The Guide Tennie is a great shoe for steep rocky approaches, technical scrambling or easy climbing. They're not so good on anything wet, such as steep grass or boggy terrain, so choose the days and walks on which you use them wisely. They are good in terms of all-day comfort, so big days out in the hills (assuming it's not raining) they handle well. My pair of size 7 comes in at just 752g, which is quite light for a supportive approach shoe. Given the overall quality, the price of around £..." go to full review

I've found the La Sportiva TX2 to be a lightweight, yet surprisingly durable, approach shoe. The sticky sole climbs rock well, without being dangerous on slippery wet grass. They're not cheap, however I think it's a price well worth paying considering their low weight and high durability. The only negative for me is the C2 Combo cord, which is nothing more than a poorly executed gimmick. Thankfully it goes virtually unnoticed and would not put me off buying these excellent shoes.go to full review

The Session is a shoe that you're likely to fall in love with (and if you don't believe me, just try a pair on). From the moment you slip a pair on there's an instant 'oooh' factor as the mesh/knit uppers mould around your foot. Whilst bouldering and sport climbing, indoors or out, its easy slip-on design makes it a pleasure to use - not least because of its lightweight, comfortable and breathable nature. It is also a rare example of a product that manages to combine lightness and durability..." go to full review

They are not the most mountain-specialised or technical approach shoe on the market, to put it kindly, and that shallow tread could prove a worry on typical UK greenery, but they still feel like an approach shoe when you get them on the rock. The Kalipe's affordable price, and comfy and forgiving fit, will be a winning combination for some users. This is an easy shoe to get along with, and one that you'd be equally happy wearing on the crag or the high street.go to full review

The Fuel must be one of the softer approach shoes on the market, both literally and in terms of ideal use, so if you're seeking something for scrambling or UK mountain crag approaches then look elsewhere. On the plus side however, this shoe combines a light weight and a casual feel with a degree of on-rock ability, so assuming you're after an approach shoe largely for wearing to roadside crags, sunny sport trips, or going to the wall, then it would be worth a look.go to full review

Whether or not the Prime is for you largely comes down to what you're looking to use them for. They sit right out at the softer end of the approach shoe spectrum, being more casual and urban in nature, and as such they do push the definition of 'approach shoe' towards destruction. If you're off down the climbing wall then that's fine, but on grass, mud and quagmires this extremely bendy, flat-soled shoe performs very poorly, while its lack of support means that it isn't going to be a natural..." go to full review

While it doesn't have the ideal sole for wet grass - a definite drawback for approaching mountain crags or scrambling in the UK - the Gecko is a light and flexible approach shoe that performs amazingly well when you get on the rock. It is highly recommended for those looking for a comfortable shoe that works for cragging and scrambling, but one that's also fashionable enough for more urban use. It may not last forever, but then you're paying a decent mid-range price. My only gripes so far..." go to full review

Overall, the Scarpa Mescalito proved to be a real workhorse of an approach shoe. Its strength comes from its stability when ascending and descending steep terrain and its tough build, that after six months of testing, looked almost the same as when we started our review. Adding to its strengths, the Mescalito is very light and kept our feet warm and dry in the wettest conditions. If we had to pick something to improve, it would be a small reduction of bulk in its heel to provide the user..." go to full review

The one aspect I really like is the sock-like upper that hugs my foot without the need to tie down my laces tight. This simple feature makes it so I can slip the Five Tennie on and off without bothering to tie or untie my laces, which is obviously nice when you’re doing pitches with your partner. Who would you rather climb with, someone who spends 10 minutes tying and untying their shoes while sitting on your rope tarp as you respectfully wait to just pull the damn rope? Or someone who doesn..." go to full review

During my first outing in the Guide Tennie, it didn’t take long for me to appreciate the stiff, compression-molded EVA midsole and it’s excellent underfoot protection. This shield allowed me to be less concerned about where I placed my foot while hiking, as pointy, irregular rocks no longer threatened the bottoms of my feet. A wide, cushy heal further adds to the shoe’s comfort and helped provide welcome stability while navigating uneven terrain with a pack on. In fact, the Guide Tennie is..." go to full review