Likes
These shoes are a lighter version of the Camp Four. They are beefier and more protective of your foot while hiking than a shoe like the Guide Tennie, and offer support for carrying heavy loads while not being too heavy themselves. They have sticky stealth rubber on the bottom that gives them good traction on trail as well as rock. There is a notch in the heel that makes it easier to catch etriers with your feet, and since they are protective, they work well for aid climbing.
Dislikes
Like the Camp Four, this shoe's downside is the wide, bulky sole. It is not as wide or as heavy in the heel as the Camp Four, but it still makes climbing feel clumsy in these shoes. The Insights don't weigh much more than the Exum Pros, but they feel bulkier when clipped to a harness.
Best Application
These shoes are good for hiking in, but not the best for climbing because they do not have a precise edge or toe, even though the laces reach all the way to the toe. I used the Insights on the Owen-Spaulding route up the Grand Teton, which involves a lot of hiking, some exposed scrambling, and not a whole lot of technical climbing. These shoes worked well for that application because they were supportive for hiking and sticky on the scrambling.
Personal Stories
At Indian Creek I decided to try an offwidth climb in my approach shoes instead of climbing shoes since they are wider and stiffer and might offer more support in a wide crack. I wore these shoes, which were in good shape beforehand, but afterwards the seams on the outside of both shoes was ripped through. Shortly after I had to throw these shoes away because they quickly deteriorated from there. This isn't the typical application for approach shoes, but the durability of the stitching was disappointing.
Value
At the same price, I would prefer a shoe that climbs better, such as the Guide Tennie, or a shoe that is more durable, like the Boulder X. The Insight is similar to the Camp Four, but less expensive, so if you like the beefy, protective style of shoe, the Insight would be a cheaper option.
Other Versions
Five Ten Insight - Men's
