REVIEW: Camp Four Approach Shoe by 5.10

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 UKC Gear 10 Dec 2014
Camp Four from Five Ten, 4 kb"The question is, can you improve on this already excellent product, or is the major redesign for 2014/15 of the Camp Four a cosmetic change?"

Over the last few years one of the most popular approach shoes for climbers, scramblers and mountaineers has been the FiveTen Camp Four. Less specialised than the 'Tennie Guide' it is a more durable all-rounder that most people are as comfortable wearing to the pub as they are on the steep rocky scree approach to a crag or on their chosen ridge route in the mountains.

Read more at http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=6889

 Cam Forrest 10 Dec 2014
In reply to UKC Gear:
The review doesn't specifically mention the new heel lugs, which seem an improvement for hill use in the UK. Apart from that, the main changes seem to be negative for general hill use: less robust, so no longer as suitable for off-path; and why take away the C4 climbing zone that the old boot had? The old boots (I have two pairs) are my footwear of choice for long scrambles and easy rock e.g. Buachaille, Cuillins, and are brilliant on wet rock. But I'll be looking at alternatives for my next purchase.
In reply to UKC Gear:

I've had five pairs of the old style Camp Fours and found them to be the perfect approach shoe. I tried the new shoe but thought it uncomfortable and a poor fit. Why Five Ten have discontinued the original and have replaced it with such an obviously lower quality product is beyond my grasp. Bring back the original!
 Aigen 10 Dec 2014
In reply to Tony Holdsworth:

That is a pitty because I am just coming o the end of my 3rd pair in 10 or so years.
In reply to Cam Forrest:

The sole of the shoe has a more studded profile which includes the increased heel lug size. I felt this was good in that it gave improved grip on rough terrain, but less good in that there was less rubber in contact where you want the high friction rubber to work. Also, it may be slightly less hardwearing.

With regard to the climbing zone: I assume you mean the section of sole on the front instep of the shoe? I can't see too much different here between the old model and this new one. Neither model has the dedicated friction section like the Guide Tennie.

These shoes are definitely still "suitable for off path" and easily perform as well as the old models on wet rock.

Alan
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 More-On 10 Dec 2014
In reply to Alan James - Rockfax:

Interesting comments above as I have come to the new Camp Four from Inov-8 fell shoes as I wanted something more substantial for long scrambles and think they are the perfect blend of grip, stiffness and durability for this use. I should also say the old version didn't fit me as it wasn't quite wide enough whereas the new version is.
In reply to More-On:

> I should also say the old version didn't fit me as it wasn't quite wide enough whereas the new version is.

Yes, Id' agree with that. The old model was better on narrower feet (which I have, hence the fit comments in the review).

Alan
 Peter Nellist 10 Dec 2014
UKC Gear:

I would definitely agree that the fit has changed. I had a pair of old camp fours that I wore for 2.5 years. I liked them and liked the look of the new model so bought a pair. I think the new design looks better but I bought over the internet and guessed I would be the same size. I found the new ones to feel nearly a whole size bigger, my toes have acres of space, not what I wanted. Also the volume of the shoe is much higher and feet tend to slide about from side to side. I would recommend folks to try before they buy.
I work full time at a climbing wall and regularly climb in them. I feel they are not as good as the old ones for this. However they do feel like they would be great on a muddy/grassy hillside if they were a snug fit.
 Cam Forrest 10 Dec 2014
In reply to Alan James - Rockfax:

If you look carefully at the sole of the old Camp Four you'll see an area at the toe/instep which has no lugs and is similar to (not the same as) the Guide Tennie. The rubber in this area (which has a red symbol) is Stealth C4, the same as is used on the complete sole (as far as I'm aware) of the Guide Tennie. We all know C4, and Five Ten describe it as having "high friction and excellent edging". The rest of the sole is Stealth S1 (and has a yellow symbol), described by Five Ten as "ideal for hiking and mountain biking".

The sole of the new design is entirely Stealth S1 (which I'm sure will have reduced the manufacturing cost).

This is the point I was trying to make.

Your points about the lugs are interesting, and my own feeling is that if the deeper lugs had been added just to the heel area it would have improved the one weak area of the old boots for UK use, i.e. damp grass and mud.

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