My New Favorite Approach Shoe Is Currently On Sale

It’s been a long time since I’ve worn an actual “approach shoe” to a crag. Whether I’m hiking quickly along a dirt trail or boulder-hopping through talus, I find the average approach shoe to be overbuilt, heavy, and awfully sweaty.

I wear a lightweight trail runner to the cliff instead. Compared to an approach shoe, a runner’s sole is rockered and heavily cushioned, its upper is highly breathable, and it’s a fraction of the weight. Trail running shoes are not, however, known to have incredible durability nor climbing performance.