Approach shoes are hybrid footwear that have some characteristics in common with

hiking boots Hiking (walking) boots are footwear specifically designed for protecting the feet and ankles during outdoor walking activities such as hiking. They are one of the most important items of hiking gear, since their quality and durability can determ ...

, and others with rock- climbing shoes. Like a shoe or boot designed for hiking, a properly-fitting approach shoe can be worn comfortably while walking for long distances. Like a climbing shoe, it generally has a specialized sticky rubber sole that maintains traction on steeper

grades Grade most commonly refers to: * Grade (education), a measurement of a student's performance * Grade, the number of the year a student has reached in a given educational stage * Grade (slope), the steepness of a slope Grade or grading may also r ...

of rock. On more extreme terrain, or when carrying heavier loads, it supports neither task as well as more specialised footwear would. Approach shoes typically also lack effective insulation in the soles, limiting their effectiveness for hiking over hot surfaces or in cold conditions. Mountainandclimbingbootsandshoes

References

{{Climbing-nav Climbing equipment Sports footwear

See also

References