My Hunt for Approach Shoes to Replace My Tired Salomons

I loved the flexible Vibram sole and premium materials used in these Portuguese-made shoes. However, the rubber-coated continuous leather upper isn’t the most breathable, and while I personally appreciate the minimalist design, I think most people would be more comfortable with a bit more arch support and cushioning. They fit true to size, but felt a bit narrow on my slightly wide feet. Besides, for well over $300, I’d hesitate to get them truly dirty.

I appreciated the clean lines and confidently grippy soles on these Arc’teryx shoes. I definitely trust them to protect my feet while I’m scrambling across the sharp, slate-dotted trails of southwestern Vermont, but the rigid midsole offers very little cushioning against concrete or pavement in the city. They fit true to size, but between the narrow toe box and stiff materials, I found my pinky toes would start to go numb after a few hours on my feet.

Scarpa primarily makes climbing shoes and ski boots, and this model was one of the first true approach shoes on the market. Real climbers have moved on to the brand’s more technical, modern designs, such as theMescalito, but this retro design still looks great as a sneaker, and it now comes with a more forgiving EVA foam sole for more comfort on city sidewalks. The extra-long laces leave plenty of room to adjust the fit for wider feet, but the toe box is a bit narrower than I would personally prefer it to be.

I love the contrast stitching and piping on these La Sportivas. They add instant interest to any otherwise drab outfit. Don’t let the mesh appearance fool you into thinking they’re delicate, though. The recycled uppers are as tough and supple as any suede shoe I’ve tried, and they’re much more breathable, too. These shoes are made using La Sportiva’s Resole platform, which means the foam cushioning and Vibram outsole can be replaced by any of theirauthorized service providersonce they’ve worn out.

This is Keen’s version of the Scarpa Mojito, designed as a sneaker first and hiking shoe second. The wide toe box and extra-flexible rubber sole make it feel almost like a barefoot sneaker, in a good way. However, some may prefer a bit more cushion for walking around on concrete and pavement. The all-suede upper is pretty breathable, but I wouldn’t go hiking in them in the summer. They’re the most affordable shoes I tried but didn’t feel any cheaper than the rest of them.

These are the least climbing-focused and the most popular among the shoes here — some of my most stylish friends have been wearing them for well over a year now, and I’m seeing them pop up more and more around Brooklyn. The Zionic combines the retro upper of the Jasper with the cushier, more aggressive sole of a trail runner. The deep lugs provide confident footing on wet trails and rainy subway stairs alike. I appreciate the roomy fit of the wide toe box as much as its slightly off-kilter styling — its organic-looking heel reminds me ofmy belovedMerrellJungle Mocs.

I can’t decide if I like how these shoes look, but I absolutely love how they feel on my feet. They have just enough arch support to be comfortable while I’m standing yet are almost as flexible as barefoot shoes. And the mesh panels make them way more breathable in muggy weather. Last summer, I logged over 80,000 steps during a single weekend in the woods while wearing these shoes, and I’d happily do it again. I somewhat regret choosing khaki over the more versatile birch colorway, however.

These minimalist hiking shoes (first mentioned inSecret Strategist) aren’t technically approach shoes, but they’re aesthetically similar enough that I figured I should include them since they have quickly become my go-to outdoorsy shoe. As with other Vivobarefoot shoes I’ve tried, the soles are flexible enough to feel like I’m walking barefoot. However, in addition to offering better grip on uneven terrain, the deep rubber lugs offer a bit of cushion, so they’re actually tolerable for walking on streets and sidewalks. The dusty purple suede doesn’t pair perfectly with everything, but after more than half a decade spent mostly in black-on-black shoes, I’m ready to embrace the clash.