Air ACG Cinder Cone

These shoes are the cat's meow for approach and technical climbing. I used them on Pingora's South Buttress where they stuck like glue to the rock. I also use them at the crags and at the climbing gym to save my climbing shoe soles. Never again will I carry climbing shoes on the hike in or approach. They seem to run slightly big, though. I ordered mine based upon my Nike running shoes and the Cinder Cones of the same size were a little bigger. Otherwise, I highly recommend them.

These shoes rock. I've used them in the climbing gym, on the Grand Teton, and everywhere in between. They're extremely comfortable, provide good support for hiking, and stick to the rock like glue on technical climbs. They even work well in wet conditions!



Edging on tiny flakes would be hard in these, but that's the case with any approach shoe.

I first used mine around some rock around the Appalalchian mountains but didn't really test them until a trip to the Tetons. I love these boots. They held up well on the rock of the Tetons. I really didn't notice the grip that these have until I switched boots when we got back to Lupine Meadows. I hadn't slipped once prior to that, but actually almost fell twice after switching boots, and this was on less steep terrain. Alan had fallen twice earlier, as he had elected to go up Middle Teton without his Nike's. These boots are very comfortable and are holding up well so far. Unlike Alan's, I did not have to adjust sizes ??

Got these early this year and initially liked them a lot. Great grip and versatility, have done everything in them from scramble up Mt. Conness in a pack to climb 5.6 in Washington in them. Very comfortable and does what I want an approach shoe to do.

It does have its limitations though. The shank only goes to mid-foot, about the middle of the arch. This means it flexes in the middle of your foot drastically reducing support and I notice that after a few miles in these, the arches of my feet start to ache. Also, the glue on the grippy rubber on the toes (I don't know my shoe terms) is deteriorating and peeling off the front of the shoe.

I have an "in" with Nike in Beaverton and she says that next year, the shank will be full and should help fix this. I'll be real interested in trying out a pair by then because, while I really like the potential of this shoe and it seems to be able to do what it says it will, I have a feeling the pair I have now will fall apart by then and I've only had these for like 6 months.

I LOVE these shoes. I climbed the Grand Teton with them in July 2003 and have used them on several trips since then to the Sierra and Devil's Lake (WI). They really do stick like glue. They are also very comfortable with the exception of the heel. My only complaint is that there is an inside seam on the heel that aligns perfectly with my heel spurs. (Ouch!). Still, the performance of the boot far outweighs the minor inconvenience of having to wear moleskin... If only Nike would add a Goretex layer, the ACG Cinder Cones would be perfect. I've had to hike through a few wet grassy meadows on approach. These shoes do not keep your feet dry.

I really like these as approach shoes, and have done some class 4-5 scrambling in them (Mt. Conness North Ridge), and also some technical climbing up to 5.6 with a few 5.7 moves (first pitch of Pop Bottle at Lovers Leap).

As hiking shoes I've gone about 9 or 10 miles at a time in them (descent from Snake Dike). They fit me pretty well.

I am rather bummed that they were discontinued, since most approach shoes are low-tops these days and I have an old ankle injury (the Sportiva Trango Guide does not fit me well). I wish I'd bought a couple more pairs while they were being closed out.

Mt feet measure 9.5 US and these in size 10 worked great.

mid cut insights (marketed as a downhill mountain bike mid, now called the Rennie Pro and ugly as hell, but good.) are good substitutes for this shoe. A bit sloppier but good grip, ankle support and cushy ride.