Hands-on Gear Review |
Street Price:
$95 | Compare prices at 1 resellers
Pros: Great for long hikes, relatively light, durable and high performance for a running-style shoe Cons: Don't edge that well, not exceptionally burly Best Uses: Big approaches, alpine rock climbs, or just as everyday approach shoe
Overview
This is our highest scoring approach shoe for long hikes. It is the main approach shoe that Tommy Caldwell wears, even on El Cap. He uses the philosophy of take the best shoe for hiking when you are hiking, take the best shoe for climbing when you are climbing. Don't compromise with an approach shoe that may scramble comfortably, but doesn't hike or climb all that well. If this is also your philosophy, then this is the shoe to get. If you are looking to save a little up front, you might consider the Evolv Escapist ($79). The Escapist saves you $15 but it is not as compact or durable and did not score quite as well as the Exum Pro.
OutdoorGearLab Editors' Hands-on Review
Likes
This is a hiking machine – it goes and goes and goes. It performed the best on our big alpine rock days. It is not a top climbing performer. However, depending your your comfort zone, you can confidently climb exposed easy 5th class moves in it. It is relatively light. You can feel them when they are clipped to the side or your harness, but they don't feel like a couple of dumbbells as some approach shoes do. While the toe rand is not beefy by any means, we were impressed with its durability relative to the Evolv Escapist. These are among the most breatheable approach shoes we tested. Dislikes Like any running style approach shoe, this shoe does not edge well. Once the terrain gets technical, most people will not feel confident standing on medium or even big edges. That said, they edged better than other running style shoes. While they are surprisingly durable considering their construction, they will get quickly trashed in cracks. These are not carried as widely as other approach shoes and can be a little hard to find. Value At $95, these are a pretty good value. They are at the lower end of prices for approach shoes and offer above average durability for a running style approach shoe. — Chris McNamara
OutdoorGearLab Member Reviews of La Sportiva Exum ProMost recent review: January 31, 2011
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 La Sportiva Exum Pro Credit: www.sportiva.com
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