Our verdict
Banking on the TX Guide means experiencing approach hikes in a remarkably comfortable shoe. Sporting this astonishingly adaptable footgear also equates to travels where slipping can be avoided virtually all the time.
Pros
- Lace-type fit management system
- Incredibly comfy
- Versatile trail runner
- Super-snug fit
- Solid support system
- Amazing edging capabilities
Cons
- Poor climbing ability
Who should buy the Versatile trail runner
The TX Guide is a recommendable La Sportiva offering, especially for adventurers who would use it mainly for approach endeavors. It is a solid option if you:
- Prefer an approach shoe that provides technical approach hiking performance with as much comfort as possible.
- Add a product.
- Prefer an approach shoe that highlights a supportive sole unit and consists of a resilient-yet-cushy midsole.
Provides protection against hazards
On the slip and skid resistance front, hikers thank the TX Guide’s Vibram outsole. It is made of two types of rubber—IdroGrip and Megagrip—making it a dual-compound construction.
La Sportiva TX Guide
Aggressively shaped lugs or protrusions are scattered all around it for multi-directional traction, especially over loose- or soft-soiled terrain.
Excellent edging and smearing performance
The outsole designers over at Vibram furnished it with a climbing zone and a heel brake. The former delivers extra stickiness on edge-type projections and for smears, while the latter makes navigating downhill slopes easy with sufficient descent control.
Provides protection against hazards
The Versatile trail runner is capable of stabilizing the wearer’s footing and, at the same time, protecting the foot from virtually all manners of underfoot hazards with its dual-density compressed midsole. It is made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), a rubber-like material commonly that is tough yet cushy.
Same brand only
Within its medial section, La Sportiva shoemakers slipped in an anti-torsion TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) shank, whose presence translates to preventing injury during twisting maneuvers and bolstering the shoe’s arch support. The same brilliant minds from the brand also topped this stabilizing component with a 4-mm approach-centric Ortholite footbed for added cushioning.
Provides bump and abrasion protection
The foot is safely tucked inside the TX Guide’s below-the-ankle upper, which is made of ultra-weave Jacquard fabric. It has sewn-in TPU overlays that improve the shoe’s longevity. For bump and abrasion protection, on the other hand, both its heel and forefoot zones come equipped with hardy Tech-Lite reinforcements made of polyurethane.
Lace-type fit management system
Completing the TX Guide’s upper equation is the approach shoe’s lace-type fit management system. It is comprised of heavy-duty synthetic lace and a set of reinforced eyelets.
