I've had these shoes for around 8 months and I've really liked them. I would call them a "lower angle approach" shoe, the elastic heel is awesome for slipping on and off without having to untie, but this feature makes it hard to keep your toe in the front of the shoe on some steep scrambles/routes. I really like the easy on-off without having to crush a finger using it as a shoehorn, though. The rubber is awesome too, it really does make a difference when you're boulder hopping through talus fields or descending slabs, the rubber is definitely superior to normal skate shoes for this. the last thing I'll say is that they're nice to wear without socks.
No they aren't a full on approach shoe, look at the fact that BD has a line of approach shoes and these are the least technical option of the line. They do what they were designed to do very well (I've been wearing mine for 9 months) and they meet my needs for anything short of a 1,000 ft 4th class scramble to the base of a route.
Basically, for me it breaks down like this. For all my multi-pitch climbing where I need to scramble and walk off I use my LaSportiva TX2's. Awsome approach shoes with only one shortcoming; they wear out fast. But I guess thats the price for being as light as they are. Unfortunatly, I can't go multi-pitch climbing every day, and I do like to boulder as well. That means that most days I go to the gym or the local crag after work. Now, not wanting to change shoes several times a day, the BD sessions are perfect, and I don't have to prematurly wear out my expensive T2X's. The BD's are stylish enough that I would want to sport them at work, and can still handle light approaches and scrambles at the local crag. Also, I almost always end up feeling out boulders both at the gym and at the crag before I put on my climbing shoes, and have worn holes in several pairs of trainers that way. Thus, it's nice to have a shoe you can climb a bit in. To sum up, I love the BD sessions, and feel like they are more robust, more stylish and climb better that previous iterations of the "street/approach-shoe" from other companies such as Evolve, Scarpa etc...
I have a pair of Arc'teryx Arakys that have a collapsible heel (but it isn’t stretchy) that I really enjoy using for shorter approaches. The collapsible heel is great for belaying, and I don’t struggle with inclines (as the heel stays put), but for longer approaches I’ll still lean towards a pair of approach shoes with laces. I see the intention from BD, but I can definitely understand how having a stretchy heel would reduce the effectiveness of this as a genuine approach shoe.
They are great for short less-technical approaches. I also wear mine a little tighter so I haven't noticed the heel being loose, which I think helps when scrambling.
Have worn mine all summer in the UK and Italy. Awesome shoes, very comfortable and light, especially for the high 30Cs of Calabria. They'll handle light scrambling as you said, they're an ideal indoor route setting shoe too! They will get me everywhere I need to go for climbing. Only downside is that they're a bit pricey.
I don’t climb, but considering these as a travel shoe for walking around city and doing shorter day hikes in dry climate. I like them aesthetically and I feel like i might be able to dress them up or down somewhat. What do you think?
@@Seanonyoutube Hi Sean, I reckon they'd be ideal for you. For doing what you've got in mind these shoes are what you want, comfy city shoes which can take dry trails with no problem. When they're clean they do look pretty smart too!
Rockier terrain, especially the base of multipitch, where climbing rubber would be appreciated. If the approach is predominantly dirt and flat rock, you’re just wearing out the approach shoes. My usual spot to recommend em is Red Rocks as most of the approaches have a lot of time on rock.
I love the style of three shoes. However, I'm not sure why an 'approach shoe' genre is necessary. If the point is just to walk thought the woods or rock to a craig, doesn't a standard hiking shoe work? Are they not just light weight hikers ?
Have had a pair a while now. Let’s just say, I won’t ever be getting a second pair... they’re basically trainers that keep slipping off your heel the minute you hit an incline and, frankly speaking, feel downright dangerous if you make the mistake of wearing to a crag that requires a bit of scramble to get to...
How comfy are these for walking around the city? And how well do they handle moderate rocky day hikes? Thinking of using this is my only travel shoe for my upcoming trip to the Middle East.
I use them as my regular work shoe in the urban corridor and treadmill running (Session 2 all Black). They are a great all around minimalist shoe but i am beating them up so i plan on getting multiple and a pair of BD Circuit. did you end up buying?
They look like nice enough shoes around town, wouldn't use them for an approach when I want ankle support for hiking. Shame Matt didn't learn how to tie the strong version of the shoelace knot after that last video fiasco 😂
@@Seanonyoutube At first they seemed too rigid & tight for anything. That being said, after breaking them in & wearing them with very thin sport type socks or no socks on occasion, they’re amazing. I wear them hiking, around town daily & climbing. It’s not my only pair of shoes or hiking boots but they are my favorite. They bridge several Specialties as far as footwear goes & are, in my opinion, a great all around shoe that leans to the tactical/ outdoors person. I highly recommend.
@@Seanonyoutube I really do recommend them. I got my pair a little smaller than I usually get shoes for everyday activities since I got them to climb in. But yeah, depending on your wants, maybe try a few sizes out. They really are great multi purpose shoes. Glad to help!
@@AZDesertExplorer since you’re a Mammut fan, I wonder: do you have any experience with the Hueco Knit Low? It looks a bit more versatile aesthetically and wondering if you’ve ever seen it in person or tried it on.
I’ve loved this shoe for bouldering, I can slip them on quickly to spot my partner, I can slide my feet, still in my climbing shoes, into them far enough to shuffle around between attempts and keep rubber clean, and their good enough to test start moves in. It’s not that you wouldn’t wear your approach shoes to work or a bar but you might not wear Crocs... I think they are what they say... a session shoe and a comfortable one at that.
Because hiking boots are bulky, heavy and harder to smear in when it gets a bit more technical. Approach shoes have a nice flat toe which can make a big difference when edging on low 5th class terrain.
I prefer a hiking shoes. They have better treads. I never knew why approach shoes have zero tread. It’s supposed to be maximum contact on a slab or something. Not really sure
I got them for the office and urban situations and they are very comfortable. For the climbing approach I have a more proper pair of shoes. I don't like to have one pair for everything, approach shoes get dirty most of the time.
Do you find them comfortable for general walking around town? And do you think they can handle moderate desert/rocky hiking? (Thinking of using them as my only travel shoe for upcoming trip to Middle East)
To sum it up: These shoes have nothing, what casual Vans or something similar dont have. Exept for beeing beeing more expensive and a less stylish. Wow. Nice 6 minutes of advertisment.
@@matthewmiller5642 You can also clip a biner threw the laces my man. And why would you need climbing rubber when your not climbing but beeing on the way to the gym, as suggested in the video? And also its not a promo video of the company, its from Climbing daily. That is what is annoying for me.
