La Sportiva TX Guide Approach Shoe Review

La Sportiva’s TX series has achieved legendary status among climbers, mountaineers, and hikers alike, and their TX Guide approach shoe is purpose-built for technical missions on steep rocky terrain. Between the narrow and precise toe, Vibram outsole, and stiff construction, the TX Guide has proven itself fully capable of handling tricky scrambles and low to mid 5th class climbing. I’ve put over 100 miles into the TX Guide over the last year, and while I haven't found it to be the most capable (or comfortable) as a long-distance hiker with a heavy pack, I'm thoroughly sold on its technical prowess. Below, I detail my experiences with the La Sportiva TX Guide approach shoe. For a wider view of the market, see our articles on the best approach shoes and best hiking shoes. 
 

Table of Contents

• Hiking Performance
• Scrambling Performance
• Waterproofing and Breathability
• Weight
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• Sustainability
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Hiking

After wearing the La Sportiva TX Guide on a range of hikes and approaches over the last year, I’ve come away impressed with its stability, protection, and grip. In comparison with a traditional running shoe, the TX Guide feels significantly stiffer, which I found helpful when hauling climbing gear on the 20-mile approach to Cathedral Peak. The EVA midsole provided just enough underfoot cushion without sacrificing stability or responsiveness. In fact, I found these shoes to be much more precise than the Hoka trail runner I packed along as a backup shoe. The rubber toe rand and TPU shank also offered plenty of protection from the rocky trails, and I especially appreciated how the thick mesh upper kept the dirt on loose sections of trail out of the shoe. I also had great luck with the Vibram outsole and slanted lug pattern, which proved extremely grippy on all the rocks, downed logs, and loose trails I encountered.
 

The only gripe I had with the hiking performance of these shoes was their fit. I generally prefer a narrower shoe, but I found the TX Guide much too narrow for all-day comfort. After hiking 20 miles with a heavy pack, my toes were numb. The shoes were comfortable for the most part on shorter hikes with a lighter daypack, but I don’t see myself reaching for them again for any long-distance hiking. 

Scrambling

I wasn’t entirely surprised to find that the TX Guide performs well on scrambles. Between the narrow and precise toe box, generous toe rand, and Vibram Megagrip and Idrogrip outsole, these shoes are a beast on low to mid 5th class climbing. They were precise enough to trust on small edges, grippy enough for slab, and if the fit wasn’t so uncomfortable for me, I’d happily jam these shoes in a hand crack. The thick upper and stiff midsole also provided plenty of support for long sections of technical scrambling. At the end of the day, if there’s one thing this shoe really excels at, it’s climbing. I’d recommend them to anyone who's narrow-footed and looking for a precise and trustworthy approach shoe.
 

Waterproofing and Breathability

Although the TX Guide doesn’t come equipped with any kind of waterproof membrane or DWR coating, it proved plenty water-resistant for most fair-weather hiking and scrambling. To be fair, I only tested these shoes in dry summer conditions and on trails with creeks that could be crossed with careful rock-hopping, so they didn’t get a proper waterproofing test. I don’t think they would hold up long in consistent rain or on muddy trails, but I had no worries in shallow water or light drizzles. The thicker upper definitely helped keep these relatively water-resistant without affecting breathability too much. After hiking in 90-degree heat in Eastern Washington, my feet came away only moderately sweaty. A thinner mesh shoe will certainly breathe better, but this wasn't a dealbreaker for me.
 

Weight

The weight of my pair (size 10.5) comes in at 1 pound 10.7 ounces, which is just a few ounces heavier than La Sportiva's claimed weight of 1 pound 8.6 ounces. They land about midpack in the current market: La Sportiva’s TX4 Evo, for instance, weighs a bit more at 1 pound 12.0 ounces, while the thinner TX2 Eco weighs a bit less at 1 pound 4.4 ounces. I found the weight of the TX Guide negligible. They weren't clunky or heavy in use, and if anything, their stiffness and thicker materials made them feel more stable and durable.
 

Build Quality and Durability

After putting about 100 miles into my pair, there isn’t any severe damage to report. There are some signs of wear along the upper where the cuff of the shoe meets my ankle, as well as some light damage to the bottom of the shoe, but otherwise they look as good as they did out of the box. The burly mesh upper has so far held up well to heavy use, and all smaller details—such as eyelets, stitching, and laces—are all high quality. 
 

However, it’s worth pointing out that many other users have reported durability issues. The most frequent complaints include unthreading of stitching, delamination, and rapid deterioration of the outsole, especially when climbing on sandstone. I haven’t experienced any issues this severe to date, but I’ll be sure to report back if any arise. While La Sportiva’s warranty policy doesn’t cover normal wear and tear, you can submit a warranty claim through their website for more serious issues. 

Fit and Sizing

The TX Guide’s narrow toe box is purpose-built for precision on technical terrain, but, in my experience, it comes with a significant sacrifice of comfort. Even after sizing up by half a size and loosening the laces all the way, I found the toe box far too small. My pinky toes experienced severe pain on long hikes as they had to be folded in to fit inside the shoe. La Sportiva is known for their narrow footwear, but the TX Guide falls on the extreme end of the spectrum. I don't recommend these shoes to anyone with a wide forefoot, and I highly encourage everyone to try them on before buying.
 

Sustainability

Sustainability has taken center stage in the outdoor gear industry, with brands incorporating more recycled materials, chemical-free manufacturing, and ethical labor practices. The TX Guides reflect this shift with a few eco-conscious features: a recycled rubber insole, laces made from 100% recycled polyester, and fully vegan construction. While these touches are commendable, I’d like to see the brand go further by incorporating more recycled components and pursuing certifications such as Bluesign and Fair Trade.
 

Other Versions of the TX Guide

I tested the men’s version of the TX Guide, but La Sportiva also offers the shoe in a women’s version. Aside from the women’s specific fit and color, the two share the same features. While our team hasn't tested the women’s version yet, reviews report a similarly narrow fit. Both the men’s and women’s come in leather versions as well, which feature a Nubuck and Roughout leather upper. The leather versions are a bit cheaper than the mesh, but users have reported even poorer durability, especially in the upper. It’s also worth checking out other options in La Sportiva’s TX line if the Guides sound intriguing but not quite right for your foot (several are included in our list of the best approach shoes). 
 

What We Like

• Stiff construction, generous toe rand, TPU shank, and moderate EVA midsole give these shoes the stability, protection, and cushion needed to tackle a range of hiking trails.
• Vibram outsole and precise, narrow toe is grippy and confidence-inspiring on technical scrambles into the 5th class.
• Thick upper materials hold up to light rain, shallow creek crossings, and keep the shoe debris-free without sacrificing much breathability.
• Lightweight construction keeps these shoes fast-moving and comfortable.
   

What We Don’t

• While we haven’t experienced any major durability issues to date, other users report early signs of wear throughout the shoe.
• The extremely short and narrow toe box led to major discomfort on long hikes with a heavy backpack, specifically in the pinky toe.
• We’d love to see a greater use of recycled materials in the next iteration. 
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

It’s clear to see why the TX Guide is a top choice for climbers looking for a precise shoe for technical missions, but there’s no shortage of options to consider. From within La Sportiva's TX line, the TX4 Evo strikes us as a great alternative for those on the hunt for an all-around approach shoe that better balances comfort, durability, and performance. Like the Guide, the TX4 Evo’s Vibram Megagrip outsole is incredibly sticky and trustworthy on the trail as well as on more technical terrain. We’ve experienced some issues with fit and comfort in the latest version (it’s noticeably narrower and stiffer than the last), but they certainly lean more comfortable than the Guide, which might make them a better choice for those with finicky feet. 
 

Scarpa is La Sportiva’s most direct competitor, and their Rapid XT approach shoe is worth a look. The Rapid XT takes a sharper turn from the Guide’s technical slant with its trail runner-inspired build, but it’s also significantly more comfortable on long hikes. The Vibram Agility and Megagrip outsole still performs fairly well on low-class scrambles (especially if you size down to make up for the more flexible toe), but you shouldn’t expect it to be as trustworthy as the Guide. If you're still looking for technical performance, the Arc'teryx's Konseal boasts a number of high-performance features, including stiff carbon support, a Vibram outsole (XS Flash 2), and an abrasion-resistant Nubuck leather upper. While we haven't had the chance to test both the Konseal and Guide side-by-side, we expect the Konseal to be more comfortable and durable in the long run without sacrificing much in technical performance. That said, there's still no denying the Guide's reputation for being the ultimate shoe for dedicated climbers.
Back to the La Sportiva Guide Review  See Our Approach Shoe Guide