La Sportiva Exum Ridge Shoe - Men's - 2007

In my opinion, the Exum is THE approach shoe. Period. Comfy shoes with a great lacing system. I run, scramble and train in this shoe, plus use them for my long 4-7 day expedition approach hikes (like Annapurna, K2, etc). They climb moderate rock routes with surprising agility, provided the feet inside them know what they're doing. These shoes have a short break-in period for my feet, and I also order them one half size (euro size) larger. I'm super hard on approach shoes, and find the Exum Ridge to be above average in durability. Remember, fit is everything, so even though you may like the Exum Ridge shoe, make sure they fit well. I have a flatter, low volume foot with a narrow heel.

I recently bought these shoes and love every second in them. They fit pretty true to my street shoe size. They are comfy and I can still use them for everything. I work at a rock gym and I can also use them for route setting and maintenance too. They look pretty sweet too. Functional and sweetly designed!

I have had these for years. They perform perfectly while hiking and just running around town, but when you put them up to scrambling and a dicey approach, they perform flawlessly. Get a pair!

I've used these shoes for backpacking, light hiking, trail running, moderate approaches, and easy climbing. THEY ARE BOMBER! Best shoe I've ever owned. The rubber is extremely sticky on them. The sole pattern provides excellent traction in dirt, while giving you enough surface area contact on rock. The only problem I've noticed is the sole started peeling back at the toe.... not a big deal especially with how much I've put them through. I'm definitely gonna buy another pair when these ones wear out.

My second pair, they fit my narrow size 47 perfect. Never slip or slide on any surface. I use them for travel, approach, trail running. Great camp shoe to accompany my La Sportiva Glacier Hiking Boots.

the title says it all.

These are the most comfortable shoes I have ever used for approaches and scrambles. Even worn them on some steep loose trail runs and they do an amazing job. Not as technical as some approach shoes or as nimble and light as some trail runners but they do both jobs pretty well. Size up in these though. I am usually a 10 and needed a 10.5+

These shoes are nice. I wear 8.5 US and ended up buying 41.5 for sportiva running shoes and 39 for its climbing shoes. These shoes feel like they lack cushioning compared to its other shoes, but the shoe just feels great when you make the approach and although people think they look ugly, I think they are great looking. Can easily pull off easy routes too. Not great for long hikes or running though. I recommend, (if you have to wear sportiva trail shoes, get the pikes peak for more cushioning)

My new approach weapon for the Canadian Rockies and desert climbing. I normally prefer trail runners for desert approaches and a light boot for Canadian Rockies approaches. This is a wonderful hybrid that my wife had turned me onto....that gets both jobs done well with little weight, which is a factor since we are normally carrying our boots/shoes up and over a route. Takes the scree bashing fairly well in comparison to others.

The Exum Ridge shoe is a very durable trail shoe that handles the rocks very well. I like the stability without too much stiffness. The only drawback is the tongue of the shoe. Too much material, especially on the sides of the tongue. This needs a little work. Fix this problem and it is a great shoe.

This shoe has a very comfortable fit, gives better-than-average rock protection, with a good forward flex. My narrow feet feel right at home. They are quickly becoming my weekend favorites.

I have three other pairs of La Sportiva footwear - heavy K3 boots, Mythos climbing shoes, and some hiking boots as well. These remind of a cross between a boot and a climbing shoe. They are very comfortable but rugged and protect your feet very well. Lacing is very nice. Grip is great for running or for scrambling. Great QC - not a stitch out of place, very nicely put together. Not waterproof at all - the grey parts are actually mesh that provide ventilation, but let the water (and cold air) through as well.

I was blown away by these shoes. They fit amazing out of the box and it just got better. The sticky dot rubber on the front is great for technical footwork. Especially when the trail becomes more vertical. Great for any excursion.

Approaches, light hikes, scrambling, mountain and trail running - you name the activity it does it better than any other shoe on the market!!!

Trust me; I've tried all the other brand's "top of the line" shoes and they can't hold a candle to this one for fit, toughness and capability - La Sportiva has got a huge winner here.

About my only complaint (I'm a heavier guy) would be for a little more cushioning in the forefoot area.

I have narrow feet and they fit great once you get the right size. Order at least a half size up.

This shoe is really an approach shoe and I am not sure it would be recommended for 100 mile runs. However under certain wet and muddy conditions, it sticks to rocks and roots like no other shoe due to the suction cup type sole. This is my second pair and I would highly recommend them for specific applications.

This is a very comfortable trail running shoe. I use these La Sportivas for both trail running and fastpacking / light backpacking. I don't get any hot spots with this trail runner and I've found this to be the grippiest sole of any trail runner I've ever had. When scaling some of the 14ers, I feel like I have a rock climbing shoe on as I smoke through the boulder fields. If you're hiking in wet conditions, get a different shoe as the high water mark on the la sportiva exum ridge is less than a half inch (ie step in a 3/4 inch puddle and you've got wet feet). Great trail runner though all around.

I've owned these shoes for about a month, and have been very pleased so far. They are excellent on class 3 scrambling through lower 5th class rock. The top of the shoe is a breathable mesh, which helps with comfort during summer. They do get wet easy in fairly shallow water, but they dry quickly with the mesh.