Too thin for me, they also fall apart much faster than any other approach shoe I've owned. They would be great for descents cause they are really light weight.

I do get quite a few compliments on how they look, so if that matters (and noone else at my school has em) get em.

Echoing Dan's comments above, I would emphasize that using this shoe for very long approaches (Mt. Russell, for example) will trash your knees. The shoes have a wonderfully sensitive feel owing to their lack of extraneous padding in the forefoot, but this also means that every time the ball of your foot strikes the ground, that impact is transferred up your leg without cushioning.

For bouldering, or just casual wear, or for a dedicated scrambling/easy bouldering shoe, these are great. If you wear them on long approaches as I did, you will probably thrash your knees. Forewarned is forearmed -- get a pair of Montrail D7's or maybe Guide Tennies if you are going to do a lot of humping.

Nice lightweight shoe. I'd suggest sizing it snug to get the most ouf of it in terms of serious scrambling to even some decent toe edging - its almost a cross between an approach shoe and a climbing shoe with a sticky rubber rand around the toes and Stealth S1 dotty rubber soles. The heel area as you can see in the picture has a thin EVA cushioning. Note that this is the only padding in the shoe. The uppers are light and comfortable but the lack of cushioning are what prevent this shoe from - in my mind - being a true, solid, approach shoe. I would not recommend it for any serious approaching over sharp terrain or for approaches of distance. The soft soles allow you to feel EVERYTHING which makes it an dedicated scrambling/light climbing shoe - class four to easy five if sized accordingly and the non padded front and toe area allows you to edge up a bit more than most other Five Ten approach shoes I have worn. I have found others to be a bit wide and have thicker soles - great for walking and hiking a bit but the Retro is narrow and fits more like a climbing shoe.
Overall, nice niche shoe, but remember that it is called the Retro because it is reminiscent of the original approach shoe Five Ten made. If you are looking for a true approach shoe from Five Ten with a bit more durability, support, and comfort, try the more modern Mountain Master. If you are looking for a strictly scrambling shoe - the Retro is for you.I rated a three because it falls around average in my opinion. I like the lightweightedness and the soft feel to them that allow the ability to actually get a bit more technical but I would not suggest it for approach as there are more comfortable shoes to chose from in the Five Ten line that I would suggest trying.Rock on and climb safe!!