Mid-height adds stiffness for walking in crampons. We walked miles in these with strap-on crampons, ascending neve up to 60° without ankle discomfort. Inspired by the Mythos project, these boots have a patented lacing system that runs all the way down to the toe to get a much more enhanced fit to suit various foot shapes and fit preferences. The mid cut of these boots offers extra support and structure around the ankle, which feels super comfy when scrambling and hiking through rougher, uneven grounds. You should now be able to see approximately 2 cm (about an index fingers width) of the footbed poking out in front of your toes.

Comfortable for hiking, good climbing performance, high quality construction, multiple insole width options A great all-round approach shoe that is supportive and great for climbing and comes at an attractive price Note: these can perform like a minimalist mountaineering boot for light-and fast climbs, but they will not keep you warm like a proper mountain boot and they will not climb ice well, especially with aluminum strap-on crampons. Then again, Fitz Roy has been climbed in shoes like this… This test will tell you if the shape of the internal heel cup matches your heel to ensure it holds you securely, especially when ascending steep ground. We are trying to eliminate the dreaded heel blister. The TX line is broken up into three models: TX2, TX4 and TX5, with the number depending on the weight and stiffness of the shoe (TX2 being lightweight). TX4 and TX5 models are also broken up into a low and a mid version, so that you’re able to fine tune the fit, stiffness and weight based on the intended use.NOTE: The above table is only a guide. Manufactures don’t like tomake it easy as every single oneof them strays from the measurements above. These boots also have 100% recycled lace, a subtle nod to the sustainable direction that La Sportiva is heading towards. La Sportiva set the standards in approach shoe design with their Boulder X model. It was the go-to shoe for climbers looking to upgrade their approach shoe collection, or even to replace their battered 5-year-old Boulder X – we even know of people hoarding pairs of Boulder X in fear that they might one day become discontinued. Rand is thin, so not durable. Same problem as the Boulder X: you will trash these if you jumar, and the rand will not last long. One major downside is construction quality. We noticed alarming construction defects early in our test period, and confirmed these fears with other users. However, we still think these shoes are worth the DIY shoe care that might be required, because of their jaw-dropping climbing performance that can eliminate the need to bring climbing shoes on many objectives. Also, the shoe is narrow, and wide-footed users report discomfort in the toe box. The Salewa Wildfire 2 is a good choice for an all-around approach shoe for those with wide feet.

I bought the Boulder X Mid GTX before a trip to the Bugaboos and convinced my partner to do the same; we were psyched, not only because our shoes matched, but they worked really well. I also took them to Argentine Patagonia and was very pleased in certain conditions. Every product is a compromise; you can’t optimize everything at once. Plenty of technology, a very lightweight feel and an overall great performance. We like this boot. Tester’s Verdict There are no additional costs or duties on products marketed in countries within the European Union. Customers will not have to pay anything on delivery. Of course, many features were eliminated to produce such a lightweight shoe. The midsole contains very little padding, so long hikes aren't very comfortable in the TX2 Evo. The lightweight knit upper doesn't provide much support and is more susceptible to wear and tear. If you need a shoe for rugged approaches and lots of standing in aiders, these shoes aren't the right choice. But if you want to move light and fast and need a shoe that can accompany you up big routes without weighing you down, the TX2 Evo is a perfect choice.The scarpa shoes are really similar to the LaSport shoes. I’d go with whatever feels better; Scarpa tends to fit a bit wider. The Boulder X set the bar extremely high as the gold standard of approach shoe. But La Sportiva has been quietly tweaking designs and stealing bits from their Boulder X and climbing boot lineups to create the all new Traverse X series of approach shoes and boots. This shoe can do it all, from precise climbing on mid-5th class terrain to rugged hikes to long aid climbs

So in a world blossoming with so many shapes and styles of approach shoe, why do we need another one? These mid-cut hiking boots from La Sportiva offer reliable protection for days in the mountains where the weather and terrain can be unpredictable. If you can see this amount of space then you are pretty much on the way to making sure that your boots are the correct size. This space between your toes and the end of the footbed ensures that you will not stub your toes on the inside of the boot when you descend. This can be excruciatingly painful. If you can’t see this amount of space then it’s a good bet that the boots will be too small.This brilliant approach and everyday shoe has a technical, almost climbing shoe fit and feel making the Boulder X a good choice for outdoor professionals and instructors wanting a shoe for lower level climbs as well as walk-ins. The patented Asymmetric lacing system derives from the Mythos climbing shoe project, which gives the shoe a very precise and controlled feel on steeper ground. However, even after the most rigorous assessment and testing, there is no better way to be absolutely sure than to have the boots on your feet for an extended period of time. We therefore offer our Home Trial Period which gives you the opportunity to wear the boots around your house to give you an indication of how they feel before you venture outside. We recommend that during the Home Trial Period that you wear the boots for as long as possible and at different times of the day, wear them up and down stairs, when moving around and when resting, you can even sleep in them if you want. Stiff for edging and standing in aiders, light weight, excellent climbing ability, good hiking support