Review: Black Diamond Mission LT

The Black Diamond Mission LT is an approach shoe designed for mountain adventures and technical terrain. With a sock-like fit reinforced by a webbing cinch system, super sticky BlackLabel-Mountain rubber, and a nylon rock plate, the Mission LT provides all-day comfort, excellent grip, and reliable foot protection.

Key Information

Price (at time of writing): R2899
Weight: 395g per shoe (Size 11 UK)
Upper: EnduroKnit, with rubber toe protection
Women’s version: Yes

Construction

Black Diamond’s EnduroKnit is a unique approach to a shoe upper — both breathable and durable, it conforms easily to the shape of your foot. The laces use a webbing cinch system rather than pulling directly on the upper fabric, allowing for precise adjustment without distortion.

The breathable EnduroKnit upper conforms to the foot for a precise fit.

The shoe features a soft, stretchy, sock-like inner rather than a traditional tongue. This design adds comfort while sealing around the ankle to keep out trail debris like sand and small stones.

A generous EVA midsole adds cushioning, while a nylon rock plate protects against sharp rocks. All of this is wrapped in Black Diamond’s high-performance BlackLabel-Mountain rubber for outstanding grip on all surfaces, especially steep rock.

The EVA midsole and nylon rock plate provide comfort and protection on rough terrain.

Fit

Continuing the focus on comfort, the fit is roomy in the midfoot with a snug heel and a slightly tapered toe box. It should suit most foot shapes, though very narrow feet might experience a bit of movement inside. The women’s model offers a slightly narrower fit for a more precise feel.

Comfort and Support

Initially, I was skeptical about how much support the EnduroKnit upper could provide — but after one hike, I was convinced. The combination of the flexible knit upper and the webbing lacing system gives both structure and adaptability for all-day use.

The EVA midsole balances cushioning with support, while the natural rocker shape of the sole helps maintain a smooth stride and reduces calf strain.

Supportive yet flexible, the Mission LT excels on long approaches and rocky trails.

The double-layered knit upper adds a touch of insulation while remaining breathable — keeping feet warm in cool conditions and dry in warmer ones. I even wore them in light snow without the usual numbness that trail runners can cause.

The Mission LT’s balanced construction handles technical terrain with ease.

Grip

Black Diamond’s climbing heritage is clearly visible in the Mission LT’s outsole. The BlackLabel-Mountain rubber provides excellent traction on steep rock and technical terrain, with a smooth “climbing zone” under the toes for precise edging and scrambling.

The BlackLabel-Mountain rubber delivers reliable grip on steep rock and loose ground.

While scrambling on Table Mountain, the Mission LT’s grip inspired confidence both on the ascent and descent — solid foot placements meant less bracing, resulting in reduced knee fatigue. The lug pattern and heel cut-out also provide traction on loose gravel and aid braking on descents.

The tread design combines climbing precision with trail traction.

Durability

The Mission LT has held up well over time. That said, the knit upper isn’t as tough as leather, so while it’s durable for hiking and scrambling, heavy off-trail use can cause wear over time — something to keep in mind if you use them for rough alpine approaches.

Conclusion

With excellent grip, solid underfoot protection, impressive breathability, and stylish design, the Black Diamond Mission LT stands out as one of the most capable approach shoes available. Perfect for hikers and climbers who love rocky, technical terrain, it offers great performance and value at R2899.

These shoes were provided for review purposes by Black Diamond South Africa and can be purchased from their online store.