Arakys Men
Description
Arc’teryx technologies come together in an innovative, ultralight shoe to approach single pitch crag climbs and bouldering terrain, and transitions to everyday use.
The versatile Arakys is a unique approach shoe designed for scrambling into crag and bouldering terrain, with a grippy sole that can even play on easy bouldering problems or quick routes on the gym wall. Truly functional on technical terrain, the Arakys has a unique one hand closure and memory buckle feature that allows for easy on and off, and fast, efficient shifts from climb to belay. The leather footbed is barefoot friendly, and the air permeable, laminated upper is comfortable in summer conditions. A collapsible heel turns the shoe into a comfortable belay slipper. Its aesthetic, comfort and versatile features free the Arakys to perform as a go-to for everyday wear.
Taking Arc’teryx Adaptive Fit technology and using an exclusive lamination process that integrates it with the seamless one piece upper created a construction that layers protection and support over a stretchable liner. This integration reduces weight and volume while providing a zonal adaptive fit in key areas of the shoe. By forming to the foot, Adaptive Fit Lite helps eliminate hot spots, reduces break in time and provides improved security and support. The fit also helps seal out debris and increases air permeability for better comfort in warm, dry conditions.
The specially developed outsole is light, supportive and sticky. The tread pattern provides security on the trail and features elements that deliver performance while climbing or bouldering. It uses the Vibram® Megagrip compound for superior grip on wet and dry surfaces, a high level of durability, and a blend of flexibility and rigidity that delivers sure footedness on quick climbs and long approaches.
- Laminated heel and toe caps secure fit and deliver precision support
- Seamless one piece upper with thermolaminated construction is highly abrasion resistant, durable, light and hydrophobic
- Air permeable
- One hand closure with memory buckle is secure and easy to engage and release
Retail price
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Weight | Half Pair - size 8.5 UK Full Pair - size 8.5 UK |
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. |
Casual |
Volume![]() ![]() VolumeSize 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. |
High (men/unisex) |
Closure![]() ![]() ClosureFlat 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. |
Webbing / Buckle |
Rise![]() ![]() RiseLow 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 |
Features![]() ![]() FeaturesClimbing 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 Foldable Heel |
Sizing | US: 7 - 13 (half sizes) |
Materials & Construction | Upper: Synthetic Fibre
Midsole: Highly durable EVA foam midsole with TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) Film protection Insole / Liner: Arc’teryx Adaptive Fit Lite, Leather footbed Sole: Vibram® Megagrip™ |
No reviews yet.
![UK Climbing Gear Review UK Climbing Gear Review](https://weighmyrack.com/sites/default/files//legacy_files/images/media_logo/header2014%402x_1.jpg)
The Arakys are an extremely comfortable shoe with a secure fit that should suit most foot shapes. The easy fastening and collapsible heel are handy features, and their sticky rubber makes them an excellent choice for short technical approaches, and even the very easy end of climbing and scrambling. However due to their flexibility there are limits to their performance on steeper ground. While they're not ideal for wet weather or long muddy UK mountain crag approaches, I would definitely choose them as my summer approach shoes. In addition, being super-lightweight, they are a superb option for a pair of shoes that you're going to end up carrying on long multipitch routes.
![Climbing Gear Reviews UK Climbing Gear Reviews UK](https://weighmyrack.com/sites/default/files//legacy_files/images/media_logo/ClimbingGearReviewsUK.jpg)
Overall the Arakys is a great dry weather approach shoe that will cope with most terrain apart from wet mud and slick grass. They work well as an approach/scrambling shoe if you like the minimalist feel and as a general ‘knocking about’ camp, the crag or town shoe. They look quite funky so I’d go for a bright colour if you have the choice!
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