22 best climbing shoes we tested in 2024
Kiera Harris May 7, 2024 9:29 AM
Let's take a look at some suggestions from our experts about the best climbing shoes to make an incredible purchase. Below, you can access many famous brands, including La Sportiva, SCARPA, Black Diamond, CLIMBX, Five Ten, Salomon, SHIMANO.
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- BrandLa Sportiva
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- BrandLa Sportiva
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- BrandLa Sportiva
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- SCORE9.2AI Score
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- BrandSCARPA
- SCORE9.2AI Score
H Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandLa Sportiva
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- BrandBlack Diamond
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- BrandCLIMBX
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- BrandLa Sportiva
- Prime
- SCORE9.0AI Score
H Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandLa Sportiva
- Prime
- SCORE9.0AI Score
H Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandFive Ten
Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Climbing shoes are a gear that any avid climber should own or wear for a session. They're essential for the safety and performance of your climbing experience and your equipment in general.
If you're looking to buy some new-ish climbing shoes, there are plenty of options in terms of quality and price. Trying to figure out which shoe is right for you cannot be evident, so this blog post will help you with that decision! We'll discuss what makes these key pieces different in terms of construction material, design features like the shape and size of the shoes themselves, and even their pros/cons. We will also go over some more popular models and what parts you should look out for, such as sizing.
1. Size:
If you know you're a men's size 10, then that's all you need to know. You can directly order from Amazon with no worries as they will fit.
However, if you're unsure of your size and don't want to end up with shoes that don't fit, I would highly recommend visiting one of the many climbing retailers around ( REI, The Clymb, and even smaller local shops are great). They'll have the shoes on hand to try on and should be able to tell if it fits or not.
2. Construction Material:
One important thing to look at, especially if you're new to shoes and unsure of the quality of the climbing shoe on offer, is whether they are leather or synthetic. Synthetic shoes are modified fabrics with a bit of a grip, and they look more like runners than climbers. The biggest drawback is that the inner lining that's supposed to be comfortable can often be rubbery or kinky (like riding on bumpy roads) and can cause blisters and abrasions. You'd buy synthetic over leather if you're primarily going to use them for sports climbs, where durability isn't as important.
3. Design Features:
This is the part where you have a little more choice. You can check out the websites of many climbing companies to see which and what shoes they use, but generally speaking, synthetic shoes will be cheaper, while leather is a bit more expensive.
Also, remember that once you've put on your climbing shoes, the toe box will stretch out and become looser if they are not sized correctly. So even if a shoe looks great and fits perfectly at first, chances are, after a few uses, it'll be too big/small. When that happens, I recommend going down a half size.
4. Pros and Cons
Let's start with the obvious positive of leather shoes. They are more comfortable — leather stretches to conform to your feet, and it breathes. On the other hand, synthetic shoes will never feel as good, but they're more durable than leather if you're busting out some crazy overhanging sports routes.
The other perks of climbing in leather are that they tend to last longer than synthetic, which can rip and tear easier. The main disadvantage of mounting in leather is that they take some breaking in before they fit comfortably and perform at their highest level — significantly if you don't size them correctly at first (see above).
1. What size should I get?
Pretty simple. Go with your US size, and if it's your first pair, try them out in-store before ordering online. Do not compare to the shoes "from last year." A lot of climbing shoes contort to become smaller over time, which will make it harder for you to get the right fit.
2. How can I tell if they are broken in?
It depends on what type of rock you climb and if you risk developing blisters. Generally, leather and synthetic shoes stretch as they break-in, so that's something you'll have to adjust to.
3. How are these different from Inov-8 shoes?
The main difference between the two is that Inov-8 uses synthetic overlays, so they don't wear out and start to rip through. Also, if you're looking for a shoe for sports climbing, you might consider Inov-8.
4 . What's the difference between a men's and women's shoe?
The main differences are in the sizing of the shoes on offer when it comes down to it. Women have thinner feet, which means the sizes are generally smaller than men's sizes (typically 1/2 size smaller).
5 . What is the difference between a climbing shoe and a hiking boot?
Climbing shoes provide more protection — they have a wider toe box, which is highly recommended for beginners. On the other hand, hiking boots offer more protection for your ankle and are easier to slip on if you're wearing pants.
6 . How much should I spend on a pair of shoes?
The price range for climbing shoes can vary greatly. A quality pair may cost you $100, but a cheap pair can cost you $45. The $100 is worth it, especially if you're new to climbing or going to the wall regularly and want a shoe that will last longer.
7. What are some other brands of climbing shoes?
As mentioned before, there are tons of different brands with varying quality. You've got Five Ten (generally recognized as one of the highest levels of shoe manufacturers), La Sportiva, Mad Rock, and Evolv — which are right up there with Five Ten as far as quality goes.
8. What are the pros and cons of climbing shoes?
They're pretty much the same as performance shoes when it comes down to it. If you're getting a pair of shoes primarily for sport climbing and bouldering, then a synthetic shoe will be more durable; however, if you're not mainly a sport climber and want something for trad or mixed climbs, then leather gives you more comfort and flexibility.
