From easy-going, summer trails to soggy coastal walk ins, the Mission Leather Lows from Black Diamond have been a revelation. Like a best hits album, the Mission Leather Lows combine a lot of the essential underfoot features of Black Diamond’s superb approach shoe range with the best bits of a sturdier leather walking boot to produce the ultimate approaching machine. 

On A Mission

Designed with the all-rounder in mind, it's fair to say the Mission Leather isn't a thoroughbred approach shoe. Presented in a more robust package than a lot of the skinnier, more climbing focussed competition, the Mission Leather clearly has the comfortable walking aspect of the approach at the forefront of its skill set rather than its ability to double up as a secondary climbing shoe. Nailing the 'approach' part of job, it's in the walking where the Mission Lows truly excel with a refined level of technicality under the foot and enough comfort for all-day wear. This isn't to say the Mission can't climb adequately though with the tuned EVA midsole providing a super stiff foundation for the dedicated climbing zone at the forefoot of the shoe to excel on steep terrain.

Is this going to get you up a V8? No, but I found it unrivalled for technical terrain on Lake District scrambles, rocky approaches and even Via Ferrata where the combination of easy street shoe sizing, a stiffer heel and more flexible front-end climbing zone strike the perfect balance between technical rigidity and walking comfort. With multiple webbing loops to boot, the Missions attach to a harness easily and efficiently for those climbs that really do require a specialist climbing shoe.

Ideal for the UK climate with a BD Dry waterproof lining to the durable Nubuck leather uppers, the Missions have become my dependable 3-season walking shoe, keeping rain and wet terrain at bay on any approach or Lake District hike. Sporting a decent wedge of Black Diamond's ultra-sticky BlackLabel-Mountain rubber on its sole, the Mission welds to rock like a Formula 1 car to a track. But, the real highlight has to be the depth of the diamond shaped lugs which protrude more proudly than a lot of the competition, helping them to maintain grip through our fair isle's muddy terrain with aplomb.

Having been dragged up rock, through bog and even worn to the pub, the Missions are still looking fresh. With a bulky rand covering on both the toe and heel, the Missions protect themselves (and your toes!) from the rigours of the rocky world tremendously whilst the padded ankle and tongue keep your feet just as fresh on the inside. Oh, and did I mention how nice these things look? Presented in a refined packed with subtle flashes of vibrant colour and neat bits of detailing like the rubber heel spine, the Mission Leather Lows are without doubt the most attractive BD approach shoes to date.

Verdict

Perfectly suited to the demands of UK, the Missions have been the ultimate ambulatory accomplice for approaching boulders and traversing Lake District fells - not bad for an American shoe. With a firm emphasis on durable walking comfort, the Mission Leather Low is the strongest Mission within the Black Diamond approach shoe range and certainly the best walking-style approach shoe I've ever worn. With a summer of climbing and walking to come, the Mission Leather Lows aren't coming off my feet anytime soon!

Purchase the Black Diamond Mission Leather Low WP