10 Best Approach Shoes (Review) In 2020
1. Vasque Men’s Juxt Approach Shoes
2. Five Ten Men’s Guide Tennie Approach Shoes
3. Evolv Men’s Cruzer-M Approach Shoes
4. Scarpa Men’s Crux Approach Hiking Shoe
5. La Sportiva Men’s Boulder X Approach Shoes
6. Salewa Men’s Mountain Trainer Gtx Hiking Shoe
7. Arc’teryx Men’s Acrux SL Leather
8. Skechers Men’s Go Golf Elite 3 Approach Shoe
9. Arc’teryx Men’s Konseal FL
10. Salewa Men’s Firetail 3 GTX Approach Shoes
Approach Shoes Buying Guide & FAQ
How We Chose Our Selection Of Approach Shoes
It’s not enough to just randomly look at different approach shoes. When putting our selection together, we took certain factors into consideration to make choosing the best approach shoes a little bit simpler.
Brand - You can never be too careful when purchasing footwear, and nowhere is this more important than when you are climbing a precipice. Hiking and climbing require specific shoes so you want a brand that specializes in approach shoes that will not let you down during those challenging hikes or climbs. The brands we chose have been proven to produce exceptional quality approach shoes that are guaranteed to perform.
Price - Most often when you purchase good quality shoes, you get what you pay for. The cost of approach shoes can be somewhat high end, but when you look at their function, this is one pair of shoes where you don’t want to skimp on. Even so, we’ve chosen approach shoes in a different range of prices. Some of the shoes in this selection come with some pretty impressive features, and that is reflected in the price, but there are still some great approach shoes to choose from that you won’t need to see your bank manager to buy.
Reviews - Rave reviews are a good method of checking how well a particular type of approach shoe fits and performs. The more popular a particular shoe is, the more confident you can be in choosing the right approach shoe for you. Many manufacturers make all sorts of claims about the myriad of features their approach shoes have, but only the customers that have purchased and worn approach shoes out in the field can give an honest review of how well the shoes and their accompanying features perform in the real world of hiking and climbing.
Features To Look For In Approach Shoes
Sticky Rubber Soles - Every good pair of approach shoes should have a sole with great grip. Some of the best approach shoes feature sticky rubber soles. This sticky rubber is the heart and the soul of a great pair of reliable shoes that will give you all the grip you need when climbing over the challenging terrain many hikers and climbers like to conquer.
Durable Material - When you’re on a vertical climb, or even a moderate one, you want a good, sturdy pair of shoes that won’t fall apart on your half way through your trek. Some materials may look good, but often, those that look good are made from flimsy materials that are just for show. Look for strong, durable materials that have a little bit of flexibility so that your feet can move naturally but will still stay in shape no matter how rigorous your climbing gets.
Waterproofing - Rock climbing can be a little on the treacherous side even under dry conditions so most climbers and adventurous hikers tend to postpone their outdoor escapades if the weather turns bad. Even so, waterproofing is an important feature in approach shoes as sometimes, the weather can change without notice while you’re on the trails or mountains. If you like to trek around creeks and streams, or don’t mind a bit of drizzle on your hikes, waterproofing is something you simply can’t be without.
Breathability - Hiking and climbing are strenuous activates and hot sweaty feet can become a liability. Look for approach shoes that have breathable insoles and uppers so your feet can breathe.
Weight - Thanks to technological advances in the shoe making industry, we have said goodbye to overly heavy shoes. Newer materials are durable, yet much lighter that shoes of the past which is good news for those aspiring to tackle the many peaks of our planet. The less your approach shoes weigh, the less weighted down you’ll feel after a few hours of hiking or climbing. There will also be the odd occasion where you want to stash your approach shoes in your backpack so once again, the lighter the better.
Hiking vs. Climbing - Hiking boots and shoes are a must for hiking, but when it comes to climbing, you need shoes that are light, flexible and with good grip. The beauty of approach shoes is that they have a lot of features from both hiking and climbing shoes. However, some are more suitable for either hiking or climbing so check to ensure they are exactly what you are looking for.
Approach Shoes FAQ
Q: What are approach shoes?
A: Approach shoes are, in essence, an amalgamation between climbing shoes and hiking shoes. They have some of the characteristics of each type of shoe making them suitable for hiking over trails and climbing steep rocky surfaces as well. The main feature that makes approach shoes unique is the soles which are usually made from sticky rubber designed to grip rocky surfaces.
Q: Are approach shoes good for walking?
A: You can comfortably wear approach shoes for any type of walking you intend on doing whether it be on a hiking trail or in the city. Just keep in mind that approach shoes have a thinner sole and less insulation that is suitable for climbing so they may not be suitable in extreme cold or overly hot conditions.
