There's one new bit of kit I haven't included in our Haglöfs spring 2013 preview and that's the new Rock Icon scrambling and approach shoe, which is due in the shops early next year.It's a neat-looking little fella available in Gore-Tex and non Gore

Approach shoes are supposed to be the ultimate technical all-rounders. In theory they should be comfortable enough to walk in to the bottom of the crag, route or via ferrata, grippy and capable once you're on the rock and still have enough grip

and the finished article is sitting in the OM office. It's the first climbing-orientated adidas approach/scrambling shoe and quite unlike most of the others out there. Trainer Looks With Added TechAt a quick first glance it actually looks rather like a vintage

things get rocky.You're also getting a full-on leather upper, protective toe bumperand external heel counter and a cushioned EVA mid-sole. How It Works A lot of approach and scrambling shoes aredestined to be worn mostly down the pub and for bimbling

, but the runner isn't sticky enough to use thelongitudinal flexibility to smear effectively.We're not saying that you can't use them for scrambling, but ifyou're looking for a shoe for harder scrambles and / or easy climbs,you'll find better elsewhere. To be fair

. On most scrambles and via ferratas, however, we suspect they'll manage just fine.As ever with approach shoes, it's all about balance between rock performance and walk-in comfort - after all, most scrambles are a good few miles from the road, and our

This here fella is the new Scarpa Crux, arriving in the UK right about now, so in the shops imminently. The thinking behind it, says Scarpa, is that it combines the best bits of their trekking and climbing footwear technology to create a shoe that

This week's Monday Tip is for anyone who's just getting into climbing or even has scrambling footwear with a sticky rubber sole unit and is about how to get the best out of sticky rubber.Rock boot rubber – 5.10's Stealth and similar compounds

the stumblingblock is the EVA cushioning compound, but Berghaus has opted for avery stiff EVA in strategic areas to firm things up and minimise rolloff edges.We really like the look of these and reckon they could be acracking scrambling shoe with potential

scrambling or tough approach shoe. The official blurb says it's suitable for bouldering or walking to your next climbing destination. We reckon something in between the two - a gnarly approach to a crag or a wander anywhere on Tryfan - is where they come