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Approach Shoes

Original Post
Andrew Shoe · · Graham, Washington · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 25

I want to get a new pair of approach shoes that are mid's but still feel light. I'm trying to decide between Boreal's Flyers or 5.10's Camp 4's. Any suggestions?

Kevin Mokracek · · Burbank · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 342

The new Five Ten Guide Tennie Mids are very light and climb much better than the Camp 4's. I really like mine. I used them on Moonlight Buttress last month and Whitney's East Buttress this summer and they performed great hiking and climbing.

The Call Of K2 Lou · · Squamish, BC · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 20

Haven't tried 'em yet, but La Sportiva Hyper Mids are next on my shopping list.

Rob Gordon · · Hollywood, CA · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 115

I just tried on a bunch of approach shoes and decided on the La Sportiva Xplorers (regular not mids because I have a nerve issue in my ankle with hightops) and I was pretty damn happy with them. I did a long day with lots of scree and talus in them right out of the box and they felt great. Light, but protected my toes when I got sloppy and started kicking rocks. They were also stiff enough without feeling uncomfortable or hindering the climbing.

As for climbing they weren't as technical as a 5.10 Daescent or equivalent, but I did climb some easy 5th class and V0s-easy V3s in them and found the rubber sticky and the toe and edging the best of the true hikers. So long as there is a decent foothold or smear they climb. Jibs are not happening.

Overall the Xplorers just seemed the right fit between great hiker/poor climber and the poor hiker/great climber spectrum of approach shoes. If that makes sense.

For full disclosure, I did get a blister on the first hike, but I blister easily, and I was wearing a short sock with its top under the shoe's top which caused rubbing that I didn't notice till too late.

20 kN · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,346

I like Evolv's shoes. All I can say for sure though is dont buy the 5.10 Impacts. They completely suck in every way.

Andrew Shoe · · Graham, Washington · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 25

Looks like I might be getting a free pair of Boreal's from work so I will give those a try first. Thanks for the advice folks.

Alex Gauthier · · Colorado Springs, CO · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0

+1 On Xplorers though they haven't held up amazingly well. They climb well and hike "okay" for me. My Salewas are better hikers than climbers and feel more like a little like a light boot. The Salewas are usually my goto at this point if I'm just going to scramble a little bit and have a longer approach.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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