Cushioning under the heel is moderate and as I would expect from an approach shoe while the mid and front areas only have light cushioning. It’s worth remembering that this isn’t a general hiking boot so I wouldn’t expect it to be as heavy or have as much padding. For waterproof hiking boots, you can also factor in water-resistance, stability and warmth. You do not want to go hiking, only to get frostbites from the cold. However, even after the most rigorous assessment and testing, there is no better way to be absolutely sure than to have the boots on your feet for an extended period of time. We therefore offer our Home Trial Period which gives you the opportunity to wear the boots around your house to give you an indication of how they feel before you venture outside. We recommend that during the Home Trial Period that you wear the boots for as long as possible and at different times of the day, wear them up and down stairs, when moving around and when resting, you can even sleep in them if you want.

Gore-Tex membrane : Shoes made with a Gore-Tex membrane are designed for use in rain, snow and cold weather. They combine durable waterproofing with improved breathability and optimal insulation against the cold, making them ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities. Choosing such mountaineering boots and hiking shoes might seem like giving up on waterproof properties, but you can have both. With tough, durable and supportive waterproof hiking boots, you can suitably protect your feet from the rain or snow.

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The TX4 Mid is one of the most versatile, all-rounded pieces of footwear available; whether you're climbing, scrambling, trekking or simply walking around town, they're exceptionally comfortable, well made and perfect for almost every outdoor pursuit. I found that the rounded lugs gave me plenty of grip on a variety of hard surfaces from gritty sandstone to shiny quartz. Every detail of the TX4 has been refined to guarantee grip, comfort and protection during crag approaches. The hard wearing leather uppers are an essential design component and have high abrasion resistance being protected by the PU TechLite all-around rand. The Vibram MegaGrip sole has climbing zone at the toe and Impact Brake System at the rear and is designed for climbing easier routes and descents on technical terrain. The lacing system derives from the Mythos climbing shoe and regulates tension and internal volume in one easy move.

High resistance to abrasion and low weight is provided thanks to the PU Techlite rand and protective rubber top cap. Hiking is quite an engaging physical activity that requires you to be invested. That means choosing your gear appropriately. When going on a hike, forget flashy wear, fashionable and trendy shoes and go for functionality-such a move helps leave your feet in good shape. Leather can wet out and grow heavy and misshapen with extended exposure to rain or snow. You can apply waterproofing products, but keep in mind that they will impact breathability. La Sportiva set the standards in approach shoe design with their Boulder X model. It was the go-to shoe for climbers looking to upgrade their approach shoe collection, or even to replace their battered 5-year-old Boulder X – we even know of people hoarding pairs of Boulder X in fear that they might one day become discontinued. Stand on the A4 paper with your heel pressed firmly against the wall and your foot pointed forward with the edge of your big toe aligned with the edge of the paper.Plenty of technology, a very lightweight feel and an overall great performance. We like this boot. Tester’s Verdict In our Hereford shop we offer a professional boot fitting service where we assess your feet, find a selection of boots that match you foot shape and most importantly we make sure that they are comfortable.This iseasy to do in the shop, where we have access tothe right tools, the option of letting you try on as many styles as you like and a knowledgeable member of staff that cancommunicate directly with you regarding your needs. If you can see this amount of space then you are pretty much on the way to making sure that your boots are the correct size. This space between your toes and the end of the footbed ensures that you will not stub your toes on the inside of the boot when you descend. This can be excruciatingly painful. If you can’t see this amount of space then it’s a good bet that the boots will be too small. The TX4 is both a reliable hiking shoe and a flexible pair of climbing shoes in terms of its design. The lacing, which is very typical of climbing and La Sportiva models, and the slim fit are assets. They look good because the laces are coloured to contrast with the fabric. The soles are turned inwards, which makes them more ergonomic. These shoe are developed specifically for mens feet. For the women's model see the La Sportiva TX4 women. A Hybrid Design

Walking shoes, or as they are sometimes called “cross shoes”, are exactly that, a cross between walking boots and trainers, with plenty of variations in between. Some are lighter and more flexible, aimed at runners and those traveling fast and light. Some are designed for those who prefer a more vertical approach, perfect for scrambling and the walk in to climbing routes. Others are based more or less on a walking boot, with just a much lower cut ankle for improved flexibility. Then there are waterproof/none waterproof, speed lacing/traditional lacing, deep chunky sole units/climbing edge shoes…confused, don’t be….it really is a case of what activity you are looking at doing, and what are your preferences when it comes to footwear?I wanted a good all-round walking shoe for the mountains, I wanted it to be waterproof with a very grippy sole unit, potentially with a toe box that could handle some precision footwork for scrambling, and something that didn’t look too unfashionable for a cold one at the local after a day on the hills!

Leather shoe with Gore-Tex Extended Comfort designed for technical approach routes and via ferrata, part of the Traverse X approach series: ideal for prolonged use by mountain guides and all those who work in the mountains.

Which colours are available?

The TX4 GTX is a shoe that offers excellent stability, good grip and effective protection on the front of the shoe with its rubber toe cap In addition, a wide protective edge wraps around the shoe to protect you from impacts. Its low lacing allows the foot to be well wrapped for good precision, better foot support and more comfort. The Boulder X set the bar extremely high as the gold standard of approach shoe. But La Sportiva has been quietly tweaking designs and stealing bits from their Boulder X and climbing boot lineups to create the all new Traverse X series of approach shoes and boots.