UKC

Hi all

Can anyone recommend some lightweight approach shoes for scrambling? I was looking at fell running shoes but ideally would prefer something with a random and a climbing zone. 

Is there anything in between approach shoes and fell running trainers?

Thanks 

In reply to JG86:

Fell shoes are fine, anything that’s comfortable with reasonably good rubber works well. 
 

inov8 used to make a crossover running/approach shoes, but it was rubbish at both, I don’t think there’s another similar shoe other than the more technical alpine ones (Eiger boa, aequillibrium speed etc) but these would be a bit overkill for uk scrambling 

In reply to JG86:

Scarpa Crux, Sportiva Boulder X, etc, all have the climbing zone and rand you're looking for.

Whether they are light enough is up to you.

Fell running shoes are probably too knobbly on the soles - I probably wouldn't want to scramble in mine.

In reply to JG86:

Either a lower profile tread pattern fell running shoe (go into a good running shop and see what they have) or La Sportiva TX2s. 

In reply to JG86:

I recently brought a pair of light scrambling boots and at the time I tried on the Salewa mountain trainers.

I think they also come in a shoe form which might be worth checking out.

The boots felt light but whether the shoes are lighter than an approach shoe I don't know.

In reply to JG86:

Scarpa Mescalito are pretty light. I think lighter than the Crux.

In reply to JG86:

Asolo nucleon, got me to over 3000m on a via ferrata, lasted over 6 years, on my second pair.  Climbing bit at the front, good grip, stayed waterproof but not hot in summer.  There is a review on this site.

In reply to JG86:

I have these.. love them for summer scrambles... 
La Sportiva Mens Ultra Raptor II Mid
I prefer the higher boot style for boggy approaches or walkouts (UK!!)... but also found them great for Via Ferratas and the scree shutes/ dust etc.. 

They also come in a wide version, which is handy as La Sportiva can be quite narrow.  

In reply to JG86: Go to a shop.  People can recommend all sorts of stuff, but you don't know if it's going to work for you till  you  try it on.  Even if Sportivas are wide enough ,and they usually aren't for me, the ankle doesn't work very well anyway and no online review will tell you that

There are many options.  Look at the websites for Scarpa, sportiva, salewa, Arcteryx etc etc

In reply to JG86:

Haven't used them, but Scarpa Ribelle Run look good!

In reply to Spready:

I've got a couple of pairs of the low version of these (Goretex and non Goretex) and really rate them.  A more supportive running shoe (or lightweight walking shoe!) I find them excellent for general mountain walking and easy scrambling. 

They don't have a climbing zone though so depending on difficulty of the scrambling/confidence you may want to consider something more specifically approach orientated. On the lightweight side I guess the La Sportivia TX4 might fit the bill, I use the TX5 which I think is a great all rounder but is a bit more robust and not particularly lightweight.

Obviously as others have said fit matters a lot as well, I generally get on with the narrowish fit of most Sportiva shoes.