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We first featured an Arc’teryx approach shoe back in 2016. Since then, we have covered plenty more, from the Kopec hiking shoe to the Sylvan trail running shoe. They have all scored highly, and we have found them to be excellent in both performance and style.
In 2023, we featured the Konseal FL, which got a great review and saw a lot of wear. I replaced these with the Kopec as I wanted a more dedicated hiking option with a slightly roomier toe box. This season’s Konseal shoe (2025 model) is a superb update on the Konseal FL, bringing a durable Nubuck leather upper, a significantly stickier Vibram XS Flash 2 sole compound, and an improved lacing system. There are plenty of other improvements that I will get into shortly.
If you haven’t come across the Arc’teryx Konseal before, it is designed as a dedicated climbing approach shoe. That’s not to say you can only wear them if you are a climber; on the contrary, they are perfectly fine for all outdoor adventures, particularly if you have a narrower foot profile. If you do have a narrower foot profile, you’ll love them because, as with the previous model of the Konseal, they feature a precision toe box. It’s fully wrapped in a robust rubber rand that not only protects toes when descending but allows for precise foot placement and the occasional crack move when scrambling up technical ascents.
The rest of the rand is thinner, which offers decent protection and helps deliver water resistance when moving through puddles or streams. The tongue is gusseted, which also helps keep water, dirt, and grit out. You’ll need to note, though, that the Konseal shoe is not waterproof in the Gore-Tex sense, but the wide rand and DWR-coated leather will easily keep most water at bay. There is a specific GTX version if you prefer them waterproof. There is also a great high top version for extra stability and protection.
In fact, the rand is well-featured and a great improvement on the Konseal FL. The outer part of the rand covers more of the toe area, so if you encounter some crack climbing you can be confident that you have plenty of rubber in contact with the rock. There is even some texture on this area to improve friction and durability, so the rand is excellent and will see you safely through any rugged terrain. They’re also relatively light at 390g (per shoe, UK8), helping to fight foot fatigue at the end of a long approach day.
The EVA midsole provides plenty of cushioning on those rocky descents and offers a firm heel strike—you aren’t going to get the kind of cushioning you find on a fluffy running shoe. Instead, the Konseal shoe offers a very stable ride on all technical terrain and long haul approaches, and provides excellent security when laced properly. The outsole is a huge improvement on the Konseal FL, which already used the excellent Vibram Megagrip rubber. The 2025 Konseal is made using the cutting-edge Vibram XS Flash 2 compound. This sticky rubber is typically found on indoor climbing shoes and provides high-friction grip that is truly outstanding for an approach shoe. In my opinion, this is the best sole unit since the iconic 5.10 ‘Tennies’ with their dotty soles. With this high-friction rubber, you may sacrifice a little durability compared to harder hiking compounds, but for me, that trade-off is absolutely worth the price if you are planning to use these for demanding, technical approaches and scrambles.
There is a dedicated climbing zone area on the front of the sole, and crucial stiffness and stability are provided by the addition of a carbon fibre shank. This not only ensures precision when delicate footwork is needed but also offers improved support when hiking to the crag with a heavy load. The shoe does have a high drop of 11mm and a pronounced arch support, which I have found to be comfortable. I prefer this style of shoe as opposed to a zero drop, as I find it helps my knees on the post-climb descent. The drop is also useful for positioning the toe at the front of the shoe for optimal climbing performance. There are plenty of 4mm lugs on the bottom of the outsole, so you should feel secure when descending ground such as steep grass or loose dirt.
The outsole on the 2025 Konseal is resoleable, a great feature for longevity. You should probably consult the Vibram Academy for details on this and where to send them, as the sole unit looks very specialised. Whether any local cobblers would stock the specific XS Flash 2 sole would need to be researched. That said, I wouldn’t let that put you off, as they are Vibram, so you have the backing of the Vibram Academy to help you find a resoler.
As you would expect from a premium brand, there are some great finishing touches to the Konseal shoe. The improved heel construction provides a secure fit around the heel without pressing into the Achilles. Further comfort is provided from the microfibre lining around the heel area, which helps wick away sweat. The extended lacing offers a precision fit, and the lacing garage at the top of the tongue is great for tidying away excess lace. The hidden lace tapes are a signature feature of Arc’teryx footwear, and the microfibre lining extends down the tongue. There is also a large taped heel loop, which is plenty big enough to get both fingers into, as well as carabiners for attaching to a climbing harness or backpack. Final touches include a colour co-ordinated Bird logo on the heel and Arc’teryx branding on the tongue tab. My final note is one I mentioned at the beginning of the review: the Konseal shoe is designed as a technical approach shoe and therefore has a performance fit, meaning a narrower toe profile, so my advice, as always, is to try a pair on if you can.
The Arc’teryx Konseal Men’s shoe is available in UK sizes 6.5 to 12.5 and 4 colour options. There is a female-specific version (Arc’teryx Konseal Women’s) available in UK sizes 3.5 to 8.5 and also 4 colour options.
The SRP is £170, and they are available from Arc’teryx UK , the London shop and specialist retailers, making the Konseal a top contender in the low-top approach shoe category for 2025.
Disclosure – CGR reviewers and writers are never paid to provide a review and the website does not take advertising or link to affiliate sales. We are a bunch of keen climbers and travellers who accept sample products and offer an honest and independent review of the item.
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