I was looking for a summer walking shoe, but as an occasional trad (traditional) climber, I wanted something I could use to approach the crags over technical terrain. Tecnica have the Sulfur GTX which is a fast-moving technical approach shoe, so could this “fit the bill”?

The Brannock foot measuring tool measured my feet as a UK10.5 D and UK10 E but after trying on both the UK10 and UK10.5, I elected for a pair of Sulfur GTX in a UK10.

These were a great ‘out the box’ fit, and because the shoe is made around a specific anatomical last, my feet felt secure and comfortable. I had selected the GTX version because even though these would be used in summer, we all know how reliable the British weather can be! But also, dewy grass can be very wet in the mornings.

So how did they perform? Well, the walking terrain ranged from woodland tracks to stoney trails, and the shoe performed well on both. The midsole provided sufficient cushioning and smooth heel-to-toe movement whilst walking, making them very comfortable and easy to walk in. The Vibram Megagrip sole was sure under foot whether on dusty tracks, rocky trails, or wet rock. In fact, reassuringly, the multi-directional lug pattern made lite work of walking up a stoney riverbed to a waterfall. The front area of the shoe has a lightweight rubber rand which provides additional abrasion protection from boulders, rocks, and scree.

I haven’t used them for climbing yet, but Tecnica’s Edge Frame technology and TPU plate in the core of the shoe should provide torsional rigidity, and the sole has a flat climbing zone.

So, all-in-all, the Tecnica Sulfur GTX shoes met my requirements. I did have the slightest heel lift, whilst walking, but the shoe has Tecnica’s AST (Adaptive Shape Technology). Basically, the heel area can be moulded to your foot, to ensure this shoe ‘fits like a glove’!

by