The Best Approach Shoes of 2024

The Boulder X is one of the cheapest shoes on this list and also one of the most rugged. The plush padded tongue and heel-hugging shape provide a cozy feel that most approach shoes don’t.

We wore this shoe as a daily driver for a full year, and the leather upper held together without issue. Thanks to the thick padded construction, the Boulder X can function as a warm, three-season option. In the summer months, the lack of breathability is apparent, as our feet sometimes overheat in these on longer hikes.

Ridge scrambles and steep trails are no problem for the Boulder X, but they aren’t the best option for fifth-class climbing. The shoe sits relatively high on a thick foam platform, which limits feel and is not ideal for precise and technical footwork.

In a men’s size 10, the Boulder X weighs well over 1 pound per shoe. They’re clunky, too, so we don’t recommend carrying them up a multi-pitch.

Overall, if you’re looking for an approach shoe that will handle endless miles of trails without breaking the bank, the Boulder X is a winner.

First things first, the Gecko LT is supportive enough for carrying a rack, a rope, and some personal camping equipment for a few days in the backcountry. For truly heavy loads, you may want to consider a full-sized boot with more ankle support, but if you can keep your kit under 30 pounds you’ll be in fine shape. The medium-density EVA midsole offers adequate support for any kind of day mission, and you could show up for dinner afterward thanks to their low-key, innocuous appearance.

For climbing applications, this shoe employs Scarpa’s proprietary rubbers, PRESA and SuperGum, a combo that’s supposedly a bit more durable than the average sticky rubber. Our tester slogged around in the Geckos for a few months and hasn’t experienced any rubber breakdown yet, but can attest that these shoes are plenty sticky. Like, sticky enough to get you in trouble, which is to say that our tester felt confident in easy fifth-class terrain while wearing the Geckos. Like several other designs, they feature a smooth, lug-free area under the big toe for better smearing.

While our tester didn’t have the opportunity to take these shoes on any aid climbing adventures up the big stone, he did jug a few lines and bolt a few routes while using the Geckos. They feel plenty comfortable while standing in aid ladders, and are very helpful while stemming or bracing in weird stances while drilling bolts or fiddling in gear. 

Though they aren’t leather, we’re happy with the tight weave of the synthetic uppers on the Geckos. They’ve held up to some scrambling and crack climbing, and combined with the padded mesh tongue, these make for a pretty breathable pair of approach shoes.

A jack-all-trades type shoe isn’t going to lead the pack in any one aspect. If you’re facing down a summer of long backcountry slogs, then a more supportive model like the TX4 EVO or the Scarpa Mescalito is more your speed. There are also lighter-weight options that may climb a little better, but if you’re going for one to rule them all, the Scarpa Gecko LT is a very solid, versatile choice.

Out of the box, we had some real concerns about fit and comfort. These shoes run a touch narrow and felt particularly stiff and uncomfortable around the Achilles. After grinning and bearing it through a few miles, the Technicians softened up a bit, the leather stretched a little and a precise scrambling tool emerged. They excel at smearing and jamming, and they edge pretty well for a non-climbing specific shoe. We put them up there with the La Sportiva TX2 in terms of their climbing functionality and found them more versatile than the lightweight BD Session.

Roadside wall climbing (El Cap!) is also a venue where the Technicians can excel. They’re supportive enough for standing in adders and precise enough for occasional free moves. Plus they’re fairly light, so they won’t weigh down the haul bag or accessory pack during free climbing endeavors. They are low-profile and aren’t too much of a burden if you need to carry them clipped to your harness for a long walk-off. 

Leather construction is often a key ingredient for long-term durability, and the suede leather uppers on these shoes have held up well, with no signs of failure after a few months of testing. The lace eyelets also show no signs of failure, and they’re reinforced through the midfoot. A rubber rand covers the top of the toe, and the lamination is solid, so feel free to jam away.

Big mountain missions with heavy packs are not the best application for the Technicians. A shoe with more room for toes to splay and feet to swell like the Black Diamond Mission LT 2.0 or the  TX4 Evo are both better, more supportive options for sun up to sun down big mile days. However, neither of these models will climb or scramble as well as the Technicians.

Overall, the Black Diamond Technicians are a great addition to Black Diamond’s roster of quality approach shoes. Look elsewhere if your feet are particularly wide, and be patient during the break-in period. Once you’re dialed in with the fit, these shoes pair perfectly with a light pack, sunny skies, and long ridge traverses. 

We’ve been fans of the Konseal approach shoes since the first iteration came out back in 2017. We climbed, hiked, and approached in a pair of the OG Konseals for 3 straight years. They served us flawlessly.

According to our ongoing testing, the current version of the Konseal FL seems just as solid as its predecessor. Our favorite version sports a durable leather upper and a GORE-TEX membrane. For light and fast approaches in warm weather, a more breathable version is available too. Still, for long-term durability, the leather and GORE-TEX reign supreme.

This rugged shoe comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a top-notch approach shoe. It has a Vibram Megagrip outsole, a stiff midsole, a rubber-capped toe end, and a sticky “climbing zone” for technical terrain. The Konseal 2 doesn’t come cheap, but top quality rarely does.

We received a pair of the Cragstones earlier this year, and we felt immediately skeptical upon opening the box. Most approach shoes sport burly leather uppers and ankle-to-toe shoe laces. The Cragstone Pro has neither. Instead of being robust and traditional, the Cragstone is innovative and ultralight. After several hikes to the crag on loose trails and steep talus, it has proven its worth as a bonafide approach shoe, even if its unique traits call long-term durability into question.

In the trail-running world, BOA lacing systems are commonplace. In many ways, approaching a crag is a lot like trail running. Both take place on variable surfaces, and both require reliable grip and a secure, supportive fit.

Unlike trail running though, climbing approaches require heavy packs and technical movement on steep terrain. The Cragstone’s minimalist design isn’t ideal for either, but it does have certain benefits that justify the drawbacks.

On hot days, the Cragstone’s fully permeable spectra upper breathes exceptionally well. It dries quickly too. Our tester wore the Cragstone while walking through a dew-laden field, and it was soaked by the time he arrived at the crag. After a few hours in the sun, it was completely dry. A traditional leather shoe would have taken much longer to shed its moisture.

Boa lacing systems always add convenience, but we’re not totally convinced that they’re right for approach shoes. It’s easy to imagine the BOA dial getting smashed in a talus field or crunched while foot jamming. It just feels a little too delicate for this particular application, and once it’s broken, there’s no way to tighten the shoe.

In the case of the Cragstone, the BOA has held up fairly well to our initial testing — but it hasn’t convinced us to ditch laces for good.

Underfoot, an edging plate adds moderate stiffness and the Vibram outsole provides plentiful friction. There’s no “climbing zone” under the toe, but the Cragstone is plenty capable of tackling fourth-class slabs and moderate chimneys.

For fast-paced alpine missions in warm weather, the Cragstone Pro is a winner.

We’ve worn the Sessions to the climbing gym and the sport crag, and we’ve even carried them up a few multi-pitch routes. Creating an urban/approach shoe hybrid isn’t easy, but Black Diamond has made an impressive attempt with the Session.

Ultimately, this shoe is built for relatively casual approaches. The minimalist suede upper and soft, flexible structure isn’t ideal for long hikes in rugged terrain. The mid and outsoles are thin, and the bottom of your feet will feel every root and boulder through these shoes. Over many miles, the flimsy profile is a recipe for sore feet.

Still, for such a light and packable shoe, the Session can handle moderate approaches and short scrambles fairly well. It takes up minimal space on a harness and works perfectly as a multi-pitch descent shoe. Plus, it’s cheaper than most other approach shoe options.

The Session has a collapsible heel, so you can easily slip it on and off without untying the laces. When it comes time to belay your partner or move the crash pads around, quick footwear transitions are much appreciated.

Overall, the Black Diamond Session Suede is one of the best approach shoes for city dwellers, gym-goers, and weekend warriors who want to show up to the crag in style.

Based on our testing, the Mission LT 2.0 specializes in hiking. It has decent technical climbing ability, but it really shines during long hikes on dirt, gravel, and talus. We also felt confident scrambling third- and fourth-class terrain in this shoe. Though it wouldn’t be our first choice for technical rock and vertical routes, it will do the job if you’re in a pinch.

The Mission LT has a rockered profile, which allows for a comfortable and natural stride while walking. When it comes time to climb, the rocker shape makes it slightly challenging to confidently stand on small footholds. We appreciate that the lacing system continues down toward the toe, which allows the wearer to adjust the fit and increase precision

We tested this shoe during a year’s worth of weekly approaches and it never delaminated or tore. For overall comfort and versatility, the Mission LT is a solid choice.

Made with a thick suede upper, the Mescalito is well-equipped to foot jam and grovel up chimneys without ripping to shreds. After several weeks and hiking and technical climbing, the Mescalitos upper showed minimal signs of wear — except at the opening where the suede meets the mesh inner liner. This is a common weak point of SCARPA’s approach shoes, and it remains an issue on the Mescalito. Otherwise, the shoe is sufficiently hardy.

In every meaningful way, the Mescalito is a bonafide alternative to the La Sportiva TX4 EVO. Both shoes are hefty and traditionally constructed. Ultimately, the edge goes to the TX4 EVO due to the Mescalito’s lofty price tag and minor durability flaws.

Like the TX4, the Mescalito has a tongue-to-toe lacing system that enables precise fitting. We found that the large rubber toecap helped protect against stubbed toes and sharp talus.

The Mescalito shines brightest where the rubber meets the road. Underfoot, a Vibram Megagrip outsole provides some of the best traction available in the approach shoe realm. Even on wet surfaces, the shoe’s aggressive lugs and sticky climbing zone boost confidence when the terrain turns vertical. If you’re a climbing guide or frequent alpine adventurer, it’s a top-notch shoe.

The Mescalito is also available in boot form.