If you can see this amount of space then you are pretty much on the way to making sure that your boots are the correct size. This space between your toes and the end of the footbed ensures that you will not stub your toes on the inside of the boot when you descend. This can be excruciatingly painful. If you can’t see this amount of space then it’s a good bet that the boots will be too small. These mid-cut hiking boots from La Sportiva offer reliable protection for days in the mountains where the weather and terrain can be unpredictable. The La Sportiva Boulder X is the result of years of dedication and design tweaking. They have managed to produce a shoe that not only looks great but has great levels of support and comfort.

Now that your boots are done up properly stand up on your tiptoes and walk on the spot on the balls of your feet as if you are walking up a steep hill. If your heels lift more than approximately 5mm from the footbed you may need to pull the laces tighter, or the boots may just be the wrong shape for you. A great all-round approach shoe that is supportive and great for climbing and comes at an attractive price The Boulder X set the bar extremely high as the gold standard of approach shoe. But La Sportiva has been quietly tweaking designs and stealing bits from their Boulder X and climbing boot lineups to create the all new Traverse X series of approach shoes and boots. Of course, many features were eliminated to produce such a lightweight shoe. The midsole contains very little padding, so long hikes aren't very comfortable in the TX2 Evo. The lightweight knit upper doesn't provide much support and is more susceptible to wear and tear. If you need a shoe for rugged approaches and lots of standing in aiders, these shoes aren't the right choice. But if you want to move light and fast and need a shoe that can accompany you up big routes without weighing you down, the TX2 Evo is a perfect choice. La Sportiva set the standards in approach shoe design with their Boulder X model. It was the go-to shoe for climbers looking to upgrade their approach shoe collection, or even to replace their battered 5-year-old Boulder X – we even know of people hoarding pairs of Boulder X in fear that they might one day become discontinued.

Conclusion

La Sportiva made the Boulder X Mid GTX as a beefier, mid-height, waterproof version of the popular Boulder X approach shoe. While many approach shoes are simply subtle variations on the styles of others, the Boulder X Mid GTX stands alone as it fills a particular niche that remains empty: like the famous “lungfish” found off the coast of Madagascar that represents the evolution from fish to reptiles, this shoe fills the gap between approach shoe and mountaineering boot. These boots also have 100% recycled lace, a subtle nod to the sustainable direction that La Sportiva is heading towards.

This test will tell you if the shape of the internal heel cup matches your heel to ensure it holds you securely, especially when ascending steep ground. We are trying to eliminate the dreaded heel blister. Plenty of technology, a very lightweight feel and an overall great performance. We like this boot. Tester’s Verdict There are no additional costs or duties on products marketed in countries within the European Union. Customers will not have to pay anything on delivery.

Stand on the A4 paper with your heel pressed firmly against the wall and your foot pointed forward with the edge of your big toe aligned with the edge of the paper. The mid cut of these boots offers extra support and structure around the ankle, which feels super comfy when scrambling and hiking through rougher, uneven grounds. In our Hereford shop we offer a professional boot fitting service where we assess your feet, find a selection of boots that match you foot shape and most importantly we make sure that they are comfortable.This iseasy to do in the shop, where we have access tothe right tools, the option of letting you try on as many styles as you like and a knowledgeable member of staff that cancommunicate directly with you regarding your needs. Rand is thin, so not durable. Same problem as the Boulder X: you will trash these if you jumar, and the rand will not last long.

The TX line is broken up into three models: TX2, TX4 and TX5, with the number depending on the weight and stiffness of the shoe (TX2 being lightweight). TX4 and TX5 models are also broken up into a low and a mid version, so that you’re able to fine tune the fit, stiffness and weight based on the intended use. Stiff for edging and standing in aiders, light weight, excellent climbing ability, good hiking support Comfortable for hiking, good climbing performance, high quality construction, multiple insole width options The scarpa shoes are really similar to the LaSport shoes. I’d go with whatever feels better; Scarpa tends to fit a bit wider.Inspired by the Mythos project, these boots have a patented lacing system that runs all the way down to the toe to get a much more enhanced fit to suit various foot shapes and fit preferences. This shoe can do it all, from precise climbing on mid-5th class terrain to rugged hikes to long aid climbs You should now be able to see approximately 2 cm (about an index fingers width) of the footbed poking out in front of your toes. One major downside is construction quality. We noticed alarming construction defects early in our test period, and confirmed these fears with other users. However, we still think these shoes are worth the DIY shoe care that might be required, because of their jaw-dropping climbing performance that can eliminate the need to bring climbing shoes on many objectives. Also, the shoe is narrow, and wide-footed users report discomfort in the toe box. The Salewa Wildfire 2 is a good choice for an all-around approach shoe for those with wide feet.