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Put on the Boulder X and avoid the easy, boring way.

Make good time navigating miles of house-sized boulders when you wear the La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoe. Even with a heavy expedition pack, the sticky rubber tread and Impact Brake System give you confidence on wet or dry rock. With two layers of soft EVA in the footbed and midsole, your feet can make it from the car to camp without bruising or blistering. On the most demanding approaches, the leather upper and rubber toe rand hold up to your foot dragging and stone kicking, and the mesh liner covering the tongue and rear-foot add some breathability to summer rock hops.

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La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoe - Men's

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Here's what others have to say...

4 5

Gregory Luber

Member since 

If you are looking for a climbing specific approach shoe this is not your shoe. If you are looking for a super comfy shoe to get you to the crag and back there is nothing better. I wear mine to school every day and no one even looks twice. Like the title says great shoes not the best climbers. And they don't work super well on snow and ice.

5 5

Mitch

Member since 

This are the best approach shoes I have ever worn.
I have hobbit feet, my feet come in between 8.5-9 EE. So traditionally Sportiva's don't fit my fat feet. I ended up going with a 42.5 and they fit amazingly. The super soft supple leather really stretches and forms to your feet.
These things climb just as well as they hike, I feel comfortable climbing v3/5.10+ in these shoes.
The rubber is super soft to expect to make these a designated approach shoe only. They tear up quite quickly on granite approaches.
Ditch the stock insoles and get some super feet and you will want to sleep in these babies.

5 5

adap293959

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

These things stick to rock like they have crazy glue on them. They're super durable, minimalist design, I anticipate many miles out of these bad boys. I'm on my third year with my first pair, then been down slot canyons, up to the top of angels landing, through the boulder fields of joshua tree, and I've done a few 14'ers in em too. Barely showing any sign of wear

5 5

Patrick Mulligan

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I've put these things through the wringer over the last year + and they're in need of replacement. I don't know the total mileage I have on them but in two (out of several) climbing trips alone I put 40 miles on them. I sized up from a 9 to a 10 to give myself some room on steep and slabby descents and they have saved my toes. The leather breaths but is still warm (expect to sweat), but the lining works and the shoes were always comfortable. The padding in the sole is soft and on rocky terrain absorbs most of the shock. I've hiked enough to wear through the vibram on both heels of the shoes. If you're looking for more support and stiffer shoes that are better at edging either go with the Ganda's or my new Favs the Salewas. One real benefit here in the desert is that the shoe seems to do a very good job of keeping out debris like fine sand in Red Rock or DG in the Eastern Sierra.

2 5

efh5619620

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I returned this product before using it

Seemed well made, but not comfortable on my feet.

5 5

Rog79

Member since 

I picked these up at the warehouse as an everyday shoe/sometimes day hiker. It was love at first wear. Compared to the Merrells they were replacing, I don't think they are stiff in any way. The Merrells were like walking on 2x4s compared to these. I don't really understand the stiffness that others here are complaining about. The leather upper is also very soft easily broken in. I have a long but narrow foot and these fit well. They don't have a lot of material on the side which I tend to run into in size 13/14 shoes I buy so it's a good, snug fit. Good arch support as well. Overall, a great shoe for what I use it for.

1 5

Jonathan

Member since 

These were designed with this little plastic piece in the heel. Once these stiff ass hell shoes start "breaking in," the heel rips like almost all shoes and this plastic piece is exposed.

I tried fighting through the pain but eventually developed a large blister that eventually got infected creating some scar tissue on the back of my heel.

I ordered mine from R.E.I. and returned them after a couple months of use. Really uncomfortable and stiff approach shoe. I'm not very happy with this product at all!!!

They wear down in weird ways and the soles deteriorate quickly. Boo!

2 5

Tim

Member since 

I purchased these shoes two months ago from Backcountry and have ~50 miles on them, including a climb of the OS route of the Grand Teton last weekend. During that climb, the shoelace guide on one shoe completely ripped out, making it difficult to properly tighten the shoes.
Also have holes wearing through the fabric below the laces.
Not pleased with these at all.
I have had better luck with other La Sportiva products, so perhaps my pair of these shoes slipped past QC somehow?
NOTE: big thanks to Backcountry for letting me return these shoes! BC is the best!!

3 5

Johnathan Rambo

Member since 

I really like the design of the Boulder x. The cushioning around the ankle is 2nd to none, but unfortunately like a lot of la Sportiva and Asolo footwear the toe box is just too small for myself. I understand this is an approach shoe, but the to box did not work for me personally and I see it is working for a lot of other people. What I do like is the cushioning, the design and overall build. The vibram sole is super sticky and the the wrap around rubber on the uppers is a huge plus making it great for scrambling and a little technical touch here and there. The leather uppers are incredibly durable and are for sure going to last you a long time. I think the lacing system is ok, but I feel is puts a little too much pressure on the tarsals for my taste, but can be more comfortable worn lose (defeats the purpose I know, but like I said they did not work for me). The price is not so bad considering shoes like the Ganda are packing the hefty $200 + tag so they are a pretty good deal. If you have a narrow to medium set of feet than I think you would be really happy with this product. My phalanges just flex with too much expansion to make these work. I wear a 10.5 in most shoes and for sizing purposes I went with a size 44.5 so I would say the sizing runs a little small and if you aren't sure size up and get a couple sizes to do your own comparison, you can always return a pair.

Kam Ilkhanipour

Member since 
Responded on

Try the scarpa crux....I have a medium wide foot and they fit me pretty well. Just got them and have done some training and bouldering and so far so good.

4 5

ger5232323

Member since 
Groups:

These are comfortable and well-built although a bit bulky. They've worn very well so far and will probably last a long time. My only long-term concern is that sole doesn't wrap around to the upper part of the shoe like soles on some approach shoes, so there might be the possibility of the sole pulling loose. But there's been no problem so far after considerable use.

4 5

james tepner

Member since 

My first approach shoes and for the price I believe I chose well. Light weight feel, no break-in, cushy inside and sticky outside. Much more fun for quick-local hikes and scrambles than my hiking boots! The lacing works well and helps dial in the fit for scrambling as well as holding the heel back nicely for hiking. The sticky rand goes along the sides and up the heel (see images.)
True to street size in my experience, I have a moderately wide foot.

5 5

Spencer Marr

Member since 
Groups:

Love these shoes. I was a little worried at first since I bought these mainly for wearing around for every day use. I figured the soles would wear pretty fast, but that is not the case. I've been wearing them every day for a few months now and the soles still look new!

5 5

Andy Voorhees

Member since 

This is a great shoe, one of the best approach shoes I've ever worn. I've worn them on backpacking trips as well on several occasions and have never had an issue. They are super stiff which I like in my shoes and boots and after having been worn constantly for the past 8 months they are still very stiff and supportive.

where are these shoes manufactured ?

Michael

Member since 
Posted on

where are these shoes manufactured ?

Josh Larsen

Member since 
Responded on

La Sportiva is made in Italy.

dob5240022

Member since 
Responded on

The tag on mine says made in china, like too much stuff these days.

danp445129

Member since 
Responded on

social mobility in China is made possible because they have worked hard to create an economic and political climate that welcomes foreign direct investment (like La Sportiva moving some or all of it's manufacturing to a factory in China from a factory in Italy) and literally millions of people have been lifted out of poverty, and the United States has been able to run a capital surplus as a result, keeping our government running.

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