Approach Shoes

Recent Approach Shoe Reviews

Scarpa Crux

Great until you walk on slabs. These have been great walking around, and climbing 5th class ridges. Off trail they work well, too, including alder scrambling. However, when on sustained slabs or talus-hopping, the tongues rotate to the side. The slot in the tongue for the laces doesn’t help at all. In my case, with kind of fat ankles, the top eyelet on the inside of my right foot digs in. I untied the top eyelets, but that was a bit insecure. This only happens on slabs.  Full review

Five Ten Guide Tennie

Mediocre precision and grip, but very durable. It is a solid and durable shoe with fantastic grip on pure rock. That is its main advantage. However, when it comes to grassy or unstable mixed soil slopes, it quickly becomes unfit for purpose.  There are better approach shoes today, in terms of frontshoe precision, fit, and multi-surface sole grip performance. Full review

La Sportiva TX3

The La Sportiva TX3 is an approach shoe, which means that it is intended for both hiking and scrambling or light rock climbing. Like many of the best approach shoes, it has sole made from rubber that is very sticky and grippy on rocks, has the kind of close fit that rock climbers like, and a longer run of laces than a typical hiking shoe that helps them fit almost "like a glove." At the same time, their mesh uppers, cushioned midsole, and healthy tread depth make them better than most approach shoes… Full review

Garmont Dragontail MNT GTX

Very solid hiking shoes; but they are not entirely comfortable. These are superbly-made shoes, heavy duty hiking shoes rather than a boots; but, so far, I am not entirely happy with them. The problem is the sizing. I have LOWA and Hanwag shoes and boots, all in European size 42; but the Garmont runs small in both length and width and I do not have wide feet. Being fairly rigid, they may need to be broken in; but I have never had this issue with shoes of any kind before.  I ordered the shoes through… Full review

evolv Cruzer Psyche

Well-made shoe that does the job and is super lightweight. Fits well. The Evolv Cruzer Psyche is a very conventionally-designed shoe that came AFTER the Evolv Cruzer, which has an unconventional upper in the heel area. Its one departure from classic shoe construction is an overlapping slit instead of a tongue. This non-tongue seems to work just fine, makes entry a touch easier, and is very comfortable.  I don't climb; I hike and backpack in this shoe with 30 pounds or less on my back, no poles,… Full review

Asolo Cactus GV

Lightweight approach shoe with a Gore-Tex membrane. I'm on my third pair of these and use them daily. I get about a year and half of wear before I start looking to replace them. Their comfort, looks, and waterproofness keep me coming back, but I have to be careful when walking on wet surfaces. Unfortunately they are getting harder to find. I believe that Asolo has stopped making them.  The footbed is fairly thin and flexible and gets more so with wear. Ankle support is good. Laces are great with… Full review

Salewa Firetail EVO

Solid with a good grip, but not particularly comfortable. I have mixed feelings about these shoes. I have the non-GTX version. Used them for several years now in the alpine also in lower terrain. But I bought them for alpine approach so that's how I will judge them. They have a pretty good grip on solid rock also on grassy slopes and scree. They are lightweight also and durable. But that's about the good parts. These shoes are not the most comfortable when covering long distances with a heavy load. Full review

Five Ten Guide Tennie

The Five Ten Guide Tennie is an approach shoe best suited to light hiking that involves scrambling on rocks. It has features common to many shoes that try to bridge the gap between hiking and rock climbing—lacing that runs almost to your toes to ensure a secure fit, durable leather material, and great lateral support. The midsole and sole are clearly intended for light rock climbing: stiff midsole, extremely sticky sole with shallow treads, and a rubber-coated toe for extra traction. While it… Full review

Salewa Wildfire GTX

Grip like no other shoe I've owned. A touch narrow, but still very comfy, and did I mention grip? A review in two parts Part 1 - My review after the first day: I just received these in the mail and put them on. They are very comfortable and very true to size. I always wear a EUR 43 (I've given up on US sizes) and these fit me perfectly (US size 10 in this case). They are darker black than I expected from the photo where they look more grey—but they are still pretty sharp looking. The red laces… Full review