Patagonia Footwear Karakoram Approach Shoe - Men's - 2009 BCS

I've been rocking the Karakoram for sereval months now walking around in South America. I really love these shoes! After about two days of wear they wrapped around my foot like a glove. They are now as comfortable as my favorite pair of hiking boots.
I have not experienced any of the sole cracking reported in these shoes, nor the water feet.

Such a shame that Patagonia stopped making them, I came looking to buy another pair, but alas, the brightest stars burn out too soon.

Although mine are still pretty new, the fit seems right on and with a little bit of breaking in I have a feeling these will rock. I got these as a replacement for a pair of Patagonia Huckleberry that I wore out after several years of reliable use. I liked the look and feel of the Huckleberry as an all around hiking/approach shoe, but I missed the sticky rubber of a true approach shoe. These seem very similar to the Huckleberry but with the advantage (for me) of sticky rubber and the more durable coated upper. For approaches and scrambling these should do the job nicely, and probably decent enough for the occasional boulder problem when I come across something interesting and don't have my climbing shoes with me.

I am really digging the Karakorams. I had/have a pair of the Finns, which I did a lot of hiking and cycle touring in, but ultimately they've broken down a lot faster than I would have expected them to, both the lining and the upper where the eyelets have pulled loose. I think Patagonia has tried to address these issues, and the feeling that the Finns were not "real" approach shoes, with the Karakorams.
The PU-coated leather (sounds burly, huh?) makes for a much, much tougher upper, a big upgrade if real rock-rubbing scrambling and hiking is a regular item on the menu. No eyelets, just loops, so no pulling out and they look to be a pretty durable solution as well. Rubber is STICKY. The Vibram Idrogrip soles are another big upgrade and help to turn these into shoes that have real approach chops. If you are wearing them around town you'll feel the soles gripping the sidewalk. Interesting sensation. The lining is still the big question, since it was one of the first things to go in mine and all of my fellow salespersons' shoes. It looks and feels better, but only time will tell.
All in all, a real approach shoe that looks built for the long haul with quality materials all the way around. If you are going to wear this for hiking, working outside or just to wear around town, size to your normal street shoe size. If you want them for serious approach duties, and you have a narrower foot, I would consider sizing down by a half-size. Definitely my favorite Patagonia shoe so far.

I bought these about about a month ago to replace my pair of La Sportiva Boulders. The thing I didn't like about the Boulders was that they were very, very tight in the toe, even ordering a size up. No such problems with the Patagonias! I haven't put them through their proper paces yet outdoors, but I've worn them every day walking around the hilly streets of San Francisco and tested their grip doing easy bouldering at an indoor climbing gym.

The Good:
*Vibram rubber grips steep slopes well and foot holds
*Sole is stiff enough to edge on easy climbing
*Footbed has a perfect combination of enough give to not wear out my feet but firm enough for scrambling
*Sizing matches street shoe sizes, without being overly snug or loose
*Material feels very durable, and will be able to take scuffing on rock

The Bad:
*The stiff sole and rubber will take some time to break in. Do not buy these the day before you head for the mountains. It took me about a week of wearing them every day to soften them up.
*The fat laces aren't great at staying snugly tied. I'd suggest they copy NuBalance's laces which alternate thick/thin.
*If I crank the laces really tight, the second row of lace loops put pressure on the top of my foot. Normal tightness is fine.

Bottom Line:
A solid approach shoe that can actually do what it's name implies.

I love these shoes for hiking, but i would not say they're a true approach shoe. the karakoram is a bit to rigid and stiff for me to be climbing in. also if you're hiking through any sticker bushes, you will have pokey stickers catching the shoe's liner (and stabbing your ankle). they are a very comfortable, durable hiking shoe. the rigidity of the shoe puts a little spring in your step. you can't help but love to see other people look at them either.

These shoes are very comfy and they bottom is very grippy. I just got them in they are doing great...i reccomend them for hiking or climbing....overall GREAT SHOE!

Had these boots for two months. The ruber on the sole was thin to start with and did not last. Last week the sole split. Off to the bin.