When boiled down, this is a running shoe with sticky rubber to improve security during exposed moves.

The one thing they all share is the goal of blending the traits of both hiking and climbing shoes, but most tend to lean toward one end of that spectrum.After about 40 days, the TX3’s the upper has been holding up better than on other light approach shoes I’ve used like the Evolv Cruzer Classic and La Sportiva TX2. Climbers today are asking more of their approach shoes than ever before, especially when it comes to fifth-class climbing ability. What I want may not be possible – a good runner and a good scrambling shoe just have two different parameters.

The TX2 is a touch shorter and has a lower-volume toe box, and at least for me, I think the TX3’s wider toe box allows my toes to splay more and grip the rock better. This is primarily achieved because the upper is made from a lightweight synthetic PolyMesh material. We had a very warm Fall here in So Cal, and my feet would sweat quite a bit on those 90+ degree days. After using my first pair of TX3s for around 20 canyoning days, they were completely fine other than the lacing system.Users with narrow feet will slide around in these shoes and will fit better in the La Sportiva TX Guide. If a shoe manufacturer asked me to design my ideal, low-cut hiking shoe, I’d say it should be lightweight, with good flex yet enough cushion and support for rugged dayhikes and ultralight backpacking.

For people looking for a balance of scrambling and hiking performance in a single approach shoe, I think the TX3 is a great option. And while the midsole of the TX3 is well armored with a rubber rand, the mesh uppers are susceptible to tears on rocky trails such as you can find in Scotland. The Scarpa Crux offers the best bang for the buck, especially if climbing ability is most important. The bulkier Mescalito Planet is also one of the heaviest approach shoes on the market, which makes them a pain to carry up multi-pitch climbs.

I reviewed the TX3 a few years ago and loved it, but the shoe left we wishing for a little more cushion underfoot. I’m able to get them snug and tight for uphill peak bagging, and then loosen up the toe box a bit of smooth stretches of downhill hiking. I want something lightweight but that matches what I need for both everyday use but when out on mountain days.

The stiff polyester uppers are bomber, and a thick rubber rand covers the toes while a rubberized heel guard protect the back of the shoe. Unfortunately, the shape of the TX3’s toe box made for a strange and unideal fit with my Petzl Leopard FL aluminum crampons. The award-winning La Sportiva TX4 and Salewa Wildfire 2 are more comfortable for hiking than the soft climbing-focused approach shoes, yet climb very well nonetheless, and strike a good balance for users who need a shoe that can both climb and hike long distances. I believe the uppers of the Acrux FL will survive more abuse than the lighter mesh of the TX3; look at pictures of both shoes and you’ll see the difference in the materials of the uppers. I’ve hauled gear, food, and water for 3 (65lbs) without issue, and have hopped around on talus and scree that felt like flat land.To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. The midfoot fit of the TX Guide is on the narrow side and very similar to the Bushido II and Lycan 2. The TX Guide has decent flex at toe off like a mountain running shoe, but retains the torsional rigidity of an approach or hiking shoe. If you're interested in the best rock climbing ropes or looking for the best climbing harness, we've got you covered for all things climbing, including a curated list of the top climbing gear out there. To simplify, I would describe the Ultra Raptor as great for someone who wants a light hiking shoe or trail running shoe that performs both jobs well.