The Best Approach Shoes That Are Actually Stylish
These technical shoes are as good-looking on the street as they are on the trail.
Reviewed by Christian GollayanStyle and Reviews Director
Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Why Trust Us?
Last year, I spent a fair amount of time examining the rise of gorpcore, so I’m always intrigued when another piece of outdoor gear starts sneaking its way into the fashion scene. Enter: the approach shoe. If you’ve never heard of one, it’s pretty easy to spot: low to the ground with laces that trace down the length of the shoe toward the toe, plus a grippy outsole that curves up around the sides and heel. The result is a little rugged and exactly the kind of niche sneaker fashion people love to latch onto—even though these shoes were designed for getting climbers safely to the base of a route, not for styling with wide-leg jeans.
Approach shoes feel like a gentle—albeit natural—detour from the low-profile sneaker wave we’ve been riding lately. We’ve had the iconic Adidas Sambas, followed by the rise of Onitsuka Tigers, the trendy “sneakerina,” and other slim, barely-there sneakers to fill an entire shoe rack. Am I suddenly going to start scrambling up mountains in Prada? Absolutely not. Buuuut I’m not entirely opposed to borrowing a shoe from the climbing crowd if it happens to look this good with a pair of baggy denim. So, naturally, I went looking for the approach shoes that actually caught my fashion-editor eye.
I’m a big fan of how cool the Arc’teryx Konseal looks off the trail: Its sleek, low-profile shape and extended lacing give it that technical, gorpy vibe, while the two-tone nubuck-and-mesh upper keeps it looking cute. It’s also built to handle some seriously rugged terrain, with a grippy Vibram outsole, 4mm lugs, and plenty of underfoot stability and cushioning. In other words, it has all the performance you’d want from an approach shoe without looking overly outdoorsy—I’d happily wear it with hiking pants or even a pair of jeans.
Free People x Keen Jasper Merko Sneaker
All the stylish granola girls already know about the Keen Jasper, and you should too. This style caught my eye for its super minimalist shape and design, with an earthy, sandy color that pairs well with anything from hiking clothes to everyday fits. I love the traditional extended lacing, which gives it that classic approach shoe look, while the winding outsole pattern that snakes up the sides adds a cool, unexpected twist. It has that outdoorsy feel without feeling too technical or bulky, making it an easy shoe to style beyond the trail.
Prada Speedrock Re-Nylon and Suede Sneaker
This Prada sneaker is a seriously chic take on the approach shoe with gorpcore-inspired details and an (obvious) lifestyle-first design (I mean, who’s actually taking this pair on a rock scramble?). The nylon upper gives it that outdoorsy feel, while suede panels keep it looking luxe. I especially love the contrasting rubber outsole that wraps up onto the upper and the two-tone cord laces.
The Puma Klim Patch Sneaker is a recent reissue from the brand’s archives. It has a distinctly Y2K feel with its low-profile silhouette, checkered upper, contrast stitching, and suede patches. I’m especially into the wraparound rubber sole and extended laces, which add to its climbing-shoe aesthetic and retro feel. This is another style I’d reserve for a more streetwear-style look paired with a baggy hiking-inspired pant or loose pair of jeans.
Shop More of Our Favorite Sneakers
Most Comfortable Shoes |Best Platform Sneakers | Best Metallic Sneakers | Best Brooks Walking Shoes | Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 Review | Brooks Ghost 18 Review | On Cloud X4 Review | Best On Cloud Shoes For Walking | On Cloudmonster 3 Review | On Cloudtilt Remix Review | Best Hoka Walking Shoes | Hoka Clifton 11 Vs. Hoka Clifton Pro | Hoka Arahi 8 Review |Best Walking Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Shannen Zitz is the Associate Style & Reviews Editor at Women's Health, where she covers all-things sneakers and activewear. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Prevention. Shannen graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.
Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
Derm-Approved Face Washes That Editors Actually Use
Hilary Duff Drops Reebok Activewear at Walmart
Shop Kerry Washington’s Exact Vuori Cover Look
The 9 Best Cooling Sheets, Tested by Editors
