Minimalist/Barefoot Approach Shoe

i like using alternating layers of Gorilla Glue Tape and actual Duct Tape.  i make slashes between the toes to allow for independent movement.  while they are a little slick on wet rock and ice/snow, i've found them to be most useful on sandy or minimal approaches (bike-ins, paddling, roadside crags).  

They're not zero drop but the Arc'teryx Norvan SL shoes have been great for me. They're very minimal, Vibram megagrip soles, so crazy light that I don't even notice them on my harness. For sandals I've been very happy with the Luna Oso Flaco's, very thin, Vibram megagrip soles.

Suburban Roadside wrote: After 40 years you'll look back and wish you had worn lightweight Hiking Boots & stiff edging climbing shoes.

From someone who climbed 200 days a year in slippers/Mocs
& used  - Dot rubber, re-soled Birkenstocks to guide/approach/descend...YMMV

As someone who had lots of foot and leg problems with "traditional shoes" and then switched to minimalist footwear and had all of the problems disappear, I politely disagree. I would argue that birks are not really "barefoot" due to the highly contoured footbed. 

Paul Kalifatidi wrote:

As someone who had lots of foot and leg problems with "traditional shoes" and then switched to minimalist footwear and had all of the problems disappear, I politely disagree. I would argue that birks are not really "barefoot" due to the highly contoured footbed. 

Say it again for the kids in the back

I have the mesh TX2s and bedrock cairns. Friends have had good experiences with Bedrock's warranty repairs.

The TX2s are great (the heel stack is much less than the TX3). I run and approach in the them, and the heel-toe drop doesn't feel that much different to the helios SR (2 mm drop). I have wide footed friends who are into barefoot shoes (thru hikes in bedrocks etc) and they like the TX2s with the stock insole removed for a higher volume fit/sensitivity.

Thankfully they have a narrow heel so you may be able to size up for extra toe box room without issue. And the mesh upper has been plenty durable in my experience, I'd be curious to hear where in the mesh people are  experiencing durability issues (I don't foot jam in them much). 

Ben Juneau wrote: I have the mesh TX2s and bedrock cairns. Friends have had good experiences with Bedrock's warranty repairs.

The TX2s are great (the heel stack is much less than the TX3). I run and approach in the them, and the heel-toe drop doesn't feel that much different to the helios SR (2 mm drop). I have wide footed friends who are into barefoot shoes (thru hikes in bedrocks etc) and they like the TX2s with the stock insole removed for a higher volume fit/sensitivity.

Thankfully they have a narrow heel so you may be able to size up for extra toe box room without issue. And the mesh upper has been plenty durable in my experience, I'd be curious to hear where in the mesh people are  experiencing durability issues (I don't foot jam in them much). 

This is good to know. I've seen TX2s wearing out on the sides (like even with the toe knuckles).

Jonathan Brown wrote:

Just no!

The only thing with minimalist shoes is... thin soles.  If you'll be doing a lot of walking, over pretty rocky terrain, your feet might get sore.  I once spent a day hiking in my minimalist lace-ups, over  trails with a lot of small rocks, roots, etc., and maybe I'm a wuss, but my feet were pretty sore after that...  I love minimalist shoes, but I'll give them the pass on long rocky hikes.

I wear Xero shoes and they are the best for functionality and price that I found in minimalist footwear. I have been wearing minimalist footwear for almost to decades and was one of the Vibram five finger wearers. Xeros are amazing shoes! 

https://xeroshoes.com/shop/

Katia M wrote: The only thing with minimalist shoes is... thin soles.  If you'll be doing a lot of walking, over pretty rocky terrain, your feet might get sore.  I once spent a day hiking in my minimalist lace-ups, over  trails with a lot of small rocks, roots, etc., and maybe I'm a wuss, but my feet were pretty sore after that...  I love minimalist shoes, but I'll give them the pass on long rocky hikes.

The old, "rock plate inserts made from cutting the plastic from a gallon milk jug" trick can work wonders. 

​They make 3 styles including GRTX Lite-hikers​​​

Katia M wrote: The only thing with minimalist shoes is... thin soles.  If you'll be doing a lot of walking, over pretty rocky terrain, your feet might get sore.  I once spent a day hiking in my minimalist lace-ups, over  trails with a lot of small rocks, roots, etc., and maybe I'm a wuss, but my feet were pretty sore after that...  I love minimalist shoes, but I'll give them the pass on long rocky hikes.

It takes your body a while to adjust and build up to it. I backpack and trail run in FiveFingers now but the first few times were not as easy. I liken it to when I was a kid. We had a gravel driveway to the lake. AT the beginning of the summer I would be carefully picking where my feet went. By the end of the summer, I could run up it with no problems. YMMV

Just picked up last years model of Arc'teryx Norvan Vt's & am psyched to try them out up in RMNP. Have been using the TX2's for some time now for approaches and low/mid 5th class climbing. Really sticky and really light. I've climbed up to 5.8 granite cracks with them.

Shamma sandals. If your feet hurt wear em more.

Huuuuuge Update: Altra just released two approach shoes. One is a hemp canvas shoe similar to Evolv approach shoe, while the other resembles a TX4. Finally, a foot shaped, zero drop, approach shoe.

https://www.altrarunning.com/shop/outdoor-adventure

Good tip! And they make them in large sizes unlike LaSpo. I'm going to order a pair of the Grafton and will report back...

Anyone use evolv cruzers? They look very supportive or burly but seem light.
EDIT: Don't look supportive or burly

Daniel Melnyk wrote: Anyone use evolv cruzers? They look very supportive or burly but seem light. 

Very light, but minimally supportive and basically disposable if used for serious approaches. Highly cost-effective if you can pick them up for $30 on stp though!

I loved them while they lasted for being so easy to carry on climbs. I'd consider them minimalist, and think they're nearly zerodrop if I remember correctly. 
I switched to boulder-x shoes for aid and strenuous approaches and tx2s when I want to prioritize lightweight descent shoes.

Paul Kalifatidi wrote: Hi everyone,

I have been looking for a shoe (approach, hiking, or trail runner, I don't care) that meets the following description:

- zero drop (like Altra trail runners), I prefer it to a heel stack
- wide toe box (also like Altra), I don't want my toes to be squished together
- leather upper (for durability, preferably with a rand like an approach shoe)
- low top
- sticky rubber (vibram megagrip, stealth, etc.)

What I think I am asking for is Altra to come out with an approach shoe. I love minimalist footwear and being barefoot for the health benefits (less back and foot pain, stronger feet, better balance). While I currently wear bedrock sandals for most things, I have been wanting a bit more toe protection, but don't want to wear traditional approach shoes. When working (climbing and backpacking guide), I wear Altra Lone Peaks. I love everything about them, except for the lack of durability. I looked at Vivo Barefoot, but none of their shoes met my criteria. I think the ultimate approach shoe (for this description) would be a TX2 leather but actually foot shaped and with zero drop.

If anybody has also been looking for something of this sort, I would love to hear what you've found. If you'd like to say "you should just wear Sportiva TX4s", I hear you. I've worn them, I liked them, but want to see if my pickiness yields results.

Let me know what you guys think.

Cheers,

Paul

https://www.altrarunning.com/shop/trail/king-mt-15-alm1852g#hero=0

This is the closest thing I know of to what you are looking for. I want the same shoe as the OP. Sew some clip loops on the back. The red ones are on sale right now for $84.

The Vibram Megagrip rubber is actually used on some approach shoes. I wish the lugs were thicker and weren't quite so squirmy, but I have soloed the North Chimney on Longs Peak in the no problem (involves some 5.6-5.7ish crux climbing). I wore these shoes on back-to-back half marathon days and my feet weren't tired. They are also have by far the lowest stack height of current Altra trail shoes. The metatarsal region that gets blown out on all my shoes is reinforced with some TPU on these shoes to prevent wear.
I have only worn the 1.5 model a few days, but I had the originals for a year and was sufficiently impressed to get the new model when my old ones blew out.
Finally, these are about the best loose trail/dirt/gravel cleat you can find.

I also have a pair of Merrel Trail Glove 3s (no longer made... good luck finding a pair) resoled with stealth dot rubber with a pair of clip loops sewn on. They scramble and climb really well, but have no decent rock plate and the balls of my feet get tired/bruised after 10+ miles of rocky approach.

Edit: those new Altra approach shoes could be good. Only one way to find out...

Paul Kalifatidi wrote: Huuuuuge Update: Altra just released two approach shoes. One is a hemp canvas shoe similar to Evolv approach shoe, while the other resembles a TX4. Finally, a foot shaped, zero drop, approach shoe.

https://www.altrarunning.com/shop/outdoor-adventure

Looking forward to how these will do! Love the Altra lone peaks, but they leave a bit to be desired on technical terrain