La Sportiva TX4 Approach Shoe Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ส.ค. 2024
- It's a shoe review. The La Sportiva TX4 is sold as an approach shoe, but is it any good for backpacking?
La Sportiva TX3 geni.us/6zX5r
La Sportiva TX4 geni.us/CAwaGxS
Check out my comparison of the TX4 vs TX3: • La Sportiva TX3 Review...
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Connect with me: / kane_does_outdoors
#backpacking #hiking #wildcamping #ultralightbackpacking #gear #fastpacking
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Nice! what about the size? did you went 1 up or normal shoe size?
Good question - I found using my usual size perfect. I normally wear a US 11, which gives me some room compared to a US 10.5 where my toes hit the end. This US 11 (EUR 44.5) did seem a tiny bit smaller than some other brands, so for some people it might be worth sizing up by 0.5. The 11s are a very precise fit; my toes never hit the end of the shoe but they didn't slide around either.
@@KaneDoesOutdoorswhat socks are you wearing with them, thick or thin?
@@Codzilla71 Pretty thin, been using Defeet Aireators for 10+ years. They never shift or bunch up.
For me my size 42 was perfect, enough space on the front and on the sides. Took them for first time for a 28km hike in Austrian Alps, with 4h C/D via ferrata in the middle. They are amazing. I have replaced insoles inside as I have high arch and high support in there helps a lot. There was enough space for these higher cut insoles. But I have noticed that Goretex version was much tighter on the top, like the shoe has smaller diameter if you would slice it in area of 2/3rds of the tongue, so I have non-goretex version which has roomier and was perfect in the summer. Used Wool socks, thickness between thin and medium.
@@cruxer666 I got the Goretex version and indeed I feel my toes are sligthly constrained- I use them mostly for hiking or everyday activities if it rains a lot. Any recommendation on foot size vs LaSportiva sizing? My feet are around 27.3cm and I got a 45 (Mondopoint 29cm), so I was surprised that they didn't feel a bit roomier.
I've had La Sportiva approach shoes for years and used them for hiking up till this year when I got a pair of Hoka Speedgoats. But these Sportiva shoes are bombproof beyond belief, I've had a pair last 8 years! (that was climbing approach & hiking combined)
I'm using the Speedgoat for trail hiking now, but if I'm headed anywhere rocky or with scree then I definitely pull these out every time. They weigh double the Speedgoat, but are unbeatable on harsh terrain.
That’s my plan, for anything on trail your favourite trail runner will do fine. But loose scree and talus just chews them up and I’ll use the La Sportivas.
Thanks for the insight! 8 years is a long time 😂
@@KaneDoesOutdoors Yep, best approach shoe I've ever owned. I tried the 5.10 which has great rubber, but came apart in under a year, and Solomon which are really good also, but just didn't fit as well. (the one I had was a slim fit and gave me blisters)
I’ve had the TX4 TX2 TX2 leather and TX4 mid gtx. TX4 and TX4 mid gtx are by far the best all around. The TX2s come in handy when on class 4 with small edges but there’s a price to pay in comfort disparity. TX2s are flatter so maybe a bit more surface area for steep slabs.
I’m looking at the tx2 now! Did you prefer the leather or woven material better?
I like both. I will say this, do not get the leather if your shoes are going to get wet!!! They get heavy and never seem to dry and squish all the way back to the car.
Bahaha omg I was leaning leather! Thanks for the reply man. And they will most certainly get wet. I loved the way the tx4 fit when I tried em but looking for something a little less robust. Would you say the tx2 fits the bill?
That scenery is incredible wherever it was you were testing them out
I'm guessing he's doing 14'ers in the American Rockies.
I have the the TX2's as well, the TX 4 has a way wider fit than normal La Sportiva boots and shoes. I go up a size with most La Sportiva boots and shoes, these TX 4's you can go with your normal shoes size.
Thank you for the info. I normally wear Salomon Pioneer(loved them) this is more for an all-around daily. I do need to like the way they look, as well as function.(do not like the new pioneer colors) I stumbled on this as my current pioneers are approaching 10 years old. Video appreciated.
The TX4 is amazing. I have 2 pairs of the Spires that refuse to die!
¿Qué diferencia ves entre las TX4 y las Spire?
@@AML.3891 The Spire is more of a 'low-cut boot,' whereas the TX4 is a pure approach shoe. Also, the TX4 does not have the Goretex surround tech. The Spire is just a heavier-duty shoe overall.
@@sinepari9160 GRACIAS!!!!
I've had these boots for quite a few years and they are my favourite. This year I replaced the sole in them - the original one is very grippy, unfortunately it wears out quite quickly. I exchanged it in an authorized LS service, unfortunately for another Vibram - the one with TX4 is not made available by LS to resole. I'll try to do something about the tears inside the shoe - they were caused by taking off laced shoes. Leather, rubber band around the shoe and everything else still works great and I think they will last for a very long time. Then I'll buy another pair.
@sinepari9160 surprising how many people do that!
The TX3 is exactly this shoe, but with a synthetic upper, you should just get that
have you heard about the tx4 gore tex? i live in europe and they are available here. would be nice to have a waterproof tx4 but ive never had any gore tex shoes. what do you think? could the gore tex be a good solution for the tx4 making them breathable and waterproof?
I know this will sound like a weird question but, what do you think about this shoe for Parkour? I'm an older Parkour enthusiast, no flipping but lots of running, vaulting, precision jumps and wall climbing. And the last one is the reason for my question. I need a shoe that is not only flexible, but has a good grip on walls. The best Parkour shoes I have purchased so far are reasonably good at grip, but the toe wears down incredibly fast because the shoes aren't designed for that kind of wear and tear at the toe. So my thinking is: what if I can find an approach shoe that has all the flexibility I need for Parkour, but the rubber and grip I need for wall climbs. What do you think?
These are not flexible enough imo for parkour but you can still give it a shot
Thanks for the review just ordered a pair. Paired w those gators looks like a solid setup. What ridge is that at 57-59 second mark?
That's the descent from Mt Glasgow on the 4 peak route. Right around 50.75881, -114.91360. You can see a lot more from that trip in this video: th-cam.com/video/Ak1LrtbObtk/w-d-xo.html
Hi Kane.
Great video.
Ive just been looking at these shoes and considering purchasing some, how are they holding up? How are the soles wearing?
I feel like the Vibram soles on my Hyper GTX's have worn pretty quick, mainly around the ball of my foot area.
Cheers
It’s a pretty soft rubber, but holding up well enough. I’ve spread some of the use onto the TX3s so hard to say exactly in terms of durability. Definitely more durable than any trail runner. If I wear out the soles on a pair of shoes before the upper falls apart they served me well.
OK thats good to know.
They look a great shoe and I've not seen a bad word about them yet so I can feel a purchase coming on.
Thanks for getting back to me
@jayray1981 I know people who are on their 4th or 5th+ pair because they like them so much.
One guy I’ve spoken to (IG @ephraimroberts) who uses light trail runners for the approach and the tx4s for higher up on the mountain just to try and keep them dry.
I know what you mean about them drying out though as the ones I'm using now are the same material and do take ages to dry, not the best for a multi day hike.
It's not a great feeling putting wet boots back on.
Hi, have you tried the tx4 Evo, and can offer some advice on which to buy? can’t find any comparisons anywhere online. Thanks !
Unfortunately I haven't. Both my TX3s and TX4s have a lot of life left in them and I use trail runners for lighter duty trips - it will be a while before I need to get another approach shoe.
best shoe ever!
Have you heard abou LA SPORTIVA - TX Hike GTX? I am considering them as my new hiking shoes and it seems like the shohe you were wishing for in the end of your video :)
Except for the GTX…
where are you walking in these clips, looks amazing!
Kananaskis, about 1 hour south of Banff Alberta. Hard to beat the views!
How is the follow up over the last few months? Did you get them wet to check it out?
No, I've kept them for dry day trips only. Everyone says to keep them dry. The TX3s are fantastic in all conditions though, dry quickly and less hot.
are these shoes flexible? do they bend easily at the ball of the foot or are they rigid?
They are pretty flexible, nowhere near as rigid as a classic backpacking boot, but slightly stiffer than a typical pair of trail runners.
Excellent shoes, I'm about to buy my Fourth, pair of la sportiva approach. Shoes, I wear them all the time except when i'm at work
A lot of people swear by them!
Hey Kane, I was wondering what you were wearing on your feet. 😁 Nice review!
Ha thanks!
What gaiters are you using?
They are from a little company called AltraGam, pretty much a copy of Dirty Girl gaiters. I chose them because they are available at a local store (GearTrade) whereas DG gaiters are hard to get in Canada.
Which brand on the gaiter?
They are from a small company called Ultragram. Basically a copy of dirty girl gaiters - ankle high stretch material with a velcro patch at the heal and front hook that attaches to your shoelaces. A local store (geartrade.ca) stocks the Ultragram version which means I don't have to deal with the high shipping and duties from the US.
Hello! does it suite for bagpacking?
Yes, absolutely. I will be testing the TX3s in comparison since the should handle wet conditions a better. It always depends what you are used to using, your expectation/requirements, and conditions. For myself this is an excellent shoe for dry conditions or technical scrambles.
@@KaneDoesOutdoors I will be use it in the summer, I can’t say that it is always humid here, but sometimes it rains where I live. And the weight of the backpack is about 15 kg? additionaly my weight is 90, I'm afraid that this will be a big load on the shoes. And won't they be hot?
@@MrIvsemenyuk I travel light, my bag rarely weighs more than 10 kg with food.
What gaiters are those?
They are from a little company called UltraGam - essentially a copy of dirty girl gaiters. There is a local store that stocks them here in Calgary (geartrade.ca) so I didn’t have to deal with shipping from the US.
The La Sportiva TX3 is exactly the same except with a mesh upper.
Aha good to know for next time!
.
2 size above you think?
I wear my usual shoe size.