The ideal approach shoe for ski tours must therefore be as light as possible and easy to pack, which is often the case with lightweight running shoes. However, the shoe must offer good grip, as you often walk on slippery, damp ground or snow, where running shoes often don't perform so well.
After having used several trail running models, I'm currently stuck with the Mammut MTR 201 Pro Low (ok, the name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue). The lightweight shoe is not only very comfortable, but also offers really good grip and is relatively easy to pack in the backpack when the skis can finally be taken off the backpack after a few hours. The lacing system takes a little getting used to and you need a little longer to tighten it and stow the laces than if the boot were to be tied normally, but of course no knots can come loose, which is especially pleasing when approaching with a heavy backpack, as unnecessary bending is no longer necessary. The shoe is quite robust and very breathable, but apart from the lacing system, it has no other special features.
In addition to lengthy approaches on ski tours, the MTR 201 Pro Low can of course also be used wonderfully for hiking or, who would have thought it, for running (new German: trail running). It's certainly suitable, as my classic approach shoes are somehow gathering dust in the cupboard at the moment. And who actually uses ankle-high hiking boots anymore?
