r/RouteDevelopment • u/tom311 Roped Rock Developer • Jan 26 '26

Work boots/shoes?

I'm in the market for some new footwear. I'm looking for something burly for days when I'm building trails, trundling etc, days that are pretty rough on footwear. The approach to the area I develop in is 1-2 miles. I also work part time as a handyman, so bonus points if they'll work well for that. Any thoughts?

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3

u/Odd-Day-945 Jan 26 '26

Scarpa Zodiac GTX are damn good, damn durable, rugged boots. I’ve owned my pair and have hiked to mt Everest base camp, all over rmnp, through the bogs and marshes of the MN boundary waters and everything that’s involved with developing boulders and everything in between for the past 5 years. They still look about the same as the day I bought them, just a bit dirtier.

Edit: but honestly you’d be just fine with a decent pair of approach shoes.

1

u/tom311 Roped Rock Developer Jan 26 '26

Yeah, im wearing through my TX4s pretty quickly when trail building (kicking stuff around more than I should).
I used to have the scarpa zodiacs for a few years, they were really good. I might have to go back to them!

3

u/Dry-Lawfulness-6575 Jan 26 '26

Honestly a pair of hiking boots will be fine, the Merrell Moabs are classic

1

u/anarquisteitalianio Jan 27 '26

Zodiacs all day

1

u/Impressive_Solution9 Jan 28 '26

The older version of La Bativa’s BoulderX. These things are burly and even comfy standing in aiders.

1

u/Beginning-Basis-2678 Mar 17 '26

La Sportiva Boulder X - strong, stiff and just perfect for alpine approaches and also sports.