support (this is part of the trade off for lack of breathability).

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MIDSOLE

The Ultra Carbon RC feels incredibly stable. It offers an incredible amount of protection underfoot and the carbon plate obviously helps with this stability, whilst also serving as a rock plate. There is just the right balance of spring from the plate and cushioning to help propel you forward on the trail. I'm a heel striker, but I feel like the rocker shape of the shoe really enhances forward momentum. There is a noticeable level of energy return, particularly when running over distance. I know that this is a shoe built for ultras and marathons without having to be told - the design really reflects the purpose.

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OUTSOLE

Grip is fantastic on most trail surfaces (aside from the obvious extreme soft and muddy trails). The multi-directional, multi-sized angular lugs offer plenty of traction, especially with the added dimples, which are really effective on rock.

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OVERALL

As previously mentioned, this shoe screams comfort, stability and protection. It's solid, very well-made and built for purpose. 

Bravo SCOTT - you've launched a beauty!

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SHOP ALL SCOTT ULTRA CARBON RC TRAIL SHOES NOW

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KEY FEATURES:

• DYNAMIC CARBON PLATE
  The unique benefit from the Carbitex GearFlex carbon plate is its dynamic flexible property; the plate responds to you by increasing stiffness as you increase speed, and retains flexibility at a lower pace.
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• ULTRA TRACTION OUTSOLE
  This outsole is designed specifically for ultra races on fast rolling trails. Utilizing a semi radial design to give maximum efficiency in forward motion while maintaining 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.
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• EFFICIENT ROCKER
  Evolved Rocker 2 builds on 10 years of continued R&D, creating SCOTT's most efficient running platform yet. ER2 applies an advanced understanding of biomechanical principles to promote a more dynamic running position, reducing heel strike impacts and increasing running efficiency. Simply put, you can run faster for longer, with less energy.
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• LIGHTWEIGHT FOAM
  The shoe feels light and cushioned thanks to SCOTT's Kinetic Light Foam and high levels of comfort given by a specifically designed engineer upper. This is your go to shoe for trail marathons to ultra distance races.
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  EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CARBON PLATE TECHNOLOGY IN SCOTT ROAD & TRAIL RUNNING SHOES:
  Carbitex is the leader and pioneer in flexible carbon fibre composites.
  The CARBITEX GEARFLEX plate in both the Speed Carbon RC (a road shoe) the Ultra Carbon RC (a trail shoe) is soft and flexible yet increases stiffness as the runner increases speed. This dynamic property makes the carbon plate truly unique as it adapts to a runner’s needs and thus fits every type of runner. It gives more power and efficiency when needed and is soft and flexible when not.
  The plate in the Speed Carbon RC, is wide under the forefoot and has a tail towards the heel. The design increases stability and supports the straightforward movement for those fast road marathon races.
  For trail running the plate needed to be lighter, thinner and more flexible to give the runner just the right amount of agility and ground feel on uneven terrain. For this, SCOTT created a new design of the plate that is split under the forefoot and towards the heel to increase lateral flex. This swallow tail design allows for increased lateral flex and a natural decoupling of the forefoot and rearfoot meaning the shoe retains a more natural dynamic while maintaining the efficiency of the carbon plated technology.
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  Ben Mounsey is an elite fell and trail runner. You can follow all of his running adventures here
  

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