Collecting every piece of gear takes a little time.
We think it's worth the wait.
Nice choice!
Give us a moment to collect those options for you.
When you click a link below and then checkout online, no matter what you buy (climbing gear or not), we get a small commission that helps us keep this site up-to-date. Thanks!
| Weight | Half Pair - size 42 Full Pair - size 42 |
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. |
High (men/unisex) |
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. |
Flat 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 Vegan |
| Sizing | EU: 40 - 47 (half sizes) 48 (whole size) |
| Materials & Construction | Upper: Mesh / PU / Micro Nubuck
Midsole: 2D EVA-CM Insole / Liner: Ortholite® strobel and footbed Sole: Vibram® Agility / Megagrip Last: ARSA |
No reviews yet.
These shoes are on the expensive side for a technical running shoe, but they perform well, and don't have many competitors. While minimalist and lightweight, the Rapid uses strong materials and intentional reinforcements in key areas. For many users who simply need a comfortable shoe to wear around the crag and that can tackle all but the most extreme approaches, these shoes might be the only approach shoes that you need. If your standard use of approach shoes is for easy technical climbs in low to mid-5th class terrain, these could be a good addition to your quiver for more casual days and mountain runs.
Overall, the new Scarpa Rapids represent a great compromise between an approach shoe and a trail runner. They excel in mountain terrain and will continue to be my go-to shoe when I minimize my packing. Yes, they have some compromises, but no gear can be perfect at two very specialized pursuits. The Scarpa Rapids run, climb, hike, and scramble quite well, whether you’re in the mountains, the forest, or the desert. For missions that combine a fast approach with scrambling and/or low-fifth-class rock, they hit a sweet spot.
