La Sportiva

TX4 Approach Shoe - Women's

Great shoes but orange cord breaks easily :(

I love the way these shoes fit for my very wide feet, it's my main go-to approach shoes. But the orange cord used for the shoe laces and the heel loops do not last at all, they break well before the shoes needs retiring. On shorter multipitches where I don't carry a pack, I like to clip my shoes to my harness but would never do that with these lest I lose my shoes due to cord breakage. My current TX4 had 5 weeks of use before the heel cord on my right foot broke... luckily it didn't happen on route.

Most Favorite Hiking Shoe

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

8

These shoes fit like a glove, they’re my ‘go-to’ for walks in the woods and hikes into the backcountry. I am now a loyal customer and appreciate the attention to detail, the ‘just right’ heel cup, the thin but secure laces, and ‘fifth toe’ that holds my toes securely and comfortably on steep and rocky inclines. I spend 3 months a year in the Rockies, and these are phenominal!

No break in needed for me

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Size Bought:

5 1/2 or EU 36

I took a leap of faith hoping these would not need much of a break in period. Was pleasantly surprised when I wore them for a climb up Cathedral Rock in AZ for the first big "wearing" and didn't get any blisters, ect. They are very comfortable for a climbing/hiking shoe. I did order a 1/2 size larger especially for wearing socks.

Narrow foot dream?

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

These seem like they could be really comfortable, for people with a narrow and relatively flat foot. I have a wider foot and a high arch, and found that I had to loosen the laces so much to just make these somewhat comfortable that I could barely tie a bow with the remaining laces. Even then, there was consistent pressure on the top of my foot and no laces left to give... so I'm giving them a pass.

HIgh Quality Shoe Great for WInter Wear

I love La Sportiva approach shoes! Just bought my second pair of these. I got my last pair of approach about 8+ years ago and the new ones are still high quality. They haven't skimped on quality of materials like other brands have over the years. My last pair went through trail hikes, winter weather, and were a life saver during the Texas winter storm. We had no power for a week and there was a gas station blocks away that got power before us. I wore my approach shoes through the thick icy sidewalks to that gas station several times without any falls. These are a good winter shoe and keep your feet warm compared to a normal pair of shoes like Vans. They are not as warm as a Sorel winter boot, but somewhere in between winter boots and regular shoes warmth wise. I wore my last pair until the soles have started to wear down and I still use the old pair for messy jobs outside in the mud. You can definitely get some long mileage out of these shoes compared to other brands.

They do the job but could be better

I purchased about 6 months ago and they are holding up fairly well. The lace loops wear and fray quickly but are holding steady. The wide toe box was appealing for long approaches but is a bit too wide where the shoe feels a little clunky. They are also heavy compared to maybe trail runners that do a similar job. They are big to pack in your backpack, clunky to attach to outside and take FOREVER to dry if they get damp/wet because of the leather. They are sturdy and have done the job well for getting up/down difficult approaches but probably won't buy again once these wear out. I'll go for a lighter pair that are not leather so it's more breathable and comfortable to wear.

Lightweight and supportive

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Size Bought:

7

Height:

5' 4.5"

I haven't worn these on or near a mountain yet -- they just got here. But they fit perfectly and seem comfortable. The soles seem sturdy but not stiff to me (though they're clearly not foamy, bouncy runners). I appreciate the fitted arch and roomier toe box. On my kitchen scale, the size 7s are 10.2 oz each.

Use them for trad

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Size Bought:

39

My partner and I climb in Eldorado Canyon, CO every weekend, and these have been my exclusive approach shoe for a full season. These are also my first pair of true approach shoes, as I used to approach in trail runners. Long review made short: I do recommend them! Pros: Approach shoes make me feel safer for sometimes sketchy trad approach terrain, with difficult class 4 moves, or the random V0 move needed to get to some distant crags. I definitely trust the rubber toes by now. They are very comfortable shoes for me- and I have wide feet. I wear a women's 8 wide in street shoes, and bought a size 39 (same size I wear in TC Pro's). There was no break-in period. They can become uncomfortable in a few scenarios. Hot weather- the upper is made of leather, so it's to be expected that they are not super breathable. I don't find this to be an issue because my feet don't get smelly, and there are other versions that they create to be more breathable such as the TX3. Downhill- These babies are a dream when approaching. Although I have climbed some multiple mile approaches, with lots of elevation gain, going downhill can become a bit unpleasant, especially after a full day on the wall in climbing shoes. I find that my toes knock the front with every step on steeper descents. I did not experience this in some of the trail shoes I've worn from La Sportiva or other brands. Perhaps I need to size down, up, or this is just the way that approach shoes are. I understand that feeling the toe is valuable, but sometimes I feel like my toes are getting bruised by the end of a big day. Which brings me to the laces- I have worn through the orange sheath, but the core is still intact after a year. They still have some life in them, so I'm going to get new laces. (I hear you can re-sole these as well, which I may try). With the current laces I find myself being reluctant to crank down on them. This would be useful during more technical sessions, or as mentioned above during steep descents.

Good shoes but design flaws

I have had these shoes for about a year. I made the switch after exclusively using the Boulder shoe for more than a decade. I appreciate how it’s lighter than the Boulder, but still has a stiff sole, but as the other reviewers point out, the shoe runs warm and the orange cord easily breaks. These are two major design flaws that need to be fixed before I’ll purchase another pair. I’ll be going back to the Boulders in the meantime.