Campman Outdoor Gear & Apparel

Most climbers end up owning three different pairs of shoes to cover one day: climbing shoes for the gym or the crag, an approach shoe for the trail in between, and something normal enough to wear into a coffee shop afterward without looking like you just came off a mountain. The SCARPA Mojito exists to collapse two of those three into one shoe, and it has been quietly doing that job for climbers around Salt Lake City for years. Here is what makes it work, where it earns its keep, and who should look elsewhere.

What Makes the Mojito Different

The Mojito borrows its DNA from SCARPA's climbing shoes rather than from a hiking boot, and that shows up in how it fits and feels underfoot. The lacing runs low and close to the toe, more like a climbing shoe's closure than a sneaker's, which keeps the fit snug through the midfoot without needing to crank the laces tight. A soft suede upper molds to your foot over the first several wears instead of staying stiff out of the box. A rubber toe rand wraps the front of the shoe, adding protection and a little extra grip for the scrambly sections that show up on almost every approach trail. Underneath, a Vibram Spyder outsole handles wet pavement, packed dirt, and slick rock with the same quiet competence, which is exactly the range of surfaces a normal day covers.

The Trail-to-Town Story

The Mojito is not a hiking shoe trying to look casual, and it is not a sneaker pretending it can handle a trail. It sits in the narrow space in between, built for days that move through all three settings without a shoe change. Start at the gym, drive up the canyon for an afternoon at the crag, and walk into dinner afterward, and the Mojito is the one piece of footwear that does not need to change for any of it.

SCARPA Mojito Shoes

Men's

Women's

Prefer a Wrap Closure? Try the SCARPA Mojito Wrap

If you like everything about the Mojito but want to skip the laces, SCARPA also makes the Mojito Wrap. It swaps the traditional lace-to-toe closure for a hand-applied wrap band around the midsole, giving it a distinct look while keeping the same climbing-inspired to-the-toe lacing underneath the band. A PRESA outsole paired with an EVA midsole handles everyday walking and light urban terrain, and the shoe leans into eco-conscious construction, with a suede upper made from regenerated leather and an insole made largely from recycled polyester and cotton fibers.

SCARPA Mojito Wrap Shoes

Where It Earns Its Keep in Utah

Little Cottonwood Canyon is the obvious proving ground. The approach trails to areas like the Gate Buttress and the canyon's boulder fields mix packed dirt, loose talus, and short scrambly sections, and the Mojito's toe rand and Spyder outsole handle all three without feeling overbuilt for the easier stretches. It also holds up fine as an everyday shoe around Salt Lake, so it does not have to live in a gym bag between climbing days. If you travel for climbing trips, it is one of the few shoes that can reasonably cover the airport, the approach, and the belay ledge without packing a second pair.

Who It's For (and Who Should Look Elsewhere)

The Mojito is a great fit for climbers, boulderers, and casual hikers who want one shoe to cover gym days, easy approaches, and everyday wear without carrying a second pair. It is not a replacement for a dedicated approach shoe once the terrain gets steep, loose, or exposed. If your approach involves real scrambling with a pack on, or you are regularly moving over technical slab and talus, a stiffer, more aggressive shoe like the SCARPA Crux is the better tool for the job.

Sizing and Fit

The suede upper stretches slightly with wear, so many climbers find the Mojito comfortable sized true to size rather than sized down the way they might for a performance climbing shoe. If you are between sizes or have a wider foot, going up half a size is generally the safer call, since the upper will relax over time but will not grow to fit a foot that started out cramped. Our Salt Lake City warehouse has both the men's and women's Mojito in stock to try on before you buy.

Quick Comparison: Mojito vs. Crux vs. a Standard Sneaker

Feature	SCARPA Mojito	SCARPA Crux	Standard Sneaker
Best Use	Gym to crag to town	Technical approaches	Everyday wear only
Upper Material	Suede	Suede or synthetic	Mesh or leather
Outsole	Vibram Spyder	Sticky climbing rubber	Standard rubber
Grip on Rock	Good	Excellent	Poor
Everyday Comfort	Excellent	Good	Excellent
Trail Support	Light to moderate	Moderate to aggressive	Minimal

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the SCARPA Mojito good for hiking? It works well for casual walks and light trail use, but it is not built for long mileage or a heavy pack. On shorter approach trails it holds up well, especially where the terrain mixes dirt, pavement, and light scrambling.

Can I wear the Mojito at the climbing gym? Yes. It is a great shoe to wear to and from the gym or during breaks between climbs, but you will still want to switch into dedicated climbing shoes to actually climb.

Does the SCARPA Mojito run true to size? Most climbers find it fits true to size. Since the suede upper softens and molds over time, sizing down the way you might for a climbing shoe usually is not necessary.

Is the Mojito good for approach hiking with a pack? It handles shorter, moderate approaches fine. For longer or more technical approaches with a loaded pack, a dedicated approach shoe like the SCARPA Crux offers more support and protection.

What is the difference between the Mojito and a dedicated approach shoe? Dedicated approach shoes are typically stiffer, more supportive, and grippier on technical rock. The Mojito trades some of that performance for everyday comfort and versatility off the trail.

Will the suede upper stretch over time? Yes. The suede softens and molds to your foot over the first several wears, which is part of why sizing true to size tends to work better than sizing down.

Make the Mojito Your One Shoe

The SCARPA Mojito is not trying to be the best climbing shoe, the best approach shoe, or the best sneaker. It is trying to be the one shoe you do not have to think about between all three, and for most climbers most days, that trade is worth it. Shop the men's and women's Mojito online now, or stop by our Salt Lake City warehouse to try a pair on before your next trip up the canyon.

About the Author

Derek Newman

Born in the Wasatch, Derek has had an affinity for mountain life since day one. He was on skis the year he learned to walk, and as a high school graduation present he gifted himself rock climbing lessons. Nearly two decades later, Derek spends most of his time climbing up and/or skiing down most of the mountains around Salt Lake City, and he’s traveled around the world multiple times for the sole purpose of peak exploration. When he isn’t a man about camp, he’s working in Campman’s content marketing crew writing up blogs about backcountry skiing or rock climbing as well as describing products that he’s used personally. He’s climbed in most climbing shoes, toured on most backcountry skis, and ridden the resort on skis, snowboards, and even some evac sleds.