Looking for high top approach shoes.....

Hey guys, recently mucked up my ankle fairly pretty bad, and am now looking for a high top approach shoe to give me a little more support and hopefully Prevent any future ankle problems. Anyways was just wondering if anyone had any experience with a high top approach shoe that is still pretty burly
Thanks

Ganda Guide?

I don't have the high top, but I own the low-top (non guide) version, and it rocks.

Just took a look at the LS website, anyone have any experience with the boulder mid gtx? They look to be about what I'm looking for, but was curious as to what the sole n them looked like.

You might want to check out Crocs.

And the name fits!
Gonna check out the scarpas, I like the lok of the dharmas, going to try to find somewhere close to try them on after i get out of the aircast.

When I was looking for a high top approach shoe a few years ago, I looked at the La Sportiva Ganda Guide and the Five Ten Exum Guide. The Ganda Guide fit narrower than the Exum Guide and was much more expensive. I went with the Ganda Guide because it fit my foot better and have been very pleased with it as an approach shoe. I don't do any real climbing with it (I need all the help I can get on climbs in mid to upper fifth class climbs).

have a set of 9.5 SCARPA Dharmas (half- or mid-top) i could sell you. 42.5...

I have the Dharmas and wear them almost every day. They fit like a typical climbing shoe, narrow and asymetrical. After a year they are coming due for a resole and new laces but they have gotten a ton of use. They are fairly stiff (great for aid ladders) and the soles are sticky. What I think separates them from most others is that they can be resoled easily.

Anybody have a pair of Dharma Pros in 43 or 44 they would sell me?

Try Salewa!

I love my Scarpa Zens, they are stiff in the sole which I want since I wear a big shoe, size 13 or 14, they last a really long time and they hike really well when carrying a lot of weight. The downsides are that they are super warm in the summer, unless I'm in the mountains I never wear these, and the size runs small to me, I have the 48 (14) and they are still a touch short for long hikes. If I needed a high top I would certainly look at the Dharma Pro, I've seen them on sale in quite a few places, I think they are discontinuing them, but I could be wrong.

Scarpa also has a new high top that I've seen a few Euros wearing around but it retails for $240!!! But that is less than the $280 Ganda Guides are now retailing for.

Another, but burlier option, is the Garmont Vetta Lite.

For a lighter option there are these: Sportiva Explorer Montrail Badrock Mid

Unfortunately most high top approach and running shoes are "waterproof". You may be better off with a comfortable shoe and an ankle brace.

Kilroywashere! wrote:Just took a look at the LS website, anyone have any experience with the boulder mid gtx? They look to be about what I'm looking for, but was curious as to what the sole n them looked like.

Five Ten Impact's also work well. They were designed for mtb but work well as a hiker.

I'd go to the nearest pharmacy superstore and buy an "aircast" type ankle support. I really doubt the extra 2" of soft leather upper of a higher approach shoe is going to protect your ankle if you get in a bad position and it starts to roll.

I played soccer with a habitually sprained ankle for years. Aircasts are not comfortable. I highly recommend learning to tape your ankle. It's not hard, try you tube for demos. It is way more comfortable than aircasts and more supportive than high tops. There are lace up ankle braces as well, but I don't know much about them.