are approach shoes worth getting

so i have been climbing for about 2 months now and have been steadily buying gear and things i will need to eventually got outdoors (hoping to start some TR this fall if possible)..i have a pair of climbing shoes but i keep seeing these videos about approach shoes and im not really sure if they are something i NEED in order to get outdoors or if a pair of regular hiking boots would be good enough as approach shoes..if someone could explain whether i actually will need them or not, i would really appreciate that..

They're nice, but definitely not necessary. Many people use hiking boots/shoes, running shoes, or sandals and survive just fine. Some day you may be wishing you had better grip on the rocks or better scrambling ability, then it's time to think about approach shoes. 

Don't need them, but they are worth it 

Depends on where you're climbing. If the approach is steeper and involves scrambling then it might be worth it. My trail runners slip around on approaches like that whereas my approach shoes stick to the rock.

Timeless, invaluable wisdom: you will always need one more pair of shoes/boots than you currently own. So, yes, young climber, yes...you need approach shoes. Smaller, lighter, safer than « hiking boots. » you will haul them up climbs, downclimb sketchy sections and someday, you will do 15 pitches in vegas with comfortable, happy feet clad in yes...approach shoes...BUY THEM AT ONCE. Treat yourself right and get them with 5.10 dot rubber on the sole. Do not compromise with the rubber. You have high self-esteem and a healthy regard for yourself, why would you skimp? Let us know what you get. 

You guys don't hike barefoot?

Other than climbing shoes & approach shoes what other shoes do you need? What some people call approach shoes are my everyday shoes.

Old school heavy hikers edged and jammed ok on easy terrain. New light hikers and runners have soles similar to foam and don’t edge, smear or jam, downright slippery off pavement.

When whatever you are wearing to the climb wears out, get approach shoes.

If you’re primarily climbing, you won’t wear hiking shoes again on a climbing trip after buy your first pair of approach shoes. Buy some as your next pair of shoes when you’re ready for a pair and try them out.

For me, it’s all about the tread and toe box. The toe box is smaller and more rigid so you can use your toe more effectively without the shoe bending. That alone is enough reason to buy them for me. The tread is great on slab and rocky terrain.

I’ll add... approach shoes are like hiking poles. When you start hiking, poles seem nerdy and unnecessary. But the more hiking you do, the more you understand the value of hiking poles as a tool that makes you a better hiker. Same with approach shoes. They are specialized shoes that you can absolutely live without. But they are a tool that can make you a more effective scrambler.

Approach shoes don't offer any advantage unless you're on rock. So if your approach (or walk-off) to a climb is on a trail, or off-trail but not rock, no need for them.

Anna Brown wrote:

I’ll add... approach shoes are like hiking poles. When you start hiking, poles seem nerdy and unnecessary. But the more hiking you do, the more you understand the value of hiking poles as a tool that makes you a better hiker. Same with approach shoes. They are specialized shoes that you can absolutely live without. But they are a tool that can make you a more effective scrambler.

ok, so ill hold off on getting them for now...did you receive my latest email? im ready to go!!

Schuyler Baer wrote:

Depends on where you're climbing. If the approach is steeper and involves scrambling then it might be worth it. My trail runners slip around on approaches like that whereas my approach shoes stick to the rock.

Completely agree.

I climbed in the Northeast for a while and never really "needed" them. However other places around the US really require some grip during the approach and descent.

Some obvious descents come to mind such as the Lots of 4th class access in RMNP, East Slabs in Eldorado Canyon, Death Slabs up to RNWF Half Dome, East Ledges of El Cap, etc...

Definitely not a high priority item when you start out  but a nice luxury later. When you have to do some scrambling to set up top ropes it’s nice to have the extra grip. If you’re walking off a climb, especially multipitch, you can clip a light pair to your harness. However, you will be fine with hiking boots or running shoes, and there is plenty of gear I would spend money on first. Of course if you have unlimited disposable income why not get a pair. 

Why are you waiting to climb outside? All you need is shoes, a harness,  and a partner with gear/experience. 

Unless scrambling precedes the technical part of your climb or you are going to hike down some sketchy rock, you do not need to buy a pair of approach shoes. However, if you normally wear a mid or low light hiking boot/shoe, and you need a new pair, get an approach shoe (or mid boot). Many of them can be resoled, which is something that can’t be said for all but the most expensive hiking boots.

As a fellow Northeast climber, approach shoes are pretty useless in our part of the country.  The most treacherous terrain I find myself on in the Northeast is wet leaves on rock and sticky rubber approach shoes don’t do shit for that.  Besides, as you get more and more into climbing, you will find waaayyy more fun things to waste your money on, like having 5 different pairs of climbing shoes or a fancy rope.  My favorite “approach shoes” are trail runners, but hiking boots, regular running shoes and chacos have all worked fine for myself or my climbing partners.

approach shoes are nice. 

i wear sandals 99% of the time.

if your climb involves a scramble or a walk off on exposed rock, you may appreciate the security of approach shoes.

as mentioned, one day you may enjoy climbing moderate rock in your approach shoes. (if this doesn’t feel trivial put your rock shoes back on, you are probably not saving time)

for everything else, they are just nice shoes that might tell people “i’m vaguely invested in this activity!” and the people probably won’t notice or care

You shouldn’t wear approach shoes on descents you should get some descent shoes. My partner forgot his descent shoes for Fairview Dome one time and I had to hike down to the car get his descent shoes, then switch back into my approach shoes to bring them back up. 

Glowering wrote:

You shouldn’t wear approach shoes on descents you should get some descent shoes. My partner forgot his descent shoes for Fairview Dome one time and I had to hike down to the car get his descent shoes, then switch back into my approach shoes to bring them back up. 

Subtle humor fail.

Aside what everyone else has pointed out, another key attraction is that a good pair of approach shoes also becomes a decent pair of climbing shoes for 5.easy climbs (like say OS on the grand or some routes on Long’s) Allowing you to use the one shoe for the whole shebang.   Long but easy Climbs where you really appreciate pairing down to minimums. 

Gunkiemike wrote:

Subtle humor fail.

Subtle joke to point out how you don’t really need specialized shoes for everything is missed.