Women's Approach Shoes

READ: Top Tips For Choosing The Best Walking Boots / Free Expert Footwear Fitting Service

This footwear is the solution for technical journeys where trails give way to rock. A hybrid of hiking and climbing footwear, our women's approach shoes are for those who need to scramble, climb low-grade routes, and walk long distances to the base of a crag. The defining feature is the high-friction, sticky rubber outsole, which provides outstanding grip on rock surfaces. A flat "climbing zone" at the toe allows for precise edging and smearing on small holds, giving you the confidence of a climbing shoe.

For the walking portion of your trip, these shoes have supportive, stiff midsoles that protect your feet on uneven ground. The fit can be fine-tuned with lacing systems that extend almost to the toe, allowing you to lock your foot in place for climbing or relax it for hiking. While they are built for performance on rock, these women's approach shoes also offer all-day wearability for the walk back to the car. Select styles include waterproof membranes for all-weather capability, making them the ultimate tool for challenging mountain adventures.
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Women's approach shoes are designed for hiking, scrambling, and climbing approaches. They combine the grip of climbing shoes with the comfort and support of hiking footwear, making them ideal for technical terrain, boulder fields, and steep trails leading to climbing routes or via ferratas.

Approach shoes feature sticky rubber soles for superior grip on rock, reinforced toe caps for protection, and climbing zones for edging. Unlike hiking shoes, they prioritise precision and stability on technical terrain while maintaining comfort during long approaches.

Yes, many models include waterproof membranes like GORE-TEX to keep your feet dry in wet conditions. These shoes are ideal for mixed terrain where you may encounter rain, mud, or shallow streams.

Approach shoes can handle light climbing and scrambling thanks to their sticky rubber soles and stiff midsoles. However, they are not suitable for vertical climbs or technical routes where specialised climbing shoes are required.

Yes, lightweight models often use high-quality materials like abrasion-resistant uppers and reinforced soles to balance durability with reduced weight. They are ideal for fast-paced approaches or shorter hikes.

Yes, many models feature sticky rubber soles that maintain traction on wet rock surfaces. Waterproof options with GORE-TEX or DWR-treated uppers also help keep your feet dry in wet conditions.

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