Climbing shoes review. The VSR can do it all.

Climbing shoes review Although some climbers swear by a specific closure type, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. com Apr 15, 2024 · Climbing shoes tend to be beginner models or super-advanced pro versions. com Jul 19, 2024 · In fact, this shoe has become La Sportiva’s most popular model and is even alleged to be the best-selling climbing shoe in the USA. Nevertheless, the Veloce is a brilliant gym shoe that has redefined how I think about beginner climbing shoes. Sizing. com Jul 17, 2024 · Climbing Rock bouldering climbing shoes Reviews Scarpa. running shoes) in La Sportiva sport climbing and bouldering shoes, and the Ondra Comp is consistent with that fit. 14 big walls on El Capitan—noted the shoe’s great grabbing ability—an 8 out of 10—thanks to its ample flex (you can manually sandwich the Clue both upward and downward) and sticky, and half One springs to mind involving climbing ~45 pitches of climbing in a 24hr alpine rock link-up, where I chose to size my No-Edge shoes as I would for a standard La Sportiva shoe (42), but I found the performance to be a considerable drop off from a correctly sized No-Edge shoe (41. This is my go-to shoe when I need a versatile boulder and sport climbing shoe with serious sending ability. com Nov 15, 2023 · Climbing Shoe Review is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This shoe's pointy toe supplies an outstanding sensation of precision to ensure your toes are properly placed on the tiniest footholds. Used by legends of yesteryear like Klem Loskot, Fred Nicole, and Chris Sharma, the Pinks were one of the most loved climbing shoes of the 20th century. Jan 2, 2024 · Comfort. 4 days ago · Climbing Gear Reviews » Best Climbing Shoes: Top 13 Picks of 2024. Pingback: Trad Climbing in Varasova – Olympus Mountaineering. When a company designs a new suite of shoes, they send pairs to us and our testers, and we climb in them, compare notes, write a review, and then, later, do a roundup of the latest and greatest releases of the year. Strong all-around crushing ability at the gym as well as the crag. It edges like a razor blade and effortlessly holds the down-turned toe in pockets. (Review for the Women’s Miura VS) I bought these shoes when I began my obsession with outdoor climbing. The shoe is not exactly what you would call performance-oriented, or specialized for a specific type of climbing, for that matter. ” Boreal did not disappoint me with its new shoe design, it is an extremely high-performance shoe, ideally for hard sport climbing, bouldering, and pushing your limits to the max. Section divider Ten Things You Need to Know About Climbing Shoes 1. 0. Nov 12, 2024 · The Arpia V is sitting at the intersection between these competing philosophies. June 4, 2025. S. My go-to size for downturned rock shoes range from European 38. Matt Samet is a freelance writer and editor based in Boulder, Colorado, where he lives with his family. Most Comfortable: Ocun Jett QC ; Best for Jumping Grades: Butora Acro ; Best Value: Black Diamond Method; Best for Bouldering: Scarpa Drago LV ; Best for Sport Climbing: La Sportiva Solution Comp; Best for Trad Climbing: Scarpa Mar 10, 2025 · The best climbing shoes just keep getting better. It’s incredibly comfortable and the microsuede upper stretches to your foot. Jan 2, 2024 · As with any jack-of-all-trades, the TC Pro falls behind some specialized shoes in their respective niches. 5. com The La Sportiva Tarantulace is an affordable shoe designed for new climbers but it will also appeal to climbers with a smaller budget who seek versatility. Indoor climbing is right up its alley, thanks to the effective rubber sole that sticks perfectly on artificial Aug 29, 2019 · One of the best-selling climbing shoes ever made. 5-3hours) approx I am 130- 135 pounds and if you go 5 days in a Apr 2, 2025 · I usually wear a 42 (size 10 U. Best Climbing Shoes: Top 13 Picks of 2024. Sep 16, 2024 · In Climbing‘s yearly review of the best new shoes, tester Justen Sjong—a climbing coach and impressive all-around climber who has established 5. 5), in fact, I’d have rather been in my conventionally edged 42 Sep 21, 2022 · It’s not impossible, but other climbing shoes more specialized for trad climbing do a much better job. It’s got a full-length midsole and outsole, but it also has a moderate asymmetry and subtle downturn. The narrower Indalo, however, has just recently made it into public hands (and onto our feet). La Sportiva chose this design because it matches the rounded shape of a human toe and allows the toe to be positioned inside the shoe as close as possible to the rock. Aug 19, 2024 · A minor complaint—but putting on your climbing shoes shouldn’t be a multi-minute process. com Climbing Shoe Review is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. In this Scarpa Veloce review, I’m going to take a deep dive into every performance and design feature I have observed over the last few months of testing this shoe. Rock shoes for the midlevel climber are rarer, even though intermediates are most likely the largest group of participants. The Skwama’s ability to conform to the nuances of different rock types, coupled with its superb grip, makes it a reliable companion for outdoor climbing Here at Climbing Shoe Review, we believe in recommending a shoe based on what it was intended for – and for steep sport climbing and bouldering – and so far the Acros have hit the mark. If you have a wide forefoot, and you like it when your shoe gives you good support during edging, you should consider the Dharma. As of 2024, the Tarantula family consists of 4 models, all of which come in male and female variations; Apr 6, 2016 · Review: Evolv Axiom Shoe A solid, do-it-all shoe that is comfortable on everything moderate: cracks, in the gym, and on 10-pitch sufferfests. Apr 16, 2025 · What to look for in sport climbing shoes; Ten things you need to know about climbing shoes; Our favorites; Honorable mentions; Most gear roundups cover new releases. Aug 5, 2024 · And the MSRP of $179 is attractive in today’s high-performance climbing shoe market — especially considering robust material choices and construction that indicate a long lifespan. See how it measures up versus the competition in our best climbing shoes review. 9. Soft but still supportive, the Scarpa Instinct VSR is the ultimate quiver of one shoe. . Best For: Indoor sport climbing. Pingback: Climbing the North-East Rigde of Mount Hymettus (Prosilio Ridge) – Olympus Mountaineering Best For: Comfortable climbing sessions Summary: I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of Scrapa’s budget shoe. Women's Version: YES Climbing Shoe Type: Neutral Price: $115. Jan 2, 2024 · Even though this shoe's midsole isn't particularly stiff, our testers lament that it also feels insensitive. Best Climbing Shoe for Beginners: Black Diamond Momentum Climbing Shoes; Best Climbing Shoe Under $100: La Sportiva Tarantulace Climbing Shoes; Best Climbing Shoe for All-Day Comfort: evolv Kronos / evolv Kira Nov 17, 2023 · Here, we’ve compiled ten of our favorite bouldering shoes—and a list of ten things to think about when buying climbing shoes. Now, if Scarpa made a Drago XT LV and a slightly softer, asymmetrical, more downturned version (compared to the Drago), I’d have a Aug 19, 2024 · Definitely size this shoe down—or at least size it snugly. May 5, 2021 · The Vibram XS Edge rubber on the La Sportiva Miura is hard. Feb 24, 2025 · It’s a more versatile climbing shoe than the original Drago. edging or small footchips). e. Read the full review. Climbing Shoe Review is the online home of climbing shoes. The La Sportiva Miura is a true classic when it comes to high-end sport climbing shoes. Nov 15, 2023 · The shoe when it came does not have the a very elegant finish you can see glue marks but from a far it looks good, The blue is a lot more dull in reality the break in periods pretty look 5 session and later the flexibility in the mid sole increase, The shoe last for 40 session (2. The VSR can do it all. Now on its third iteration, just like fine wine, the Evolv Shaman only gets better with age. 6. For comparison, the average in our climbing shoe review is fitted with 3. Pingback: La Sportiva Otaki Climbing Shoes Review – Olympus Mountaineering. Read on for our 2025 picks from La Sportiva, Scarpa, and more! Jan 22, 2025 · Find our quick recommendations here or read on for our staff and members' favorite climbing shoes. Nov 10, 2023 · Climbing Shoe Review is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Each climbing shoe is going to perform differently depending on what it is built for, so we take that context into account for our reviews as well. Climbing Gear Reviews. com Jan 2, 2024 · A bargain price for a climbing shoe with respectable performance: A simple shoe with solid performance for trad climbing: A great deal for an adequate climbing shoe: This super comfy shoe is perfect for folks who are just starting to climb: This shoe isn't the highest performer in our review, but it's a bargain for someone looking to train in Climbing Shoe Review is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Budget. La Sportiva Ondra Comp Testing: In the Gym Apr 12, 2024 · Third, I remembered why I’d spent the first 13 years of my climbing career preferring stiff shoes. Being protected from the rock while climbing is paramount. 5 or 10 street shoe but I sometimes size my climbing shoes down 3 to 4 sizes. Best Uses for Simond Rock shoes Gym Climbing. com The Anasazi Lace, known throughout the climbing world as the ‘Pinks’, is a truly iconic shoe. SHOP NOW Having taken these shoes for a spin in the climbing gym and on soft stones like limestone and sandstone, I’m genuinely impressed with their ability to enhance my climbing experience. I have never been more impressed with a shoe that I expected to dislike. Apr 16, 2025 · For over a decade, our climbing experts have tested over 75 shoes side-by-side to bring you the most comprehensive climbing shoe review in existence. Designed for beginners, the Evolv Defy is an all-arounder capable of holding its own on a wide range of terrain making it the perfect tool to help you find your feet in the vertical world. The Genius, in contrast, comes with rounded edges right out of the box. Lace-up. Nov 14, 2024 · Most of the climbing shoes in our review are priced around the $200 range, which is typically what you can expect to spend for a high-quality pair of shoes these days. com Apr 22, 2025 · However, our review comes with an obvious caveat: climbing shoe fit and performance is subjective; what fits one woman like it was custom-made might cause extreme discomfort to another. Mar 23, 2025 · We take a look at the following factors for our climbing shoe reviews: Price; Durability; Performance; We hate wasting money on gear that falls apart or doesn’t work as advertised. Dec 7, 2022 · Three years ago Tenaya announced the release of two high-end climbing shoes: the Indalo and the Mastia. The result is an unusual level of comfort given the shoe’s high level of functional overlap with the beak-shaped sport climbing shoes I listed above. Nov 7, 2024 · Another climbing shoe that got the 5-star seal of approval from expert tester Jessie Leong, the Tenaya Masai is a shoe with a neutral footbed that can nevertheless hold its own on everything from easier multi-pitch trad to boulder problems. Jan 9, 2025 · Most climbing shoes feature right-angle edges on the sole that climbers place precisely on footholds. Mar 19, 2024 · To help you zero in on your needs, I put together this guide. It was arguably the shoe that introduced the world to the benefits of soft shoes, and the benchmark for the models that have followed since the release of the Team. 5 street shoe (I wear a 10 in some brands); I sized down to a U. That’s probably a bit too much for people who aren’t troll-footed descendants of climbing’s tiny-shoe era. Mar 23, 2023 · And, when you start heel hooking, the reinforced heel is rigid enough to learn comfortably. Mar 30, 2024 · Climbing Shoe Review is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Here’s how to choose the best climbing shoe for you. Fast forward three months and the Quantix are currently my go-to shoe for everything from conglomerate sport climbs to Kilter Boards to technical granite boulder problems. Edging May 16, 2023 · Best For: Sport climbing, Indoor & Outdoor Summary: Versatility would be my one word for this Scarpa best-seller. The Ra had a precise, pointy toebox—great for pockets, flat edges, jibs, and thin cracks—but suffered in the smearing/grabbing department due to a stiff midsole and a flat last that, over time, developed into an upward “swoop. Its staying power and popularity speak to the quality and innovation of design the shoe brought to the market when it was first introduced over 20 years ago. Lace-up climbing shoes provide the maximum amount of fit customizability. 9 mm. Matt Samet 12 articles. I am a U. Jun 11, 2013 · The Tenaya Ra is an elegant Spanish shoe representing a solid marriage of precision and comfort for trad, face, and sport climbing. In our most recent update, our expert team compared 27 of today's most promising models while climbing across all disciplines, from gym and sport climbs to bouldering and long trad routes. As mentioned earlier, the Simond Rock+ is one of the most popular shoes at the gym. The Drago is a serious contender in the world of high-performance climbing shoes. It doesn't excel in the steep and gymnastic world of high-end sport climbing or bouldering but is an ideal choice for almost any type of trad climbing. Sure, the Scarpa Vapor V feels at its best on technical single-pitch sport, but it doesn’t have that edging power of shoes like the Boostic or Mago. These shoes also come in both wide and narrow versions, unlike most climbing shoes, so you can find the perfect fit for your foot. Sensitive Slipper. May 3, 2021 · The Solution was one of La Sportiva's first shoes to incorporate their P3 platform, a revolutionary design that helps climbing shoes retain their shape and provide a solid edging platform. My other shoe at the time was the Vapor V’s so I knew I wanted a shoe to compliment those and be more aggressive and better for precise footwork (i. He has been A climbing shoe that has reached legendary status. When new, the hardness of the rubber makes the shoe feel very stiff and imprecise, especially to lighter climbers. May 27, 2025 · We put 23 pairs of climbing shoes to the test on boulder problems, sport climbs, and traditional routes. While the Shadow might lack that magic touch that the leading aggressive shoes are blessed with, there’s still plenty to be desired here. The most likely explanation is because the Tarantulace is made with 5 mm of rubber. Sep 29, 2019 · Pingback: Black Diamond Zone Climbing Shoes Review – Olympus Mountaineering. I’m a snug US size 9. com Best For: Bouldering Summary: For those in the know, the Five Ten team was THE shoe of choice of big-time crushers in the early 2000s. com Nov 6, 2023 · Climbing Shoe Review is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. The Mastia hit shelves just months later and, as a true performance all-rounder, received rave reviews —so long as its wide last fit your foot. The evolution of the tarantula is mostly cosmetic. If you are an intermediate climber that wants to try aggressive shoes that aren’t going to break the bank, these could be the shoe for you. Review: Butora Sensa Shoe California-based Butora has charged out of the gate with some of our favorite shoes of the year. If you are looking for something to hang off those roof climbs in style, the Shadow might be the one for you. Summary: Making a great climbing shoe is no easy task. Climbing Shoe Review is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. While it is clear that the shoe is designed with the beginner climber in mind, and certainly lacks the performance of more expensive Scrape models, the Velocity V holds its own in the gym and outside too. Combining tech from Scarpa’s best, it packs an impressive punch with its soft construction and barely-there midsole for incredible sensitivity that allows you to feel every feature under your foot. The leather upper and lace closure keeps your feet from getting beaten up in cracks while jamming, and the sole supplies enough rigidity that you don't feel like you are on your metatarsals while standing flat. Rob. Dec 17, 2024 · See our guide to the best rock climbing shoes of 2025, with reviews of the year’s top climbing shoes from La Sportiva, Scarpa, Evolv, Butora, and more. By all standards, the Katana Lace is comfortable, and surprisingly so for a techy performance shoe. Feb 12, 2024 · There are three main types of climbing shoe closure systems: lace-up, velcro, and slipper. com Feb 15, 2024 · Climbing Shoe Review is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. 5 to European 39. Take our suggestions with a grain of salt and make your own choices by trying them on before making a purchase. Comfort is not king. These were our favorites. Fitting your climbing shoes for comfort is like buying a car because you like the driver’s seat. Browse our unbiased reviews, learn how to care for your footwear and discover the best climbing shoes available right now. Ocun shoes run smaller than other European shoe brands. vppyps sgssim hxfwf nbq urofhra wfdtjuhs vsws lhofh mysxpz psvbkd