Shoe approach with versatile properties. Not only did they provide sticky clutches on rocks, but they were also designed for a long day on the path. They are do-it-all hybrid between climbing shoes, boot hiking and trace running shoes: sticky, supportive and comfortable. That’s a strong trifecta.
But which shoe approach is best for your needs? We registered 21 testers throughout the country to settle uphill in it with heavy packages, stains against stone slabs and their legs into the smallest cracks available to bring your reviews about the best approaches available at REI.
We have recommendations for shorter and longer approaches, options that can pull out punches for your stone shoes, and one we think can do everything. So read on to find a perfect kick for you.
La Sportiva TX4
Test Results: If we draw a Venn diagram that describes the support, comfort and ignition of climbing, La Sportiva TX4 will fall right into the centered sweet spot. Unlike other shoes, the top is really wrapped in Midsole, helping to increase stability in uneven fields. But thanks to the Midsole Eva foam formed compression, TX4 produces a rigid feeling of plywood which is common in the shoe approach and vice versa offers a soft trip that is a rival of standard hiking shoes. Luxury ankle collars add overall comfort, while Outsole Vibram® Megagrip is solid (one of the brands of Terticah brand) makes shoes worth the stone wall. “TX4 is thick and solid colored; they really shine when climbing a slab,” said a new Hampshire based tester after five pitches near the webster cliff.
Protection is also quite brave. The top nubuck skin wraps all legs, easily brushing rocks and serrated bumps. Rand rubber wrapped shoes for more armor, and a bee thumb bumper offered protection for toes when crawling. Exchange: Without nets, TX4 doesn’t work well, because one tester was found after a trip of 50 miles on the Washington pass Cathedral loop.
Fit is a little more loose than other approaches in this list. Wide footbox allows dogs breathable during the remote approach, although some testers feel older front legs make TX4 slightly careless when climbing
Black Diamond Mission Lt
The results of the test: less than one pound per foot, this feather lamp mission is very hard for fast moving days in the mountains. Not like with other approaches in our test, Black Diamond Slashes ONS on the mission lt. In lieu of the skin, the brand uses a tight, waterproof (non-water) mesh, wrapped in rubber rand along the way. Takeaway: Fresh feet during long-term adventures. “I still feel good at the end of my biggest days,” said a tester who recorded a 18-mile backpacking trip in the wilderness of California’s destruction while wearing a mission Lt. Plus one more mesh? When combined with a perforated foam ankle collar, it makes this mission the most breathable choice in this lineup – great for people with sweaty tootsi.
A nylon stone plate increases the EVA MIDSOLE firm, adds support and protection under the feet, which minimizes the fatigue of the foot when Rock jumps. Grippy traction also stands out in the Scree field. Exclusive rubber is high-performance and superficial, diamond-shaped lugs help you stick to stones and slabs. “I never asked my footing, even on the stones and the most precarious corner,” said a tester after grade 3 struggle along the long-length-length pyramid in the wilderness of the destruction of California.
Bootie like a sock serves fitting matches, but there is an extra space in the Toe box. Our testers praise them in a longer approach but admit that the mission is not the most appropriate with a strict movement on the stone. Note: Small walking mission is planned with a size of at least half the size
Scarpa Crux II
Test results: If you are a friend at the trailhead that offers to transport extra climbing shelves, Scarpa Crux II shoes are for you thanks to the midsole eva dual-density which is quite rigid that even makes the smartest crew. “It’s not stiff really like other shoe approaches, but I still feel supported when cutting the monster for a cliff,” said a tester after a mixed day of climbing in the Gifford Pinchot Washington National Forest. The core of Crux: This is a shoe survive board, which means the upper part is attached to a flexible board that sits on Midsole and adds stability. Suede Burly over also adds support and weight. While Crux II is not the toughest shoe we test, we still won’t cut it with our harness.
As with other people in this guide, Scarpa chooses for Vibram® Megagrip Outsole – one that makes crux II competitors worthy of dry slabs and moderate climbing routes. But Midsole is comfortable (and rather flexible) means it is not suitable for the technical field: “It’s not an edge like climbing shoes, so I can’t use it on any route with micro bags,” said a Tester based in Canadian after weekend Calabogie Crags Ontario.
A nice touch: Crux II is suitable for out of the box, unusual spotlight for leather shoes. Extra soft tongue credit for solving-in-not needed. However, the Toe box is not as wide as the other in the test, and one tester reported the heel slipped in a steep terrain (but it was easily fixed with thick socks)
Arc’teryx conseal ar
Test results: “I jammed, applying and scrambling me through various fields,” said a tester based in Alaska from AR concentration shoes. For climbers who want to overcome the technical approach, Arc’teryx’s kick is a solid choice. Vibram® Megagrip is always popular attached to slab and choss, while shallow lugs provide more surface contacts than deeper tread. The result: full contact, tacky traction that allows one tester to confidently leads the moderate climbing route.
Arc’teryx usually chooses to fit tight, so the testers are happy to find some space in the Toe box. However, those who have narrow legs find excessive space. “I feel careless on a small edge,” said one climber. And, thanks to the upper fleshy skin, the break-in period is substantial. This is a tradeoff: the faith helps the best conseal score in our exam for durability. Himself, waterproof abrasion suede that is not waterproof but the Arc’teryx designer takes resistance to the next level. A TPU film wraps its side and heel shoes while the 3D mold leg cap protects the front foot and removes stitches where delamination usually occurs. “I wear it heavily and they still look good enough to use,” said a tester after 75 days and almost 250 miles in conseals. Exchange: While the skin handles sharp stones, it also invites sweating feet at Temps above 70 ° F.
La Sportiva Boulder X
Test Results: If you want a lot, win La Sportiva Boulder X. For the lowest price in our test, you get a long-lasting, sticky, comfortable approach that is very adequate in everything. Dubbed “Sturdy and strong” by one tester, Boulder X uses a flesh rubber rand to wrap and protect your feet, plus the skin completely. Boulder X produces high praise for the unique impact system (nicknamed “Mythos”), which uses a long lace to pass the ankle collar before continuing the shoe’s fingers to fit and fit. “When you crank on this rope, it’s like a bear hug for your feet,” said a Tester based in California. But fast and bright they don’t: Boulder X tied to the toughest boots in a group
