Scarpa  Crux II Approach Shoes - Men's

I was a huge fan of the Crux I, and while it was in the shop having the midsole repaired (I used them heavily for the last 5 years with zero issues - darn great shoe!), I decided to pick up a pair of the Crux II as a replacement while I waited eight weeks for my trusty #1s to get back to me. The shoes started great, first time out of the box I did Agassiz without a break in and they felt great on my feet. No blisters, and good grip with a few smears. I was pretty happy. There were some changes I wasn't pumped on and some I liked a lot. What I didn't like: Frist, the profile isn't as low. Specifically, the toe box is much larger and so they don't jam cracks as well as the Crux I. Second, the toe rand rubber doesn't extend around the sides of the shoe as much as the first generation, but that hasn't been a super big issue as much as the poor craftsmanship of the shoe (more on that later). Something I do like about the changes is it seems to be a little more "closer to the ground" and have slightly better balance and the rubber *seems* a tad more sticky... but maybe that is because it is a new shoe.... As for the other reviews, the tongue issue is real. The tongue always slides to the side of and gets more than a little annoying, especially on long days. I have doubled up the lacing on the tongue to try and address it, and it *kind of* works... Not really though. The main issue I have with the shoe is the poor quality. I bought these in July '21 and put 6 peaks on them along with some crag approaches at Joshua Tree. Not heavy abuse by any means. The second time wearing them they began to fall apart at the heel, which was disappointing but not debilitating by any means. The issue that got to me however happened over this last weekend at Joshua tree when I noticed the stiching connecting the padding on the right outer ankel gave way from the shoe and that really sucked. It wasn't from a foot jam, or any abuse, it just fell apart. Overall, I have been a loyal Scarpa customer for many many many years have purchased two Crux approach shoes (the I&II), their Scapra Techno climbing shoes, and their Mastro's. Usually, I love the brand but feel that their 2nd generation Crux is notably cheaper and more poorly made than what I had come to expect from a brand I came to love. I have recently picked up a pair of La Sportiva to see if I can have my loyalty swayed, and in the meantime, trying to work with Scapa's return policy. I wanted to return them to REI, but they said they "cannot accept anything with a rip or tear" when I tried to explain the seams were coming apart, they didn't seem to really care all that much. In their mind, a rip is a rip regardless of whether it is due to a manufacturing defect (transparently that didn't too well either since I have easily spent countless thousands of dollars with REI over the years). They have changed their return policy I guess, regrettable, but perhaps just a sign of the times.

I've worn these shoes nearly everyday for two years. That includes daily/work, some of my hikes, and geologic fieldwork where sturdier mountaineering boots or steel toe boots aren't necessary. The soles probably have another six months. Some minor separation of the front rubberized portion has just started to appear (about 1 cm length) on one of the shoes. The other shoe is starting to show separation of the sole along a 3 cm seam, but its strong and can't be peeled open. I'll probably repair those spots after I clean this pair. Just ordered two more pairs since they're apparently discontinued. I find them very comfortable (size 13; usually wear 47-48) and Scarpa is my go-to brand. I've found the Crux II very durable, hopefully the next pairs I ordered will last as long as my first pair.

I love these shoes. I climb moderates in them, hike in them, backpack in them, and also walk around town in them. No complaints at all about the shoe’s functionality. But maybe I’ve been pushing the shoes pretty hard, because they don’t hold up for long. I have had some durability issues, so I’m now onto my 3rd pair of these. I’ve had problems with the lace loopholes treating through, and the leather on the heel area peeling off. I also have an issue where the sole of the shoe softens on and squishes, on the inside of the heel, which effects my stride. Still I like the shoe enough to buy new ones every year.

Horrible shoe. 5 days in the mountains. Blown completely apart. The heel stitching simply disintegrated. The midsoles became flat pancakes with less than 10 miles on them. The tongue simply WILL NOT stay put. I've owned probably 20 pairs of approach shoes and > 60 pairs of rock shoes in my long, long climbing and guiding career. Never seen ANY shoe fall apart that fast. And it's not like I was out hammering 30 pitch days soloing 5.9 in them. Nope; modest approaches, a little 5.5 soloing. Not even any offwidth. I will never buy another pair of shoes from scarpa.

Are you tired of everything being made in a certain country to maximize profit instead of quality? Do you long for the days when REI brought high end gear to the market? Well these shoes aren’t for you. I bought these a year ago. I’ve worn them probably less than 15 times. (They aren’t a daily shoe, they’re an approach shoe, and I didn’t get out much this year.). Slipping them on the pull loop at the back ripped off. I took them back to Sac REI to exchange, and they said no go, since it was 9 days after a year. I’m just so tired of fast fashion. And I’m tired of companies not admitting they’re making less than quality equipment. Sucks.

Like other reviews posted here, I also like these shoes. I would LOVE these shoes, but the tongue sliding as others have described is a legit complaint. I thought it was just me because I tend to walk on the outer sides of my feet, but then read the other reviews. Tongue sliding doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it actually winds up making the shoes feel squishy which can be a hazard when hiking among loose rocks and talus fields. I crisscrossed my laces through the tongue loop which helps somewhat, but for the money, one shouldn’t have to do this. Not sure I would buy these again.

These are very comfortable and I wear them almost daily, but I've only had these for about 2 months now and they are coming apart.The stitching basically let go on the top of one of the shoes. Maybe I got a bad set somehow. Very comfortable though.

These shoes are comfortable, but not a lot of support. They are good for short approaches with a small pack. The stitching is poor and falls apart quickly. Disappointing that a company with a good reputation sells such a poorly-made shoe. Also, the tongue slides off to one side as noted in other reviews.

I am on my 2nd pair of these Scarpas. I have had the problem noted by another reviewer of the tongue slipping down the side of my foot. After my first pair wore out, I bought a 2nd hoping that the problem would be fixed. It was not. I have tried using Velcro to secure the tongue and also several variations of lacing to minimize the problem. This issue is causing me to have to toss my 2nd pair and go to a different brand. Other than this problem, I really like these approach shoes.

I liked these shoes. I really did. But they had a very annoying problem. The tongue kept slipping down the side of my foot. That made them uncomfortable. No matter how well or how tight I pulled the laces, it kept happening. I finally had to rerun them.