Approach Shoes for work

Hey yall,

So im a low voltage technician and i do a ton of crawling and climbing in attics, on ladders, and general movement where my climbing skills come in handy.    That got me thinking, are approach shoes going to be better for work shoes than the running shoes i wear now.   For example, walking in attics with spray foam insulation, i think i will be more confident being able to feel with my feet where the joist are.   Right now i have to put some significant weight on my foot to be 100% sure on on a joist.  

I dont need super sticky rubber cause almost everything is flat.

It needs to be all day (10-12 hours) comfortable.

Needs to be somewhat professional looking.   Cant be wearing dark jeans, a polo, and bright orange shoes with a La Sportiva BILLBOARD across the heal :)

What do yall think?   Any recommendations?

Maybe I've just had crappy ones, but I don't find approach shoes to be particularly sensitive, I think the rubber is the real selling point.  My suggestion would be looking at 'barefoot' style shoes (no, not the toes ones... unless that's your thing).  What I'm referring to is 'healthy' shoes for your feet.  They have a wide toebox and zero drop which means there's really no cushioning or support and your foot is very close to the ground.  It helps build strength in your feet and allow your toes to splay naturally.  I've hiked and scrambled in them and have spent all day in them and find them very comfortable and fairly sensitive.  Plus with the way we cram our feet into climbing shoes, it seems like a good idea to be kind to them otherwise.

These are the ones I bought: https://www.saguaro.com/products/luck-1

My only concern would be stepping on a random nail in an attic or something with shoes so thin.  Not sure how much of a concern that is for you.

Most industrial workplaces that involve going up and down ladders require safety boots with a defined heel, railways in particular.  The idea is that you shove your foot all the way forward until the heel catches and the rung is snug under your arch.  It's especially good for dead vertical ladders like crawling in and out of a substation basement(that was a day).  A similar technique could be used with joists provided you have a good tool belt to hold your stuff and free up your hands for ballance.

I really like my Timberland Pro Titan EV's on the days when I have to wear safety toe, electrical hazard, etc.  They may not be as comfy as runners for a hot day back and forth in the sun, but the anti-fatigue insoles are really nice for all day support.

I asked a similar question recently, here's some answers you might find useful! https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/125785966/best-business-casual-approach-shoe

I wear trail runners to work for the last five years. I work in shops and on concrete often. I really like la Sportiva Bushido and Ultra Raptor, quite comfortable for all around use. However, the best sole material for hard surfaces is foam. 

Salomon

Hey Sam, remember that you can always have your existing work shoes re-soled with sticky rubber.  Even if you have a workboot with a pronounced heel, you can just have the forefoot re-soled.

https://rockandresole.com/products/resole-approach-shoes

I've had this done with many pairs of shoes.  Keep in mind, that the sticker (softer) the rubber, typically the less durable the shoe will be. Additionally, there are many types of rubbers out there.  Many brands (not just approach shoes) are now using a Vibram Product called Megagrip. IMO, Because Megagrip is touted as 'durable' it doesn't always seem as sticky as other options out there, but more than sufficient for most approaching/scrambling objectives and can be found on several stock models of shoes.

I've been very impressed with these.

https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/vertex-alpine-shoe

Scrambled, bouldered and logged miles with a heavy pack. The all black colorway keeps it clean and professional. 

The Norvan SLs are sweet too but may not hold up as a work shoe. 

Tim FromMaine wrote:

I've been very impressed with these.

https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/vertex-alpine-shoe

Scrambled, bouldered and logged miles with a heavy pack. The all black colorway keeps it clean and professional. 

The Norvan SLs are sweet too but may not hold up as a work shoe. 

Great point Tim.

This is my current go-to scrambling shoe that involve shorter distances (5-7 Miles). They also have an "all-Black" version, so possible to play off as more "professional" compared to some of the multi-colored models out there.  I will say that I'm a huge fan of this shoe, but it did take about 5 scrambles to break in for me.

Jason Antin wrote:

Hey Sam, remember that you can always have your existing work shoes re-soled with sticky rubber.  Even if you have a workboot with a pronounced heel, you can just have the forefoot re-soled.

https://rockandresole.com/products/resole-approach-shoes

I've had this done with many pairs of shoes.  Keep in mind, that the sticker (softer) the rubber, typically the less durable the shoe will be. Additionally, there are many types of rubbers out there.  Many brands (not just approach shoes) are now using a Vibram Product called Megagrip. IMO, Because Megagrip is touted as 'durable' it doesn't always seem as sticky as other options out there, but more than sufficient for most approaching/scrambling objectives and can be found on several stock models of shoes.

Thanks, but probably more relevant to OP than me.  Lugs are generally more important than compound for the work I do, so long as it's at least non-slip.