The La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX is a sturdy hiking and approach shoe made of suede leather with a Gore-Tex liner to make them waterproof. Read the review!
- Weight: L 444.1 g / R 451.5 g (UK 8 size)
- Sizes: men UK 4-12.5, women UK 3.5-8
- Price: € 179.00
Fit
The fit of the La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX is slightly small and therefore a half size up to a size bigger is recommended. The shoes are suitable for normal feet. The ladies version is built on a ladies last that is narrower at the heel.
Construction
The exterior of the La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX is largely made of thick and sturdy suede leather. The tongue construction and the parts around the ankles, are made of synthetic material. The TX5 is suitable for the more technical hikes given the 30 mm wide rubber bumper around the entire shoe. The toe and heel are also covered with extra rubber.
The eyelets are made of leather with a nylon reinforcement on the inside. The Vibram MegaGrip sole construction is stiff. The front flex point is where it should be: Centered under the forefoot. The sole is extremely torsional stiff and the shoes can be resoled. In the shoe you will find a breathable and waterproof membrane from Gore-Tex. In particular, the transition from the Gore-Tex material to the padding around the ankles is very nicely made.
Shoe entry
The shoe is very sturdy as a whole, which means that putting it on requires some attention. It is a matter of loosening the laces fully and opening the tongue as far as possible. The shoe has an excellent pull loop on the heel that makes it easier to put on. The whole requires some strength and pushing. The round laces slide well through the eyelets. Thanks to a beautiful construction, you tighten the heel as soon as you lace up the laces, creating an excellent heel fixation. The laces do not have the property of loosening themselves. The tongue does not have a fixation eye, but apparently does not need it: it does not sag to the side.
Practice
De La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX are more than ordinary low category A walking shoes. In terms of construction and sturdiness, they lean heavily towards a category B shoe. The sturdy upper and sole ensure that the TX5 is a solid foundation for long trips on difficult technical trails. Carrying a medium-weight backpack is no problem. Think of hut-to-hut hikes of four to five days.
The soft padding of the tongue and around the ankles is very comfortable. The round heel and the semicircular shape of the forefoot make the La Sportivas extremely comfortable to walk on. The cushioning of the heel and forefoot is excellent. The removable foam insole also dampens.
The Vibram outsole has a very coarse profile so that stones and mud do not get stuck in it. The outsole offers loads of grip on wet and dry surfaces. The heel has a very pronounced brake, which is great when descending; even if it is a pebble path. The fact that the heel fixation is very good ensures that you do not slide in the shoes. This helps preventing blisters. During testing, the Gore-Tex has proven to be waterproof. There was also no question of sweaty feet. The wading height is 65 mm.
Verdict
The La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX are super solid hiking and approach shoes that excel in stability. The leather upper and the good heel fixation keep the foot nicely in place. It is also nice that the heel is pulled forward when the laces are closed up, which contributes to that fixation. The shoes are protected by a super bumper.
The Vibram Megagrip sole provides loads of traction in wet and dry conditions. The profile is coarse so that stones and mud do not stick in it. The heel has a very good brake and that gives a lot of confidence when descending. All in all, the La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX is a shoe that is not only suitable for regular mountain hikes, but also for longer trips with a medium-weight backpack. The price of € 179.00 is at the upper limit of this type of shoe, but is certainly justified and therefore I rate the La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX at 9.5 points out of 10.
Information: www.lasportiva.com
Full technical details
- Price: € 179.00
- Weight: L 444.1 g / 451.5 g (UK 8 size)
- Listed: 470 g (UK 8 shoe)
- Category: A
- Upper: Suede / Synthetic
- Membrane: Gore-Tex Extended Comfort Footwear
- Sole : Vibram MegaGrip
- Resolable: Yes
- Fit: For normal feet.
- Sizes: men UK 4-12.5, women UK 3.5-8
- Ladies model La Sportiva TX5 Low Woman GTX
