Unparallel is pretty new on the scene and started with climbing shoes, but have now branched out to approach and biking shoes. The Unparallel Rock Guide has a very similar feel to an old Five Tennie approach shoe, being soft and comfortable. The sole is made from Unparallel’s RH rubber compound, which is used on some of their climbing shoes, so it’s a guaranteed grippy sole.
The climbing zone extends along the length of your big toe, allowing you to use it on small edges sideways, as well as straight on. The tread pattern is small and shallow, so while it doesn’t get in the way for scrambling, it won’t grip well in mud or on wet grass. There’s also no heel brake for descents on grass or scrub. The midsole isn’t too bulky, so you get a good feel of the rock, and it’s very flexible which allows good smearing on slabby ground.
Kirsty Pallas Recommends
This is a great option when you know you’re going to be mostly on rock from start to finish, and you don’t mind wet feet. It feels like a climbing shoe, but worth sizing down for more precise footwork- Grippy rubber
- Wide toebox
- Price
- No heel brake
- Shallow tread
- Roomy fit
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £120 Weight: 604g per pair size UK 5 Materials: Suede upper, RH rubber sole Features: RH rubber sole and rand Sizes: EU 34-47 URL: https://darkventures.co.uk/product/slate-greymud-green-unparallel-rock-guide |
The suede upper on the Unparallel Rock Guide is supple and moulds to your foot, but doesn’t provide much protection from puddles or bog. There is a rubber rand around the whole shoe giving a bit more protection from scree and scrub, particularly over the toe. The lacing runs most of the way down your foot, with plenty of options for adjusting where you need space. The top three eyelets are reinforced so it does feel like you can get them tighter, but it’s a bit of hassle to tighten or loosen down at the toe mid walk, as there’s a lot of crisscrossing.
I really like the wide forefoot and toebox, it gives more edge to use and fits my feet well. However overall, the fit is on the big side, and I would probably go a size down to give me better contact through my big toe and a better feel of where the end of the shoe is.
This is a great option when you know you’re going to be mostly on rock from start to finish, and you don’t mind wet feet. It feels like a climbing shoe, but worth sizing down for more precise footwork.
