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• Ultra-weave Jacquard mesh upper for abrasion resistance and adaption to various foot volumes
• Running inspired fit and cuff construction ideal for moving fast in more vertical terrain
• High-cushion EVA in heel for all day comfort
• Dual compound Mega-Grip (Heel) and Idrogrip (Forefoot) outsole for durability and ultra-sticky performance
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| Weight | Half Pair - size unknown Full Pair - size unknown |
Style StyleRunningA running inspired shoe, designed to excel on technical trails. These shoes may have less rubber lasting and a smaller climbing zone on the sole but tend to be on the lighter and less bulky side of the spectrum, similar to a classic technical trail runner. CasualGreat for flat ground, short approaches, and slabby scrambling. Casual approach shoes are great daily wear for folks that find themselves scrambling and hiking a lot in between trips to the crag and the grocery store. TechnicalA more rugged shoe with more lasting and typically a thicker sole. Made to handle the most technical terrain and talus fields. Technical shoes can also have more ankle coverage and waterproof coatings. |
Running Technical |
VolumeVolumeSize vs GenderVolume refers to the overall sizing of the shoe in relation to the size of the foot from top to bottom and side to side. Many brands make a Mens/Unisex shoe and some have both a Men’s and Women’s model. Brands are slowly updating their language away from gender to Low/High volume -- recognizing that any person may have a high or low volume foot. |
Low (women) |
ClosureClosureFlat LacesFlat laces are found most often on casual or running shoes, as their low bulk helps with aesthetic and having a lower profile. Cord LacesCord laces are found on the majority of approach shoes. Their rounded shape makes them more durable than flat laces and their woven structure makes them much stronger. Webbing & BucklesThough fairly uncommon, some approach shoes are made to be closed via a combination of threaded flat webbing and a tightening buckle. |
Cord laces |
RiseRiseLow vs MidThe rise of an approach shoe mostly affects the support and coverage of the ankle but can also limit articulation and range of motion. Most approach shoes have a low rise. A mid rise should be chosen when scrambling through large loose scree or boulder fields is a regular need or when in wet or snowy environments where slippery surfaces can benefit from more ankle support. |
Low |
FeaturesFeaturesClimbing ZoneThe climbing zone is a quintessential part of an approach shoe; without it, we consider a shoe a hiker or trail runner. The climbing zone is a flat or flattened area of the sole directly beneath the toes on every approach shoe. This zone is specifically designed to not have lugs for grip and instead is intended for smearing and edging on rock during an approach to a technical climb. Some manufacturers add splits or shallow texture to this zone, but it is not lugged as in a traditional hiker. Foldable HeelA foldable heel is designed to flatten into the shoe so it may be slid on and off easily similar to a clog or a croc. This is becoming more common with newer models and is most likely to be seen in casual shoes than hiking or running. Low Toe LacingLow toe lacing is a feature where the closure of the approach shoe extends greatly towards the toes as compared to traditional hiking shoes. This will most usually be an extra 3-5 extra lacings across the shoe that are usually partially across the knuckles of the toes. The advantage of lacing extending this low is that it allows a greater tightening of the shoe around the toes when terrain requires technical footwork like slab climbing or crack jamming. StowableAn approach shoe with this feature either has a built-in elastic or webbing or an accessory strap or band that is designed to connect the shoes to each other when they aren’t worn. This allows them to be hung from a harness or bag on a multipitch climb. This is fairly uncommon and usually found on light-weight shoes. VeganSince there is no standard in the shoe industry for what exactly qualifies a shoe as ‘Vegan’, we only list this if the manufacturer has stated it in the product description. WaterproofRefers to an applied coating or material technology that either makes a shoe resistant or impervious to water. Not every manufacturer tests waterproofing in the same way so this can be difficult to compare. We list items as ‘Waterproof’ when the manufacturer states they have one or more of these technologies. |
Climbing Zone Low toe lacing |
| Sizing | EU: 36 - 42 (half sizes) |
| Materials & Construction | Upper: Highly abrasion resistant Mesh + internal microfiber reinforcements
Midsole: Dual density, compressed EVA + TPU (thermoplastic) Footbed: Ortholite® Approach Insole / Liner: Non-slip mesh Sole: Dual Compound Vibram Mega-Grip & IdroGrip Rubber with Impact Brake System™ Last: Guide |
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The TX Guides are an amazing approach shoe I highly recommend for someone with a NARROW foot. They have a very breathable upper shoe and are ideal for areas like Indian Creek, Yosemite, Squamish. Less ideal for areas with scree fields, such as the Canadian Rockies. I haven’t tested them in these conditions myself but got reports the breathable upper gets cut with sharp rocks.
If you want a shoe that both runs and climbs well, the TX Guide is the best shoe I’ve seen. It combines the nimbleness and comfortable feeling of a trail-running shoe with the sticky-soled edging ability of an approach shoe.
The TX Guide is La Sportiva's latest addition to the TX series and makes for an impressive addition to the fleet. These shoes are made for scrambling and traveling over mountainous terrain. They are burly enough to handle the wear and tear of big wall climbing and moving through talus fields. Their solid construction, breathable yet durable upper, and super stiff midsole make these our go-to for big missions—whether that be long alpine scrambles or big walls in Yosemite Valley. The stiffness provided by the midsole is crucial for both feeling solid on rock and for standing in ladders and performing the work of wall climbing. These lightweight and sleek shoes are up to any burly task—but fall a bit short in terms of comfort. That said, their narrow shape caters to climbers with a narrower toe box.
The rubber recipe—one part Mega-Grip for the heel, and one part Idrogrip for the rest of the sole—is as sticky as those pesky little burrs that get stuck to your socks and shorts and everywhere else when you tromp through the high grass. The stiffness and stickiness mean you can stand on your toes and even do some edging, while still feeling like you have good support (which is part of why they were so great for my injured foot). They work well for jamming in fist- to hand-sized cracks, too, but anything narrower and you’ll want a regular climbing shoe. Another thing going for the TX Guides is their durability. Made of an Ultra-weave Jacquard fabric, the upper is almost rough to the touch. Thus far it has great abrasion resistance, showing only minimal fuzzing and scuffing, even after wedging them in rough cracks.
