approach shoes

[Whatcomboy]

Anybody wear Five-Ten hikers? Thinking about the Exum Guide or Camp Four approach shoe with sticky rubber for 1-3 day trips, scramble and low 5 stuff. How do they work with aluminum crampons? Might go try a pair on at Pro Mountain.

[Crillz]

I've got a pair of the Camp 4s. They're pretty stiff, so would probably work ok with crampons - but I've never done it. Depends on your ability how hard you can climb hard in them.

[Buckaroo]

approach tennies will work with alum crampons but you have to realize their limitations. Your going to be sketchy on hard ice especially when it gets steeper.

 

Good for short sections but wouldn't want to try any 1000' ice faces.

 

I like the Camp Nanos with the steel inserts on the front points.

 

Looks like the Exum Guide is the better shoe for the money.

[burchey]

On my way to wearing out a pair of Camp Fours (normally buy Sportiva). Great rubber, pretty stiff, but the older they get, the worse they seem to fit me. Doesn't make sense. I want to buy another pair, but they hurt too much in a couple spots. Maybe I'm getting bunions. YEah!

 

If they feel good on your feet, and you can find a sale, buy them. Not sure about crampons, but for friction on slabs/smearing they are amazing. Was all over the Sierras in them last summer/fall, mileage ranging from 10-28ish, pack weight 20-35lbs. Climbed up to 5.9 in them at 14,000 ft, and I'm an average climber.