For over a decade, my trusted hiking shoes were Merrells, which never let me down apart from in the rain. Then I had some Gore-Tex Timberland trail shoes, which became my go-to shoes for being lightweight and waterproof. But I needed a high-quality upgrade that would allow me to hike, scramble, and trek. Then I discovered the La Sportiva TX4 GTX Approach Shoes. These have proved to be the best outdoor I’ve tested, and the engineering design is the best on the market. Find out why Approach shoes will change the way you explore and how the La Sportiva TX4 GTX ticks all the boxes!
What are Approach Shoes?
I have used Hiking Shoes over Hiking Boots since I started hiking as a kid. Primarily because I like the ankle flexibility for fast descents and scrambling on rocks, however, this does come at the cost of support and worse water/puddle performance. I discovered Approach Shoes, which are a combination of hiking and climbing shoes. This hybrid shoe sounded perfect for my future adventures. If you enjoy scrambling or need versatile footwear for approaches or backpacking, then approach shoes could be the sweet spot shoe. The La Sportiva TX4 approach shoes were highly rated and popular amongst mountaineers and climbers for a reason.
Introducing the La Sportiva TX4 GTX
The La Sportiva TX4 from my research seemed the ideal choice for technical approaches and Via Ferrata. It is part of the Transverse Shoe Range (TX), which has a shoe or mid-cut boot option and a Gore-Tex (GTX) version available. It is an approach shoe with a Gore-Tex liner, a Vibram MegaGrip sole and a rubber protective band. The La Sportiva TX4s are lightweight compared to the TX5 (more hiking-focused) but stiffer compared to the TX3 (more climbing-focused). The La Sportiva TX4 balance is a great hiking shoe with exceptional climbing ability.
La Sportiva TX4 Key Stats
- Upper: Suede leather and protective 1,5 mm PU TechLite rand and rubber toe for extra protection
- Lining: GORE-TEX Extended Comfort
- Midsole: Shock absorbing, injected EVA
- Footbed: Ortholite Approach 4mm
- Sole: Mega-Grip Vibram sole with Impact Brake System and climbing zone at the toe
- Laces: Mythos lacing system
- Weight: 410gr half pair size 42
Style & Hikes
I love the style of the TX4s with the green leather and red details, which are casual enough for around town. There are several colour options and different ones for the women’s version- La Sportiva TX4 EVO GTX. The Leather construction adds to the durability, while a climbing lace system makes it look more aggressive than a hiking shoe. The laces allow you to adjust the tightness quickly due to the red loops. The ankle region is stiff with comfortable cushioning, which helps make up for the lower cut. The tongue does not extend far up the ankle to allow your ankle to rotate more, and is well-padded to add to the total comfort. I have used these shoes while trekking the Annapurna Circuit (Nepal), Dolomites Alta Via 4, hiking in the Canadian Rockies, Austria, Switzerland and Snowdonia Scrambles of North Face of Tryfan and Bristly Ridge.
Climbing & Waterproofness
The rock performance and grip really elevated my Via Ferrata and Scrambling abilities thanks to the climbing zones. The La Sportiva Climbing zone features a rubber sole designed to help find a crack or ledge which traditional hiking shoes won’t offer and smears very well. I have used them on Grade 1 scrambles in the UK as well as while abseiling, which they handled with ease. Also, the sole deals with wet rock, loose scree and mud very well, so overall, they inspire confidence underfoot. The Vibram Sole shows rounded lugs which perform well in muddy conditions and loose gravel, so they are comparable to a top-end hiking shoe while giving climbing features.
The waterproofness has been amazing due to the Gore-Tex liner, and the Leather dries relatively quickly. So even after a downpour or storm, the TX4s are ready to battle the next weather they face. They have good breathability, but do run slightly warm in hot conditions. I am a big fan of the climbing-style laces, which give more customisation to get the right fit. I have only used the heel loop once when Trad Climbing, but it was easy to clip to the harness and light when climbing up the rock face.
Comfort, Fit & Durability
The La Sportiva TX4 are very comfy because of the wider toe box and the Ortholite Approach footbed to help absorb shocks. I have not had any blisters on 30km+ hikes or treks! The hiking comfort is the best I’ve experienced, and I’ve only had minor rubbing in hot weather. The EVA-injected midsole helps the stability and comfort, which is noticed when descending or on rock. For the fit, I ordered half a size up as my natural size was a tight fit. After 4 years, the rubber sole has barely worn down because of the Vibram MegaGrip, and the ankle cushioning has a small worn patch. The laces offer great adjustment, but I have had to replace one snapped lace after much usage. The rubber band around the front is scuff-proof and offers great protection for the leather upper.
Weight & Cost
Unfortunately, this love story has a slight caveat when it comes to weight and cost. They are considered on the bulky side compared to other approach shoes and are not the slightest in weight either. In general, I focus on lightweight gear, but this is an expectation because I barely notice the TX4s on my feet after a long day’s hike. The TX4s are stiff, which means they don’t pack down very well, a fact I noticed backpacking in Canada. Next, there’s the cost, and they are expensive at over £180 for the La Sportiva TX4 GTX. There are cheaper approach shoes out there like the Scarpa Mojito and the La Sportiva Boulder to consider. The availability in the UK is limited compared to Scarpa, for example, but it is more available in Europe.
La Sportiva TX4 GTX: Key Selling Points
- Style: I love the appearance of the TX4s because they don’t look too hiking-focused, and the rubber band and laces give a nod to climbing.
- Gore-Tex Waterproofing: The TX4 have excellent waterproof performance in the heaviest of storms.
- Climbing Zone: The Grip is amazing with top smearing ability and edges very well on foot holds.
- Adjustable Lace System: They offer great adjustability for climbing and carrying heavy gear.
- Comfort: One of the main selling points is the all-day trail comfort, which makes them great for trekking.
- Bombproof Durability: After years of hiking and trekking, they have barely worn down and have many more years of use left. The rugged construction handles scrapes with rocks easily.
La Sportiva TX4 GTX: Worth Knowing
- Availability: It was difficult to buy the green colour combo I liked in the UK, so I ordered from Europe.
- Cost: At around £180, these are not cheap shoes compared to other hiking boots. However, the price is comparable to other approaches shoes on the market. The quality of the materials used justifies the costs involved. It’s an investment, but after 3 years of hard use, they have only some wear and tear so far.
- Weight & Packability: Not the lightest shoes, so if minimal weight is your priority, then other approach shoes may be better.
- Snow Performance: Unfortunately, the focus on rock and trail grip with the Vibram sole means these shoes don’t perform as well on ice or in snowy conditions.
Kit Rating
| Category | Weighting | Score |
| Waterproofing | 20% | 9 |
| Traction & Grip | 20% | 9 |
| Comfort (Cushion and Support) | 15% | 9.5 |
| Durability | 15% | 9.5 |
| Weight & Packability | 10% | 7 |
| Value & Verstaility | 10% | 8 |
| Style | 10% | 10 |
| Overall Rating (/10) | 9.0 | Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason I believe these are the best-engineered shoes I own, and that is because the perfectly balanced combination of features gives me the ideal hiking shoe. There has not been a single day I have regretted buying the La Sportiva TX4 GTX approach shoes, and I have even considered the Mid-cut Boot version to extend the life of my current ones. Overall, the TX4s offer amazing stability and grip on rugged and technical terrain, and I couldn’t recommend them enough!
What are your favourite hiking and climbing footwear? It would be great to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Interesting timing! The TX4s have tragically been discontinued, replaced with the TX4 Evo.. a rather different shoe. The new model has a much stiffer sole which seems to be to make them more durable and easier to resole, but means they feel and climb completely different. Time to stock up!
Hi Johannes, thanks for the comment! Very interesting, I love the TX4s and the climbing ability so hearing the TX4 Evo are stiffer is a fair difference. Would you say they are more hiking focused and all round? Yes I will keep an eye out to compare the generations.
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