The short version
Talus removed the rock plate from the Scree 3 to save weight. On smooth trail it is a pleasant, flexible shoe. On anything sharp it transmits everything straight to the foot.
What the lab measured
Puncture resistance on our 12mm ball rig failed at 41 newtons, against a class average of 96. Weight dropped to 249g from 289g in the previous version, so the saving is real, just badly chosen.
Wet-grip coefficient was 0.69 and lug depth 4.1mm, both mid-table. Energy return 61.4 percent.
Where it disappoints
Every tester independently reported forefoot bruising on rocky descents. That is not a preference issue, it is a design failure for a shoe sold as technical trail.
Verdict
Fine on groomed fire road, unusable on scree. Given the name, that is an odd place to end up.
