Buying guide
Best waterproof approach shoes
Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick
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Top picks at a glance
Compare them allBest overall
La Sportiva TX4 Evo GTX: suede, for wet slabs
The listing names rock, gravel and wet slabs as recommended surfaces, which is the British scramble mix.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
Scarpa Rapid XT Mid GTX: suede mid, 424 g listed
The listing highlights waterproof Gore-Tex and names hiking and approach as uses.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMost features
Salewa Wildfire Edge GTX: leather and suede upper
The listing names approach and climbing first among its uses.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
Approach shoes are built for the walk in to a crag or a scramble: sticky rubber, a toe rand and lacing that lets you snug the fit for moving on rock. In Britain that walk in is often wet, across boggy grass and streams before the rock even starts, so a Gore-Tex lining earns its place on many days. The cost is a warmer shoe that dries slowly once water gets in over the collar, and a membrane does not make wet rock any less slippery. This guide compares five waterproof approach shoes using what each listing states: the upper material, the membrane, the cut and the uses or surfaces the maker names. Remember that no shoe changes the grade or seriousness of a route, and wet rock always needs extra care.
All products compared
- La Sportiva TX4 Evo GTX: suede, for wet slabs
- Upper
- Suede
- Membrane
- Gore-Tex
- Cut
- Low
- Listed use
- Rock, gravel, wet slabs
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Salewa Wildfire Edge GTX: leather and suede upper
- Upper
- Leather and suede
- Membrane
- Gore-Tex
- Cut
- Low
- Listed use
- Approach, climbing, hiking
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Scarpa Rapid XT Mid GTX: suede mid, 424 g listed
- Upper
- Suede
- Membrane
- Gore-Tex
- Cut
- Mid
- Listed use
- Hiking and approach
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - La Sportiva TX5 Evo GTX: nubuck, rocky terrain
- Upper
- Nubuck leather
- Membrane
- Gore-Tex
- Cut
- Low
- Listed use
- Climbing, hiking
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Salewa Wildfire GTX (women's): 370 g, Gore-Tex lined
- Upper
- Synthetic
- Membrane
- Gore-Tex
- Cut
- Low
- Listed use
- Climbing, hiking
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
| Product | Upper | Membrane | Cut | Listed use | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Sportiva TX4 Evo GTX: suede, for wet slabs | Suede | Gore-Tex | Low | Rock, gravel, wet slabs | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Salewa Wildfire Edge GTX: leather and suede upper | Leather and suede | Gore-Tex | Low | Approach, climbing, hiking | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Scarpa Rapid XT Mid GTX: suede mid, 424 g listed | Suede | Gore-Tex | Mid | Hiking and approach | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| La Sportiva TX5 Evo GTX: nubuck, rocky terrain | Nubuck leather | Gore-Tex | Low | Climbing, hiking | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Salewa Wildfire GTX (women's): 370 g, Gore-Tex lined | Synthetic | Gore-Tex | Low | Climbing, hiking | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.
The products in detail
No. 1 · La Sportiva
La Sportiva TX4 Evo GTX: suede, for wet slabs
La Sportiva's TX4 Evo GTX is a suede approach shoe with a Gore-Tex lining, listed for rock, gravel and wet slabs. A versatile pick for British scrambles in changeable weather.
In its favour
- The listing names rock, gravel and wet slabs as recommended surfaces, which is the British scramble mix.
- Gore-Tex lining is stated, useful on wet approaches and damp grass to the crag.
- Suede upper is listed, tougher against rock abrasion than a mesh shoe.
Good to know
- A Gore-Tex lining makes it warmer and slower to dry in summer than a non-membrane shoe.
- The listing does not name the outsole compound, so check La Sportiva's details.
Listing title: LA SPORTIVA TX4 Evo GTX - Men's Approach Shoe - Carbon/Bamboo
No. 2 · Salewa
Salewa Wildfire Edge GTX: leather and suede upper
Salewa's Wildfire Edge GTX is listed for approach, climbing, backpacking and hiking, with a leather and suede upper and Gore-Tex. A versatile shoe for mixed mountain days.
In its favour
- The listing names approach and climbing first among its uses.
- Leather and suede are both listed for the upper, a durable outer for rock.
- Gore-Tex is in the title and the shoe is listed as waterproof.
Good to know
- A listed weight of 1.12 kg looks like a pair and is heavier than the women's Wildfire.
- The listing does not name the outsole rubber, so grip cannot be compared directly.
Listing title: Salewa Wildfire Edge Gore-TEX Walking Shoes - SS26
No. 3 · Scarpa
Scarpa Rapid XT Mid GTX: suede mid, 424 g listed
The Scarpa Rapid XT Mid GTX is a suede mid-cut shoe with Gore-Tex, listed for hiking and approach. It suits walkers who want a little more ankle cover on wet approaches.
In its favour
- The listing highlights waterproof Gore-Tex and names hiking and approach as uses.
- A mid cut keeps wet grass and grit out better than the low shoes in this guide.
- The listed weight of 424 g is light for a mid-height waterproof shoe.
Good to know
- A mid cut can limit ankle movement on steep rock compared with a low approach shoe.
- The listing does not name a climbing zone or the rubber compound on the sole.
Listing title: Scarpa Rapid XT Mid Gore-TEX Walking Boots - AW26
No. 4 · La Sportiva
La Sportiva TX5 Evo GTX: nubuck, rocky terrain
La Sportiva's TX5 Evo GTX is a low nubuck shoe with a Gore-Tex lining, listed for climbing and hiking on rocky terrain. Sturdier and more hiking-led than the TX4 Evo.
In its favour
- Rocky terrain is the listed surface, with climbing and hiking both named as uses.
- A nubuck leather upper is stated in the title, a tough outer for scree.
- An Ortholite Hybrid insole is listed, a named footbed rather than a plain foam one.
Good to know
- It is described as a hiking shoe, so it may feel less precise on rock than the TX4 Evo.
- The listing gives no weight and does not name the outsole rubber.
Listing title: LA SPORTIVA Hiking shoes TX5 Evo GTX waterproof and stable hiking shoe...
No. 5 · Salewa
Salewa Wildfire GTX (women's): 370 g, Gore-Tex lined
The women's Salewa Wildfire GTX is a light, low approach shoe with a synthetic upper and a Gore-Tex lining. Listed at 370 g, it suits women who want a nimble waterproof shoe.
In its favour
- Climbing and hiking are both named as uses in the listing.
- A Gore-Tex lining is stated, and the shoe is described as breathable.
- The listed weight of 370 g makes it the lightest shoe in this guide.
Good to know
- A synthetic upper is less resistant to sharp rock than the suede and leather options.
- This listing is the women's version only, so men need a different model.
Listing title: Salewa Wildfire Women's Approach Shoes
More buying guides: Walking and approach shoes
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