ProView – AKU Outdoors Men’s Rock DFS II GTX

The AKU Rock DFS II GTX is a rugged approach shoe that blends comfort with high performance, featuring a Dual Fit System (DFS) with two separate lace zones to help customize your fit. While I felt the break-in period was longer than normal, I’ve enjoyed the shoe more and more as I continue using it. 

After over a month of use, I have taken the AKU Rock DFX II GTX across Washington, Montana, and even Belize! Going into the winter season, they’ve handled wet, muddy, and snowy conditions while keeping my feet dry and secure. I have used them for winter hiking, light scrambling, harvesting this year’s Christmas tree, and even home renovation projects. Breaking in these shoes during winter has me excited to use them for summer objectives in the North Cascades near my home in Leavenworth, Washington. 

Fit/Comfort 

While I think this is a great shoe overall, I had a difficult time dialing in the right size. I normally wear a men’s US 12, but found the Rock DFS II GTX to run large in that size. Sizing down to an 11 fit me much better.

Unfortunately, my biggest gripe was persistent heel blisters during the first month of wear. This happened on long hikes, short hikes, with various sock styles and materials, and even during casual walking around town. Thankfully, as the shoes broke in and conformed to my feet, comfort improved and the blistering subsided. I recommend trying on these shoes in-store and taking a few laps around the aisles to ensure proper sizing. While my initial experience with fit and comfort was rocky, I think the Rock DFS II GTX becomes an excellent shoe once you find the right size and get through the break-in period.

Look/Style

I’m a big fan of the suede leather on the Rock DFS II GTX. Right out of the box, my first thought was, “These shoes mean business.” The orange highlights on the sole and dual-fit laces provide a nice contrast to the otherwise black-and-gray color scheme.

Features

The Rock DFS II GTX is packed with functional features, including AKU’s Dual Fit System (DFS), a Gore-Tex membrane, Vibram® MegaGrip outsoles, and the Elica Natural Stride System. The Dual Fit System is quick and easy to adjust with pull-and-cinch laces in addition to the standard laces. The DFS laces connect to lightweight webbing that wraps around your foot, providing a quick way to snug up the toe box and midfoot, lending some extra performance on more technical terrain.

The rugged Vibram® MegaGrip sole provides excellent traction on varying terrain. While the Rock DFX cannot be resoled, I expect the stock soles will last for many seasons. My favorite feature of the Rock DFX II GTX is the Gore-Tex membrane. My feet stayed warm and dry tromping through ice, snow, and water to cut down this year’s Christmas tree. 

Function/Performance

Aside from the sizing issues, the Rock DFS II GTX performed exceptionally well across a wide range of terrain and conditions. The laces stay securely tied, my feet remain warm and dry, and traction is reliable on technical ground. I also appreciate the beefy rubber rand that wraps from the toe box nearly to the heel, offering extra protection. While I haven’t yet used this shoe in summer conditions, I anticipate it may run a bit warm on long, hot days. Overall, I’m very satisfied with the Rock DFS II GTX’s performance in diverse environments.

Durability/Construction

The Rock DFX II GTX feels bomb-proof. It is tough to judge long-term durability of a shoe after only a month, but so far the sole, 1.6mm suede leather upper, and rubber rand are holding up well. The only notable wear thus far is a slight peel where the mid-sole wraps over the suede leather upper at the heel.

What sets the product apart?

While there are many solid approach shoes on the market, the Dual Fit System truly sets the Rock DFS II GTX apart. It allows for quick fit adjustments on the fly without needing to retie laces, making it especially useful on variable terrain. The lightweight webbing wraps around and under the foot, creating a more precise, climbing-shoe-like fit when cinched down. I even found myself using the DFS system without tying the standard laces on occasion—perfect for quick errands when I didn’t feel like fully lacing up. 

Who is the product for?

The Rock DFS II GTX is a great option for anyone looking for a capable approach shoe for rough terrain in cool to warm conditions. While I haven’t yet put them through a full climbing season, I’m excited to use them throughout Washington and the Cascades for alpine pursuits. I plan to make these my primary non-winter footwear for mountain rescue missions that demand a durable, abuse-resistant shoe.

Friendliness to the Earth

AKU concentrates more than 85% of its production in company-owned facilities in Italy and Romania, limiting the environmental impact of the transport of goods. It is also possible to trace the geographical origin of 100% of the product components—raw material and semi-finished parts, giving the user complete transparency. AKU is also dedicated to lowering their CO2 emissions through various projects to lower their energy consumption. 

The Final Word

The AKU Rock DFX II is a rugged approach shoe boasting well thought out and functional features.  It does seem to run large for its US sizes and has a longer break-in period than I am used to. However, I find myself liking the shoe more and more as I continue using it.

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