SCARPA Men's Gecko Hiking and Approach Shoes

Absolutely the BEST approach shoe I have ever had the pleasure of scrambling in.I'm climb mostly southern California and eastern Sierra.The best grip and control out of several approach shoes I have tried. I would climb 5.5 in these without thinking twice.If you've got more than 2.5 miles of approach you might want something with more support, personal preference. But to hopping rocks at Joshua Tree to the friction descent at Tahquitz, these are superb.

My husband *loves* these shoes. Hasn't taken them off since I bought them. He normally wears an 8.5 and they are true to size. I should mention that some reviews noted that the shoes "run a little small" so at first I got him a size 9 and had to exchange them for his normal size (I thought he'd want them on the larger side rather than the smaller side but I was wrong). The orange is bright, but not offensive if anyone was concerned.

I really like the style. The toebox is just a little narrow it’s not uncomfortable and I do wear pretty cushion sock so I’d say they’re fine with a regular sock. I know these are sold his approach shoes but I wear them mostly in urban environments and I have to say I feel like the four soul is probably going to wear out before the rest of the shoe. The tread pattern a couple a few years ago like in the hiking Zen pro was excellent and they lasted me a long time. The vibrant sole’s on these are soft and will wear quicker than average in an urban environment.

Trendy design and relatively light, even when is strong and protected enough to be used in trails with rocks.

Fits great with nice support

Awesome approach shoes, the rare blend of something that hikes reasonably well and can still climb rock. Not as cushioned as a 5.10, but I feel these climb way better! Wore them for both the approach and the technical climbing when I solo'd up the Grand Teton (half a day round trip from the trail-head with a medium pack - I carried a 70m rap cord, very light light rack, a few extra layers, food/water) and they were plenty capable for the hike and the solo climbing. Also carried a monster pack into the Cirque of the Towers (too stubborn to carry an extra set of footwear)...they did the job there as well, unsurprisingly they were not as comfy as a real pair of boots with a large pack. Bought them a half size down from my normal trail running shoe size, that made them small enough to climb reasonably well, but still able to hike downhill with a pack. If I was buying them as a "guides climbing shoe" - meaning I wanted maximum climbing performance and was willing to take a hit in the hiking/comfort department I would have went down a full size.

My husband asked for these for Christmas. He found them a little stiff at first, but now they have broken in and he loves them.

Size 8.5 is too small.