La Sportiva TX4 Evo (women’s) review: sure-footed on rock, if the fit suits you
When a hike turns into a scramble, ordinary trail shoes start to roll on the rock and boots lose feel. The women's La Sportiva TX4 Evo is designed for that terrain: sticky Vibram Megagrip rubber, a flat climbing zone at the toe, and a supportive leather build. On granite and sandstone it inspires real confidence. Its narrow, shorter fit is the question you need to answer first.
Quick take
A precise, supportive approach shoe for scrambles, talus and easy technical rock. Vibram Megagrip rubber with a climbing zone grips superbly on dry rock, the leather upper and rubber rand resist abrasion, and the sole can be resoled. The fit is narrower and shorter than the original TX4, so many hikers need to size up and wide feet should look elsewhere. Excellent if it fits, and worth trying on before you commit.
What it does
The women's TX4 Evo uses the same construction as the men's on a women's fit. A nubuck leather upper with a recycled rubber rand, the band of rubber wrapping the toe and sides, and a toe cap stands up to scraping on rock, and lacing that runs to the toe lets you tighten the fit for precise footwork. A MEMlex midsole with a TPU shank and medial and lateral STB Control System support keeps the shoe stable on edges. The Vibram Megagrip outsole combines 3 mm lugs and an Impact Brake System for descents with a Climbing Zone at the toe for edging, standing on a small ledge on the edge of the sole, and smearing, pressing the flat of the sole onto sloping rock for friction, and the ESS platform allows resoling. The women's pair weighs about 1 lb 8 oz (680 g).
What verified buyers say
Across verified-purchase reviews, the same points come up, and the complaints center on fit:
- Grip on rock is outstanding. Owners describe secure footing on volcanic rock, sandstone and granite, including class 3 and 4 scrambling in Tuolumne and approaches in the North Cascades and Joshua Tree.
- It is supportive and trustworthy. Owners with years of approach shoes behind them describe it as sturdy, stable and one of the most trustworthy they have used, and one chose it for a trip to climb in the Grand Tetons.
- Comfortable for those it fits. Several owners wore it all day on approaches and descents without foot pain.
- The fit changed from the original TX4. Former TX4 owners repeatedly report the Evo as narrower, shorter and with far less toe room, causing foot and shin pain in their usual size.
- Wider feet struggle. Even some positive reviews note the shoe is tight for a wider foot.
Worth knowing
Fit this shoe in person if at all possible, wearing the socks you hike in, and expect to go up at least half a size from your usual La Sportiva size. If you have wide feet or want toe splay on long days, choose a different shoe. Like all approach shoes, it is at its best on dry rock and only average in mud, wet grass and snow, and it is firmer underfoot than a trail runner over long trail miles. The grip is excellent, which makes it easy to climb onto ground that is hard to reverse, so pick routes for your ability.
Who it is for
The women's TX4 Evo is for hikers and climbers with average to narrow feet who scramble, cross talus and walk approaches to rock climbs, and who want a durable, resoleable leather shoe that edges precisely. It is the only approach shoe on our list because it is the most proven option in a small category. If your hiking is mostly trail rather than rock, the Brooks Cascadia 19 will be more comfortable. For heavy loads over rough ground, a boot such as the Lowa Renegade GTX offers more support.
Specs at a glance
- Typeleather approach shoe
- Fitnarrow, runs small, sized in EU units
- Listed weight1.5 lb (680 g) · pair, women's
- Uppernubuck leather, recycled rubber rand and toe cap, lacing to the toe
- SoleVibram Megagrip, Climbing Zone, 3 mm lugs, resoleable
- Trade-offsnarrow and short fit, firm underfoot, poor in mud and snow
- Best forscrambles, talus and approaches to rock
These links go to MEC and REI, which both stock the men's and women's shoe first-party. We have no affiliate relationship with either and earn nothing if you buy through them. We link these retailers rather than Amazon because Amazon's listings for this shoe are scattered single-size offers from small resellers, and an approach shoe has to be bought in your exact size.
The Verdict
For scrambling and rock approaches, the women's TX4 Evo is a genuinely excellent tool: sticky, stable, precise and tough, with a resoleable sole that extends its life. Its fit is the one real obstacle. It is narrower and shorter than the TX4 many hikers remember, so it rewards a careful fitting and punishes a guess. If it suits your foot, it is the approach shoe we would choose. The men's version is covered in our men's TX4 Evo review, and when an approach shoe makes sense at all is in hiking boots, trail runners, or approach shoes.
