Approach shoes for Rock people

ROCK DFS GTX, Scarpe da avvicinamento

10 mountaineering experts and enthusiasts tested the Rock DFS GTX

The Rock DFS GTX , heir to the historic AKU Rock model, was born from the design comparison between AKU and the mountain guide Peter Moser . Intense commitment in the field and technical comparison skills are the added values ​​of a product test . We asked professionals and mountaineering and climbing enthusiasts to try the new Rock DFS GTX. They put them to the test, let's see how it went!

Rock DFS GTX is a technical approach and light climbing shoe , for via ferratas and excursions on mountain paths. The new Dual Fit System double lacing system allows you to adjust the comfort and precision of the fit in the different phases of use: during walking and climbing.

Loris De Barba - test scarpa da avvicinamento Rock

#1 - Loris De Barba - MOUNTAINEER AND SKI MOUNTAINEER

LORIS – He lives in Limana (Belluno), a mountaineer and ski mountaineer for 40 years, he prefers the less frequented areas of the Dolomites and the climbs of the 4000 meters of the Alps. He has associated his passion for the mountains with that of photography, without understanding which of the two is predominant.

I climbed on rocks with loose gravel and 1st and 2nd grade walls, specifically chosen to test the stability of the sole. I found a comfortable shoe, I didn't have any pressure on my feet, even if I ran down the path. The Vibram Megagrip sole is well sculpted and soft at the right point, with excellent grip. The waterproofing is also good, my feet remained dry despite having walked for a long time in the wet grass. The separate lacing system is comfortable, it is possible to give the right customization to the shoe. Downhill I found good stability especially in the heel which, in addition to being well cushioned, gives a sense of pleasant rotation. I also tested the Rock on via ferratas and equipped paths with passages lacking in grips. Here I appreciated the grip of the "doughy" sole at the right point with excellent grip.

  • Scarpe da avvicinamento | AKU modello Rock |Shooting Loris
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento | AKU modello Rock |Shooting Loris
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento | AKU modello Rock |Shooting Loris
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento | AKU modello Rock |Shooting Loris
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento | AKU modello Rock |Shooting Loris
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento | AKU modello Rock |Shooting Loris
Federico Menegatti - test scarpa da avvicinamento Rock

#2 - Federico Monegatti - ALPINE GUIDE

FEDERICO – I am 25 years old, I live in Bedollo, a small village at 1250 meters above sea level immersed in the Lagorai. After two hard but exciting years of courses and exams around the Alps, I realized my dream of becoming an Alpine Guide. Of all the aspects that the mountains can offer, I prefer ski mountaineering in Lagorai in the winter and climbing in the Dolomites in the summer. This for me is the perfect mix!

I used the Rock DFS in different environments, even climbing up to 4+ and I really liked it. The strong points are certainly the compound of the sole , really very "grippy" even on smooth rock and the truly remarkable lacing! The buttonholes behind the heel are very useful for attaching the shoes to the harness when wearing climbing shoes.
I also used it on difficult trails, with a heavy backpack it defends itself well. Downhill, on gravel or dirt, I noticed splendid cushioning and grip , with great stability and little slippage, comparable to a boot. Very good waterproofing when walking on wet grass.

  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU

#3 - Leonardo Panizza - PSYCHOTHERAPIST, PASSIONATE MOUNTAINEER

LEONARDO – He combines his love for the mountains with that of writing, drawing inspiration from the Trentino area. Psychologist, he works as an educator and participates in mountain therapy groups. Last year with Elisa Bessega he crossed the Lagorai chain independently without leaving any traces.

I liked the Rocks straight out of the box, the design is definitely attractive . I tested them for the first time on a classic route on Sass Pordoi. During the approach on paths and scree to reach the base of the wall they proved to be comfortable, as well as for moving on moderate grades. Even when hung on the harness they are light and take up little space.

  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
Francesca Nemi - test scarpa da avvicinamento Rock

#4 - Francesca Nemi - ENGINEER AND HIKING GUIDE

FRANCESCA – She combines her love for the mountains and nature with that for writing and photography. Not always, not necessarily following an order. He is an environmental hiking guide and promotes the valorization and knowledge of the parks and reserves of the Central Apennines for the Walden Guide Center.

I wore my Rock shoes for the first time in the Sirente-Velino Regional Park, up to the highest peak (Mount Velino at 2487 m), in a circular route of over 20 km, on various types of terrain. The Dual Fit System double lacing system allowed me to adjust the comfort during the stages of approaching the summit, obtaining a light and flexible fit on the initial and comfortable trail. When the terrain became rough and irregular I used the precise climbing lace, increasing sensitivity and precision at the tip for a firm and stable support on rocks and grade 1 walls. The ability to adjust the space around the forefoot, thus creating a more or less snug fit, depending on your needs, makes the Rock my favorite adventure companions.

  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
Leonardo Panizza - test scarpa da avvicinamento Rock

#5 - Giacomo Frison - PHOTOGRAPHER, FOUNDER OF ALTRIPIANI

GIACOMO – I was born in Venice, I am a photographer and my work is mainly inspired by the relationship between man and nature. My passions are contained in the ALTRIPIANI project, which combines photography, mountaineering, cultural and anthropological research of the most remote mountain areas.

Le Rock accompanied my father and me to the Carnic Alps for 3 days, up to the summit of Coglians (2780 m), the highest peak in Friuli Venezia Giulia, including the via ferrata that climbs the north face for approximately 700 metres. The shoes were perfect on all types of terrain , we felt confident even on those passages where they needed more grip. Where you put the tip of the Rock you are sure that it holds. I liked it more on the wall than in the more hiking part. When climbing, the Elica cushioned mega-heel is super soft and comfortable. My father is also very satisfied with his Rocks.

  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
Elio Bonfanti - test scarpa da avvicinamento Rock

#6 - Elio Bonfanti - ENTREPRENEUR, ICE CLIMBING EXPERT, MOUNTAINEERING INSTRUCTOR OF THE ITALIAN ALPINE CLUB

ELIO – National mountaineering instructor and free climbing instructor. A freelancer and therefore a mountaineer only in his free time, he has been climbing since 1978 and has opened new routes on both rock and ice, some of which in the company of the unforgettable Gian Carlo Grassi.

The Rock accompanied me easily both on Saturday towards the cool crag of Simplon Dorf at the Simplon Pass and on the long approach, partly on a fossil glacier, to reach the beautiful Hannibal Turm, the granite tower that dominates the Siedelenhutte above the Furka Pass .
The shape of the upper allows for a very comfortable fit and at the same time its progressive lacing allows for precise closure, both on the forefoot and on the heel. This solution makes the foot-shoe assembly a truly solid and precise whole. Swiss granite, smoothed by thousand-year-old glaciers, is known for being particularly smooth, but here too the sole did not disappoint expectations and reaching the base of the route safely was child's play. I really think it will be a long summer in the company of my Rocks.

  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
Laura Donazzan - test scarpa da avvicinamento Rock

#7 - Laura Donazzan - PHYSIOTHERAPIST AND OSTEOPATIST, MOUNTAIN PASSIONATE

LAURA – Physiotherapist and Osteopath, born and lived in the mountains, since she was a child she frequented the Pale di San Martino and the Vette Feltrine, as she grew up the desire to explore the mountains and reach higher and higher also grew, hence the passion for climbing, ski mountaineering and ice, together with the desire to discover even more distant peaks.

I tried the Rocks between the Belluno Dolomites and the Pale di San Martino, my home mountains. In the first exit on the Sassolungo di Cibiana, the summit of which requires a climb up to grade II, with a beautiful step that emerges from a stuck boulder. Here the Rock demonstrated excellent grip and precision , thanks to the precise climbing lace which closes the toe better. Even on the return in the traverse passages on ledges and gravel, their grip gave me confidence.
Together with the Rock I then reached the base of the Pradidali bell tower: an approach of around 1200 meters between woods and rock in which the comfort of the footwear and good waterproofness were fundamental to better face the subsequent climb. The grip of the sole allowed me to descend safely from the summit: The sole, not too rigid and well cushioned , helped me lighten the fatigue of 12 hours spent in the environment, leaving me the possibility of letting go of my legs on the descent, even on the screes where the grip is good and the physical response stress is never excessive.

  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
Matteo Sciamplicotti - test scarpa da avvicinamento Rock

#8 - Matteo Sciamplicotti - STUDENT, MOUNTAIN ENTHUSIAST

MATTEO – A high school student, he grew up imagining being able to live the thousand adventures he read about in the many books he has devoured so far. A hiker since he went trekking on his parents' shoulders, he loves the snow-capped mountains equally, if not more. His first pair of skis were free heel skis and since then he has continued to ski according to the ancient telemark technique. He hopes soon to be able to leave for a crossing with his father, perhaps pulling a sled through the snows of the Arctic Circle.

Already dry, tried at home, the Rock immediately amazed me with its great comfort. I used it immediately during the summer holidays with my parents in Alpe Devero, on medium difficulty excursions and even on some easy mountaineering routes. The Rock has proven to be robust and able to withstand the stress of routes with large differences in height and which require precise supports and constant grip on the rock. Even on short, easy climbing itineraries, the excellent concept of this model was demonstrated: on low difficulties (up to grade IV) the shoe works well, allowing for peaceful climbing on both slabs and crimps. It is certainly not a climbing shoe, but the double lacing undoubtedly allows for great precision, plus the Rock is soft on the sides and therefore comfortable and light. Softness that does not come at the expense of climbing precision, given that the Precise Climbing system makes up for lateral rigidity when necessary. The sole has a compound that grips well on both wet and dry surfaces and the tread drains mud very well, cleaning itself almost instantly.

  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
Santi Padros - test scarpa da avvicinamento Rock

#9 - Santi Padrós - ALPINE GUIDE

SANTI – He is a Spanish mountain guide who has chosen to live in the Dolomites of Val di Zoldo. He made about ten expeditions between the Himalayas and South America, opening new routes and first extreme skiing descents. He traveled to Oman and Morocco, climbed on Reunion Island, Greece and the USA, New Zealand and Kyrgystan on ski mountaineering. He is a Canyoning Guide instructor in Italy and collaborates as an instructor in Spanish schools where alpine guides and medium mountain guides are trained.

With Annabella we go to Arco for a weekend of rock climbing with friends. We want to climb the Elision route and since the first pitch only has a short section of VI and VI-, I decide to start with the Rock (just in case I'll hang from a piton and wear climbing shoes). Without realizing it I arrive at the sixth pitch , where a VI+ pass awaits me. By now I have become familiar with the Rock shoes and I almost-almost forgot that I don't have climbing shoes on my feet. I can also pass the VI+ sections. Amazing how well they work on any difficulty. The precision is spectacular, almost like having climbing shoes.
I can't wait for the snow to melt so I can go to Valle di San Lucano to repeat some routes with the Rock. I even try climbing on a pile of logs, even there I find the Rock light, precise and comfortable.

  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU
Alberto Zabot - test scarpa da avvicinamento Rock

#10 - Alberto Zabot - ENTREPRENEUR, SKI MOUNTAINEERING INSTRUCTOR OF THE ITALIAN ALPINE CLUB

ALBERTO – He lives in Feltre (Belluno), is a national ski mountaineering instructor and director of the CAI Feltre Mountaineering and Ski Mountaineering School. He frequents the mountains in all its forms and seasons, spending beautiful days trekking or climbing in his home Dolomites and in the Western Alps. In winter he is enchanted by ski mountaineering which he loves madly.

I tried my Rock Mid during an educational mountaineering activity on the Sass de Mura route and a few weeks later on a trek in Tuscany on Monte Amiata. I was very satisfied, in particular with the double closure in the front which eliminates the gaps that are always created, having a narrow sole of the foot. The sole has excellent grip even on wet rock and stones, the difference in structure between the front and rear part of the sole is also very interesting, the tread of the rear part is excellent in the presence of slippery foliage. The Gore-Tex upper held up very well despite being left in the rain for a couple of hours. I also used them on long stretches of asphalt and appreciated their comfort.

  • Scarpe da avvicinamento (approach) | Dual fit system | Modello Rock AKU

THE ROCK DFS GTX PROJECT