The Best Approach Shoes Reviewed

But with dozens of options out there, what should you look for? This group test includes a half-dozen of the best approach shoes around, comparing features and performance. We’ve picked out an overall best buy and highlighted other top picks.

Note: Prices and weights are given per pair.

BEST BUY: Mammut Alnasca Low GTX

Price: £139
Weight:  870g
mammut.com

Mammut’s Alnasca Low GTX is a robust, grippy and well-built approach shoe. It looks good and it performs even better. Sitting firmly in the category of technically advanced approach shoes, the Alnasca boasts a rugged rubber outsole from tyre specialists Michelin, who ought to know one or two things about traction. It also features a cushioned heel wedge for additional grip and comfort, and a reinforced rubber toe for improved edging on rock. There’s an extended Gore-Tex inner membrane for maximum waterproofing and breathability. In short, the credentials are top-notch – it doesn’t get much better than this.

“In short, the credentials are top-notch – it doesn’t get much better than this”

The fit is snug yet comfortable and the shoes strike a good balance between stiffness and flexibility. They are a little on the heavy side, but the tough, durable materials provide added support and protection (no turned ankles here) on rugged terrain.

Using them on a hike and scramble in the drizzly Lake District, I found the Alnasca’s Michelin Rock Tech sole had superb tread, gripping excellently on everything from wet grass, scree and greasy rock. The rubber toe rand was ideal for jimmying my foot into cracks and crevices on tricky manoeuvres. It was just a shame that my scrambling skills weren’t as good as the approach shoes on my feet.

 

Hanwag Makra Low GTX

Price: £165
Weight: 910g
hanwag.com

Hanwag has been making hiking and mountaineering boots since 1921. The Bavarian firm has poured all of that history and expertise into the Makra Low GTX approach shoe. It is a technical, robust and flexible approach shoe made for demanding terrain. Its best feature is an aggressively-designed Vibram Pepe sole, with a honeycomb-structured tread and a ‘climbing zone’ at the tip. The result is first-rate friction and hold on rock and scree.

Like most technical approach shoes, the Makra also includes a reinforced rubber toe box for protection. But it also has strong heel support for stabilising your foot and ankle on uneven terrain. In addition, a Gore-Tex membrane ensures you won’t have to put up with soggy socks all day. The shoe’s upper is made from a mix of suede and Cordura fabric. The soft, trainer-like cuff improves comfort.

“It is a technical, robust and flexible approach shoe made for demanding terrain”

Clearly, then, a lot of thought has been put into the design, and the Makra has a host of other technical features too. These include ‘optimised ghilly lacing’ (a system of webbing loops and rings) and a special last for improved fit and reduced pressure points. At £165, Hanwag’s Makra Low GTX is slightly on the expensive side. However, for that money, you are getting almost a century of expertise and one of the best approach shoes around.

 

Keen Venture

Price: £119.99
Weight: 948g
keenfootwear.com

The offerings here from Mammut, Hanwag and La Sportiva are technical approach shoes geared towards the all-out scrambler or climber. Keen’s Venture shoe, on the other hand, is an everyday shoe for the everyday adventurer. It is suitable for everything from gentle lakeside ambles or long-distance hikes to graded scrambles and rocky mountain ascents.

Unlike other brands, who turn to specialists such as Vibram and Gore-Tex for their soles and materials,  Keen does things in-house. The ‘Keen All Terrain’ rubber outsole has deep, aggressive, multi-directional lugs for high-traction grip. Inside the shoes, the ‘Keen Dry’ membrane is both waterproof and breathable. The ‘Konnectfit’ heel provides a locked-in fit for added stability and protection.

“I always found them grippy and comfortable, no matter how rough, wild and rocky the terrain got”

The removable Keen insole also provides good arch support, while the midsole provides good cushioning. I used and abused a pair of the Keen Ventures during an extended Munro-bagging expedition. I always found them grippy and comfortable, no matter how rough, wild and rocky the terrain got. Available in a series of bright, eye-catching colours, the Venture by Keen isn’t for technical climbing. But if you’re after well-priced, everyday shoes for a variety of outdoor adventures, these are the best approach shoes for you.

 

Salewa Wildfire

Price: £135
Weight: 800g
salewa.com

Salewa’s Wildfire is another technical approach shoe that fuses the best features of both climbing and hiking shoes. It results in a classic hybrid, with all the features you need for a range of activities. This could include technical mountain approaches, scrambles, traverses and easy climbs.

Testing the pair on the High Level Route and Shamrock Traverse on Pillar in the Lake District, I found the sole gave excellent traction for sure-footed scrambling. The aggressive, diamond-shaped lugs gripped well, even on greasy rock. And while I’m no Alex Honnold, the ‘climbing zone’ at the toe enabled me to practice ‘smearing’ on rock slabs. There is the usual rubber toe box for edging too, while the precise, snug shape fits like a glove. This enables greater feel and sensitivity for climbing.

“The Wildfire doesn’t feel like it’s designed only for technical pursuits”

But the Wildfire doesn’t feel like it’s designed only for technical pursuits. Salewa’s 3F system, which provides flexibility, fit and firm ankle and heel support, means there is just enough protection for longer hikes. The upper is made from a breathable mesh combined with a criss-crossing, wraparound grid structure. Salewa calls this an ‘EXA Shell technology-injected cage’. That sounds like gobbledygook, but I guess you’re allowed to spout pseudo-technical jargon when you’ve created such a technical, high-performing approach shoe.

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