Approach shoes
Encyclopedia
Approach shoes are hybrid footwear with some characteristics common to both hiking boots and rock climbing shoes. Like a shoe or boot designed for hiking
, a properly fitting approach shoe can be worn comfortably while walking for long distances. Like a climbing shoe, an approach shoe generally has a specialised sticky rubber sole which maintains traction on steeper grades
of rock. It performs neither discipline perfectly, and more specialised footwear should be worn on more extreme terrain, or when carrying heavier loads. Approach shoes typically do not have effective insulation in the sole, which limits their effectiveness for hiking over hot surfaces or in cold conditions.
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, a properly fitting approach shoe can be worn comfortably while walking for long distances. Like a climbing shoe, an approach shoe generally has a specialised sticky rubber sole which maintains traction on steeper grades
Grade (climbing)
In rock climbing, mountaineering and other climbing disciplines, climbers give a climbing grade to a route that concisely describes the difficulty and danger of climbing the route...
of rock. It performs neither discipline perfectly, and more specialised footwear should be worn on more extreme terrain, or when carrying heavier loads. Approach shoes typically do not have effective insulation in the sole, which limits their effectiveness for hiking over hot surfaces or in cold conditions.