In my mind, this is very good because if I’m actually climbing, I’ll almost always use dedicated climbing shoes, while I spend most of my time in approach shoes hiking or scrambling (rather than climbing vertical rock). If possible, can you please comment about the TX3 versus the Arc’teryx Acrux FL (fixed liner, non-GTX) that you also reviewed?

After trying on a couple of other options, none of which fitted me well, the La Sportiva TX3 was suggested. The TX3's excellent arch support and stable sole kept us stable and confident no matter the terrain. Something like the Boulder X is more supportive for hiking but I think these climb better than the Boulder X.

The heel on the TX Guide has a very rigid heel counter provided by the PU heel wrap and fits very snug and secure. I’m able to get them snug and tight for uphill peak bagging, and then loosen up the toe box a bit of smooth stretches of downhill hiking. The outsole on the La Sportiva TX3 uses a Vibram MegaGrip compound on the Vibram Traverse outsole lug pattern. Good question, given that you’re comparing two shoes that are really built for the same purpose: hiking rugged terrain where you need excellent grip and traction and prefer a lightweight shoe.

This allows them to be perfectly comfortable on my broad feet, but also work well for a friend with narrow feet who laced them quite tightly. This is disappointing for an otherwise excellent approach shoe, but our concern for their long-term durability was echoed in reports from other professional mountain guides and in our experience after testing them for another year. At the same time, their mesh uppers, cushioned midsole, and healthy tread depth make them better than most approach shoes for hiking. I’ve been really interested in the new TX Guide since seeing them at OR, but even just holding the display shoe in my hand, I knew right away it was going to be too narrow for my foot.The TX Guide has decent flex at toe off like a mountain running shoe, but retains the torsional rigidity of an approach or hiking shoe. On the trail, the TX3 certainly is one of the most comfortable and high-performance approach shoes I have ever worn. They are torqued into cracks, bent into crevices in talus fields, and dragged up chimneys while clipped to the back of a harness.