La Sportiva TX4 EVO ST

Prevent the blowout by applying some layers of SeamGrip WP over that area when the shoe is new. I prehab most of my trail runners that way to extend the life of the upper. If you wanna get super fancy, mix in some climbing rubber dust you can grab from your friendly climbing shoe cobbler. 

Mike Larsonwrote:

Damn! One traverse did that to the shoe? I just ordered a pair of these to replace a very old pair of TX3s that I've been keeping on life support. The fact the mesh blew out that easily makes me question whether I should've gone with the leather. That doesn't look repairable.

One traverse
I'd be pretty happy if even my old leather Tx4s held up to that terrain (60+ summits and 30+ miles of scrambling up to 5.9) but I agree with Long Ranger that pre-protecting the pinky toe area can extend the life of synthetic approach shoes a lot. My Tx2s would've blown out ages ago otherwise.

I'm liking my new Evo STs but the stiffness is definitely a bit hard to get used to when hiking on non-technical ground

MattHwrote:

One traverse
I'd be pretty happy if even my old leather Tx4s held up to that terrain (60+ summits and 30+ miles of scrambling up to 5.9) but I agree with Long Ranger that pre-protecting the pinky toe area can extend the life of synthetic approach shoes a lot. My Tx2s would've blown out ages ago otherwise.

I'm liking my new Evo STs but the stiffness is definitely a bit hard to get used to when hiking on non-technical ground

I was being cheeky with that traverse comment. I know the Goliath is no small thing. 

Good advice from Ranger on pre-pro. Definitely going to do that with my new ones. But then I'm also less hard on my approach shoes than some. Won't see me climbing 5.9 in them anytime soon.

R Twrote:

I'm wearing the Evos ST and I'd say that it stretches for sure to some extent.

Thanks. Won't be sizing up for hiking as the TX3 1/2 size up stretched excessively for me.