The 12 Best Trad & Aid Climbing for Man

Lowa Approach Pro GTX Lo Shoe – Men’s

Occupying the space between approach and an all-around hiker, the Lowa Approach Pro GTX Lo Shoe for men is a great option if your idea of a casual hike involves thousands of feet of hand-over-foot scrambling. Described as a via ferrata shoe and intentionally built for Lowa’s Pro Team, the GTX is lightweight, so it won’t be a drag after countless steps, but it also incorporates a Gore-Tex lining and a rugged Vibram sole, so no matter where your mission takes you, you’ll end up there dry and with solid grip underfoot.

Scarpa Zen Pro Mid GTX Shoe – Men’s

You’ve been looking too hard, waiting too long, but now the Men’s Zen Pro Mid GTX Shoes from Scarpa are here to come into your life. The suede upper, Gore-Tex Extended Comfort lining, and Sock-Fit XT technology feel just so right, so warm and true. If the hike is really coming on too strong, you’ll appreciate the comfort and support of the P-Flex insole and injected EVA midsole, good for when you really want to be sure. Your feet thought it was only in dreams that you’d get the amount of solid traction you get from the Vibram Spyder II outsoles. Climbing rubber under the toes provide more than a touch, it’s almost like they’re just holding you to the rock.

Evolv Rebel Approach Shoe – Men’s

Compared to Evolv’s other approach shoes, the Men’s Rebel Approach Shoe is more durable than the Cruzer and more casual than the Zender. It’s ideal for climbers who want to frequent sport crags, climbing gyms, and hangouts in the same shoe. Both the army and night styles are made with leather uppers, and the vegan jet style forgoes leather for synthetic; regardless of the option, the Rebel’s upper is ruggedly water-resistant to keep clean on a rainy, muddy day.

Salewa Firetail 3 GTX Approach Shoe – Men’s

Long treks to the crag or rocky hikes with lots of scrambling involved are specialties of the Salewa Men’s Firetail 3 GTX Approach Shoe. This technical approach shoe offers the combination of grip, durability, and comfort needed to handle everything from long hikes on maintained trails to scree field climbs.

The EXA Shell grid structure wraps around your upper foot to provide a precise fit and perfect front-foot balance while also minimizing abrasion of the breathable mesh upper. The 3F System connects to the lacing to wrap around your heel and mid-foot as you tighten the laces in order to lock your heel down and reduce fatigue and friction. The upper is backed by a Gore-Tex Extended Comfort membrane for supreme waterproofing and excellent breathability.

Cleansport NXT antimicrobial technology inhibits the growth of odor-causing microbes to limit foot funk. A wide climbing area behind the toes on the Vibram Reptile outsole helps you climb and scramble with confidence, and its Megagrip compound ensures dependable traction on wet and dry surfaces alike.

Scarpa Mojito Shoe – Men’s

Lead the group up to your new favorite boulder in the morning and take a trip downtown on your fixey with fellow hoppers in the evening, but don’t change your shoes. Lace up the Scarpa Men’s Mojito Shoe and experience adaptation in the form of rubber, foam, and suede. The firm Vibram Spyder sole offers lasting durability and sure footing on aggressive trails while the rubber wrap on the toe lets you mess around on boulders, bounce from rock to rock along river banks, and climb urban walls with solid toe protection.

Arc’teryx Acrux SL Leather Approach Shoe – Men’s

When tackling mountainous terrain, you can count on the Arc’teryx Men’s Acrux SL Leather Approach Shoe to ensure precise footing and adaptive support, without feeling like you have lead weights attached to your feet. Touting that same minimalist and highly technical design you’ve come to know and love from Arc’teryx, the Acrux SL Leather Approach Shoe allows you to put your best foot forward with its seamless thermo-laminated upper and subtly aggressive outsole.

To differentiate itself from the rest of the Acrux SL line up, this shoe features a leather upper that is not only durable, lightweight, and hydrophobic, but also prevents pressure points and hot spots. The Adaptive Fit Liner consists of a non-removable, internal stretch liner that promotes ample breathability and surrounds the foot for a sock-like fit and feel. Additionally, the Ortholite footbed and EVA midsole deliver arch support, shock attenuation, and day-long comfort. The laminated heel and toe cap bolsters your defense against trail-side rocks or roots. A Y-Groove split heel is designed to improve your footing when trekking through loose terrain, which further advocates for the use of this shoe in diverse conditions. The Vibram Arc’teryx Light Approach sole features sticky climbing zone and smearing inserts for unimpeded grip, and the mountaineering heel tread to assure traction when you need it most.

Scarpa Zen Shoe – Men’s

Look to the Scarpa Men’s Zen Shoe for peaceful approaches to climbing areas. The supple all leather upper balances the burly Vibram Spyder sole, forming an unparalleled equilibrium of foot comfort and confidence. Reinforced arches and EVA heel cushioning comfort your steps on the path of one-pointedness. When you lose focus, molded toecaps protect you from meditation-disturbing stubs against inert rocks and roots. Sure, you could sit in lotus position all day trying to achieve Samadhi while stern Japanese monks whack your back with a stick, but wouldn’t it be easier to lace up the Scarpa Zen Approach Shoe and reach peace by hiking through Aspen groves?

Scarpa Zen Shoe – Men’s

Look to the Scarpa Men’s Zen Shoe for peaceful approaches to climbing areas. The supple all leather upper balances the burly Vibram Spyder sole, forming an unparalleled equilibrium of foot comfort and confidence. Reinforced arches and EVA heel cushioning comfort your steps on the path of one-pointedness. When you lose focus, molded toecaps protect you from meditation-disturbing stubs against inert rocks and roots. Sure, you could sit in lotus position all day trying to achieve Samadhi while stern Japanese monks whack your back with a stick, but wouldn’t it be easier to lace up the Scarpa Zen Approach Shoe and reach peace by hiking through Aspen groves?

Evolv Cruzer Slip-On Approach Shoe – Men’s

The Men’s Cruzer Slip-On Approach Shoe knows a thing or two about hiking trails—or lack thereof—even though it’s the most casual selection in Evolv’s classic Cruzer collection. A cotton canvas construction keeps the Cruzer strong and soft and lends the shoe style that you can enjoy at outdoor concerts and climbing crags. Smooth foam and soft cushioning keep you on your feet whether you’re hiking long distances or jumping to the beats. Trax high-friction rubber grants a tenacious grip for assured traction on slippery rock.

Five Ten Guide Tennie Approach Shoe – Men’s

While some approaches barely involve an approach at all, should you encounter a multi-mile hike out to your chosen crag, the Five Ten Guide Tennie is a worthy choice. This low-profile, lightweight shoe has a Stealth C4 sole—the same ultra-sticky rubber that’s found on Five Ten climbing shoes. This shoe’s incredible friction will make the approach slabs to Half Dome a walk in the park. Whether you’re making a quick run up another North Cascades ridge climb or slacklining in Camp 4, your feet will be happy in the Guide Tennie.

Asolo Apex Shoe – Men’s

The dawn patrol is nice, but sometimes you wish it was the “reasonable hour patrol.” When you’re still waking up, you can take some of the load off of your approach with the dependable performance of the Asolo Apex Shoe. Steep and rocky slopes will be no problem with its sticky Vibram Megagrip outsole helping propel you forward. When tired feet get clumsy you’ve got a rubber toe cap keeping you protected, and a built-in anti-shock system to minimize impact from missteps. A water resistant suede upper keeps your feet dry through dewy fields and light early-morning rains, while an extended lacing system gives you a comfortable, custom-like fit that you’ll enjoy with cramped climbing shoes on the horizon.

La Sportiva TX2 Leather Shoe – Men’s

Designed to bring comfort and durability to rugged approaches, the La Sportiva TX2 Leather Shoe is an easy go-to for any and all of your climbing missions. Its nubuck leather upper offers lots of durability for tough mountain environments, as well as a comfortable feel that breaks in easily. The outsole is made with a sticky Vibram MegaGrip compound for steady and reliable grip on scree fields and tough trails, and features a climbing-zone toe to help you journey onward when your path gets a bit technical. An extended lacing system ensures a snug and secure fit for rugged sections of trail and quick scrambles, and the C2 Combo Cord system makes it easy to clip your shoes to a harness or pack when you reach the crag rockin’ and ready to go.