Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Vertex Alpine M

Overall, this is a fantastic shoe for scrambling. The sole is stiff, the fit is on the narrow side which isn't too bad especially when you are entering high 4th class / low 5th class. The grip on the soles is fantastic on rock, not so much on snow but if you're planning any mountain routes when there is majority snow cover you're likely not reaching for this shoe anyways. This shoe is very well thought out for the most part, the interface with the laces and the shoe tongue is great and it's very easy to tuck the laces away and I've had no issues with the shoe loosening over 8+ hour days. The cuff does a fairly good job of keeping things out of the shoe but it would benefit from being a bit taller, if it went above the ankle joint it would be awesome. The only serious downside to this shoe is the stich that rests against the base of your achilles just absolutely bites into your ankle. I've given it a pretty good chance to break in (~35 hours, mostly hiking with two scrambles) and the shoe still cuts into my heel. I have resolved this issue by taping up my ankle and utilizing molskin before outings, but a shoe of this caliber shouldn't have this issue + every other Arc'teryx shoe I've used does not have this issue. This is unfortunate but is also resolved with the GTX version of this shoe which has a soft material which doesn't require a stich between the shoe and the cuff in the same spot. While the rest of the shoe is stellar, I would recommend trying out the GTX version of this shoe instead due to this issue.

I made the switch from the Salomon XT4 that I've been rocking for the last 2 years. On one hand I loved the shoe the second I put it on but only after a few wears I'm noticing the glue already starting to come off in some areas of the shoe. For the price point and the brand I was not expecting that.

Overall excellent shoes. They climb very well, are light, and after a season of use have held up well even withstanding a decent amount of scree. I was somewhat sceptical of the gaiter, however I've come to love it. The fit it provides allows me to wear the shoes untied when switching between climbing shoes and these while cragging and is very convenient. Unlike some, I've had minimal discomfort from the shoes and didn't find them to have a break in period. I'm tempted to stock up, as these are my favourite approach shoes to date.

I have climbed a low Class 5 mutipitch climb in these shoes as well as used the same shoes for the approach. Traction on dry granite is excellent and comfort was good. I think fit is everything with these shoes and it would be great if they were offered in 1/2 sizes. So far, so good WRT durability but honestly they are only 2 months old!

I love this product At first i dont want to buy it but my wife encourage me and i think it's a great deal and worth it.cheers!

These shoes are excellent - high quality treads and look amazing. Hard to get on but fit like a glove. Fit small recommend you go half a size up from normal!

I wanted a pair of waterproof shoes to walk the kids school on rainy days, walk around the neighborhood and occasional trails. Settled on the (black) Arcteryx Vertex after researching all types and styles of waterproof shoes. (Also own On Cloud and Salomon GTX) I have severe achilles tendinitis, over pronation and knee issues to the point I had not been able to walk around the block without a severely swollen and achilles afterward. I have the custom orthotics, fancy running shoes designed for these issues and it still persisted. Now after 3 months with the Vertex and im not only walking futher, faster and longer but my swollen achilies are 90% better. I dont know if this will be the same for others, but it just might help some. I thought I would share my experience for those who are looking for similar relief with stylish, functional footwear Furthermore, they look great and go with almost any clothing styles so I can wear them more often. I dont write reviews often, but these were worth it after I noticed others had written less flattering reviews. Perhaps they dont work for the ultra hikers demand (i wouldn't know) but for a dad thats looking to keep their feet dry, comfortable and stylish without looking like a heavy boot - these ARE the answer. They are also incredibly light and have great grip. Tread sqeak is low if not zero on most surfaces (unlike my old, now retired On Clouds)

Overall very happy with these. Use them extensively in Red Rock NV for hard scrambling and approach. I broke them in on some short routes before going longer (10+ miles and 3,000ft+ elevation). I always wear Darn Tough socks and usually have band-aids on my heels for extra protection on long hikes when I know there there will be lots of elevation. No blisters to date. Very confident with the traction on slabs, the tread on loose rocks and the edge is good when I need to tackle 4/5 obstacles while scrambling.

I wore the Vertex Alpine on leg 1 of the Sierra "Grand Traverse" (Chapman & Chapman 2023) over seven days, 47 miles (mostly off-trail), from Tuolomne Meadows to Mammoth. They were the perfect shoe for the job, supportive yet nimble, with enough cushion in the heel and mid-foot yet precise enough in the toe box for fast travel on large talus and class 3 scrambling. Great traction, and the built-in stretch gaiter helped keep out scree. (I also have the c. 2022 version of the Konseal and the Aerios FL Mid, but for this trip the Vertex Alpine were perfect)

I bought these in a size 8, right size for me with Arcteryx. I read the reviews about some tightness. I tried them on witha. thin running sock and I felt the tightness (oh no!). I went for a walk and within a few minutes I didnt feel anything but a snug fit, no rubbing at the heel. Without the sock the fit is perfect. Great shoes

The vibram grip is strong and thanks to the narrow toe it is very precise for scrambles. I was worried at first as the shoe feels stiff in your hand but under your feet it is comfortable and very supportive. The added length around the ankle is also helpful for avoiding sand or dirt from getting into the shoe. I'm typically a size 8 in other brands but in Arc I'm always a 7.5 and this was no different.

In my experience, it's hard to find an approach shoe that is comfortable to walk in, but still performs in technical terrain. For me, the Vertex Alpine has become my go-to approach shoe for all summer climbing: comfy on the trail, burly for talus and scrambling, and techy enough to climb up 5.10+. They're not the lightest, but they clip well to your harness if you do switch to rock shoes or mountain boots. Oh and they are durable enough to last multiple seasons of heavy use.

Perfect Blend of Comfort, Support, and Performance! The Vertex Alpine has completely redefined my approach footwear experience! As someone who spends a lot of time in the mountains, I need a shoe that can handle long, technical approaches while still providing the agility and comfort of a trail running shoe. This shoe delivers on all fronts and then some. First off, the fit is incredible. The Precision Fit design is snug across the foot, giving a secure, supportive feel without feeling tight. It has just the right amount of space in front of the toes, making it perfect for all-day mountain adventures. No slipping or discomfort, even after hours of tough terrain. The performance is where the Vertex Alpine really shines. The Vibram XS Flash 2 outsole grips like nothing else, whether I'm on wet rock, dry dirt, or muddy trails. I feel confident on every step, especially when edging or tackling tricky sections. The TPU shank and toe cap add excellent protection, keeping my feet safe from rocks and debris, while the knit collar prevents any dirt from getting inside the shoe, which is a game-changer! What truly stands out is how lightweight and fast these shoes are. They allow me to move quickly without sacrificing stability or support, which is crucial for the rugged, varied terrain I often encounter. Whether it's a long approach or a quick trail run, the Vertex Alpine never slows me down. Overall, these shoes are an absolute must-have for anyone serious about mountain travel or technical approaches. Comfort, durability, and performance are all top-notch. Highly recommend!

I use it as my all-around outdoor adventure shoe. It's light weight and very comfortable to wear all day. Great grip and breathable upper.

For laps in the flatironsI haven't found better rubber than these that provide absolute confidence moving on slabs. No rubber break in time needed. They scramble beautifully right out the box. The durability is incredible. I've done over a hundred laps in the same pair of shoes and they're not done. I've worn a lot of shoes while scramblingand this one has been my favorite while moving up and down on rock, warm or cold it just grips. For the run to said rocks, they feel good on up and in technical trails, but it is a little stiff and almost clappy on descents due to the harder rubber compound. Generally very comfortable out of the box. I bought more of a running fit, my toes have some wiggle and swell space for longer days. The benefits of how it performs on the rock your aiming for far outweighs the minor complaint of how they sounds/feels on the descent. My fastest laps have come to fruition in these shoes. My beloved pairs of La sportiva mutants have taken a back seat to these. I will be stocking up on additional pairs.

I got these shoes when they first came out (3-4months ago give or take). I've been wearing them everywhere; socially/actively and I love them! First and foremost, they are predominantly an approach shoe. 11/10 on how they handle and hold up; hiking, scrambling, mixed conditions. They get the job done and I can wear them comfortably around town. I've gone through a lot of approach shoes with other brands and they've all depreciated quick. This one is going strong and is about the only shoe I wear. For context; I average 6-10 miles a day. I've scrambled the flatirons, done multiple 10+ mile hikes and I am one happy camper! Keep in mind, they time to break in. I advise wearing them as your normal sneaker for about a week before using them for your intended activity.

Fantastic shoe: lightness, grip and stability. An approach shoe that winks at trail running. Nice to see the Vibram XS Flash 2 compound on the sole after testing it a few years ago on climbing shoes. A shoe for those looking for the lightness of a running shoe with the stability and grip of an approach shoe. Heel construction is a bit different from the Vertex Alpine GXT, but it adapts well after a few kilometers.This shoe is the missing piece that allows you to cover more distances in less time.

Great stability, well made, excellent materials. Traction is great as well. Comfort is a minus on this shoe though. The left on my 11.5 has a hot spot on the left side mid. I'm hoping that will break in but if I use an insert that's corrected. As Arc'teryx warns, be very careful on the fit and this will be a great choice.

Great stability, well made, excellent materials. Traction is great as well. Comfort is a minus on this shoe though. The left on my 11.5 has a hot spot on the left side mid. Im hoping that will break in but if I use an insert thats corrected. As Arcteryx warns, be very careful on the fit and this will be a great choice.

I'm a climber of over 25 years and a guide of over 15 - I've been through a LOT of approach shoes. For most of my technical rock guiding I like approach shoes that I can wear up to 5.8 or 5.9. This shoe is not that. Granted I sized this shoe comfortably, but I think even if I had downsized it would still just be a bit too clunky and imprecise. For harder climbing, I tend to prefer trail runners for the approaches as I find them more comfortable (and I'll switch into climbing shoes for the climb). This shoe is also not that. As other reviewers have noted, the heel cup can create pain on the back of the heel if the shoe isn't broken in or the approaches are long. And again, it's not quite nimble enough to feel like a trail runner. In spite of all of this, I think this shoe is an amazing approach shoe for a lot of situations: If the approaches aren't too long or you aren't expecting to climb in the shoe, this shoe is great: Apart from the heel issue, it is very comfortable it feels like a sock going on but is not sloppy. It is also incredibly durable and well made. Most approach shoes I wear will start to rip on the outside near the rand along my little toe. These have held up to an incredible amount of abuse. I find the Vibram outsole to be very grippy and sure-footed (though I didn't initially it took some breaking in for me to feel good in them but now I love them). The lacing design is fantastic lacing is quick and secure, and the laces are well-protected. I particularly like the garage for hiding them away. And one of my favorite features are the two pull loops: One on the tongue, the other on the heel. ARC'TERYX nailed this small but important feature (I can't believe how other major climbing shoe manufacturers fail to do this right). The brilliance of this solution is they're designed in such a way that the loop stay open and are incredibly easy to put a finger through. There's no fiddling to get your finger into a folded-flat piece of webbing. This also make it very easy to clip the shoes to a carabiner and I have confidence in this loop not tearing (and losing my shoes as a result). And of course, the shoe looks great. I hope that ARC'TERYX will continue making this. Really, if they just tweaked the heel padding a *SMALL* amount it would go a long way towards answering the chief complaints around this shoe. I worry about tweaking it too much (say, to make it climb better) for fear they'd ruin a good thing.

Was skeptical given the many bad reviews, but it must just be an issue of foot shape or volume and incorrect sizing. My are feet are flipper-shaped wide boys and I still find these shoes to be very comfortable, with no pinching or hot spots etc. I even had existing blisters from a pair of lesser approach shoes I wore recently, and they weren't aggravated by the Vertex's at all. They do fit a bit small, I sized up by .5 and mine are perfect. The grip on wet rock is excellent, and around town they also performed flawlessly. So glad these worked out, really nothing not to like other than the price.

Most supportive pair of hiking/approach shoes you will ever wear. This piece of technology will help you hike the most strenuous trails with ease with its vibram flash XS soles. It feels like you are able to walk up a cliff with how sticky it is. The stiff construct helps your stability while going through uneven and treacherous terrains. I have used this as a hiking shoes every weekend during the month of April to August of 2024 and it is still holding up amazingly. I will say though that this pair requires a substantial amount of wears for it to be broken in at first due to how stiff it is, and the heel locks on these are a non-negotiable, MUST ENGAGE HEEL LOCK

These are stiff approach shoes with amazing grip in varied terrain. The upper material is really solid and protects your feet well from rocks and roots while the sock like material at the collar helps with comfort. The upper stiffness does make it a bit harder to slip your feet into and hasn't seemed to break in at all. I can feel the harder edge at the achilles like other reviewers have mentioned, but only after a really long day. I find that wearing high/thick enough socks has prevented any hot spots or rubbing in that area. The soles are so good - the tread has stuck in all sorts of terrain and conditions from dry desert, to granite, to wet forest floor. The fit feels a touch narrower in the toebox than my other Arc'teryx shoes, though the length seems spot on. I took the same size as other Arc'teryx shoes. If you're looking for a great approach shoe, these Vertex Alpine will fit the bill. They're a bit stiff for light hiking/day to day use, I prefer a softer and more comfortable shoe for those purposes.

This is a great shoe for climbing approaches. It's the first gore-Tex shoe I've owned that breathes well. The traction is great. The improved heal gear clip is much better than first one. The one improvement I'd like is a slightly narrower toe box.

The shoe is very hard to break into, I have had it for over 1.5 years and used it on multiple hikes yet I have barely broken into it. The shoe has minimal cushioning and bites had on your ankle making it red and very uncomfortable.