Class 4 Shoe Recommendations

[Ed_Groves]

Due to my wide feet, I have been wearing Merrell MOABs for some time now. While the traction isn't the best, they have been adequate for all of the class 3 hiking I have done. This year I am going to do Crestone Needle and the plan is to stay in the east gully so this will be my first class 4 route. I am wondering if the Merrell's traction will cut it on the class 4 section. Does anyone have a preference for an approach shoe or some other hiking shoe/boot?

[speth]

I climbed the majority of the 14ers wearing Moabs - I found them pretty comfortable, but the durability is certainly questionable.

[Jorts]

The moabs should be adequate if you have a good fit in them. If you want stickier rubber though, check out approach shoes from scarpa. I find them to have a wider last than La sportiva’s.

[Ed_Groves]

The moabs should be adequate if you have a good fit in them. If you want stickier rubber though, check out approach shoes from scarpa. I find them to have a wider last than La sportiva’s.

I was considering stickier rubber, moreso for the down climb of the class 4 section than anything else. Am I overthinking this?

[Hiking_TheRockies]

If you like boots, LaSpo makes a Tx4 boot that gives ankle support on top of the classic Tx4 platform. Most rugged trail runners will also do the job on 4th class rock. Personally, I wear the LaSpo Trango Techs on all my scrambles. Despite being 3/4 shank mountaineering boots, they hike/backpack very well and have great grip. I climbed the 3rd flatiron in them (5.4) and didn't slip once.

But as many have said, having good foot placement and trust in your boots should make almost any "standard" hiking boot able to tackle 4th class.

[seannunn]

If you are really concerned, you can always use APPROACH shoes for the APPROACH, then pull out some true rock climbing shoes for crux sections. We did that on Sunlight last year; probably overkill, but it was amazing how much less trepidation I had that last few hundred feet in a pair of Black Diamond rock shoes.

Sean Nunn

[osprey]

^
Excellent recommendation.

[Ed_Groves]

If you are really concerned, you can always use APPROACH shoes for the APPROACH, then pull out some true rock climbing shoes for crux sections.

I am not extremely concerned, but I did want to check in here to get informed opinions. I was thinking more along the lines of what Jorts mentioned, but I am open to considering other ideas. I thought my current Merrells would work but they do not have the greatest traction on rock. I had read some threads, other than on this site, where approach shoes with softer rubber were recommended such as the Scarpa Crux.

[Briere]

If you are really concerned, you can always use APPROACH shoes for the APPROACH, then pull out some true rock climbing shoes for crux sections. We did that on Sunlight last year; probably overkill, but it was amazing how much less trepidation I had that last few hundred feet in a pair of Black Diamond rock shoes.

Sean Nunn

Personally, rock climbing shoes would feel super awkward on Sunlight (and all Class 3's); maybe expect the summit block, since it's mostly Class 3. Even then to save weight I just wore my normal trail running shoes without issue and did the summit block too. Normally for Class 4 stuff I use approach shoes like others are saying though.

[hellmanm]

Agree with others that approach shoes are the move. I used proper climbing shoes on Kit Carson’s N ridge and had a miserable time… it feels too weird making such a drastic shift mid-route after hiking for a while, and any walking steps are no fun at all.

Approach shoes are gold for 4th/low 5th, and I love my Salewa Wildfire Edge (especially in the obnoxiously bright blue and yellow color).

[Ed_Groves]

Regarding approach shoes, what brand would accommodate wide feet while still providing decent traction? I need a true wide shoe. For example, I tried on some La Sportiva wide hiking shoes a couple of years ago and they were too narrow, especially in the toe box.

[climbingcue]

Regarding approach shoes, what brand would accommodate wide feet while still providing decent traction? I need a true wide shoe. For example, I tried on some La Sportiva wide hiking shoes a couple of years ago and they were too narrow, especially in the toe box.

A quick google search came up with this.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/c ... oach-shoes

This review says the Scarpa Mescalito Planet is a great shoe for wide feet. No personal experience, but I think outdoor gear lab does a good job.