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La Sportiva TX4 Evo - Women's Review

This shoe strikes the perfect balance between climbing ability and support for long approaches under heavy loads
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La Sportiva TX4 Evo - Women's Review (The more you break in the new TX4 Evo, the better they climb.)
The more you break in the new TX4 Evo, the better they climb.
Credit: Gus Landefeld
Price:  $169 List
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Manufacturer:   La Sportiva
By Trish Matheny ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 5, 2024
78
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#4 of 13
  • Climbing Ability - 30% 8.0
  • Hiking Comfort - 25% 8.5
  • Weight and Packability - 20% 6.0
  • Support - 15% 8.0
  • Construction Quality - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

If you're looking for an approach shoe that can withstand everyday abuse, look no further than the newest iteration of the TX4, the La Sportiva TX4 Evo. This newly updated approach shoe features a heavy and durable upper that is constructed from a combination of nubuck leather and recycled fabric. The outsole has also been redesigned to promote easy resoling, thereby extending the life of your investment and keeping more shoes out of the landfill. The Traverse Injection MEMlex with co-molded TPU shank create a stiff and supportive midsole, yet the upper breaks in over time, allowing for a precise foot placements while climbing or navigating technical terrain. The Vibram Megagrip outsole also supplying an Impact Brake System combined with 4mm multi-directional lug patterns for excellent grip on slippery terrain. The TX4 Evo is the shoe that can do it all, whether approaching your favorite route, scrambling in the alpine, or ascending a big wall.
REASONS TO BUY
Great climbing performance
Comfortable for all-day wear in the mountains
Leather uppers support feet in difficult and rocky terrain
Wider toe box offers better fit for a variety of footshapes
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Limited durability in the lacing system
Stiff design requires break in period
Limited breathability

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best for Everyday Wear
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Women's Approach Shoe
Top Pick Award
Best for Alpine Climbing
 Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Price $169.00 at REI
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$149.00 at Backcountry
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$179.00 at REI
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$145 List$105.00 at Backcountry
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Bottom Line Although one of the heavier designs that we tested, these shoes provide support and stability for everything from long approaches to big wallsThanks to its lightweight design, comfortable build, and top-notch climbing ability, this shoe is an all-around favorite of our testing teamA solid shoe that excels in climbing ability and overall durability, but is not our first recommendation for comfortA shoe that excels in climbing but lacks the comfort for long approachesAn awesome budget option that covers the needs of most climbers and is especially equipped for hiking comfort and long-term durability
Rating Categories La Sportiva TX4 Evo... La Sportiva TX2 Evo... La Sportiva TX Guid... Arc'teryx Konseal F... La Sportiva Boulder...
Climbing Ability (30%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
8.5
7.0
Hiking Comfort (25%)
8.5
9.0
7.0
7.0
9.0
Weight and Packability (20%)
6.0
9.0
7.0
9.0
5.0
Support (15%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
9.0
Construction Quality (10%)
9.0
6.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
Specs La Sportiva TX4 Evo... La Sportiva TX2 Evo... La Sportiva TX Guid... Arc'teryx Konseal F... La Sportiva Boulder...
Measured Weight (per pair) 24 oz 18.7 oz 21.0 oz 19.7 oz 28.9 oz
Sole Rubber Vibram Megagrip rubber with Impact Brake System, Climbing Zone Platform and 4 mm lugs Vibram Idrogrip Vibram Mega-Grip and IdroGrip Vibram Megagrip Vibram Idro-Grip V-Smear
Width Options Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular
Upper Nubuck leather; cushioned tongue with recycled fabric; recycled rubber rand/toe cap; Mythos Lacing System with recycled laces/hooks Recycled knit; toe and heel: polyurethane TechLite Ultra-weave jacquard textile;thermoplastic polyurethane reinforcements 60% Polyamide nylon, 40% polyethylene mesh Leather
Midsole Fabric forefoot wrap; Traverse Injection MEMlex with co-molded TPU shank and 7% recycled EVA; ESS Resole platform Traverse lite injection MEMlex with co-molded TPU shank OrthoLite, dual-density compressed EVA, TPU Torsion Shank TPU chassis Micropore EVA

Our Analysis and Test Results

The new and improved La Sportiva TX4 Evo is the perfect approach shoe that supplies enough versatility for everyday use. The new design incorporates more recycled and repurposed materials without sacrificing climbing performance and durability. The wider toe box allows additional space for swollen feet and a better fit for those with a wider footshape. And while much stiffer than its predecessor, the shoe does break in after a few missions into the backcountry. Though not without a few caveats, this shoe is perfect for those seeking an approach shoe that can do it all.

Performance Comparison


The TX4 Evo is a great shoe for both short and long approaches, offering just enough padding along with a super supportive midsole.
Credit: Gus Landefeld

Climbing Ability


The TX4 Evo fits like a glove. The climbing shoe inspired lacing system allows you to better customize the overall volume and fit of the shoe specific to your foot shape which greatly increases the overall climbing ability. While the shoe features a wider toe box than other La Sportiva models that we tested, it does not prevent the shoe from edging and smearing on fifth-class terrain. In fact, this was our favorite shoe for the Tuolumne Triple Crown, moving quickly and efficiently over fifth-class terrain up to 5.8 while climbing the classic routes on Tenaya, Matthes Crest, and Cathedral Peak in a single push. The durable leather upper protected our feet from many jams in various crack systems yet remained precise enough to delicately balance over knobs and smaller footholds.


The high-performing Vibram Megagrip outsoles provided excellent traction on the trail, moving through boulder fields and edging on small footholds. The diamond-shaped lug pattern is different than the circle patterns in previous iterations, and the four-millimeter depth performed exceptionally well on a variety of terrain types. The full rand supports smearing, and they just climb better and better as you break them in. Although the TX4 Evo doesn't top the list when it comes to overall climbing performance, it is a great all-around shoe that's up for any adventure.

la sportiva tx4 evo for women - our testers climbed lots of pitches and easy boulder problems in...
Our testers climbed lots of pitches and easy boulder problems in order to assess the climbing ability of the TX4 Evo. The more you break them in, the better they climb.
Credit: Gus Landefeld

Hiking Comfort


Of all the La Sportiva approach shoe models that we tested, our testers noted that the TX4 Evo featured the widest toe box and also didn't require that we size up due to a narrow and tight fit. The roomier toe box allows more room for swollen and tired feet after hiking for several miles on the trail. The shoe is minimally padded, although the mesh tongue provides some cushion beneath the tightened laces.


While this shoe did require one of the longest break-in periods due to the stiff and rigid updated design, we did find that once we put in enough miles on the trail, the shoe did soften and conformed to the shape of our feet. While we never experienced in hot spots, blisters, or uncomfortable rubbing, we did notice the lack of breathability due to the durable leather construction. Our testers also recommend purchasing the lighter color of this shoe if planning to hike and hot areas with little tree cover.

la sportiva tx4 evo for women - the substantial midsole, snug fit, and just the right amount of...
The substantial midsole, snug fit, and just the right amount of padding make these shoes great for longer approaches, just be sure to break them in before you set out to crush lots of miles in a single push.
Credit: Gus Landefeld

Weight and Packability


The newly redesigned TX4 Evo is one of the heaviest approach shoes that we tested. Weighing in at 24 ounces for an EU 39.5, this shoe weighs over six ounces more than our favorite fast and light model. While the supportive midsole, high performing outsole, and durable nubuck leather construction are likely to blame for the increase in weight, it doesn't make this shoe our first choice to clip onto our harness when trying to save on weight.


While you could technically clip these to your harness, thanks to a single cord that is located on the heel of each shoe, we prefer to toss these into a daypack rather than climb with the additional weight on the back of our harness. The heavy and durable design is perfect for those seeking stable and supportive footwear that is necessary for approaching and descending alpine routes with heavier packs as well as those who plan to spend a few days in ladders while climbing a route on El Capitan. Although not the lightest of the bunch, the TX4 Evo makes up for the added weight in overall performance and lasting durability.

la sportiva tx4 evo for women - while these shoes have a loop on the heel that makes it easy to...
While these shoes have a loop on the heel that makes it easy to attach them to your harness, we recommend throwing them into a pack due to their heavy weight.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Support


The TX4 Evo provides a stiff and sturdy design that is highly supportive, especially for those planning to climb big walls or carry heavy loads into the mountains. The compression-molded EVA midsole supplies shock absorption on the trail, while the thin and effective 4mm Ortholite Hybrid footbed helps cushion your hard-working feet.


The snug-fitting design creates more stability without an ankle cuff and the Traverse Injection MEMlex with co-molded TPU shank provide a platform that's supportive enough to carry the weight of an oversized haul bag. Although this stiff design required more of a break in period, it was worth the sacrifice for the additional support and versatility.

la sportiva tx4 evo for women - the traverse injection memlex with co-molded tpu shank offers...
The Traverse Injection MEMlex with co-molded TPU shank offers substantial support while the lacing system offers a custom fit that snugs down to the shape of your foot for even more confidence with every step.
Credit: Gus Landefeld

Construction Quality


The TX4 Evo is one of the more durable approach shoe designs that we tested. It combines nubuck leather with recycled materials and a Traverse Injection MEMlex with co-molded TPU shank to supply substantial support underfoot. While other shoes that we tested were prone to delaminating after heavy use, the TX4 Evo withstood everyday use without any obvious signs of wear and tear. The rugged upper provides protection when moving through technical terrain while also conforming to the shape of your feet after an extended break-in period. The beefy reinforced toe cap, along with wraparound rubber rand, also helps to increase protection on the trail.


la sportiva tx4 evo for women - the nubuck leather construction, new beefy toe cap, and wrap around...
The nubuck leather construction, new beefy toe cap, and wrap around rand make the TX4 Evo stand apart from other La Sportiva models that we tested, supplying excellent durability for everyday use.
Credit: Gus Landefeld

Perhaps our only complaint with this design in terms of construction quality and durability is the lacing system. The eyelets that are closest to the ankle are the only ones that are reinforced with metal, while the others are simply cut out of the leather upper. The heel tab that allows you to clip the shoes to your harness or inside your haul bag is also intertwined with the laces and can become compromised when you repeatedly crank down the laces for a snug fit. Our testers recommend removing the laces from the delicate cord so as to extend the life of both the laces and the cord that would prevent you from clipping the shoes to anything once broken. While the lacing detail is important, the shoe is one of the durable options that we tested and will provide support, stability, and protection for many adventures to come.

We highly recommend re-lacing your approach shoes and removing them from being intertwined with the light green cord so that you do not break the cord that also attaches your shoes at the heel.
Credit: Gus Landefeld

Should You Buy the La Sportiva TX4 Evo?


If you're after an approach shoe that can do it all, look no further than the tried and true, TX4 Evo. The latest iteration just got better thanks to recycled and reused materials incorporated into the already bomber construction. While this update is stiffer than previous designs, our testers found this shoe to break in well with little time. The Vibram Megagrip outsole combines with an Impact Brake System and Trail Bite heels to offer confidence underfoot while moving through a variety of terrain. The wider toe box provides comfort for a variety of footshapes, and the re-inforced rand that surrounds the shoe supplies lasting performance. If you are after a shoe that can withstand everyday use, the TX4 Evo is a solid investment.

la sportiva tx4 evo for women - if you're after an approach shoe that's durable enough for daily...
If you're after an approach shoe that's durable enough for daily use, yet climbs well and offers enough support for long approaches, the TX4 Evo doesn't disappoint.
Credit: Gus Landefeld

What Other Approach Shoes Should You Consider?


If the stiff midsole and durable construction of the TX4 Evo are appealing to you, you should check out another highly durable approach shoe, the Scarpa Mescalito Planet. The Mescalito design is indestructible, while the additional padding within the design increases comfort. The fit also caters to those with wider feet, should you find La Sportiva designs to be too narrow for your footshape. If you're after better climbing performance and a more narrow toe box, check out the La Sportiva TX Guide, which is a favorite of our testing team, especially when it comes to light and fast alpine missions. Looking for a more comfortable fit that molds to the shape of your foot, the La Sportiva TX2 Evo can't be beaten. Just be aware that this shoe does not compare to the TX4 when it comes to overall durability.

la sportiva tx4 evo for women - although one of the heavier approach shoes that we tested, the tx4...
Although one of the heavier approach shoes that we tested, the TX4 Evo climbs well, offers enough support to hike with a heavy load, and perhaps most importantly, offers a design that's built to last.
Credit: Gus Landefeld

Trish Matheny