Page 52 - 2018 AMA Winter

KITREVIEW
THE PATH LESS TRODDEN
by Sean Mackey
My experience of choosing approach shoes has firmly been looking at what is on sale in the shops and weighing that up against which shoes are ‘cool’ at the time
While this has kept a little bit of extra cash in my wallet it hasn’t always been the best for my feet. Last year I developed Planta Flaciatious (intense pain in the heel of the foot), which has made me re-evaluate my choice of footwear. My PF foot issue has pushed me away from some of the more common brands and I have actively sought out some of the other providers of outdoor footwear to find some well heeled shoes (excuse the pun). The experience has been positive and I will definitely spend more time and money in the future.
ADIDAS TERREX SOLO
Adidas have been quite
divisive in my friend’s
opinions when I have told
them about my shiny new
shoes. While they’re not a
purely outdoor focused brand I do believe their shoes are good and have lasted well. Adidas took over Five Ten a few years ago and have combined the footwear knowledge from both companies. While these do look like a trainer rather than an approach shoe the design and performance are considerably better than they look. The stealth rubber used is a classic from Five Ten and is super grippy on most surfaces meaning they are excellent for easy rock climbs and scrambles. They do tend to mark tiled and laminate floors in the house and in my campervan, which has annoyed my wife.
I’ve been using the non-waterproof shoes and they have been breathable and comfy for prolonged use. I think this may be down to the fact they’re the stiffest shoes of the three reviewed and this is good for me, but maybe not for everyone.
52 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER
ALTBERG PATHFINDER TREK
When I spoke to my physio
about outdoor footwear
their recommendation was
Altberg. A brand that is
popular and well known
among military personnel, these shoes have been their first foray into civilian outdoor market. They are extremely well made and when combined with their Swartz insoles have been the best fitting and cushioned footwear I have tested. I have done 10+ hour days mooching around the hills and this is where they have come into their own. If I was walking into a mountain crag I would absolutely take these over the others.
The design is simple and robust while not being too outrageous or garish. I would have preferred a little more colour, but they look fine both on and off the hill. I am not quite as convinced with their ability on scrambles as the others on the test and in my opinion this is down to the stickiness of the rubber on steeper sections of a climb. They’re the heaviest in the test (not by too much) and would equated to around the same as a pair of Scarpa Cruxes. While the weight is high they have worn the best and I’ll probably get a couple of years use out of them.
They’re fully waterproof and I have tested them fully on some particularly saturated walks in North Wales. If the weather is warm I would avoid them as they’re particularly well padded, which in good weather means hot feet. In essence, these are brilliant in certain seasons (i.e. spring and autumn) but will leave you with unpleasant feet at the end of a hot day.
ARCTERYX ACRUX SL
I really like the Acruxes and
they’re my go-to shoes on
dry days where I won’t
need much support or
am walking around town.
I think they look good casually and are subtle enough not scream to everyone that ‘I am a climber!’. This maybe a flaw in a few peoples eyes though...
They’re the lightest on test and surpris- ingly for this brand these are the cheapest by a significant margin. They are solid on even ground but wont do much on really rough terrain where the security of a foot placement is key. These are the only shoes that I had to ‘break in’ and I think that has to do with the design.
The design is a little futuristic with the one bold colour and a stitched in, elasticated tongue that may not be everyone’s cup of tea. The coating is rather like plastic and hasn’t been as breathable or flexible as the others. This has caused some rubbing and blisters on the top of my foot after long days. Once they have relaxed (or my feet have toughened up) they have proven more acceptable.
I have seconded VDiff in these shoes and I have been impressed with the grip. The shape of the toe area is actually good for small holds and they seem stiff around the toe with a fairly flexible mid-sole which works for me.