FiveTen Guide Almighty Approach Shoe
By Matt Smith

Made with Five Ten's C4 rubber, the Guide Almighty provides serious traction on almost any surface. While testing the shoes, I tried to walk down a section of 60 degree sandstone slab. I didn't encounter a hint of slip until I got moving and tried to stop. The grip just can't be beat! Along with the shoes' incredible grip, the technical toe makes quick work of light technical climbing and scrambling, making the Guide almighty an excellent approach shoe.

Out of the box, the Guide Almighty felt like it had already been broken in‹and they only got more comfortable as time went on. I have used the shoes over miles of sandstone, limestone, and packed dirt trails without any discomfort. As well, their performance during technical descents of several dry canyons has convinced me that these shoes are keepers.

Despite great comfort and performance, the Guide Almighty deceptively includes one major flaw. After just a few months of use—and after not many miles—the sole started to come unglued. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be an isolated incident. Following a little research, and conversations with several friends who owns the Guide Almighty, I've discovered the problem seems to be a common occurrence.

Summary: Retailing for around $90, the Guide Almighty has big time grip and extreme comfort, outweighing their fragility. Face it, for $90 you can afford to fix the soles when they come unglued.

Matt Smith is the canyoneering editor at GearReview.com and can usually be found swimming with dead mice.

For more information, contact:
FiveTen
P.O. Box 1185
Redlands, CA 92373
(909) 798-4222
CustServ@FiveTen.com