RRC Archives

Flip flops... Well that is the approach shoe I used when I did the nose of el cap in a push. Great choice! Easy approach, light weight for the climb and good for the decent.

It is also what I use 90% of the time in the red and many other areas.

I guess I should have expected most of the answers..... I never owned a pair when climbing in the red, not much need. I'm living in Colorado now so I'd like something to climb up the Flatirons or run around on some of the easy slabs in the area without putting on full-on climbing shoes. I was just going to get some light hikers but figured why not get something with sticky rubber instead.

Cheers

ah that is the difference..90 per cent of my climbing adventures head to crags where there are no established trails, no crowds, and plenty of snakes at the feet. now someone just said 90% of approachs are wet slogs and then another said 90% of approachs are dirt roads..methinks mud between the toes in flip flops is a bit much.

flip flops suck in the rain, and suck when you get bit by a copper head. I still wear them all the time though.

krampus wrote:flip flops suck in the rain, and suck when you get bit by a copper head. I still wear them all the time though.

that explains alot right there....lol

The kind that look like feet are not only stylish but this dude wrote a trend book about these Africa people and how they run barefoot and why you shoud do that too. The best thing about the feet looking kind is that you will be trendy and look like you are wearing feet on your feet. AND you can say - with your eyes closed - "if you knew anything about natural running you'd have these on your feet." Kinda like owning a hybrid.

I read this book once by this guy about why it's an important ting to not type like a moron, and why you shoud not type like a moron too.

KD, I'm just messing with you. You shouldn't take my last comment seriously. In all honesty though, it wouldn't hurt to take 30 secnds to go back through what you'v typed and proof read it before submiting.

Back to more serious matters... A friend of mine wears flip flops for approach shoes no matter where or when and in any conditions. I couldn't do this though, because I like to keep my feet as clean as possible throughout the day. I can't stand getting mud between my toes. This doesn't seem to bother him though, hell, he normally walks around the crag barefoot. I prefer the sportiva exum ridge no matter where or when and in any conditions. I just looked on their website though, and it seems that they've stopped making these, bummer for me! I once owned a pair of the five ten "five tennie" approach shoes. I'll never buy another pair of these. They are good for looking cool in Boulder and letting everyone know you are a climber (which is totally lame)... or they are good for running up an easy slab route on the flatirons. Funny thing though, I'd never wear these shoes for the approach to the flatirons, kind of ironic! The sole was super thin and you could feel every little pebble that you stepped on, every sharp pointy rock, I didn't like it. Maybe I'll look into the boulder x by la sportiva or one of the new trail runners that they are making for my next pair of approach shoes.

Anyways, good luck on your search for approach shoes!

not sure but i think the only check KD needs is the books subject- maybe the Tarahurmara of northern Mexico ???

The best approach shoes are Keen's. To be specific, the ones that Keen sold at Rocktoberfest in 2011 and in 2009. They were $50, waterproof, great traction on the bottom, and all $50 was given to the RRGCC. Now THAT is a great approach shoe.