Arc'teryx  Vertex Alpine GTX Approach Shoes - Women's

Well made shoe, the traction is fantastic on multiple types of terrain and overall durability of the shoe is holding up well so far. The sole is stiff which took some getting used to but i have now come to appreciate not feeling every pebble or root as harshly on my feet. With all this in mind, I’m sitting here writing this review with some of the worst heel blisters I have ever had 2 weeks after this hike. I had worn these shoes on multiple occasions prior to taking them on a fairly intense backpacking trip with some approach sections. Within 3km of my 25km hike my heels were bleeding. I was wearing proper merino wool hiking socks and had stopped to apply moleskin. Unfortunately by day 3 of my hike I was so miserable I had to fully tape my feet to prevent them from bleeding through all of my socks. I’m now hesitant to wear these shoes again even though I wanted to like them so badly.

These shoes are extremely comfortable and perform exactly as promised. The fit is on the narrower side, which works perfectly for my feet. They also look great. Although I’m a man, I ordered the women’s version in size 42, and they fit me very well. There was no need for an extensive break in period, although took a few uses to mold better for my feet. As expected with Gore-Tex, they can feel a bit warm in milder weather, but that’s the trade-off for the excellent protection they provide in harsher conditions.

This shoe is great for fast moving hiking on steep terrain. When you will be mostly hiking, but maybe jogging the flats and downs this is the shoe you want. It has good lugs for softer ground like mud, snow or loam, but still enough grip to handle rock. The GTX version won't stretch as well and will get a little hotter than the non-GTX version, so better suited for spring and fall conditions where your feet won't get as hot!

I don’t like the gusset at the top. I find I get more rocks in my shoe somehow than without it. I find the soles quite slippery, especially on wet or frosty wood. Purchased in October 2024 and the randing is separating from the fabric around the ball of the foot.

Look so smart and super comfy. Very stiff and stable but have a good cushion that is supportive. Have a really good squarish toe box thays quite wide so suits my feet perfectly. Really love them

Awesome shoes. My third pair. Waterproofing is excellent. They are comfortable and I hav3 travelled the world in just these and a formal pair of shoes. The perfect fit.