La Sportiva TX3 Approach Shoe Brown Size:

Product Information

Their comfort — particularly for my broad feet — along with great grip means they have become my go-to shoe not only for canyoning, but also when bushwalking. If I’m approaching a multi-pitch climb and plan to throw my shoes in a route pack or clip them to my harness, the TX3 is a bit overkill, but I’ll still often choose it over the Cruzer and TX2.

I am planning to use these shoes mainly for wet canyoneering day trips with long walk-ins, and occasionally for multi-day wet canyoneering trips. Once you nail the sizing, you’ll notice that the fit is comfortably snug in the heel and midfoot and roomy in the toe box.The other reason I’ve started to reach for the TX3 almost exclusively is the padding in the midsole. The Vibram Lug design on the TX Guide utilizes a unique lug pattern that provides grip in sand and rock, as well as traction on smooth granite and slick surfaces. Rounding out the collection, La Sportiva also sells the TX Guide and TX Guide Leather, a sensitive and high-performance option for technical climbing and scrambling, as well as the mid-height TXS boot for backpacking and multi-day alpine missions.

It should be said that I do tend to gravitate towards more supportive footwear as opposed to minimalist offerings (I’m a big Hoka fan for trail running for instance). This lug pattern uses circular dot lugs in the front of the shoe with a flat climbing zone, and gum drop shaped lugs on the heel. The TX3 is also a bit of a sponge in wet weather, as the thick protective upper coupled with the STB Control rand doesn’t allow for drainage or quick drying.Shoved in cracks or perched on dime edges, it has the ability to perform almost as well as a dedicated rock climbing shoe. The La Sportiva TX2 Evo weighs a little more at around 13 ounces per shoe and is our preferred lightweight option because it provides weight savings while also climbing and hiking very well. Whatever the precise rubber is, I found the TX3 to provide extremely good grip, particular on wet rock. The tongue is fully gusseted on both sides and combines with the jacquard upper to keep out all dirt and debris. They were immediately comfortable — not requiring any breaking in — and I’ve never developed a blister while wearing them, even when doing long walk-outs with wet feet.

The upper on the La Sportiva TX Guide is constructed using a thick jacquard ultra-weave that provides phenomenal support and protection. Hi, I'm Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside and former Northwest Editor at Backpacker magazine. There are better shoes out there for hiking long distances, like the La Sportiva TX4, or for clipping to your harness on hard multi-pitch climbs, like the TX2 Evo.As I mentioned before, I don’t use these shoes for climbing, but the lacing customization has been fantastic for hiking and backpacking.

These shoes must be able to climb technical rock with ease, hike comfortably through cross-country terrain to remote alpine climbs, and provide support for long days standing in aiders. I do have some TX2s I wear for routes that have shorter approaches and a walk off (Lovers Leap, Tuolumne). This performance is enhanced by the use of Vibram MegaGrip rubber, which is also found on the La Sportiva TX4 and the Scarpa Rapid and Crux. Extraordinarily, this last minute, desperate purchase saw me stumble on to what has easily become my favourite canyoning shoe.I love the wide toe box of the TX3, giving my wide feet room to breathe and space to travel while on the downhill. The TX Guide is a robust and bombproof approach shoe that hikes like a boot though, so the weight is in all the right places. The firm forefoot and TPU shank provide maximum stability for technical trails and days with a heavy pack.