Calvin Klein Runner low-top sneakers | 4 Best La Sportiva Approach Shoes in 2023
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If you’re looking for high-performance footwear for technical climbing and mountain scrambling, these top-rated La Sportiva approach shoes would be a solid choice. As one of the giants in the approach footwear niche, the brand has gained the trust of the climbing and mountaineering community.
From La Sportiva’s pool of kicks come the breathable and superlight TX2, TX3, and the waterproof TX4 GTX, all of them receiving high ratings from experts. For the best all-around and scrambling shoes, the TX Guide Leather is a standout when it comes to protection, traction, and durability.
We’ve rounded up and tested La Sportiva approach shoes in the market. We generated our in-depth reviews based on all the rigorous performance tests we did inside our lab and out on the trails. In this article, we created a list of the shoes we were most impressed with.
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13 ultralight racing shoe
Best La Sportiva approach shoes overall
La Sportiva TX4
92
Superb!
What makes it the best?
The glove-like fit of the La Sportiva TX4 is in part what allows such confidence while scaling difficult terrain. It is also grippy and comfortable enough for walking, so you can hike for miles. Overall, I’m downright impressed with the La Sportiva TX4, and plan to continue using them for their intended purpose for as long as they’ll last!
Pros
- Veja v-10 leather mens extra white low casual lifestyle athletic sneakers shoes
- Extremely grippy
- Surprisingly good for technical climbing
- Great foot protection
- Stiff and comfortable for walking up and down inclines
- 8 in our list of Most Expensive Shoes
- Exceptional fit
Cons
- Vibram Fivefingers V Run Running Shoes
- Not for hot weather
- Sandals KARINO 3682 002-P Grey
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$159
Backcountry
Free shipping
$159
REI
Free shipping
$159
Outland USA
Free shipping
$159
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$159
La Sportiva approach shoes with the best grip
I used to go the gym as well as running
92
Superb!
What makes it the best?
Kangaroos Aussie Micro Cord Sneaker La Sportiva delivers excellence through its construction and performance. It reflects its greatness with its high amounts of comfort, lasting durability, and relentless surface traction. There's also its intimate fit and moderate stiffness that give an enhanced sense of control, particularly on low-level boulders, with or without cracks.
Pros
- Incredibly tough
- Mighty plush
- fabric tabi sneakers
- Edging royalty
- Among the most affordable
- Does well in fissures
- Mythos-inspired closure system
- Good for hiking
Cons
- Laces get undone often
- Adidas originals Sl 7600 Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers FW6376
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Outland USA
Free shipping
$140
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$149
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$149
Summit Hut
Free shipping
$149
La Sportiva approach shoes with the best ankle support
La Sportiva TX4 Mid GTX
88
Great!
What makes it the best?
Travelers who would choose to get the TX4 Mid GTX had better prepare for an immensely comfortable ride in an insanely lightweight pair. They also had better brace themselves for the shoe’s A-grade surface traction.
Pros
- Astronomical level of comfort
- Lightweight
- Sticky outsole
- Calvin Klein Runner low-top sneakers
- Watertight
Cons
- Sandals SERGIO BARDI SB-36-07-000126 102
- The laces come undone easily
- Lack of breathability
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$206
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$209
Backcountry
Free shipping
$209
REI
Free shipping
$209
Outland USA
Free shipping
$209
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$209
Best agile La Sportiva approach shoes
La Sportiva TX Guide
86
Great!
What makes it the best?
Banking on the TX Guide means experiencing approach hikes in a remarkably comfortable shoe. Sporting this astonishingly adaptable XC1 also equates to travels where slipping can be avoided virtually all the time.
Pros
- Excellent surface traction
- Incredibly comfy
- Zapatillas Running Air Zoom Vomero 16
- Super-snug fit
- Solid support system
- Amazing edging capabilities
Cons
- Poor climbing ability
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Outland USA
Free shipping
$119
Amazon
Free shipping
$160
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$179
Backcountry
Free shipping
$179
REI
Free shipping
$179
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$179
Comparison of the 4 best La Sportiva approach shoes
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How we test approach shoes
La Sportiva possesses a strong reputation in the market for its great combination of climbing performance, Megagrip sole stickiness, and durability. We bring all the latest releases of the label to our lab for careful scrutiny. We then test them by scrambling and hiking on a variety of terrain. Here’s a summary of our process:
- Buy all the pairs of approach shoes from La Sportiva for our series of tests. We spend our own funds to maintain the objectivity of our reviews.
- Test the shoes in technical climbing, bouldering, or dragging. We take note of each model’s out-of-the-box fit, stability, break-in period, grippiness, edging capability, protective features, durability, et cetera. We subject the footwear further to tougher approach challenges and outdoor environments. We assess each shoe’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Collect more useful data from more scrutiny. We take the shoes to our lab and we run tests on them. We collect data from the results of each test and we correlate them with what we've observed in the field. Also, we cut open the shoes to examine them on an even deeper level.
