Hiking shoes, also known as approach shoes, are designed to offer an excellent balance between grip, stability, and comfort on varied terrain. They fall between lightweight hiking boots and climbing shoes, making them ideal for technical trails, rocky approaches, and mixed terrain.
They are distinguished by a highly grippy sole, often inspired by climbing shoes, offering good precision on rock. Their construction is generally stiffer and more robust than a classic walking shoe, while remaining lighter and more agile than a hiking boot.
Depending on the model, they feature leather or synthetic uppers, sometimes with a waterproof membrane, as well as reinforcements at the toe for added protection. Versatile and technical, they are ideal for alpine hiking, via ferrata, climbing approaches, and mountain adventures.
