Favorite Approach Shoe?

[AZHiker456]

1. What is/are your favorite Approach Shoe(s)

2. For those who have had the privilege of wearing the 5-10 Camp 4’s (and LIKED them… cuz it’s probably NOT your cup of tea if ya don’t venture off trail or if you value light weight over breaking a toe), what other shoes (if any) did you find similar.

My answers:
TBD

[hikeaz]

Until unavailable I always used low FiveTen 'Dome' hiking/approach shoes. They had Stealth Rubber soles - (still the best I have found for rock traction, both dry and wet ) with an aggressive enough sole and protection to work well for hiking.
If you can find them, you might consider Adidas Sahale X.

[Heliops]

@AZHiker456
Lasportive TX3, mad grip and no foot twisting.

[AZHiker456]

@hikeaz
Thanks! Those look halfway decent; very much so in the tread department. The toe rand doesn't look like it offers near as much protection; but it might be worth a dry.

[AZHiker456]

@Heliops
I guess I'm hopeless... the TX4 fits very well, is comfortable and has decent tread, but not enough protection... and TX3 is a pansy by comparison (in terms of the foot protection).

[AZHiker456]

[Heliops]

@AZHiker456
I canyoneering with TX 3's along with a lot of others in the community. They are bomb proof, not sure what your using them for. Have to say good bang for the buck.

[AZHiker456]

[AZHiker456]

Zen Pros = epic fail! (WAY TOO STIFF)…

Next Up: Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX

[outdoor_lover]

I'm using the La Sportiva TX Guides for Off Trail stuff and once I broke them in, they were almost, almost as comfortable as the Camp 4's. Very sticky rubber also. Once my Camp 4's are retired, I'll probably use these for dry technical canyons as well.

[Nighthiker]

Most folks that have been climbers that I have encountered have asked to borrow my leatherman to remove cactus spines from their footwear and or feet. One time out near Carney Springs with a group we heard in the distance some profanity and I was asked what that was about. I replied a peak bagger that had an encounter with cholla. About 20 minutes later we encountered a couple of rock climbers attempting to decide how to remove (a lot) of cholla cactus from one of the climbers.

[AZHiker456]

@outdoor_lover
I appreciate the feedback but the Guides (in my opinion/ for my feet) were inferior in many regards not just being too stiff.

[LindaAnn]

I’ve been using those Salewas since last year and they’ve been good shoes for me. I’m on my fourth pair now. They are fairly pricey for the low mileage they seem to get (I get about 350 good miles, then another 50-100 before I feel like I’m walking on a skating rink) but I’ve found that ordering them through Moosejaw has been cheapest with their 10% credit on most purchases.

[outdoor_lover]

The problem I have with buying shoes and boots is that I need to be able to try them on. Between the brands, my shoe size and comfort varies too widely. It's almost impossible to just order them online and have them fit right. Then it becomes a PITA to do returns and all of that.

[AZHiker456]

@outdoor_lover
I agree 210% but that is an easy solution.

[AZHiker456]

[LindaAnn]

@AZHiker456 Why not try the Mountain Trainers (not the Lites), they have zero mesh.

[AZHiker456]

@LindaAnn
Because THIS issue proved to be obnoxious on an EASY hike:

2. Slightly wider shoe, (particularly in the heel) in terms of the BOTTOM of the shoe in order to achieve slightly greater surface area that’s in contact with the ground. It wasn’t terrible but it felt like there is a greater chance of twisting ankles (in this shoe VS the Camp 4) when trying to pick up the pace on roughly level surfaces (with footing where there are small rocks that natural torque your foot some when landing) and that the slight extra width of Camp 4’s produces less undesired torque in this situation.

[LindaAnn]

@AZHiker456 I have hiked in the Mtn Trainers, Mtn Trainer Lites, Mtn Trainer Lite GTX, and Mtn Trainer Lite GTX Mids. Zero ankle roll regardless of terrain. I guess ankle strength varies by person.

Many thousands of people do the same outdoor activities as you are doing and they are able to find footwear that works for them from all the available options out there. Good luck in your search.

[chumley]

It's just unreal how moronic the shoe companies are. It's not rocket science

I believe you've found an entrepreneurial business opportunity. I bet you could make Bezos-type money by creating a shoe that works for people and bringing it to market.