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Scarpa Crux

rated 4 of 5 stars
photo: Scarpa Crux approach shoe

Very comfortable. Great for approach.

Pros

  • Comfy
  • All-day wear everywhere
  • Grip well

Cons

  • Can feel sharp rocks through soles
  • Compresion of cushioning between sole rubber and shoe

I really like this shoe. I usually wear an 8 and settled on a 39, which I think is a little bigger than a 7.5. I wear these shoes everywhere.

I have a collapsed left arch and prominent navicular bones. This means my navicular often hangs over the edge of the sole of most shoes and it can get quite uncomfortable if there is any sort of arch in the shoe. These have no arch support and so work great for me.

The toe box is roomy enough for my otherwise average width forefoot. The heel cup might be one of the best things on this shoe though. It's almost like having a climbing shoe on when you go uphill, there is no slippage and it even feels like actually cups around your heel to hold it there.

No break-in time needed. Just slip them on and go. I did take them up to the Wind Rivers too very shortly after I got them for a backpacking trip. I could have wished for something with a little more support for my ankles, but that is just me. I know many people carry pretty heavy loads without big boots. I have funky feet though and rarely go backpacking and with climbing gear to boot. So I'm not used to that heavy of a load for that many miles.

My main concern with the shoe is that the sole will not last as long as I'd like it to. Because my feet are so hard to fit I hate shoe shopping and hope for my shoes to last several years. The sole on this shoe between the rubber outsole and shoe bed is a firmish foam like material. I can already see some compression of it. I wonder if I'll be able to make it make than a year. Also because the actually shoe sole is a softer rubber for extra stickiness I don't see it lasting for several years either.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $95 US

Low profile, comfortable shoe that works awesome for hikes in to the local crag and to climb in.

Pros

  • Low profile
  • Comfortable
  • Quick break-in time

Cons

  • The rubber on the toe of the shoe appears to be separating

I have worn the Scarpa Crux approach shoes on a climbing trip through Wyoming as well as a spring's worth of trips to my local crags in Arkansas. So far, I have been very impressed with the shoe.

Quick break-in time, low profile shoe that is nice so that I am less likely to roll my ankles. I get a great sense of feel of the ground beneath my feet and climbing in the shoes is awesome. I climbed as well in the Crux as some of my mates did in their actual climbing shoes.

I would highly recommend this shoe, although I have noticed the rubber to separate from the shoe. Right now it is minimal, but I do have a slight cause for concern that it could get worse. Still TBD on that part. 

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $90

Great until you walk on slabs.

Pros

  • Tons of support
  • Comfortable padding
  • Firm midsole

Cons

  • Twists around on slabs
  • Tongue slides to the outside

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. 

Background

Bushwhacking, 5th class mountaineering, walking, driving.

Source: bought it used
Price Paid: $40

Great overall approach shoe. They do the job. Good for scrambling up rock, hiking and around town. I would highly recommend these shoes.

Pros

  • Comfort
  • Sticky
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • None

I got back into climbing again after 15 years and was looking for a comfortable approach shoe. I was running marathons and so I'm always looking for light and roomy. My feet are pretty beat up over time.

I love these shoes. They are light, comfortable, easy to scramble up rock, or just hiking and they look great for around town. They fit true to size and have enough cushion not to feel the ground while carrying a pack.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $80

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Specs

Men's
Price MSRP: $130.00
Current Retail: $37.48-$159.00
Historic Range: $29.69-$159.00
Reviewers Paid: $40.00-$90.00
Upper 1.8mm Suede and Polyester Mesh
Midsole 2D EVA-MP
Outsole Vibram Vertical Approach / Megagrip
Last BN
Primary Material Leather
Women's
Price Current Retail: $45.50-$159.00
Historic Range: $23.98-$159.00
Reviewers Paid: $80.00-$95.00
Upper 1.8mm Suede and Polyester Mesh
Midsole 2D EVA-MP
Outsole Vibram Vertical Approach / Megagrip
Last BN
Primary Material Leather
Product Details from Scarpa »

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