Shoes La Sportiva TX4 - Blue/Papaya 45.5

Wow. If my feet could write this review... This is close to a perfect light approach shoe, especially if you have a low arch and wide forefoot. Straight from the box they are more roomy in the toe box and lace precisely and evenly. I’ve put 50+ miles in them and they feel - well, I feel almost nothing. Which is to say, almost no heat, no rub, no impact, even at four hours or more on trail. They’re also lighter than most other approach shoes, making them almost a niche between approach and trail shoe, in my view. The Vibram soles offer reliable traction and stability without being broad as a snowshoe. The last protects the uppers well and is glued flawlessly. There are few seams in the uppers to fray, so they’re holding up well, despite a fair bit of overall scuff ... MoreWow. If my feet could write this review... This is close to a perfect light approach shoe, especially if you have a low arch and wide forefoot. Straight from the box they are more roomy in the toe box and lace precisely and evenly. I’ve put 50+ miles in them and they feel - well, I feel almost nothing. Which is to say, almost no heat, no rub, no impact, even at four hours or more on trail. They’re also lighter than most other approach shoes, making them almost a niche between approach and trail shoe, in my view. The Vibram soles offer reliable traction and stability without being broad as a snowshoe. The last protects the uppers well and is glued flawlessly. There are few seams in the uppers to fray, so they’re holding up well, despite a fair bit of overall scuff from loose rocky SoCal trails. I punish my shoes, so I predict about a year of good use. If you need a wide toe box but find “W” sizes too roomy in the heel, BUY TWO PAIRS. They’re that good. Note: La Sportiva’s translation between EU size and the U.S. scale is slightly “generous.” I’m always a 44. Some companies call that a 10, some 10.5 and a few even round up to 11. La Sportiva calls it 10.5+ (The ambiguity is baked into the translation, notably around the upper middle of the scales. It has to do with where the UK, Parisian and US systems peg their smallest and largest sizes, what increment each uses per size, and how those scales “bend” to match the other. So, if it’s a Euro shoe, it’s best to choose by your known Euro size and to ignore translations.)

Best Shoe Ever

The TX4 is the best mountain shoe ever, I would go to hell and back in these with a 50 lb pack. I have 4 seasons in them, and use them for everything from day hikes, to multi pitch climbing. I have started climbing most routes in these, up to 5.7, maybe a little 5.8, and no longer pull out rock shoes when things get tough. I no longer bring rock shoes on alpine days. The comfort level is outstanding, and I would describe myself as having finicky feet. When others are scrambling for flip flops at the trailhead, I'd keep these on the rest of the day and not think twice. As for durability, I'd say outstanding as well. I hope Sportiva never changes this shoe!

Didn’t last 3 months!

I bought these less than 3 months ago. I bought these to use running a highropes course, zip line and wood climbing wall. (We have to climb half way up the wall to use the zip line). My season was already over when I bought these so I never got a chance to use them on the course, and never will. The rips above the rubber are 3-4” long, in both shoes. I’ve only used them for everyday use around my office, going out etc. This is to bad because they are really comfortable. Bit if they don’t last wearing them like I did how would they last on a mountain

Easy out of box, too soft on rocks

On my newest pair, I have done about 20 miles off trail on rocky high desert, some steep slopes, right out of the box. The shoe requires basically no break in, but I find the soles to be too soft for extended wear on a lot of rocks. Sidehilling is not super easy in them due to the softness and the flared outer forefoot sole section, though this probably adds stability on a flatter trail. They do offer good grip and feel for the ground for how thick the soles are. There could be an added extra eyelet for laces near the ankle to lock the foot in better. I have put many miles on tx4 shoes and boots, and am comparing these features to a pair of arcteryx konseal shoes that I end up preferring due to a better foot lock, breatheable synthetic, and stiffer sole. The tx4 ... MoreOn my newest pair, I have done about 20 miles off trail on rocky high desert, some steep slopes, right out of the box. The shoe requires basically no break in, but I find the soles to be too soft for extended wear on a lot of rocks. Sidehilling is not super easy in them due to the softness and the flared outer forefoot sole section, though this probably adds stability on a flatter trail. They do offer good grip and feel for the ground for how thick the soles are. There could be an added extra eyelet for laces near the ankle to lock the foot in better. I have put many miles on tx4 shoes and boots, and am comparing these features to a pair of arcteryx konseal shoes that I end up preferring due to a better foot lock, breatheable synthetic, and stiffer sole. The tx4 does offer a wider toe box, and extended asymmetric lacing which I appreciate.

Great Shoes with Many Use

This is my second pair. They are more than a casual fashion forward approach shoe. I have used them for many miles of technical scrambles (class 4 & 5), Class 3 and 4 canyoneering and light <5.6 climbing. They are the best I can find and worth the elevated price. The shoes have a wonderfully wide toe box with just the right amount of support. The soles are gripping on rock including wet rock. The toe-in fairly well for a comfortable shoes. The shoes will shrink a little after wet canyoneering adventures but stretch out again after a little use. They are nearly a perfect shoes. My only small complaint is that you will need to replace the factory shoes laces after a couple seasons of hard use.

Light, grippy, and comfortable

I took these on an attempt of the Owen Spaulding route up the Grand Teton and they were great! I hiked in with them (carrying too much gear) to our camp at the Caves, and even though I almost always like to hike with the support of a full boot when carrying overnight packs, these worked out great. They are lightweight and comfortable and stick to the rock really well, which is what I want in an approach shoe. I didn't get to try them on the more technical parts of the route (or on the more technical Upper Exum) because weather forced us first to the less technical OS route and eventually to retreat, but even on the wet rocks they gripped well. Bonus points for the fact that my feet really didn't get very wet despite the fact that these are not waterproof.

Mixed Bag

I currently have a love/hate relationship with this shoe... Let's start out with the good, and then the bad.The goods: As far as approach shoes, this has been my favorite feeling and performing shoe thus far. I've used the guide tennies, the scarpa crux and then these. These shoes look and feel amazing. They have a very precise feeling because of the smaller profile and fitted feel. When I'm scrambling and climbing around on a summit push, I feel like I have so much control with my feet. They're super comfy, too. Another thing I like about this approach shoe is that it's basically a hybrid between a an approach shoe and a trail running shoe. They're light enough to do some running in, but they're sturdy and strong enough to rely on for scrambling. The grip is ... MoreI currently have a love/hate relationship with this shoe... Let's start out with the good, and then the bad.The goods: As far as approach shoes, this has been my favorite feeling and performing shoe thus far. I've used the guide tennies, the scarpa crux and then these. These shoes look and feel amazing. They have a very precise feeling because of the smaller profile and fitted feel. When I'm scrambling and climbing around on a summit push, I feel like I have so much control with my feet. They're super comfy, too. Another thing I like about this approach shoe is that it's basically a hybrid between a an approach shoe and a trail running shoe. They're light enough to do some running in, but they're sturdy and strong enough to rely on for scrambling. The grip is excellent as well.The Bad: All of that said... I've only used these shoes 4 times and they're already starting to fall apart. The bit of rubber that comes from the bottom of the shoe and makes it's way up to the back of the shoe is simply glued on. That's all well and fine, but the glue doesn't seem to be too strong. Mine is already peeling off... Another issue that I have had is that the material on the instead one of the shoes got a cut on it from scraping up against a rock. The hole was initially small, but after a hike in the shoes (only like 4 miles) it got worst, and is about .75" long. No bueno. Lastly, I think the design that integrates the lace loops and the handle, for lack of a better term, is poor. These shoes fit tight and snug, and that's awesome as well as what I'm looking for, but that means I typically need to use that little string/handle on the back to put the shoes on. The hole that the string comes out of however is not reinforced and just comes through a small hole in the material. Thus after about 4 times of using these shoes the small string is already starting to rip through the the material on shoes.Backcountry is hooking me up with a return of these and I am REALLY hoping that I somehow managed to get a dud/lemon pair of shoes. I want to love these shoes as they are the best feeling & performing approach shoes I've owned so far, but I don't have much confidence in them right now. For $140, I would expect so much more out of a shoe. I paid $120 for my guide tennies and I put them through VERY, very heavy use over the 3.5 years that I owned them. I could easily get another few months out of them if I really wanted to.La Sportiva, please take this feedback and run with it. These shoes have a lot of potential, but I would not spend this much money on another pair of your shoes if they're only going to last me a couple of months regardless of how awesome they feel during that time period.** EDIT **I am revisiting this review to report about my second pair of the TX4 that Backcountry so graciously hooked me up with after reporting the aforementioned problems.I received my replacement pair of TX4s in July of 2018. Since then, I've put these shoes through some serious abuse. Technical alpine scrambling, long backpacking trips (~30 miles), all around general hiking, and even some light running/jogging down trails. I can say that it does seem like my last pair of shoes was a "lemon", and that the replacement shoes have been absolutely fantastic. So good, in fact, that I have no question of what my next pair of shoes will be. I love these things! All of the positives that I previously mentioned still hold true, and I have not had any durability issues with this pair.Old review: 2/5 starsUpdated: 4/5 (not a 5/5 because of a previous faulty pair)

Small to size, soft

I wear #42 and this specific shoe is too small for me in this size. I feel the toe. I'd go 1/2 size up. In comparison, the newly purchased LS Trango Tech Leather in #42 fit perfectly.Feel a little wide in the toe box. I prefer a tighter fit. They are also very soft, the sole as well as the upper. I expected a stiffer shoe. This could be great for climbing (for feel and precision) but don't think it'll be so great for hiking. As somebody mentioned an approach shoe must strike a balance b/w a climbing and a hiking shoe. No complaints, just observations.Lacing is amazing! When I lace these shoes it feels like i'm going on a trip. Like smth big is going to happen. Like this is not just a shoe, this is a tool! Since the upper is very soft and laces go down quite far ... MoreI wear #42 and this specific shoe is too small for me in this size. I feel the toe. I'd go 1/2 size up. In comparison, the newly purchased LS Trango Tech Leather in #42 fit perfectly.Feel a little wide in the toe box. I prefer a tighter fit. They are also very soft, the sole as well as the upper. I expected a stiffer shoe. This could be great for climbing (for feel and precision) but don't think it'll be so great for hiking. As somebody mentioned an approach shoe must strike a balance b/w a climbing and a hiking shoe. No complaints, just observations.Lacing is amazing! When I lace these shoes it feels like i'm going on a trip. Like smth big is going to happen. Like this is not just a shoe, this is a tool! Since the upper is very soft and laces go down quite far to the toe, I'm able to tightent them very precisely. I can achieve a snug feel but no pressure pts or hot spots. The tongue is very soft and hugs the top of my foot perfectly. Feels like lacing a climbing shoe more than a runnign shoe. These are best laces I've seen on a shoe yet! love it love it love it.Rand may seem like a full rand, but it's not really. It's thick rubber on the toes, then a break, and then continues to some kind of light synthetic for the rest of the way to heel and back to the front. I guess that saves weight, and that's fair. Don't need a full bombproof rand in such a shoe.Love the little string hook on the heel. It's big enough and funcitonal for finger to fit in. Can also use it to hang w/ a biner. Also stylish.Claimed weight 740g/2 @ #43. Mine came in at 700g/2 @ #42 on my scale.

Wide approach

I’ve had these for a few months now, I’ve hiked mixed terrain and mixed conditions. So far, they’ve been good for me. They run wider than most LS shoes and it was hard as heck to find a solid answer in the overall fit. Based off of multiple responses and articles, I ordered a half size larger, should’ve gone with my true size. I instantly swap the insoles out for a higher end one, so I can only speak about the comfort with that included. My response to that is, it’s nice. Grip is great on most every surface I’ve been on. Dry/wet rock, gravel, snow, dry/wet logs, and mud. Seems to do fine on all of that. Overall, good quality all around approach shoe that grips well and climbs decent. Wears well on long hikes and all day comfort and no complaints yet.