Evaluation of the Five Ten Tennie Footwear
News Article: Top Approach Shoes for 2025: A Comparative Review
In the realm of approach shoes, four standouts have caught our attention this year: the La Sportiva TX4, the Five Ten Guide Tennie, the Scarpa Crux, and the Black Diamond Technician. Each offers unique benefits, catering to various preferences and needs.
First up, the La Sportiva TX4, our favourite leather approach shoe of 2020. It boasts a wider toe box and a slightly lighter, more supple build compared to the Five Ten Guide Tennie. The TX4's heel brake provides superior traction on mud, wet leaves, snow, and ice, making it an excellent choice for adverse conditions. Right out of the box, the La Sportiva TX4 offers noticeable comfort and support, and it's surprisingly responsive and flexible underfoot.
The Five Ten Guide Tennie, a classic in the industry with over 30 years of use, is another contender. It's one of the most durable approach shoes, thanks to its thick suede upper and burly sole that resists abrasions. The men's version weighs slightly more (1 pound 10.4 ounces for a pair) than the women's version (approximately 1 pound 6.6 ounces per pair), and both come in a variety of colourways. The Guide Tennie's flat laces hold extremely well, and the shoe's upper provides high levels of water resistance, although it is not fully waterproof.
However, the Guide Tennie's sole does not excel on wet terrain like slippery leaves, ice, or snow. Its sole, made of Five Ten's Stealth C4 rubber, offers great traction on rock, but can feel thick and stiff out of the box. The shoe's performance improves significantly after break-in, providing security during 3rd- and 4th-class scrambles and approaches over boulder fields.
The Scarpa Crux is another option, especially for those who value hiking performance over prowess on technical rock. Its sole features a sharper, more varied tread throughout, giving it better traction on wet leaves, ice, snow, and mud. The Crux is a mid-weight option among approach shoes, offering a good balance of climbing performance and durability.
Lastly, the Black Diamond Technician is a good alternative to the Guide Tennie. It features a flat sole, dotted rubber on the forefoot, and a streamlined toe box for a precise fit. The Technician's durability comes from a durable knit upper rather than leather, which may be a tradeoff in terms of precision, water resistance, and durability.
Each of these approach shoes brings something unique to the table, and the best choice depends on individual preferences and intended use. Whether you're a seasoned climber or a hiking enthusiast, there's an approach shoe here to suit your needs. Happy exploring!
Note: The latest men's version of the Five Ten Guide Tennie approach shoe is the "Five Ten Guide Tennie," which is available in its current model for 2025. Specific version details beyond the name "Guide Tennie" for 2025 were referenced but no updated model number or variant was explicitly mentioned.
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