Salewa Wildfire NXT Approach Shoes Review

Every brand has a slightly different idea of what an approach shoe is. It seems like only a couple years ago when non-climbers had never heard the term mentioned, but now, it’s marketed widely and pasted across the walls of places like REI. It seems that even the casual walker is considering the purchase of an “approach shoe”. Just what everyone is approaching is beyond me. To my mind, an approach shoe is more than just a low-cut hiker, but a climbing-ready, comfortable tool which can handle a 20 mile hike as quickly as it can the easy pitches of a big wall. Still though, the shoes that can do those things look different ways, and Salewa’s take with the new Wildfire NXT approach shoes is not like any I’ve seen before.

Salewa Wildfire NXT Approach Shoe Features:

• Versatile approach shoes built for climbing, scrambling, and fast hiking
• Matryx® high-tenacity nylon upper offers durability and breathability
• TPU rand and 3F System® provide lateral stability and a secure fit
• Vibram® All-Terrain™ Megagrip outsole ensures exceptional grip on rock and trail
• 10mm drop for a balance of cushioning and ground feel
• Lightweight design for fast-moving adventures
• Weight: 765g (per pair in size USM 11 as measured on my scale)
• MSRP: $170

Comfort for High Miles and Speed on Stone

One of the defining features of an approach shoe is its grip. The Wildfire NXT sports Vibram Megagrip, and that’s a good start. It has sufficient lugs in the body of the shoe to keep traction on anything but the muddiest trails, and it has enough of a flat platform on the toe for its climbing zone to give a bit of edging ability. Their edging performance doesn’t match that of my TX Guide or Scarpa Crux, since the forefoot of the Wildfire NXT is slightly less rigid, but they climb decently well nonetheless. On trail, their grip is more than sufficient. On rock, they do sport a decent amount of friction.

With that said, the Wildfire NXT limits itself a bit by not including a fully rubber-wrapped toe rand. That encapsulated toe area is critical for foot jams. For the granite-splitter-seeking trad climber, whom many approach shoes are designed around, that’s a no-go. Folks in that category should seek out a classic La Sportiva TX option or even the AKU Rock DFS, if they want to go more niche. As far as all others are concerned, the more limited toe coverage is an inconsequential fact. For non crack climbers, it’s really just the climbing zone on the sole and the general comfort of the shoe that makes or breaks it.

And general comfort is a real strength for the Wildfire NXT. They have more of a padded midsole than comparable alternatives like the La Sportiva TX4 or the Scarpa Crux. Practically, that means that it’s easier to walk, scramble, and climb in them for long outings without your feet feeling torched at the end of the day. Simultaneously, they have enough structural integrity around the center of the foot to do decently well in aiders. I’ve worn them on a few occasions for a ground-up FA project I’m working on this Spring and Summer, and they don’t turn into a limp noodle when faced with the localized pressures of my ladders. Admittedly, they don’t do quite so well as my TX Guides in that regard, but they don’t really have to. They’re a mix of different strengths.

One of the strengths that really can’t be overlooked is their breathability. The Matryx nylon upper is pretty stellar when it comes to airflow. Long, hot approaches were never an issue with these shoes, because they didn’t have the same greenhouse effect I’ve grown used to with some other approach shoes in the past. With a thin sock, you may even feel the breeze through them. No matter my level of output, I haven’t had them become overwhelmingly warm over the entire course of my testing.

That’s particularly notable because I have started running many of my more exploratory approaches in the Wildfire NXT. The comfort and padding of these shoes made me think they’d be good at speed, and man, are they. I generally hate running in approach shoes, since very few have a design that allows that to be remotely comfortable, but the Wildfire NXTs are that interesting, perfect blend to make it a reality. They have the cushioning, the support, the right fit, and the breathability, and it’s little wonder that they excel when you push the pace.

I found that the fit was a major contributor to their general comfort and versatility. Their lacing goes far enough down the toe to dial things in up front, and continues high enough towards the ankle to keep you from sliding about at all. The TPU CF strap at the top eyelet seems to make a difference there. It changes the direction of pull on that final loop so that tightening the top of the shoe pulls your foot more into the heel cup, rather than ratcheting directly downwards. I never did develop any blisters while wearing the Wildfire NXTs, and I’d credit that entirely to their secure, consistent fit.

In my testing, I did experiment with the additional insole inserts which Salewa includes with the Wildfire NXTs. If you put them in the shoe beneath the insole, the toe box narrows meaningfully. I prefer a fairly normal-size toe box (not Altra wide, not Adidas skinny), and I thought the toe box was very comfortable without the inserts. For the person who prefers a narrower toe-box though, don’t count these shoes out! The inserts meaningfully adjust the toe box without changing the character of the shoes otherwise.

So, what are we approaching with these shoes? Honestly, not the stuff I typically climb (yes, I am the splitter granite fiend I mentioned earlier). They’re ready for bouldering, sport climbing, general crag use, and long-days in shoes. They’re not my first pick for anything involving cracks, but they sure wear comfortably for most anything else. Somehow, that even includes running.

Fit: I typically wear US Mens size 10.5-11 shoes, and the sizing varies widely for my approach shoes across brands. I tested a size 11 here, and the fit was more on the comfortable side than the precise side. If these are just going to be big hikers for you, sizing is right. If you want to wear these for the easy pitches, consider ordering a half size down.

Buy Now: Available at Salewa