La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes - Men's

Comments about La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes - Men's:

I like that these are built with plenty of leather, Vibram soles, and have a real rubber rand.

They weren't particularly comfortable right off, and they didn't get much better. Not horribly uncomfortable by any means, but not very good either. Eventually they stretched a lot and fit like floppy sneakers. I wouldn't welcome the discomfort of buying them a size smaller and breaking them in to fit. Like any all-leather shoe, they sweat a bit.

Overall, they held up fairly well except for the rand, which is thin and quickly developed holes from occasional kneeling and kicking things. Unfortunately, once the rand starts to go, the rest of the toe falls apart pretty quickly. I expected they might be a bit more rugged than an average shoe, but they didn't hold up any better than most other decent light hiking shoes. Perhaps that's an unreasonable expectation, but with a heftier rand, they probably would've lasted much, much longer. I got several good months out of them before they started showing signs of defeat. With lots of Shoe Goo, I got almost six months before they were totally unsalvageable. I've done better with $20 sneakers.

As you might expect, they excel at light bouldering and climbing or scrambling - something that cheap sneakers won't do. Not so great for daily use - something that sneakers do much better. They do what they're designed to do fairly well. They just won't do it for very long before they expire or stretch out.

Comments about La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes - Men's:

This shoe is awesome! I was looking for a shoe capable of hiking, doing some light backbacking, and climbing boulders and mixed terrain. This shoe very capably does all of that. I also tried on the Scarpa Cruz and Scarpa Zen at REI, including traversing their rock wall and taking many laps around the store. The Cruz is definitely lighter (and possibly better looking?), but it's also much less supportive and won't hike as well for any significant distances. The Boulder X has more cushion and, for me at least, hugs my foot better for a more precise fit than either the Zen or the Crux. The Zen is really rigid but, again, doesn't conform to my foot the way you expect a pseudo-climbing shoe to.

The Boulder X also climbed/traversed the rock wall at REI better. The rubber felt grippier to me and the shoe laces all the way (almost) to the tips of your toes for a very precise fit. The leather(ish) upper is soft yet supportive on your foot just like a climbing shoe. It edged well and the wall and smeared great. It doesn't toe edges as well as a climbing shoe, obviously, because your toes don't go all the way to the end, but it's still a very capable climber and will do well doing some on-site bouldering or at least scrambling up moderate mixed routes.

So I bought the Boulder X and have been extremely happy. I've worn it with packs up to 35-45 lbs. and it does just fine. I added green Superfeet inserts, also from REI, and those give more arch support for higher pack weights. I've also taken them hiking in the San Gabriels and they have EXCELLENT traction. Mud, wet grass, and wet granite were all no problem for these shoes. Wet pavement is also not a problem -- the shoes just won't slip. These are my go-to shoes for taking my Deuter Kid Comfort II out on hikes as well because they are so stable, supporting, and won't let me fall.

La Sportiva makes fantastic climbing shoes, and the Boulder X's clearly benefit from the company's research into sticky rubber. Buy these shoes if you like to hike to rocks and do some climbing when you get there without changing shoes.

Comments about La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes - Men's:

Great shoe. They do break in a half size, but can be synched down with the nice lacing system. They come untied very easily and can be annoying if they are not double knotted. Good for medium climbing and great for hikes up to ten miles if sized for climbing.

Comments about La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes - Men's:

La Sportiva has long made bang 'em up climbing shoes that are durable and life-saving monsters. These approach shoes fit snugly in your normal sizing, if a bit narrow for those of us with regular wide-toe-box style feet. This narrowness is comfy, and I see it as a plus, whereas other shoes are too roomy. If they fit you correctly, as mine do, you could hike forever in them.

The build quality is superb in my opinion. While made in China, the stitching is still extremely detailed and bomber. The rubber rand and sole are of course the hallmark features of an approach shoe, and perform fantastically.

Good weather resistent qualities; I favor natural materials over Gore, and think top notch boots should be all leather, which is naturally breathable and waterproof if cared for correctly. (The tongue on these keeps debris out, but there is no gaiter, so water will find a way in through the top.)

You'll want to invest in some better laces if you don't like double knotting all of the time. The lacing system is killer, but the laces themselves are round, so they loosen too easily.

Comments about La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes - Men's:

Very good shoes, comfortable for everyday use when traveling, rugged enough for hikes in rocks or mixed terrain. Good balance between weight and foot support/durability.
Not tested in wet conditions or snow though

Comments about La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes - Men's:

These are awesome, no compliants. I love La Sportiva. The sizing on these are similar to Vans Slip Ons (my reference shoe for sizing lol). I wear a 7 in Vans Slip ons, and they are snug with no wiggle room. I got the boulder X's in 39.5 (size 7) and they are a PERFECT fit. My boulder X's are really snug, my toe is touching the end and any smaller size would make my toes curle. Some say to size up 0.5 size, but I say get them snug and go with your street shoe (if your inbetween, get the smaller one). Also, I wear 37 in La Sportiva Solutions for climbing. I tried on the Scarpa Crux's and I can safely say that they fit 0.5 size bigger than Boulder X's (Crux 39 = Boulder X 39.5). I love the Vibram, and narrowness is pefect for my foot. The lacing is cool, but pretty intricate, so don't try to relace them. The laces go around the heel so you can adjust the ankle tightness. I haven't climbed in them yet, only been to the grocery store. I foresee these shoes being awesome for approaches and warmup climbs. Going to Hueco Rock Rodeo next month, and i'll be rolling up in style with the Boulder X's!!!! Get them, they are what's missing in your life.

Comments about La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes - Men's:

Best shoe I've ever owned! Very solid, snug, & secure. I wanted a stiff sole that could take heavy loads on uneven terrain and this shoe is ideal. It is not a light running-like shoe, but it would not be so supportive if it was. It was a little tight in the toe at first - like a semi-climbing shoe, but the suede upper has stretched perfectly. After 2 months of everyday, on my feet all day long, wear, it fits like a glove, with a perfectly stable & very solid feel on all types of surfaces. I also like the leather upper which nicely takes a Nikwax waterproofing, and the large, sturdy, rubber rand which along with the full leather upper makes the shoe extremely durable. It has a slight rocker which allows for a long, natural, rolling stride. I feel like I can cover a lot of terrain without tiring in this shoe.

Comments about La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes - Men's:

pretty much bought these shoes and then the next day did an 11 mile 4500ft elevation gain hike /scramble up to Mount Ruth(8690 ft) at Sunrise in Mt. Rainier National Park. I hit every kind of terrain that day and these shoes gave me no problems. the break in time was just a few miles and they even did fine in the snow and mud. The vibram soles give great traction and stability. The stiffness of the soles made it easy to kick foot holds in the snow. when it comes to climbing and scrambling all that adjustment is great. there is a little less cusioning inside than i would like but its really only noticable late into the hike. the rubber adges around the sides kept all the rocks from uglying up the shoe. I have several hikes/scrambles on these shoes and they have been really good

Comments about La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes - Men's:

I have used these shoes at the Garden of the Gods and climbing in the Arbuckles. I have back and knee issues and these are the best I have found. Next to my crocs I wear these to do everything. The grip is super sticky! One of the best pair of trail/climbing/urban shoes I have found!

Comments about La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes - Men's:

I did many hours of research before I pulled the trigger on the Boulder X. I was nervous to order them online because I had heard from multiple sources that they run a little small, and they do. I normally wear 9 to a 9.5 so I ordered the 42.5 which is the perfect fit. Tight enough to be technical and precise while leaving enough room to be comfortable with a lightweight hiking sock. The lacing is very cool and really locks your foot in place, my only concern with this, is that the lacing is rather intricate and it seems difficult to re-lace. I will probably use them as an everyday shoe as they are burly and feel sweet even after hours of wear. They are well built and will last a while. If you are in the market for a well made, comfortable and practical approach shoe, to use both climbing and casually, then give the Boulder X a shot, they have not let me down yet.