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Replacement for Scarpa Gecko Guides?

Original Post
Aaron Liebling · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 952

Alas, my gecko guides are finally pretty much dead. They are easily my favorite approach shoes ever: decent support, climb nicely and have a low and soft toebox which makes them great for jamming.

Sadly, Scarpa no longer makes them and I'm at a bit of a loss for a replacement. I have a pair of la sportiva gandas, but the toebox doesn't fit me as nicely as the gecko guides, leaving me with bruised toes after a long approach. What are people wearing for approach shoes that actually climb decently (say 5.9~ish face) while still being comfortable for daily wear and approaches?

Anyone actually tried a pair of the Scarpa Vitamins? Finally, I can find the women's geckos in a 42 (my size). Are they exactly the same design only in green?

Moritz B. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 185

Check out the Scarpa Vitamins!

Aaron Liebling · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 952

Moritz: I have yet to see a review of them. Do you have them?

I ended up finding a pair of women's gecko guides dirt cheap (but still new!) in my size. Different color scheme, but exact same fit. Looks like I'm set for another few years!

Moritz B. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 185

I´m still using my Gecko Guides. Some of my friends switched to the vitamins (or the Zen Pro) and they love the shoe. I don´t think any shoe has the perfect, low volume tow box of the Gecko Guides though :-)

W L · · NEVADASTAN · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 851

At a recent show I saw the Vitamins, very similar to the newer generation of Gecko Guides. I really wish Scarpa had something like the original generation of the Gecko Guides, with the dot rubber on the bottom. Mine are pathetically blown out after 3 or 4 years of heavy use, but I refuse to retire 'em...keep them as short approach shoes. Best approach shoe ever, who says I can't have my cake and eat it too? Stiff enough for Red Rock approaches but climbs very well (have climbed up to 10+ in them.) My Guide Tennies are floppy and I may even unload them and just buy the damn Vitamins...

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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