What are the downsides of the Boulder X? The shoe is too heavy to carry on a harness, doesn’t edge well on 5th-class terrain, and the bulky soles don’t take aluminum crampons well. Moreover, the leather upper stretches so much when wet that we’ve had issues with our feet twisting in the toe box, resulting in a tear where the rubber rand meets leather. That said, if you have wide feet and want an entry-level shoe that is a beast on the trail, the Boulder X should be near the top of your list. Leather also tends to stretch. Because approach shoes aren’t sized as tightly as climbing shoes, approach shoes will not stretch as noticeably. However, especially when wet, full leather models such as the La Sportiva Boulder X certainly will expand, leading to a less supportive fit. On the flip side, as these all-leather models dry, they will conform more to the size of your foot (if they dry while on your foot), and fit even better. La Sportiva's leather TX4 (right) is more durable than the mesh TX3 (middle) and TX2 (left) Approach Shoe Care What we like: A technically minded approach shoe that’s offered in both suede and synthetic versions. The mid-height approach shoe can be used to level up—both weight-wise and stability-wise—from a typical approach shoe, or level down from a hiking boot. When the hiking is technical and weight is less of an issue (i.e. you’re not planning on carrying your boots on a climb), the mid-height shoe is an excellent choice. Approach shoes in this category include the La Sportiva TX4 Mid and La Sportiva Aequilibrium Speed GTX (which, granted, is more of a mountaineering boot than an approach shoe). Impressively durable for a synthetic shoe, with a robust one-piece upper, wraparound rubber rand, generous toe cap, and hidden grommets.

We’ve come to count on Arc’teryx for thoughtfully designed and well-built products, and the Konseal FL carries the torch. Every detail of the shoe exudes quality, from the one-piece upper to features including the generous toe cap and raised sidewalls. After over a dozen days of use including a few 15-mile outings carrying a 30-pound load, the shoes have softened up nicely and worn in well without showing any signs of wear. And we’ve been particularly impressed with the abrasion resistance of the polyester mesh upper, which strikes us as being just as capable and long-lasting as leather (without the downside of growing heavy with moisture and stretching out of shape over time). All told, the Konseal FL is yet another high-quality build from Arc’teryx and one of the most durable approach shoes we’ve tested to date. For the weight conscience among us, the Konseal is hard to ignore. While not the lightest shoe we tested, it's within 4 oz of the lightest model we tested. This is a great option for those looking for a shoe to clip to their harness, while not wanting to completely sacrifice comfort and support on the way to the climb. Value We tested the men’s Arc’teryx Konseal AR for this review, and Arc’teryx also makes the shoe in a women’s version for the same price. The women’s Konseal AR is lighter at 1 pound 12.2 ounces per pair and comes in just one colorway (dark purple at the time of publishing). For those willing to trade a bit of durability for less weight, Arc’teryx also makes the Konseal in an FL (“fast and light”) version that swaps the AR’s suede upper for more breathable ripstop mesh and features a much more streamlined build. Finally, the Konseal LT (“lightweight”) is the lightest of the bunch at 1 pound 3 ounces per pair with a considerably pared-down design and foldable heel for comfort at the crag.

Should You Buy the Arc'teryx Aerios FL 2 GTX?

Designed with a lightweight and weatherproof Gore-Tex upper, the Konseal GTX shoes provide breathable and waterproof comfort to the highest standard. A 3D moulded recycled EVA liner ensures excellent underfoot comfort and keeps your feet cushioned and protected as you walk.

Most approach shoes have built-in shanks or internal supports to provide a degree of stiffness. This construction differentiates these shoes from light trail runners, though they are a far cry from the full shank of a mountaineering boot. In general, the more technical your terrain, such as snow, scree, or steep trail, the more you will benefit from a stiffer approach shoe (examples include shoes in our mountain category like the Salewa Mtn Trainer 2 GTX). A stiff shoe will be less comfortable on easy trail and during high mileage days (it’s for this reason that we hesitate to recommend approach shoes to hikers), but on uneven terrain it will keep your foot from flexing and straining to support itself. The mid-height Salewa Mtn Trainer GTX offers excellent stability Like almost all Arc’teryx products we’ve tested, the Konseal AR is built to last. I’ve put these shoes through significant use and abuse over the past two months, and they’ve come out mostly unscathed. Aside from a little dirt here and there, there’s hardly a mark on them. Everything from the Vibram outsole to the molded toe cap and gusseted tongue exude quality and are holding up well. It’s also worth noting that the Konseal AR is one of the best-looking approach shoes I’ve worn to date—in fact, I get more compliments on them than any other outdoor footwear I’ve worn. I even sported them to a screening of Hamilton in San Francisco, which says a lot about their around-town appeal.

Compare to Similar Products

The newest update to the Aerios includes a durable 100% recycled polyester fabric upper to make the shoe lighter and more durable than the previous version, which was built of only a single layer Cordura mesh (0.8mm microfibre lining). Given the design's focus on reducing weight, we suspected the shoe might cut corners in other ways. So we were a bit surprised to find the Aerios FL 2 still sufficiently stiff and supportive underfoot for shorter days on the trail. The type of material used in a shoe’s upper—the fabric that connects to the rubber outsole—correlates directly with its durability, water resistance, and breathability. Most often, a shoe will be made with synthetic mesh or knit material, leather, or a mix. Below we spell out the pros and cons for the most common materials used in approach shoes. The Konseal FL 2 GTX shoes from Arc'teryx are made for technical trails and demanding approaches, shifting terrain and mixed conditions. These amazing hiking/climbing shoes free you to move with confidence, agility and comfort. Inspired by running shoes, then bolstered with added support and protection, it combines waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX protection, a Vibram® Megagrip outsole for a secure grip – wet or dry – and a TPU chassis and raised perimeter sidewalls for added stability.