Whether you’re looking to ease crag access or need sticky rubber for a summer alpine ascent, we’ve narrowed down the best approach shoes to ensure that a lack of traction doesn’t ruin your day.

From the car to the cliff, a good pair of approach shoes can help you reach your rocky objective in style.

Approach shoes combine characteristics of hiking boots and climbing shoes to create versatile footwear that excels in rocky terrain. Climbing shoes are useless for hiking, and hiking boots aren’t suitable for technical climbing. With sticky rubber outsoles and trail-ready comfort, approach shoes are the best of both worlds.

In recent years, approach shoes have become an essential tool for climbers, hikers, and ridge-scrambling peak baggers alike. There are many different types of approach shoes, and each has a unique set of pros and cons. Some approach shoes prioritize technical rock climbing ability, while others are robust enough for backpacking and may even come with a mid-height ankle cuff.

On this list, we’ve organized the best approach shoes on the market into several distinct categories. Whether you need footwear for quick jaunts to the crag or multi-day slogs through the mountains, our list has you covered.

Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys, or jump to the category you’re looking for. At the end of our list, be sure to check out our buyer’s guide.

• Best Overall
• Best Budget
• Most Durable
• Best Light and Fast
• Best Urban
• Best of the Rest

The Best Approach Shoes of 2022

 

Best Overall: Arc’teryx Konseal FL 2 — Men’s & Women’s

Thanks to its supreme durability and all-around performance, the Arc’teryx Koneal FL (Fast and Light) 2 ($145) is our favorite approach shoe on the market. We’ve been testing the same pair for a full year, and they’re showing zero signs of wearing out.

Many approach shoes fall into one of two camps: stiff and sturdy or light and nimble. The Konseal FL sits proudly in the middle of this spectrum. An average-size men’s option weighs just 1lb 6 oz — impressive given its stiff profile and robust outsole. The Konseal FL manages to be lighter than many of its direct competitors, without sacrificing durability, comfort, or climbing ability.

The Konseal’s upper is made from a single piece of breathable synthetic material. It’s supple and breathable, and resists wear far better than many other synthetic uppers on the market. Our feet rarely overheat in these shoes — even on grueling mid-summer approaches into the alpine.

The Konseal FL 2 is not waterproof, but Arc’teryx also makes this shoe with a waterproof GORE-Tex membrane. As expected, however, the waterproof option isn’t nearly as breathable.

We’ve climbed just about every kind of rock in the Konseal, and it rarely falls short. The underside of the Vibram outsole features an effective climbing zone, and while hiking through mud and fallen leaves, the shallow-yet-aggressive circular lugs provide a confident grip.

Arc’teryx is known for its steep prices, but the Konseal is competitively priced. For the technical features this shoe provides, we think it’s a solid value — the best approach shoe at the price range. The brand calls the fit “standard,” but we found that the toebox is better for those with narrow-to-average feet.

Specs:

• Weight: 1lb 6 oz (Men’s 9.5)
• Upper Material: Synthetic
• Outsole: Vibram Megagrip

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Durable
• Top-notch climbing ability

Cons:

• Slightly narrow fit

Check Men’s Price at REICheck Women’s Price at REI

Best Budget: La Sportiva Boulder X — Men’s & Women’s

While most high-quality approach shoes are priced between $130 and $170, the La Sportiva Boulder X ($120) offers high performance at a slightly reduced price point.

The Boulder X is one of the cheapest shoes on this list, but it’s also one of the most comfortable. The plush padded tongue and heel-hugging shape provide a cozy feel that most approach shoes don’t.

We wore this shoe as a daily driver for a full year, and the leather upper held together without issue. Thanks to the thick padded construction, the Boulder X can function as a warm, three-season option. In the summer months, the lack of breathability is apparent, as our feet sometimes overheat in these on longer hikes.

Ridge scrambles and steep trails are no problem for the Boulder X, but they aren’t the best option for fifth-class climbing. The shoe sits relatively high on a thick foam platform, which limits feel and is not ideal for precise and technical footwork.

In a men’s size 10, the Boulder X  weighs well over 1 pound per shoe. They’re clunky, too, so we don’t recommend carrying these up a multi-pitch.

Overall, if you’re looking for an approach shoe that will handle endless miles of trails without breaking the bank, the Boulder X is easily the best approach shoe for the price.

Specs:

• Weight: 2lb 3 oz (Pair, Men’s 10)
• Upper Material: Leather
• Outsole: Vibram Megagrip Idro-Grip V Smear

Pros:

• Good value
• Durable
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Heavy
• Not the best for 5th class climbing

Check Men’s Price at REICheck Women’s Price at REI

Most Durable: La Sportiva TX4 — Men’s & Women’s

When the climbing objective calls for tough and sturdy footwear, lace up the TX4s.

La Sportiva’s TX series dominates the approach shoe market, and the TX4 ($140) is the burliest of the lot. Combining a maximally stable sole with a robust leather upper, the TX4s are the best approach shoes for hauling heavy loads through rugged terrain.

When carrying a full pack of climbing gear and slogging through a talus field, supportive shoes are essential. The TX4s deliver the protection and stiffness of traditional hiking boots in a relatively lightweight package. If you’re seeking even more support and protection, the TX4s are also available with a mid-ankle cut and a GORE-TEX membrane.

We recently wore these while scrambling over volcanic talus in central Oregon, and they worked like a charm. The outsole is grippy enough to smear and edge with confidence, but it’s also thick enough to prevent foot fatigue. Even when walking on jagged basalt, the sharp contours of the rock didn’t hurt our feet.

The TX4s have a precise climbing zone and a streamlined shape. We climbed several pitches of low 5th class cracks, and the leather upper was unaffected. Footjamming takes a toll on most approach shoes, but the TX4 is one of the few models that can handle it.

Even without a waterproof membrane, the leather uppers kept our feet dry in shallow puddles and light rain. As with most leather shoes, the TX4s lack ventilation, and our feet got sweaty in these when the conditions rose above 70 degrees. If you’re prone to warm feet and don’t mind sacrificing waterproofing, the La Sportiva TX3s are a good alternative.

Overall, we think these are the best approach shoes for rugged terrain.

Specs:

• Weight: 1lb 8 oz (pair, Men’s 9.5)
• Upper Material: Leather
• Outsole: Vibram Megagrip Traverse

Pros:

• Supportive
• Stable
• Long lasting

Cons:

• The size fluctuates when wet
• Not the most breathable

Check Men’s Price at REICheck Women’s Price at REI

Best Light and Fast: Scarpa Rapid — Men’s & Women’s

The Scarpa Rapid ($159) is a hybrid between an approach shoe and a trailrunning shoe. Many rockclimbers are also trail runners, and many trailrunners do a bit of scrambling on their “runs.” A hybrid style just makes sense, and Scarpa understood the assignment when designing the Rapid.

Straight out of the box, the Rapid feels lighter and more supple than the average approach shoe. If you’re used to wearing lightweight running shoes, the fit of the Rapid will feel familiar.

We wore the Rapid while cragging in California and Utah, and we also took it on a few non-climbing runs. The Vibram outsole performed well on all surfaces, and was particularly grippy on wet gravel and mud. Though the Rapid does have an outsole with a climbing zone, it never seemed overly bulky. If you choose to use this as a pure running shoe, you’ll be perfectly happy.

Due to the lightweight profile and thin mesh upper, the Rapid is less protective than other shoes on this list. We climbed a few cracks in it, and the upper immediately began to show minor abrasions. It isn’t super stiff either, so we don’t recommend it for carrying heavy loads or aid climbing.

On the plus side, the breathable upper is ideal for hot conditions. Even in 80+ degrees, our feet didn’t sweat while hiking, jogging, or climbing. If you’re looking for a do-it-all hybrid shoe for summer excursions, the Rapid is one of the best approach shoes you’ll find.

Specs:

• Weight: 1lb 5 oz (Men’s 9.5)
• Upper Material: Synthetic mesh
• Outsole: Vibram Agility

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Comfortable
• Great for running

Cons:

• Not the most durable upper
• Not ideal for carrying a heavy pack

Check Men’s Price at BackcountryCheck Women’s Price at Scarpa

Best for Urban Wear: Evolv Cruzer Psyche — Men’s & Women’s

Walk into any climbing gym, and you’ll likely see a few pairs of Evolv Cruzers ($79). Though these are technically approach shoes, it seems that urban settings are their primary habitat. Over the past few years, Cruzers have become part of many rock climbers’ standard in-town wardrobes.

When the Cruzer first came out, it carved out a unique and new product category. Rather than a traditional approach shoe, it looks and feels more like something out of Vans’ or Toms’ lineup. Still, this shoe proves to be very handy in various climbing scenarios.

It’s a great everyday shoe for gym-goers, but it also works beautifully at crags and boulder fields with short and moderate approaches. When it’s time to belay your partner or shift the pads around, it’s great to have a pair of these to quickly slip-on.

As a lightweight descent shoe for multipitch climbing, the Cruzer is our favorite shoe on this list. A pair of men’s size 9.5s weigh a little over a pound, and the large pull-on loop is easy to clip with a carabiner.

Due to the thin upper material and soft outsole, the Cruzer is not great for arduous approaches. The Trax rubber will get you to your objective, but the material won’t hold up to frequent abuse. Instead, the Cruzer is a relatively affordable approach shoe that makes a versatile addition to the city-dwelling climber’s lifestyle.

Specs:

• Weight: 1lb 4 oz (Men’s 9.5)
• Upper Material: Canvas
• Outsole: Trax Enduro Rubber

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Affordable
• Stylish (for an “approach” shoe)

Cons:

• Lacks support and climbing ability
• Not the most durable

Check Men’s Price at BackcountryCheck Women’s Price at Backcountry

Italian mountain-footwear brand Garmont is perhaps best known for its ultralight ski boots. In recent years, the brand has branched out into the North American market with a range of hiking, mountaineering, and approach shoes. During our testing for this roundup, we tried two approach shoe styles from Garmot’s Dragontail line, and both performed exceptionally well.

The Dragontail series includes a range of shoes that share basic design elements but offer very different features. We tested the Dragontail Tech GTX ($200) and the Dragontail Limited Edition ($140). The Tech GTX is a waterproof approach shoe with a stiff outsole and a rugged Michelin Offroad outsole. The Limited Edition has midrange flex and comes with Garmont’s own Diamante outsole.

We tested both Dragontail styles on a big wall climbing trip in Zion National Park. Big wall climbing involves very heavy packs and lots of time spent standing on your feet in uncomfortable nylon ladders. Through all of this, the Dragontails offered plenty of support and protection.

The Tech GTX in particular is an ideal choice for the relentless manual labor that is aid climbing. It’s as stiff as a board and the rubber outsole is both sticky and durable. The only major downside is the weight. At 2 lbs 3 oz (pair, men’s size 9.5), the Tech GTX is significantly heavier than similar burly options.

The Limited Edition Dragontail is much lighter (1 lb 12 oz, pair), but it’s still a bit heavy for its class. Also, the rubber isn’t quite as sticky as the Tech GTX and the upper isn’t very breathable. Still, the Limited Edition is a classic-looking, durable approach shoe for all types of hiking and the occasional 3rd or 4th class scramble.

Both shoes will fit the rigorous needs of aid climbers, and each meets the overall criteria to be some of the best approach shoes around.

Dragontail Tech GTX Specs:

• Weight: 2lb 3 oz (Pair, Men’s 9.5)
• Upper Material: Suede Leather
• Outsole: Michelin Offroad Rubber

Pros:

• Extremely supportive
• Durable
• Waterproof

Cons:

• Heavy
• Expensive
• Minimal breathability

Dragontrail Limited Edition Specs:

• Weight: 1lb 12 oz (Pair, Men’s 9.5)
• Upper Material: Suede Leather
• Outsole: Garmont Diamonte Outsole

Pros:

• Durable
• Nice looking
• Good value

Cons:

• Not the stickiest rubber
• Minimal breathability

Check Tech GTX Price at AmazonCheck Limited Edition Price at Garmont North America