An AMGA guide’s real-world test of the Arc'teryx Konseal technical approach shoe.
As an AMGA certified guide, I often hike in to rock climbing routes and rely on good approach shoes.
As a hiking and scrambling guide who spends long days on rugged desert terrain, I’m very picky about the shoes I trust on technical approaches. I need rock-solid footing on Class III–IV scrambles, comfort for all-day guiding, and an outsole that grips sandstone and granite like a climbing shoe.
After two weeks of constant use across Mammoth Lakes, Red Rock Canyon, and Valley of Fire, the women’s Arc’teryx Konseal surprised me — in the best way. Here’s my full review.
You can read our in-depth look at the men's Arc'teryx Konseal shoe here.
Final Verdict
The Arc’teryx Konseal is now my go-to hybrid approach shoe. It offers stiff, confidence-building stability, insanely sticky rubber, and enough cushioning to keep my feet happy through full guiding days. It runs big and the toe box is wider than typical approach shoes, but for hikers and climbers who want a supportive, high-control, scramble-ready shoe, the Konseal is outstanding.
My Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Pros:
Cons:
The women's Arc'teryx Konseal shoe in Tatsu / Black
The men's Arc'teryx Konseal shoe in Olive Moss / Black
The women's Arc'teryx Konseal in Rune / Black. The over-lasted construction covers more of the upper than previous models.
Fit & Feel
Overall Comfort
They broke in fast, remained supportive, and genuinely felt like a blend between a stiff approach shoe and a comfy hiking shoe
Runs Large
I tested a women’s 7.5 US / 39¹/₃ EU, my normal size, and the first thing I noticed is that the Konseal runs big. The toe box is wider than most approach shoes I’ve worn, but it’s still precise enough for secure edging thanks to the stiff sole.
For true technical toeing or fifth-class climbing, I would personally size down half a size.
How to find your size for Arc'teryx footwear.
Arc'teryx footwear tends to run large relative to your normal US and EU size. In acknowledging this they have updated their footwear size chart. Arc'teryx footwear uses the Mondopoint sizing system, which is based on your foot length in Centimeters. Follow these steps to make sure you get the right size shoe for your foot.
- 1Back the heel of one of your feet against a wall.
- 2Measure from the wall to the end of your longest toe in Centimeters.
- 3Using your CM measurement, find your size on the most updated Arc'teryx footwear size chart
Understanding the default fit of Arc'teryx footwear:
Arc'teryx offers footwear in three different default fits. Be sure to check the default fit of the shoe before you size.
Comfort Fit - This gives you the most space at the toe and a less snug fit around the foot.
Precision Fit - This fits snug across the width of the foot with slightly less space in front of the toes.
Technical Fit - This is the most snug option for fit. Picture the fit of a climbing shoe or ski boot.
Toe Box
I find that the Arc'teryx Konseal have a much wider toe box than I’m used to in an approach shoe, which has been good for guiding hikes that involve scrambles up to class IV, but I think for anything about class III-V, I would want to actually go another half size down.
Drop
I typically like a lower drop, so I was a little worried about the 11mm drop on the Koneal. It’s been a small adjustment and I like them more than I thought I would! They have been really comfortable for long days on trail and I haven't had any knee pain.
Technical Performance: Desert Scrambles and Approaches
I've used the Arc'teryx Konseal shoe mostly in desert and canyons of Nevada (Red Rock National Conservation Area and Valley of Fire State Park), but I was able to do a few hikes on granite in my summer playground of Mammoth Lakes, CA. These shoes have had stand out performance in a few areas.
The Vibram® XS Flash 2 outsole has the best grip of any shoe I've used. I can move fast in these over steep and loose terrain. They have good cushion despite the stiff sole, and I feel like they allow me to move smoothly and confidently over tricky terrain. I genuinely love how they feel and perform. I’m coming home with happy feet even after guiding in them.
The other really big call out on the Konseal is that for a low-top shoe, they are EXCELLENT at keeping debris out. I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever gotten sand in these shoes, despite walking through sandy washes on almost all of the trips I guide. I definitely see sand come over my toe, but no sand actually gets inside, which is amazing. The leather sacrifices some breathability, but it is a good tradeoff for the protection
Arc'teryx Konseal - Durability
As typical with leather shoes, the Arc'teryx Konseal is developing creases in the upper.
These shoes use premium materials and have an excellent build quality. I expect the soles on these last for a long time. This is some of the sturdiest, stickiest rubber I’ve ever had on an approach shoe. The leather upper has proven really durable in a rocky environment, but it is creasing a lot as they break in. I love the supple feel and appreciate how quickly the leather is breaking in, but it does give them a fairly worn look. Overall I give a high rating to the quality and durability of the Arc'teryx Konseal.
Arc'teryx Konseal Vs. Black Diamond Circuit Vs. Scarpa Crux
I think it is helpful to compare the Arc'teryx Konseal to other approach shoes I use. My Black Diamond Circuits (which have been replaced by the Technician Pro) are better for class V stuff, simply because they’re tighter and fit more like a rock shoe, whereas the Konseals fit a little more like a hiking shoe with a stiff sole and sticky rubber.
I would say these are more similar to the Scarpa Crux, which used to be my go-to approach shoe. The Konseal has far better performance when it comes to the sticky rubber and security of my foot in the shoe. That said, the Crux is still a great shoe that I've always found really comfortable.
| Model | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Arc'teryx Konseal (women's / men's) | $190.00 | Long approaches in varied terrian. |
| Black Diamond Technician Pro (women's / men's) | $199.95 | The most technical rocky approaches. |
| Scarpa Crux (women's / men's) | $159.00 | All day comfort. |
Summary
Overall, I am extremely impressed with the Arc’teryx Konseal. I wasn’t expecting to like them as much as I do because I’m pretty picky about the approach shoes and the hiking shoes that I use, but they’ve proven to be amazing for both technical hiking and scrambling. I truly feel like I could use these on an alpine approach and be set up for a successful summit due to how comfortable they are and how secure I feel with the super sticky rubber. They’re becoming my go-to guide shoes for the desert hiking season, which is awesome because I don’t think any of my other shoes cover all of my bases as well as these shoes do.
FAQ - Arc'teryx Konseal Women's Shoe
Is the Arc'teryx Konseal waterproof?
The standard Arc'teryx Konseal shoe is not waterproof, but there is a new waterproof Konseal GTX that has an added GORE-TEX membrane to the leather upper. See the Arc'teryx Konseal GTX waterproof approach shoe here.
Should I size up or down with the Arc'teryx Konseal?
I found the Konseal runs slightly long, especially compared to other “Precision Fit” shoes. Because the toe box is narrow, sizing down might make the shoe too tight — but sizing normally left a bit of room without heel slip. My suggestion is to measure your foot (in cm) and cross-reference with Arc’teryx’s size chart for best results. Here is the Arc'teryx footwear size chart.
How breathable is the Arc'teryx Konseal.
I'd say the Arc'teryx Konseal shoe breathes moderately well, but not as well as shoes with a more porous upper. That said, I don't get any sand sneaking into my Konseals. For desert and dry climates, that’s a huge advantage
How does the grip on the Arc'teryx Konseal perform on rock?
The Arc'teryx Konseal has exceptional grip. The Vibram® XS Flash 2 outsole is the best I've used on an approach shoe.