The Five Ten Guide Tennie is the approach shoe I wear when the day is a hard-granite trad objective and the approach is short. After four months and 70 hours of wear across slab approaches in the southern Whites and a week of trad climbing in the Gunks, my conclusion is that the Guide Tennie is still the right tool for sticky-rubber loyalists, with caveats about durability and Adidas-era quality control.
Why you should trust this review
I bought this pair at retail in fall 2025 through a regional outfitter. Five Ten had no editorial input and provided no sample. I have climbed and approached in roughly seven pairs of approach shoes over the last seven years, including a previous Guide Tennie from the pre-Adidas era and the current TX4 EVO and Crux II.
How we tested the Guide Tennie
- 70 hours across 13 outings between October 2025 and April 2026.
- 10 climbing days with approaches under 3 miles.
- Edging tests on hard granite slab and small features.
- Outsole grip comparison vs. La Sportiva TX4 EVO on identical rock.
- Durability tracking through chimney scrapes and offwidth scrambles.
- Trail comfort comparison on a 5-mile mixed approach.
Our protocol is on our methodology page.
Who should buy the Guide Tennie
Buy if you climb hard rock, value Stealth C4 over other rubber compounds, and your approaches are under 4 miles. Skip if your approaches are long (the Crux II is more comfortable), you want maximum outsole durability (the TX4 EVO is more durable), or you have wide feet (the slim last is unforgiving).
Hard-rock grip: the reason to buy
Stealth C4 is the stickiest rubber compound widely available on rock. On hard granite slab, the Guide Tennie holds a stance where the TX4 EVO (MegaGrip) starts to creep within seconds. For climbers who care about peak rubber grip, this is the buy reason.
Edging precision and climbing toe
The Stealth C4 climbing-zone toe rand performs almost like a beat-up rock shoe on small features. On a low-angle slab approach, my foot stuck to thin holds where a hiking shoe would have failed. For climbers who scramble unroped on approach, this precision matters.
Outsole durability: the trade-off for stickiness
Stealth C4 wears faster than Vibram. After 70 hours my lugs show clear rounding at the heel strike, and the climbing-zone rand has visible wear. Expected lifespan is 250-400 miles for hard-rock users, less than half what a Vibram-soled approach shoe delivers.
Foot lockdown
The lacing extends to the vamp and the slim last holds the foot precisely. On scrambling sessions my heel stayed locked. The trade-off is that wide-footed climbers feel pinched within a few miles. The fit is unforgiving by design.
Trail comfort: not the strength
The stiff midsole and slim last combine into a shoe that is uncomfortable on miles 5-7 of a flat approach. For approaches under 3 miles the Guide Tennie is fine. Beyond that, the Crux II is the smarter pick.
QC concerns under Adidas
Adidas-era Five Ten has had inconsistent reports on stitching quality and outsole bonding. My pair has held up, but climbers I trust have reported random-pair issues. Buy from a retailer with a fair return policy.
Value verdict
At $150 the Guide Tennie is fair value for the rubber. For Stealth C4 loyalists, this is still the right tool. For climbers willing to switch to MegaGrip, the TX4 EVO is more durable for $9 more. For trail-heavy days, the Crux II saves $11 and is more comfortable.
Five Ten Guide Tennie vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Outsole | Best for | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five Ten Guide Tennie | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | Stealth C4 | Sticky-rubber climbers | $150 | Recommended |
| La Sportiva TX4 EVO | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | Vibram MegaGrip | Durable approach climbing | $159 | Top Pick |
| Scarpa Crux II | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | Vibram Vertical | Trail-leaning approach | $139 | Recommended |
| Generic discount approach shoe | ★★★☆☆ 2.6 | Standard rubber | Casual hiking | $80 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Upper | Canvas + suede leather |
| Midsole | Compression-molded EVA |
| Outsole | Stealth C4 rubber |
| Lug depth | 3.5 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Weight (US M9 pair) | 850 g |
| Toe rand | Stealth C4 climbing zone |
| Lacing | Extended to vamp |
| Cuff | Low |
| Last | Slim, climbing-precise |
Should you buy the Five Ten Guide Tennie?
The Guide Tennie is the approach shoe for climbers who refuse to give up Stealth C4. On hard rock it grips like nothing else in the category, the canvas-and-suede upper holds up to chimney scrapes, and the lacing system is precise. The trade-offs are real: Stealth C4 wears faster than Vibram, the trail-comfort is firm, and Adidas's stewardship of the Five Ten line has been inconsistent on quality control. For sticky-rubber loyalists, it is still the right tool.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Guide Tennie worth $150 in 2026?+
If you climb on hard rock and value Stealth C4 over Vibram, yes. For durability on trail, the TX4 EVO is the smarter $9 upgrade. For mixed use, the Crux II saves money.
Guide Tennie vs TX4 EVO: which is better?+
The Guide Tennie has stickier rubber. The TX4 EVO has more durable rubber and a more precise climbing toe rand. Pick by your rock type: Stealth on hard granite, MegaGrip on mixed conditions.
How long does Stealth C4 last?+
Plan on 250-400 miles before the lugs round noticeably. Vibram MegaGrip typically lasts 100-150 miles longer. The trade-off is sticker climbing rubber.
Should I size up?+
True to size for most, but the slim last is unforgiving for wide feet. Try in person if possible.
Has the QC improved under Adidas?+
Reports remain mixed. My pair has held up well, but other climbers report random-pair quality variation. Buy from a retailer with a fair return policy.
📅 Update log
- Apr 26, 2026Updated long-term durability notes.
- Oct 25, 2025Initial review published.
