Five Ten Camp Four - Women's Review

Likes
These shoes feel like they could handle a beating and protect your feet during rough use. The Camp Four is basically a beefed up version of the Insight. They have a molded PU heel cage, which Five Ten claims adds extra support for carrying big loads. I wore these on a spring back country ski approach that began with a hike while carrying a large pack filled with skis, ski boots, shovel, probe, water, food, etc. The Camp Fours gave me the right amount of support to hike with a large, awkward load over uneven terrain without twisting or straining my ankles. The lacing goes all the way to the toe to create a snug fit while climbing. Since they are thick and protective, they are actually decently water resistant and, unlike the Exum Pros, they don't catch lots of sand and gravel in them while hiking.

Dislikes
The heel cage feels enormously bulky. These are one of the the heavier approach shoes in this review, and I attribute it to the bulky PU heel. It makes your foot much wider, which actually inhibits climbing and scrambling technique, even though it does add support for carrying a lot of weight.

Best Application
These shoes are good for rough approaches through sharp talus since they protect your feet so well. They are burly, so they work well for big wall climbing, too. I used these shoes on some short aid climbs and felt they protected my toes as they scraped along the wall. Also, the notch in the heel made it easier to catch etriers with my feet.

Value
The Camp Four is the most expensive shoe in this review, but it is beefy and durable. If you are on a budget, check out a less expensive shoe such as the Five Ten Insight, which is very similar in style, or the La Sportiva Boulder X, which is also a supportive shoe that would be good for carrying heavy loads.

Other Versions
Five Ten Camp Four - Men's