Review - Mammut Ridge Low GTX Men's Approach Shoe

After my TNF Hedgehogs went into retirement recently, a new pair of approach type shoes were needed. So, myself and my lovely sister popped into Go Outdoors. While we were there, the Mammut representative was in store.

After the usual sales talk and twaddle, it was clear the guy knew what he was talking about. Cutting through the sales-speak about them being good for climbing, having some kind of semi front-pointing sole and good for via ferrata too, I decided to try a pair on with his help in sizing.

Lo and behold, they fitted like a glove, especially with my normal walking socks in. I am a shoe size in the region of 9 - 9.5 and usually buy a size 10. I used a size 10 in these too. (The thicker winter Bridgedale socks don't fit with these shoes sadly). After tootling around the place, going up and down the slope testing device and doing some assorted strange movements that would make anyone think I was either in need of the toilet or an expert in tai chi, my aforementioned awesome sister offered to buy the shoes for me!

So, off to the hills in Scotland (Glen Coe) and Lakes (all over)...

Three sisters in Glen Coe taken on the way up to Aonach Eagach. I didn't wear the shoes here...

Now let's be clear: despite what the sales rep said it's obvious that these things are not good for climbing and front pointing, edging etc. Aside from not being climbing shoes, they are simply too hard and too inflexible with a strong sole. So when doing things like the Aonach Eagach ridge I used my grippy La Sportiva shoes. I'm not saying the Mammut's aren't good, but I personally prefer more grippy shoes on ridges! If you want incredible grippy approach climbing crossover shoes, get the Adidas Terrex Solo shoes (around £95).

Underside of the Mammut Ridge Low GTX

That aside, these things are absolutely amazing. They are heavier than my La Sportivas and my old Hedgehogs but then again, they aren't designed to do the same kind of thing. What they feel like is a really solid pair of approach shoes that are tough, resilient and feel a bit like boots in a shoe. There is a serious amount of 'rand' around the front of the shoe and around to the sides, covering the toes and beyond. Aside from that it's a mix of leather and synthetics. Like all shoes, after many miles of marching, I did find the soles of the front of my feet a wee bit unhappy, but far less than any other shoes I've worn.

There is a removable and excellent insole. The fact that it is removable (unlike some other shoes) is a nice addition if your feet have a slight arch or over-pronate for example. In which case, replacing the current insole with the right 'Superfeet' insole could be your answer. The inside of the shoe is padded with 'memo foam' (memory foam) so will remember your foot shape without distorting as much as other lesser padding.

Inside of the shoe, showing Memo Foam padding / removable insole

This sole (GripEx, a proprietary brand to Raichle / Mammut) has wide spacing to help with mud and water passing through the shoe when in use. The rear of the shoe (around the back of the ankle) also has a strong rand. From the last lacing loop to each side of the shoe, there is a plastic over coated and semi-ripstop plastic coating. I have found that this is the least durable part of the shoe and constant smashing against rock has removed the surface plastic layer in a few places. There is a hanging loop at the back of the shoe which many find useful.

The slight rubbing / fraying of part of the plastic on the shoe

I used these walking all over Scotland - from places like the Boochle (Buachaille Etive Mor) through to in and around the Lakes (Great Gable / High Rise etc). These were amazing and not once did my foot slip in the shoes - something my feet can do even in my La Sportivas. (What happens is my foot slips against my sock and it can bruise some of my toenails - no idea how to stop this).

Anyhoo, the shoes are Goretex lined which means they can get hot. But I wore them on some hot days in both Scotland (amazingly) and the Lakes (slightly amazingly) and never once felt over-hot.

Chilling by Loch Eilde Mor

One thing that did come in handy was the 'Via Ferrata' part of the sole. This came in handy near Kinlochleven where there is a wire bridge across and up to a waterfall where an outdoors company has climbing via ferrata rings all the way up next to Grey Mares Tail waterfall. So a good opportunity to test that out and they were fine!

Didn't take a pic of the wire bridge, just the Grey Mares Tail waterfall itself

So my overall conclusion having worn these for around 3 weeks is that they are brilliant. Love them. Had to wear them in and around Penrith, Keswick, Fort William and then in Birmingham and were fine on streets, although think they should be saved for the hills and mountains! They're that good.

The price...

Having read the excellent UKC review on these, I completely agree with one of those commenting about the price of these. They are quite ridiculous, with Go Outdoors for example selling them at £121.50 (as of Sept 15, 2014). I think they are priced too highly. Having said that, the North Face Hedgehogs retail around £90-£110 (you can find them cheaper, e.g. Gaynors). Compared to those prices, the Mammut Ridge Low GTX have more features, are far tougher and sturdier. So, try some on, look at other shoes, pay your money and make your choice!

PS. I had heard the Mammut rep talk about anyone buying something getting a free goodie bag but I never received mine. So Mammut, if you'd like to send one my way I'd be happy to receive it ;)

Update March 2020 - I'm about to retire these shoes, not through lack of wear (although the outer sole is broken apart in 2 places) but because I've found the shoe has become a bit too tight at the front. But this is after wearing these hundreds of times on scrambles, walks and basic climbs (think Diff). The newer 'version' of these seems to be the Alnasca Low GTX which I've heard varied opinions on.

La Sportiva Raptor Trail / Approach Shoes Review

Update October 2017 - these are still going and doing incredibly well. Love them!

The trouble with Gore Tex and all 'waterproof' shoes is twofold:

1. They eventually leak or let in water and then what? Well, then the Gore Tex seals the water 'in' to the shoe, doh! Then it takes 2-3 days for the shoe to dry out.

2. You already have a hole in your shoes, often referred to as the place where you put your foot in. Now I'm not against being able to put your foot into a shoe, but eventually like all gear, even waterproof shoes wet out.

The third thing some people say is that having a 'liner' in your shoe (this is the waterproof bit) can also make your foot more hot and sweaty and this is true, although my feet 'run' cold so even in the height of the UK summer, my feet don't get too sweaty.

So with all this in mind I needed a shoe that was unlined (non waterproof) and due to my scrambling persuasion, needed to be able to grip on rock as well as acting as a walking shoe and have a sole that didn't get annihilated within the first 5 outings as some very grippy soles can do...

Enter the La Sportiva Raptor (applause please)...

I am normally just over a 9 in shoes. The La Sportiva have European sizing where a 44 is a 9 1/2 UK, a 45 is a 10 and a 46 is a UK 10 1/4... (I think). I tried the 44s but too tight, 46 a bit too big so it was the size I thought I'd needed but couldn't find. Fortunately Needle Sports (via UK Climbing website) came to the rescue just in time for a Lakeland trip. Out of the box, tried them on and fitted like a glove. Better fit than the Hedgehogs.

Above are the shoes 'live' in use sitting looking at Pike of Stickle in the Langdales, from a spot going up The Band. This was the second day I'd worn them and I did around 8 miles in the afternoon (around 5 in the morning) and they were brilliant.

The shoes are very light on your feet as you'd expect with the simple mesh. They are of course much cooler than the North Face Hedgehogs which have the Gore Tex lining. In terms of fit, they are slightly more 'boxy' than the Hedgehogs. At the front of the shoe there is a strong plastic toe box to aid your tootsies from bashing the rocks you tread or run on.

It looks very sturdy and in around 10 uses has so far held up very well. Around the edge of the shoe runs a plastic yellow band with the La Sportiva emblazoned on it very clearly (no-one will be asking what brand your shoes are, esp with the vibrant yellow!) This is the one area of the shoe I'd expect to 'go' first if I'm honest (the yellow surface 'paint' has already started to 'detach'), but time will tell !

To the soles.. The sole isn't Vibram but La Sportiva's own sole unit - 'Frixion' which is much more bendy and sticky than for example the slightly firmer Hedgehog sole. The lug pattern is much more consistent across this shoe which is aimed more at Trail Running. It also claims to have a 'Impact Brake System'. I'm sure there's a lot of thought and tech behind this, it's just that I don't know what it is!

Inside the shoe is the 'Fit-thotic' cushioning which I have to say works really well. Again, I prefer this system to the Hedgehogs.

So overall impression is that the shoe is a fantastic bit of kit. Of course, fit is very personal so try on a pair. This 'stable neutral trail runner' (in La Sportiva's words) is exactly that. Great shoe which I give 9/10. Long-term durability may not be quite that of the Hedgehogs which feel a bit more 'robust' but if you're looking for a lightweight unlined trail / approach shoe, you couldn't much better.

The North Face Hedgehogs III (TNF Hedgehogs) GTX Review

A classic shoe, the Hedgehogs have been my 'go-to' shoe ever since I had a pair of Merrell Refuge Pros which decided to give up the ghost within a few months with the uppers splitting from the sides.

Incidentally, regarding the Refuge Pro shoes, a few people seem to had this same trouble with them eg they split and let in water. I tested them by filling them with water in a bath and watched the water pour out of one of them (sending the evidence to the seller who very kindly agreed to a refund).

Back to the Hedgehogs.. we all know (or should know!) that shoe fit is very personal and is one thing that you shouldn't take a risk on. Having said this, my first pair of Hedgehogs were an internet buy, but I had tried on and looked at a number of pairs in a shop beforehand.

It's also important when getting that right fit in a shop to bring a pair of the socks that you would wear if you were out and about, rather than your everyday socks. (So for me that was a pair of Bridgedale socks).

The Hedgehogs are a perenial favourite for many people in the UK and so it was with me, with the shoe being a great fit in size 10 for me. My feet are just over size 9, so the 10 gives me that necessary extra 'toe box width' when using them, as your feet slide forward (eg don't get shoes that are the exact 'right' fit unless climbing shoes, but that's another story for another day...)

So what are the Hedgehogs like in terms of fit? Excellent. They mould to your feet with a very comfy inner sole system which has an impressive sounding name. Needless to say my fit sit in them very well (with one exception which I'll come to and is more about my feet than the shoes).

 There is a good amount of freedom with the laces in terms of lacing styles. I do find the laces can tend to undo gradually, so using locking knots can help. The lacing goes up most of the foot, so if there is a place where your foot slips then they can cope with that well enough.

Coming to the exception, my feet are slightly different sizes with my left foot wider than my right (I have average size / width feet). Therefore I do find my right foot slips forward a bit in the Hedgehogs, whereas my left foot never does (leading to a battered big right toe and even loss of the nail twice). But such is life! So the method I now emply is to use a locking lace down on the second or third eyelet up to help hold my foot in place. Because of the eyelets on the Hedgehogs, you can't pass the lace through the eyelet more than once so I have to use a locking lace.

Onto the grip of the sole. I have found the grip to very sure, even using these to climb up the fairly easy 'V Diff' face of Hound Tor on Dartmoor. However, I wouldn't climb in them regularly for obvious reasons! The shoes have coped with all kinds of terrain from moorland to fells to mountains (even in the snow) and have gripped perfectly.

The one exception as with most durable soles is on wet rock where any non wet-rock-specific sole will struggle (and for good grip on wet rock you always pay a price in durability / longetivty of the sole). I've found the Hedgehogs to be a pretty good balance of this, although the 'lugs' are clearly designed to light hiking more than scrambling. But do watch out on wet rock, as with most shoes.

Durability hasn't been a concern. Often lined shoes (eg ones with Gore Tex liner) don't last long, but these have lasted over 2 years with the shoe only beginning to leak recently. Bear in mind, the shoes have been used very regularly throughout all seasons of the year.

The front 'toe protector' of the shoe has slightly come away from the upper and the upper has also begun to part with the sole unit on both shoes - both on the front out side of each shoe. To 'fix' this I emploed Shoe Goo for £2.99 which has temporarily sealed up the problem...

Do the shoes get hot in the Summer? Yes they do, with times where my socks are a bit damp from sweat rather than moisture getting in. But my feet run a bit cold. But in Summer you can wear an unlined shoe (no waterproofing).

Overall, I would score the Hedgehogs as 8/10 goin on 9/10. I bought mine in a sale for £60, although they commonly retail for over £100. Would I buy them again? Unless I can find something with an even better fit and equal durability, I would buy them again but certainly not at the full retail price which I feel plays on the 'North Face' name a wee bit!