Most hikers don't need an approach shoe, but the La Sportiva TX4 EVO ST is one of the few approach shoes that hikers might choose for rock scrambling. My connection at La Sportiva recommended the TX4 as the brand's best approach shoe for hikers. Over the past month, I've tested the TEX4 Evo with some rocky trails and off-trail hikes. My La Sportiva TX4 Evo review digs into this approach shoe with a focus on hiking—not climbing.
Testing the La SportivaTX4 Evo ST in New Mexico's Jemez Mountains
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La Sportiva TX4 Evo Review
I tested the La Sportiva TX4 EVO ST—the synthetic ("ST") version. But my takes also should hold true for the regular (leather) version. My test hikes focused on rocky New Mexico trails with plenty of rocks, including Embudito Canyon, and off trail routes near the Paliza Goblin Colony and Piedra Lisa Trail. Since approach shoes are made for more technical terrain, I didn't waste my time with easy trails or long-distance test hikes.
As always, my reviews are based on my first-hand testing experience and my experience as an outdoor industry professional. I'm the former footwear manager at a hiking and backpacking shop in the U.S. and test hiking footwear more than 1000 miles every year.
Testing the La Sportiva TX4 Evo off trail in the Sandia Mountains
Support
Overall, the La Sportiva TX4 Evo has moderate support by hiking shoe standards. It's stiff from the heel to the midfoot with moderate flex from the midfoot to the toes. The stiffness adds some foot support. That flex aids in this shoe's climbability.
The torsional rigidity is average. I did roll an ankle while descending the Piedra Lisa trail (not seriously) because the lateral support is just okay (and my ankle genetics suck). The rubber rand that wraps around the TX4 adds some foot and toe protection, which is helpful when navigating rocky footing.
TX4 Evo ST weight for a men's size 13 (XL size)
Weight
At 1 lb 15 oz per pair (men's size 13), the La Sportiva TX4 Evo ST meets my cutoff for a lightweight hiking shoe. (The women's weighs several ounces less.) If you're looking for weight savings, this shoe weighs 4-5 ounces less than a traditional pair of men's hiking shoes and about 6 ounces more than most trail running shoes I recommend for hiking.
For an alternative, La Sportiva's lightest hiking shoe is the Ultra Raptor 3—which I recommend.
The TX4 runs small but not as narrow as some La Sportivas
Fit
Like most approach shoes, the La Sportiva TX4 Evo has a snug fit—which increases its performance for climbing and scrambling. It's not as narrow as some La Sportiva approach shoes, but plan on a low volume and relatively narrow fit.
Climbers prefer a tight-fitting approach shoe, especially in the toes. If you're a hiker, however, you can size up a full size (or more) in the La Sportiva TX4 Evo to get more volume, width, and toe room. For example, I have wide feet but got a good-enough fit by sizing up 1.5 sizes from my everyday shoe size. (Hikers with normal feet won't need to size up that much.)
If you're after a precision fit, La Sportiva sells the TX4 in European sizes, which let you fine-tune the length more than U.S. sizing allows.
The TX4 EVO ST approach shoe prioritizes traction over comfort
Comfort
Generally speaking, approach shoes emphasive packability and traction more than comfort. In the climbing world, they're the appetizer (what you wear to get to your climb), not the main course (your climbing shoe). That said, if you're wearing the La Sportiva TX4 Evo for short and technical hikes, it's potentially comfortable.
The TX4 Evo is light on cushion to improve its trail feel, which is important if you're hiking through rock gardens or scrambling up or down a rock face. The trade off is your feet will absorb more impact (especially on rocks) and get more fatigued as the miles add up. For example, my feet cramped slightly the night after my longest test hike in the TX4.
When I was actively scrambling, I liked the TX4 Evo's feel. My feet felt locked into the shoe and locked onto the rocks I was traversing. When I was hiking more moderate trails to get to the fun stuff, however, I noticed the shoe's lack of cushioning and more constrictive fit.
One key is to get the correct fit. Many hikers buy this shoe too small. For hiking (not climbing), you want to size up for comfort. The other key is to remember that approach shoes aren't made for casual hikes or long-distance trails. The TX4 Evo's best use is negotiating technical terrain over shorter distances.
The La Sportiva TX4 EVO works as a desert hiking shoe
Weather Protection
The TX4 Evo is not designed for weather protection. It's not waterproof—or even water-resistant—making it a poor pick for wintry conditions.
For the same reasons, the La Sportiva TX4 Evo might make a solid desert hiking shoe. Living in arid New Mexico, I found the synthetic TX4 Evo St kept my feet ventilated and cooler during my test hikes in 90-degree temperatures. Even though this shoe isn't waterproof, the rubber rand (which adds an inch of water protection) would trap water inside the shoe if you swamp it on a water crossing.
The TX4 EVO's climbing traction, especially at the toes
Traction
Without a doubt, traction is by far the best reason to hike in the La Sportiva TX4 Evo St. La Sportiva is one of the world's best climbing shoe brands. Not surprisingly, they optimized this approach shoe for climbing and scrambling, including Vibram Megagrip rubber.
This is a great shoe has great traction on rocks, thanks to the climbing toe and broad lugs with soft rubber for friction. I scrambled weathered granite (Sandia mountains) and volcanic tuff (Jemez Mountains) aggressively on my test hikes. The deep heel brake and sharp edges on the 4mm lugs also dug into sand and gravel on the steep switchbacks of the Piedra Lisa and Embudito trails.
I love this shoe's tread for technical scrambling and via Ferattas. On my test hikes in the Jemez Mountains and off-trail side quests in the Sandias, I got great toe holds in the TX4. Plus, I descended steep rock faces hands-free in spots where I'm often on my butt or all fours when testing hiking shoes. That's the value of hiking in an approach shoe.
One of the women's colorways for the TX4 Evo ST
Value
At the time of publishing this review, La Sportiva priced both the TX4 Evo (leather) and TX4 Evo ST (synthetic) at $189. The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 ($169/$199 GORE-TEX) is the most versatile La Sportiva in that price range. However, the La Sportiva TX4 Evo is better for rock scrambling than the Ultra Raptor (even though I love its tread, too). If you'll mostly be scrambling, the TX4 Evo may be the better buy of the two.
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Men's La Sportiva TX4 EVO
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Women's La Sportiva TX4 EVO
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Pros & Cons: La Sportiva TX4 Evo
Should hikers buy the La Sportiva TX4 Evo approach shoe?
Because it's an approach shoe, the La Sportiva TX4 EVO isn't the best hiking shoe for the average hiker. However, if you mostly hike technical terrain, hit via Ferattas, and love to scramble rock features, the TX4 Evo approach shoe could be a killer hiking shoe for you. I also like the TX4 Evo ST (synthetic) as a desert hiking shoe because of its ventilation and excellent traction on rough terrain common in the American Southwest (where I live). If this shoe fits you (size up) and you mostly hike rocky and scrambly stuff, you may choose the TX4 Evo approach shoe over more conventional hiking shoes that can't match its traction.
Testing the La Sportiva TX4 Evo off the Piedra Lisa Trail
