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Camp Four: Five Ten Shoes Review

July 6, 2015

by Drew Zieff

Camp Four is nestled in the northern throws of Yosemite National Park. As campgrounds go, it’s not particularly gorgeous. It’s a smattering of walk-to sites strewn with pine needles; trees largely block the Valley’s splendor from view.

No, it’s not the views that have made Camp Four famous. Rather, Camp Four is renowned for its historic role as a launch pad for climbers. Countless crack o’ dawn climbs started with a cup of coffee here. Years before he started Patagonia, rogue dirtbag climber Yvon Chouinard sold hand-forged Lost Arrow pitons in the parking lot. Cash only.

Five Ten is part of our nation’s vertical history as well, a respected purveyor of shoes and more. Naming this model “Camp Four” pays respect to the climbing rebels who masterminded big wall assaults around Yosemite campfires. But the name is a promise as well, a promise to grip, trek and tromp well beyond picnic tables and hovering rangers.

Camp Four Low: An All-Mountain Shoe

Five Ten Camp Four Low

This is an approach shoe. And a hiking shoe. And a trail running shoe.

Designed primarily with long approaches (half hike, half scramble) in mind, Active Junky testers hiked, scrambled and, yes, sprinted along puddle-sized ponds. Low’s grip and water-resistance were matched by shock-absorbent S1 Stealth Rubber notched outsoles. Sticky but durable, this proprietary tech danced across scree fields and plowed up rocky trails slick with rain.

Note: we made our tester splash through this water over 15 times, claiming that we didn’t get the shot. We captured this photo on take 2, but it was a joy to watch him squelch time and time again to test the C4’s water resistance; ankles got soaked but feet remained nearly dry. For more defense against H2O, Five Ten offers a Gore-Tex version.

Best For: Fast hikes with intermittent scrambling

Camp Four Mid: Pushing Further and Longer

Five Ten Camp Four Mid Built on the same chassis as the Low, Mid dominates across a myriad of rocks, dirt and mud. Upper eyelets and a mid-length cut focus Mid on hiking rather than pure approach. Backpacking testers noted more confidence in their stride, particularly on rock; credit goes to the rugged, sticky outsole lugs. Stubbed and cramped toes are bypassed thanks to a burly rubber toe cap that wraps around to a bracing heel cup. If going long is the plan, you’ll appreciate the Mid’s bolstered ankle support.