How to Choose Hiking Boots
Arc'teryx Vertex Alpine Approach Shoes - Men's
$230.00
Balancing the fit and performance of trail runners with the stability required for long, technical approaches, the men's Arc'teryx Vertex Alpine approach shoes are made for all-day mountain travel.
- Lightweight, durable construction is supportive and abrasion resistant
- Abrasion-resistant Matryx® woven polyester uppers are durable, lightweight, breathable and flexible
- Knit collars seal out debris and integrate with the tongues to create a secure, comfortable sock-like fit
- Integrated tongue pocket tucks away laces to prevent snags and untying
- EVA/polyolefin midsole blend features a higher abrasion component in the forefoot for scrambling
- Toe caps add protection and abrasion resistance
- TPU shanks provide underfoot protection and stiffness for improved stability
- Vibram® XS Flash 2 outsoles deliver outstanding grip and durable, surefooted performance across a range of conditions
- Tread is specifically designed to provide grip while edging and offer on-trail traction with climbing performance
- Ergonomically patterned 4 mm lugs
- Offset stack height is 8 mm (18 mm: 10 mm)
Imported.
View all Arc'teryx Men's Hiking Shoes| Best Use | Climbing Hiking |
|---|---|
| Gender | Men's |
| Upper | Matryx woven polyester |
| Midsole | EVA/polyolefin |
| Outsole | Vibram XS Flash 2 rubber compound |
| Footwear Height | Ankle |
| Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
| Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 7.7 oz. |
Arc'teryx Footwear - Men's
| 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 26.5 Mondo | 27.5 Mondo | 28.5 Mondo | 29.5 Mondo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Men's | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 11.5 |
| U.S. Women's | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 11.5 | ||||||
| UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13.5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| EU | 39.33 | 40 | 40.6 | 41 | 42 | 42.6 | 43.3 | 44 | 44.6 | 45.3 | 46 | 46.6 | 47.3 | 48 | 49.3 | 42 | 43.3 | 44.6 | 45 |
| Mondo | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 | 28 | 28.5 | 29 | 29.5 | 30 | 30.5 | 31 | 32 | 26.5 | 27.5 | 28.5 | 29.5 |
| Foot Length (in.) | 9.6 | 9.84 | 10.04 | 10.24 | 10.47 | 10.63 | 10.83 | 11.02 | 11.22 | 11.42 | 11.61 | 11.81 | 12.01 | 12.20 | 10.47 | 10.83 | 11.22 | 11.61 |
Sizing Notes
Calculate your own foot measurements, then select your product size. Use a ruler or tape measurer to measure your foot from the heel to the tip of your longest toe. Find the closest measurement that is equal to or greater than the length of your foot.
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Ryan3
Bummed
5 months ago
I made the switch from the Salomon XT4 that I’ve been rocking for the last 2 years. On one hand I loved the shoe the second I put it on but only after a few wears I’m noticing the glue already starting to come off in some areas of the shoe. For the price point and the brand I was not expecting that.
No, I do not recommend this product
Originally posted on arcteryx.com
Response from arcteryx.com
Arc'teryx Guest Services
5 months ago
Hi Ryan. Thanks for sharing your feedback on the Vertex Alpine Shoe. We are sorry to hear about the issue you are experiencing with the fabric coming undone. We recommend filling out a Product Service Request form and our team will be more than happy to look into the solutions we could offer: https://arcteryx.com/ca/en/help/product-service/service-request
Billy
Boulder
Ultimate scrambler
1 year ago
For laps in the flatirons…I haven’t found better rubber than these that provide absolute confidence moving on slabs. No rubber break in time needed. They scramble beautifully right out the box. The durability is incredible. I’ve done over a hundred laps in the same pair of shoes and they’re not done. I’ve worn a lot of shoes while scrambling…and this one has been my favorite while moving up and down on rock, warm or cold it just grips. For the run to said rocks, they feel good on up and in technical trails, but it is a little stiff and almost clappy on descents due to the harder rubber compound. Generally very comfortable out of the box. I bought more of a running fit, my toes have some wiggle and swell space for longer days. The benefits of how it performs on the rock your aiming for far outweighs the minor complaint of how they sounds/feels on the descent. My fastest laps have come to fruition in these shoes. My beloved pairs of La sportiva mutants have taken a back seat to these. I will be stocking up on additional pairs.
Yes , I recommend this product
Originally posted on arcteryx.com
Ana Laura
Vancouver, BC
Great combo of light and performance
6 months ago
The vibram grip is strong and thanks to the narrow toe it is very precise for scrambles. I was worried at first as the shoe feels stiff in your hand but under your feet it is comfortable and very supportive. The added length around the ankle is also helpful for avoiding sand or dirt from getting into the shoe. I'm typically a size 8 in other brands but in Arc I'm always a 7.5 and this was no different.
Yes , I recommend this product
Originally posted on arcteryx.com
Spider man
Calgary
GOAT hiking shoes
2 months ago
Most supportive pair of hiking/approach shoes you will ever wear. This piece of technology will help you hike the most strenuous trails with ease with its vibram flash XS soles. It feels like you are able to walk up a cliff with how sticky it is. The stiff construct helps your stability while going through uneven and treacherous terrains. I have used this as a hiking shoes every weekend during the month of April to August of 2024 and it is still holding up amazingly. I will say though that this pair requires a substantial amount of wears for it to be broken in at first due to how stiff it is, and the heel locks on these are a non-negotiable, MUST ENGAGE HEEL LOCK
Originally posted on arcteryx.com
Carl
Great Grip, Solid Construction
2 months ago
Was skeptical given the many bad reviews, but it must just be an issue of foot shape or volume and incorrect sizing. My are feet are flipper-shaped wide boys and I still find these shoes to be very comfortable, with no pinching or hot spots etc. I even had existing blisters from a pair of lesser approach shoes I wore recently, and they weren't aggravated by the Vertex's at all. They do fit a bit small, I sized up by .5 and mine are perfect. The grip on wet rock is excellent, and around town they also performed flawlessly. So glad these worked out, really nothing not to like other than the price.
Yes , I recommend this product
Originally posted on arcteryx.com
CrystalValleySender
Colorado
Arc Missed the Mark
1 year ago
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Arcteryx super fan here, and I REALLY wanted to like this shoe. It looked so promising. Avid LD3 fan, gone through three pairs with about 350 miles on each pair. I am unable to get 100 miles out of the Vertex… the heels chew my heels up so badly that I was forced to stay off the trail for a few weeks. I tried many 5-10 mile hikes with the Vertex and they won’t break in and continue to destroy my heels. In reading reviews it seems I’m not the only one with this complaint. I have burly feet and can accept prolonged break-in periods for a stiffer shoe but Arc missed the mark on this one.
No, I do not recommend this product
Originally posted on arcteryx.com
Response from arcteryx.com
Customer Service
11 months ago
Hello there, thank you for your feedback. We’re really sorry to hear that the Vertex Alpine Shoe didn’t meet your expectations, especially after your great experience with the Norvan LD3. It sounds like the fit, particularly around the heel, has caused significant discomfort, and we understand how frustrating that can be. We truly appreciate your patience in giving the shoes a try, and we’ll make sure your feedback reaches our design team. Thank you again for sharing your experience!
Josh A
North Vancouver, BC
Stiff and Sticky
3 months ago
These are stiff approach shoes with amazing grip in varied terrain. The upper material is really solid and protects your feet well from rocks and roots while the sock like material at the collar helps with comfort. The upper stiffness does make it a bit harder to slip your feet into and hasn't seemed to break in at all. I can feel the harder edge at the achilles like other reviewers have mentioned, but only after a really long day. I find that wearing high/thick enough socks has prevented any hot spots or rubbing in that area. The soles are so good - the tread has stuck in all sorts of terrain and conditions from dry desert, to granite, to wet forest floor. The fit feels a touch narrower in the toebox than my other Arc'teryx shoes, though the length seems spot on. I took the same size as other Arc'teryx shoes. If you're looking for a great approach shoe, these Vertex Alpine will fit the bill. They're a bit stiff for light hiking/day to day use, I prefer a softer and more comfortable shoe for those purposes.
Yes , I recommend this product
Originally posted on arcteryx.com
pugetgold
Perfect for off-trail mountain travel
2 months ago
I wore the Vertex Alpine on leg 1 of the Sierra "Grand Traverse" (Chapman & Chapman 2023) over seven days, 47 miles (mostly off-trail), from Tuolomne Meadows to Mammoth. They were the perfect shoe for the job, supportive yet nimble, with enough cushion in the heel and mid-foot yet precise enough in the toe box for fast travel on large talus and class 3 scrambling. Great traction, and the built-in stretch gaiter helped keep out scree. (I also have the c. 2022 version of the Konseal and the Aerios FL Mid, but for this trip the Vertex Alpine were perfect)
Yes , I recommend this product
Originally posted on arcteryx.com
Shiv
Poor Comfortability Great Performance
1 week ago
Previous Arc'teryx approach shoes and trail runners were comfortable and durable. These improve on durability but have completely dropped the ball on comfort. The knit collar works great at keeping out debris. The toe cap (and full perimeter) protection is amazing and the grip is just as amazing as previous generations. My feet are quite resilient and rarely blister but in these shoes they got shredded like something I've never experienced. I would only recommend buying these shoes for summits where the approach to high class scrambles is short.
No, I do not recommend this product
Originally posted on arcteryx.com
Response from arcteryx.com
Arc'teryx Guest Services
1 week ago
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback on the Vertex Alpine Shoe. We really appreciate you highlighting both the strengths and challenges you experienced with these shoes. It’s great to hear the knit collar, toe cap protection, and grip performed well for you. These shoes are designed for technical approaches and built with a precision fit to support stability and performance in demanding terrain. That said, we’re truly sorry to hear they caused such discomfort, especially given how resilient your feet usually are. We understand how frustrating and unexpected that must have been. Depending on your preferred fit, we recommend checking out our Fit & Sizing section to help guide your selection. We also know that shopping online for footwear can be tricky without trying them on in person, so we always suggest visiting a store when possible. For added flexibility, we offer free returns within 30 days, so you can order multiple sizes and keep the one that fits best. Thanks again for your honest review. If you have any questions or need help with sizing, we’d be happy to assist. https://arcteryx.com/ca/en/help/contact
EvLitt
Edmonton, Alberta
Extremely capable shoe with some additional work
1 year ago
Overall, this is a fantastic Men's shoe for scrambling. The sole is stiff, the fit is on the narrow side which isn't too bad especially when you are entering high 4th class / low 5th class. The grip on the soles is fantastic on rock, not so much on snow but if you're planning any mountain routes when there is majority snow cover you're likely not reaching for this shoe anyways. This shoe is very well thought out for the most part, the interface with the laces and the shoe tongue is great and it's very easy to tuck the laces away and I've had no issues with the shoe loosening over 8+ hour days. The cuff does a fairly good job of keeping things out of the shoe but it would benefit from being a bit taller, if it went above the ankle joint it would be awesome. The only serious downside to this shoe is the stich that rests against the base of your achilles just absolutely bites into your ankle. I've given it a pretty good chance to break in (~35 hours, mostly hiking with two scrambles) and the shoe still cuts into my heel. I have resolved this issue by taping up my ankle and utilizing molskin before outings, but a shoe of this caliber shouldn't have this issue + every other Arc'teryx shoe I've used does not have this issue. This is unfortunate but is also resolved with the GTX version of this shoe which has a soft material which doesn't require a stich between the shoe and the cuff in the same spot. While the rest of the shoe is stellar, I would recommend trying out the GTX version of this shoe instead due to this issue.
Yes , I recommend this product
Originally posted on arcteryx.com
Response from arcteryx.com
Austin
1 year ago
Hi Evan, thank you for taking the time to provide your review. Providing feedback like yours assists us in fine-tuning our designs to align more precisely with our customers' evolving preferences for future seasons. Rest assured, we'll convey this valuable input to our design team.
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