LaSportiva TX2's Approach Shoes

TLDR version: I'm digging them.

Link to the full review with pics & giveaway contest:

nealpinestart.com/2016/07/0…

Copy & pasted review of text only by MP community request (for those who don't like clicking links):

(Wall of Text removed) If you want to check out the full review please click above!

Hi David! We met at the North End last February. I introduced myself walking past while you were working.

Great reviews on the shoes and the Petzl pack. I think you should go back to just posting the link. Your website review with pictures and bigger print is much better to read than what's here. I also found your review on the Bug by going to your site. I understand why you took the time to post the review so just letting you know not everyone hates on blogs.

Hope to run to you next winter :)

I'm not 100% sure I have the same shoe; mine has the "FriXon" sole with the green X and a sort of "cross hatched" pattern, except for the smooth "climbing Zone" on the toe and inside front of the sole; otherwise the description seems identical.

Yup...light, really nice hanging on the harness for the walk off.

I bought these shortly after the La Sportiva rep said that they "used their stickiest rubber". My only fault is that he should have said "The stickiest rubber that they use on their approach shoes."

On slab, or rocky trails, or wet rocky trails, it is not as sticky as, for example, the rubber 5.10 uses on their "Camp 4" (a heavy shoe) or on their dot-soled 5-tennie-clones. That being said, La Sportive put out a nice shoe...it just could have been better.

Bill Kirby wrote: Hi David! We met at the North End last February. I introduced myself walking past while you were working. Great reviews on the shoes and the Petzl pack. I think you should go back to just posting the link. Your website review with pictures and bigger print is much better to read than what's here. I also found your review on the Bug by going to your site. I understand why you took the time to post the review so just letting you know not everyone hates on blogs. Hope to run to you next winter :)

I remember! Thanks for the feedback, and I agree. I've edited the original post to remove that wall of text. Some may gripe I'm stealing MP traffic but I figure if you are not interested in the gear review mentioned in the title why even open the thread?

Definitely say hello when we undoubtedly cross paths again!

Robert Hall wrote:I'm not 100% sure I have the same shoe; mine has the "FriXon" sole with the green X and a sort of "cross hatched" pattern, except for the smooth "climbing Zone" on the toe and inside front of the sole; otherwise the description seems identical. Yup...light, really nice hanging on the harness for the walk off. I bought these shortly after the La Sportiva rep said that they "used their stickiest rubber". My only fault is that he should have said "The stickiest rubber that they use on their approach shoes." On slab, or rocky trails, or wet rocky trails, it is not as sticky as, for example, the rubber 5.10 uses on their "Camp 4" (a heavy shoe) or on their dot-soled 5-tennie-clones. That being said, La Sportive put out a nice shoe...it just could have been better.

I'm not sure of any changes that may have been made but I do know the Vibram "Megagrip" that was used comes in a hard and soft variation. I haven't been able to confirm which LaSportiva used but if it was the hard version that would explain why they are not quite as grippy as C4 Stealth (Guide Tennies). I have a feeling they will definitely outlast my Tennies as the rubber is noticeable harder... Hopefully if they used the harder version of this sole they will consider switching to the softer (and probably less long lasting) softer version...

Mrkb3 wrote:Hi -- thanks for your review. I'm wondering if these would be good for relatively long, perhaps back-country approaches, where the only other option would be a dedicated hiking shoe. Thanks again.

Tough question due to preference but I'll take a stab at it. If the approach had any chance of crossing snow/glacier I would opt for something with more protection, like the LaSportiva TX4 or Five Ten Camp Four.

If the approach is less than 5 miles and involves lots of dry scrambling (or an early river crossing with fair weather), I might go with these for the fast drying feature, especially if the route was moderate enough for me to leave a pair of climbing shoes in the car.

If the destination route requires performance climbing shoes then these will barely be noticed clipped to the back of the harness or stow'd in a small alpine pack, so still a good option.

Hope that helps...

"because the heel cup is so precise. Once laced up the heel does not move at all, even when edging on steep rock."

I take it they have a rigid heel counter than?

Nick Drake wrote:"because the heel cup is so precise. Once laced up the heel does not move at all, even when edging on steep rock." I take it they have a rigid heel counter than?

I could have described that better. They do not have a rigid heel counter (or stiff heel like the Five Ten Camp Fours (or Tennies for that matter). The heel is actually quite soft (and collapsible). What I meant is it cups the heel so closely that it takes a little extra work to slide them on. It reminds me of how a NRS wet shoe fits in a way. Soft, but "cupped", like a dedicated climbing shoe. Hope that makes sense...

Ah ok that's good to hear! I had a pair of the xplorers and the rigid plastic insert in the heel put pressure on a bone spur.