REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Comfortable
Supportive
Climb well
REASONS TO AVOID
Synthetic uppers not as durable as leather
La Sportiva TX2 Review
These are our first recommendation for the majority of climbers due to elite all-around performance
Credit: La Sportiva
RELATED: Best Approach Shoes of 2024
Our Verdict
The La Sportiva TX2 is the best approach shoe we've ever put on! Stop reading and go buy these right now! Or keep reading to find out if these lightweight, comfortable shoes that climb and hike equally well are right for you. Seriously though, it's rare that our testers have such a unanimously favorable endorsement of a product with zero caveats. We've tested many pairs of approach shoes, and the TX2s are the best for Sierra scrambles, lugging a big pack of cams up to the Cliffs of Insanity, and can even do some moderate technical climbing. These shoes are part of Sportiva's impressive TX line, and the burlier La Sportiva TX4 is a previous Editors' Choice Award winner for its comfort and durability. The TX2 is more than just a lighter version of the TX4, and unless you're seeking approach shoes for standing in aiders, toiling for days on a big wall, we suggest the TX2.
Editor's Note: We updated this review for the TX2 on May 20, 2022, with information about the updated version, the TX2 Evo.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Above, the photos depict the TX2 we tested (left) next to the new TX2 Evo (right). The updated shoe features a sock-like ankle cuff, some sustainable materials, and a new outsole that is re-soleable. We've yet to test this updated model, so we can't sing its praises the way we have for the TX2 we reviewed here, though we plan to test it during our next review cycle and will report back with our findings on how the Evo model measures up.
Note that our affiliate links may point to a mix of the older version and this newer TX2 Evo model, depending on availability.
Note that our affiliate links may point to a mix of the older version and this newer TX2 Evo model, depending on availability.
The La Sportiva TX2 knocks it outta the park in all our metrics, really raising the bar for what we expect from an approach shoe. While other models are made from more durable leather and better for wall climbing, we know that the majority of climbers are using their approach shoes to access and descend, and the TX2s are more than up to the task, and are much lighter and more breathable than the aforementioned shoes. These shoes climb better than almost every other shoe in our review, and only the Guide Tennie can handle technical terrain as well as the TX2.
Performance Comparison
This sports car of an approach shoe is light, fast, with excellent handling. The nimble nature of these shoes make them comfortable for most approaches, especially single day missions.
Credit: matt Bento
Climbing Ability
These shoes have a snugger fit than the TX4's, and the tongue is sewn to the inside of the shoe all the way up the medial side of the foot. When we crank down the laces, we get a tight, stable fit that feels very similar to a climbing shoe.
Edging
The laces on the TX2 go all the way down the toe so you can get a tight fit when it's time for some technical edging. In a men's size 9.5, our lead tester's usual street shoe size, his toe sits perfectly at the end of the shoe for edging, but the shoe isn't so tight that it makes hiking uncomfortable. Maybe the leather uppers on the TX4 stretches more than the Synthetic TX2, whatever the case, TX2 edges better than the TX4, and almost as well as our Top Pick for climbing, the Five Ten Guide Tennie.
The shoes climbing almost as well as the Guide Tennie and are much lighter.
Credit: Matt Bento
Smearing
The Vibram Megagrip sole is plenty sticky, and our testers had a lot of fun pushing the limits of what they could climb in an approach shoe, smearing and stemming up granite climbs, some even in the 5.10 range. These shoes have a similar tread pattern to the TX4s and feature a smooth lugless area at the end of the toe for maximizing rubber to rock contact. When wearing TX2s to the crag, all warm-ups got done in the TX2s.
The smooth “climbing zone” on the toe of this shoe is great for smearing.
Credit: Matt Bento
Crack Climbing
The low-profile toe can weasel easily into cracks down to tight red Camalots, or about 2 inches. Since these shoes can get so snug with the laces cranked down, we felt super secure in hand cracks; our feet didn't roll around inside the shoe. If you find yourself climbing lots of cracks in your approach shoes, you may want to choose a tougher leather shoe. Fortunately, this shoe is also available in a leather version.
The laces on these shoes go far down the toe, so you crank them really tight, ensuring a snug fit for crack climbing.
Credit: Matt Bento
Hiking Comfort
The TX2s have all the comfort of their big brothers but have a very breathable knitted upper that doesn't stretch, keeps your feet cooler, and keeps the foot stank down. The ankle is lined with a soft, almost fleece-like material. This not only feels great, but it also creates a dirt-proof seal around our ankles, keeping the dirt and fine sand found on many High Sierra descents out of the shoe.
These shoes also fit well in “lazy mode” around camp; even with the laces completely loose, the shoe stayed on remarkably well.
Credit: Matt Bento
Support
This shoe offers an incredible amount of support, especially considering its low weight. Without a heavy pack, they kept our testers' feet fresh for miles. Carry around 40 lbs we didn't notice a difference between these shoes and the TX4s. The TX4s are more supportive, but unless you're carrying massive haul bags deep into the Paine, the TX2s have plenty of support for most climbers.
The tongue is sewn into the shoe all the way down the medial side. This makes them a little more involved to get on and off but makes for a great fit for climbing.
Credit: Matt Bento
Weight & Packability
These shoes are a super light 20.3 oz, one of the lightest shoes in our review. They feature what Sportiva calls the “C2 Combo Cord System”. The Combo Cord is an elastic cord that wraps around the heel of both shoes, held in place by a little groove. Put the shoes together upper to upper, heel to toe, and you can secure the shoes together in a tight package. Gimmicky? Maybe, but if you like to climb multi-pitch routes without a cumbersome backpack, you'll be climbing with shoes hanging from your harness for the descent.
The cord system keeps the shoes in a compact configuration, and they balance well with a water bottle hanging on the other side of the harness. And if you don't mind climbing with a pack on, these low-profile shoes take up a minimal amount of space in a pack, slightly less than a Nalgene bottle.
The “Combo Cord System” uses elastic cords that stow behind the heel to secure the shoes together in a neat package for clipping to your harness.
Credit: Matt Bento
Value
A pair of these shoes offer top-of-the-line performance without costing the most. Wonderful!
The TX2 (left) and its heavyweight cousin, the TX4
Credit: matt Bento
Conclusion
A good approach shoe can turn a long slog to the cliff into an enjoyable walk in the woods. In the past, our lead tester guided for an entire summer in a blown-out pair of approach shoes, shouldering heavy packs and putting lots of miles over four months, leaving him hobbling for most of the fall. Don't fool around with your feet! Even these lightweight shoes have plenty of support, so even the most weight-conscious climbers have no excuse not to treat their feet nice. Call us short-sighted, but right now we can't imagine a better approach shoe than the TX2, and we're happy to award it the Editors' Choice.
The tread pattern works well for dirt, mud and talus, and is very similar to the tread pattern on the TX4.
Credit: Matt Bento
—Matt Bento
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