ProView – Five Ten Guide Tennie Men’s Approach Shoe
You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone in the outdoor space who isn’t somewhat familiar with the Five Ten Guide Tennie Approach Shoe. For years the Guide Tennie has been considered industry standard for both outdoor professionals and weekend worriers alike. For many people, when they think of an approach shoe, the Guide Tennie is what they picture. The Guide Tennie is known for its comfort underfoot, versatility, and unparalleled performance on a wide variety of rock.
Five Ten Guide Tennie
Product Description: These men's shoes set the standard for durability, support and grip on technical approaches. Extended rubber zones around the toe take abuse and maximise stability for scrambling. A stiff midsole adds control for carrying a pack in mixed terrain.Split suede leather upper with extended rands for added durability. Climbing zone on outsole for friction on technical terrain. Stiff midsole for all day support. Stealth® C4 rubber outsole for unbeatable grip and unparalleled edging power.
Offer price: $120 MSRP
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Quality
(5)
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Features
(4)
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Fit
(5)
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Durability
(4.5)
Summary
You’ll be hard pressed to find someone in the outdoor space who isn’t somewhat familiar with the Five Ten Guide Tennie Approach Shoe. For years the Guide Tennie has been considered industry standard for both outdoor professionals and weekend worriers alike. For many people, when they think of an approach shoe, the Guide Tennie is what they picture. The Guide Tennie is known for its comfort underfoot, versatility, and unparalleled performance on a wide variety of rock.
Overall
4.6Pros
- Solid Construction
- Good for a wide foot
- Versatile
- Price
- Comfortable
Cons
- Limited Color Selection
- No Gusseted Tongue
As a full-time traveling adventure journalist, I spend most of my life outside trying to get that perfect photo. It’s not quite as glamorous as a backcountry climbing guide but that doesn’t make this shoe any less important to my line of work. I tested the Guide Tennie (as well as the throwback Five Ten Five Tennie) on a month-long work trip that began in the blistering late summer heat of the Utah desert, traveled West to the Sierra Nevada, and then up North to the soggy Pacific Northwest. I put these kicks to the test on sandstone, granite, and the volcanic rock in Oregon’s Three Sisters Wilderness. I used the Guide Tennie while carrying a wide variety of weight ranging from lightweight day-packs to trekking packs jammed full of camera gear.
Fit/Comfort
Historically, I have a hard time finding approach shoes that fit my size 13 “fat” foot. The Guide Tennie is wider than its counterpart (the Five Ten Five Tennie) as well as many of it’s well know competitors. For this reason, I rate the Guide Tennie as one of the most comfortable approach-style shoes on the market. If you have a fat foot like me, the Guide Tennie is possibly the only approach shoe on the market for you. It remained comfortable on a variety of terrain including sandy slot canyons and a 20 mile day in the Sierra Nevada. The fit is somewhat snug, providing nice stability.
Look/Style
While Five Ten has made some changes to the Guide Tennie in the last few years, the look as mostly remained the same. It looks like a low-key approach shoe and is available in three muted earth-tone colors that look nice in the city or in the backcountry. If you are looking for a flashy shoe, or bright colors you will want to look elsewhere.
Features
The Guide Tennie is known in the climbing world for the use of its C4 Stealth rubber that provides the incredible traction that the Guide Tennie is synonyms with. Five Ten uses their Dotty Tread that sticks wonderfully while smearing rock and provides nice sensitivity while edging. The upper is comprised split-suede leather upper provides nice cushion and protection against sharp rock. Much to the dismay of many Guide Tennie die-hards, the newest version does not come with a gusseted tongue.
Weight
At 14.3 ounces the Guide Tennie isn’t as light as the Five Tennie (11.5 ounces) but it’s manageable. As someone who usually gravitates toward minimalist shoes, these do feel a little chunky. However, I find the extra weight is worth it for the extra protection.
Function/Performance
As I mentioned above these shoes preform well on a variety of terrain and under a variety of conditions. I found the Guide Tennie to be a great option for those who need a shoe that can lock in on barely-there edges as well as a shoe that can smear with the best of them. At one point I actually found myself laughing out loud as a walked up almost vertical sandstone. The uppers protected my feet against sharp granite and scree fields in sub-alpine conditions. Overall I was extremely pleased with the way these shoes preformed, even in wet conditions. They offer a nice compromise between stability and sensitivity. Somewhat unexpectedly, these shoes are also a serviceable option for mountain biking. The Stealth C4 outsole is the same used on many of Five Ten’s mountain biking flats. This is a major plus for someone on a budget, looking for a versatile shoe.
Durability/Construction
I have been testing these shoes for 60 days and these are showing no signs of deteriorating. I suspect these shoes will last a long time.
Friendliness to the Earth
In 2016 the Five Ten parent company Adidas Outdoor listed fifth among the ‘Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World. However, as far as I can tell the Guide Tennie is made from all new materials as opposed to recycled materials.
The Final Word
Whether you are a professional mountain guide or just in the market for a time-tested approach shoe that won’t break the bank The Five Ten Guide Tennie is a solid option. Especially for those who have a wide foot.
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Ben Dawson is a full-time #vanlifer and adventure journalist/photographer based in the western United States. He has a passion for conservation and spends most of his time creating content for various brands in the outdoor space. Connect with him on Instagram at @meetme_onthe_mountain
About the Gear Tester
Ben Dawson
Ben Dawson is a full-time #vanlifer, father, and adventure journalist/photographer based in the western United States. He has a passion for conservation and spends most of his time creating content for various brands in the outdoor space. Connect with him on Instagram at @meetme_onthe_mountain
Nice looking shoe. How do you think they would perform on a bikepacking trip? I’m using flat pedals, and there’s some walking involved at times, maybe some creek crossings (if I’m lucky), generally dirt or gravel roads. But the sticky rubber should work well with the flat pedals and their studs. I usually wear SPD shoes with clipless pedals on other bikes but with this bike, I’ve been using my Oboz Sawtooths which are near end-of-life and the approach design may be less bulky than the front of my Oboz.
Eric, Honestly I think these would work really well for a bike packing trip. Before I upgraded to the Five Ten Freeride Pro for MTB I rocked the Guide Tennie and Five Ten Five Tennie. The sticky sole is almost identical to what they use when making their MTB shoes. Obviously, on foot the Guide Tennie is a great shoe. You’ll have no problem walking a lot of miles even if you have a weighted pack. What you’ll notice is that the Guide Tennie (and the Five Tennie) have a little more heel rise than what you would get with MTB flats. The only time I really notice this is when I’m in a downhill park. They will still have that “locked in” feel that flats have. For normal XC riding and bike packing I think they would work well. They’re not bulky, but they are a little stiff at first. If you want something even lighter with the same sole check out the Five Ten Five Tennie. You’ll have less toe protection, but again for a bike packing trip I don’t see this as an issue.