Best for Scramble-Hikes
Most approach shoes are either too slipperlike for hiking or too rigid for scrambling. But SCARPA’s Epic hits the sweet spot with its combination of a thick, shock-absorbing EVA foam midsole (for the hike in) and a sticky, smear-ready outsole (for the assault on the top). The crisscrossed webbing overlays aren’t just for show—they make a secure fit easier to achieve without creating any pressure points. And go ahead and jam them in cracks: The rubber-and-suede toe rand protected our digits while we scrambled around the talus-filled chutes and steep slabs near Shenandoah’s Old Rag Mountain. The narrow fit improves responsiveness when edging but might make it too tight for wide feet. 13.6 oz;
Support: 3.4
Comfort: 4.3