But if you need a little inspiration, here are ten shoes that I think represent the best indoor climbing shoes available in 2024. Nov 17, 2019 · Technical footwork has never looked so easy thanks to the La Sportiva Katana. 2 days ago · Compared to my previous climbing shoes, the Scarpa Scarpa Vapor V Climbing Shoes – Women’s outperform in terms of both performance and comfort. Aug 18, 2017 · We love the Skwama shoes for their sensitivity, comfort, and their crack climbing ability. How does this mysterious shoe technology work? And can it help you climb harder? Nov 15, 2023 · An extremely comfortable and versatile performance shoe both inside and out, the Tenaya Mastia has a knack for making you feel secure on terrible holds. Perfect for narrowed-footed climbers looking for a serious-sending shoe. Here’s a summary of top-rated edging climbing shoes combining comfort, durability, and traction to enhance your climbing experience. It's designed on a softer platform than most aggressive shoes, which gives it a “ barefoot feel ” that lets you read the rock or plastic holds in detail. The excellent edging, jamming, smearing, and heel hooking capabilities of the Otaki are rarely found in a shoe this comfortable. Nov 1, 2025 · Best Climbing Shoes for Intermediate Climbers: Balance of Comfort, Grip, and Precision November 1, 2025 Finding the right climbing shoes is a balance between comfort for longer sessions and the precision needed on tricky holds. It pairs a high-performance fit and function with enough comfort to climb all day What is edging? This post explains this basic rock climbing footwork technique, how to use it, how to train it, and why you should learn it. Nov 11, 2023 · Nothing beats climbing on real rock, but if you want to perform at your best, you're going to need the right kit for the job. They also ensure to provide plenty of heel tension, often through the use a slingshot rand. Oct 7, 2025 · We tested 27 of the best climbing shoes on boulder problems, sport climbs, and trad routes—and then narrowed it down to 15 top-rated pairs. The king of soft shoes. One strategy, as illustrated by shoes such as the La Sportiva Miura VS, is to create a stiffer shoe that acts as a platform under your foot. Dec 18, 2021 · They’re a versatile all-around shoe for intermediate to advanced climbers, comfortable enough for multi-pitch climbs, and with an asymmetric shape that’s technical enough for some moderate alpine routes. What specific shoe models has these qualities? I feel like retailers and the manufacturers themselves tend to write that every shoe they make is good for everything. Good edging performance but still soft. 5 Men/4-4. Sep 4, 2023 · Designed with a medium downturn and asymmetry, and built on a wider last than most Tenaya rock climbing shoes, the Mastia feels incredibly accommodating for a high-performance climbing shoe upon first impression. Precision and power have harmonized to form the La Sportiva Skwama. Here's my complete guide to moderate climbing shoes. Nov 10, 2023 · There's no shortage of awesome bouldering shoes in 2023. May 5, 2021 · The Black Diamond Momentum is the entry-level option in Black Diamond's brand new shoe line. Jan 2, 2026 · Read our gear expert's round up of the best approach shoes. Apr 16, 2025 · I have an edging shoe (previously the Miura; lately the Quantix SF). I've sent them off for resoling (replacing them with Butora's Neo Fuse) so hopefully that improves its performance. Dec 14, 2006 · Buy Mad Rock Rover Climbing Shoe - White 6 Men US and other Climbing at Amazon. Nov 30, 2022 · Most climbing shoe manufacturers’ lower-priced and entry-level models are flat, relatively stiff shoes to make edging easier for beginning climbers. The new shoe carries the same DNA, but is more widely usable. These really are one of the best climbing shoes for slab on Feb 15, 2024 · A bouldering and sport specialist, the Five Ten Hiangle delivers awesome gym and outdoor climbing performance. 5 and other Climbing at Amazon. Jan 2, 2024 · The La Sportiva Miura VS belongs in the world of tough climbing, where it can use its diamond-hard edges and asymmetric shape to power down on invisible May 3, 2021 · Edging 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. Nov 11, 2023 · The Best Slab Climbing Shoes Here are a few of my favorite slab climbing shoes currently available in 2023. Nov 11, 2023 · This is the reason why many of the best climbing shoes for edging use a stiff style of construction, either with a full-length or split sole. Hang out at any traditional climbing area in the US Jan 12, 2026 · Approach shoes are designed to be durable enough to hike, scramble, and even do some lite climbing before you change into your rock shoes. Here's what you need to know. It's very important that your shoes My previous Scarpa Veloces were comfortable but didn’t provide enough support for edging or small footholds. Nov 11, 2023 · Our guide to the best crack climbing shoes will help you find the right footwear for your next big crack-climbing escapade. Apr 16, 2025 · So when asking what shoes are best for “sport climbing,” you’ve really got to ask yourself several questions: (1) What sort of rock am I going to be climbing on? (2) What types of shoes typically feel best for me? (3) What style of shoe will best compliment both my style of climbing and the specific rock I’ll mostly be climbing on? Sep 11, 2020 · The Katana Lace are a brilliant all round shoe that tend toward being better on edges outdoors. Jul 7, 2025 · See our guide to the best rock climbing shoes, with reviews of the year’s top climbing shoes from La Sportiva, Scarpa, Evolv, Butora, and more. And I have a softer, more aggressive shoe for steeper and more bouldery routes (previously the Testarossa or Instinct, lately the Mago and Vegan Skwama). . Mar 30, 2024 · Best For: Diverse technical footwork indoors and out; pockets, edges, jibs, or cranking hard on heel hooks. The La Sportiva Katana Lace defies the rules by doing it all, and doing it all well. Nov 24, 2025 · The La Sportiva TC Pro remains our go-to shoe for climbing on trad and crack routes across the country. Learn about Footbed Design, Midsole Materials, Rubber Compound, Vibram XS Grip2, FC Solo S Rubber & more. Approach shoes combine characteristics of hiking boots and climbing shoes to create The only shoes I'll ever BE usING La Sportiva has been making the best climbing shoes for decades, and as I am trying to climb to the limit of my possibilities, there is no doubt about which brand of climbing shoes will be the one I will be using! I have been using La Sportiva since I was 14, and it has been my most loyal partner. Mar 11, 2012 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Here's everything you need to know about outdoor climbing shoes. Based on our research, these are some of the best pairs of climbing shoes you can get right now. Feb 28, 2022 · Stiffer climbing shoes are better at edging because they have some structure your foot can stand on, which makes them better for edging and crack climbing. Feb 15, 2023 · To help you find the right outdoor rock climbing shoes, we dug through thousands of reviews for different styles of climbing shoes available online. I often see: this shoe is soft and therefore very good at bouldering, sports climbing; smearing and edging. These shoes are so sensitive, they make small holds feel bigger. The VSR can do it all. Plus, the stiffness the rubber felt a bit slippery and unnerving — kind of like climbing in tap shoes. com. Why can't they focus the things the shoes excel at, and leave out the Nov 15, 2023 · A shoe created to excel on those barely-there edges, crystals, and ripples. Apart from the smearing performance and slightly baggy heel, liked these shoes. Here are our in-depth reviews! Feb 24, 2025 · The Drago XT is a slightly tweaked version of the venerable Scarpa Drago. Allow me to share some of the latest and greatest bouldering shoes, combined with a few time-tested classics, that will rock your world. Sep 23, 2025 · The best climbing shoes for intermediate climbers help you tackle harder routes, practice new techniques, and climb with more confidence. Nov 6, 2023 · Level up your bouldering ability with the right shoes. These shoes are typically more sensitive and offer a snug fit, providing better control and power transfer during climbs. Nov 16, 2023 · My 10 recommended Gym Climbing Shoes With the criteria we just established, you should have a pretty good idea of what to look for in a new pair of gym climbing shoes. Aug 19, 2024 · La Sportiva's 2022 Katana Lace may just be the best edging shoe on the market. Sep 2, 2023 · The La Sportiva Miura VS is one of La Sportiva’s most popular rock climbing shoes. They provide the precision and edging power I need for challenging routes, while also being comfortable enough for long climbing sessions. To us, the Focus lacked the sensitivity of other shoes we've tested. ” Whatever unique tweaks and tensions are incorporated into this rand, they seem to be working. Jan 11, 2022 · Discover the best climbing shoes in 2026 with our analysis to pick the most suitable model. Like its older sibling, the Mastia, the Indalo is a shoe that oozes confidence on tricky footholds while retaining Tenaya’s famous combination of high performance and comfort. The soft upper, sticky rubber and stiff midsole make the shoe an excellent choice for more technical routes. Mar 7, 2025 · Beginner shoes typically skimp on quality materials, but Scarpa's Italian-made Helix are an exception to that rule. If you can, find a store near you (climbing gyms will often sell shoes, if you're in America there's probably an rei near you) and try on different brands, since each will fit differently (different toeboxes, different heels, etc). Nov 11, 2023 · Ready to leave the beginner shoes behind? A reliable pair of intermediate climbing shoes might be exactly what you need to take your climbing game to the next level. Their medium-soft midsole makes them excellent for all manners of granite schmoozing, and the unlined leather ensures they're super comfy and not as stinky as a synthetic shoe. Let's explore the world of climbing shoes for those tricky, technical moves. Mar 19, 2024 · Ten testers wore a dozen pairs over the span of two months tackling a variety of climbing to find the best climbing shoes. Nov 6, 2023 · There are so many shoes available today (almost 300 by our count) that it becomes a near-impossible, needle-in-a-haystack task, to pick the right ones for you. Find your perfect pair for optimal climbing today! Dec 9, 2025 · No fluff, just honest picks! Many believe that edging performance is all about a super aggressive toe, but my hands-on testing shows that a balanced combination of fit, grip, and stability matters more. They're probably not the best fit for my foot shape but I enjoyed climbing in them regardless. Here's our review! May 30, 2024 · Our resident climbing expert and gear buyer shares her top picks for every style of climbing. Used for decades on shoes like the La Sportiva Miura, it can stand on absolutely anything, but offers very little stick on low-pressure smears. Nov 7, 2025 · Tested on long hikes, sketchy scrambles, and alpine missions—these are the approach shoes that can do it all. The type of rubber will directly affect the grip, durability, and edging ability of your shoes. Shoes with stiffer midsoles are good for edging and climbing all day, but are insensitive and hard to get to conform to holds with your toes and feet. Recommendations include a variety of options to suit different needs. Dec 27, 2023 · The Otaki shoes have a moderate amount of asymmetry, making them good for edging and pocket climbing, but not quite as good as the narrower, pointier La Sportiva Solution. Oct 4, 2019 · Vibram – XS Edge: Historically the best edging rubber on the market, Vibram’s XS Edge compound is best used on face, but has snuck its way into bouldering shoes as well. Understanding Aggressive Climbing Shoes Aggressive climbing shoes are characterized by their downturned shape and asymmetric design, which allow for precise foot placements on small footholds and overhangs. A simple way to measure the stiffness of a climbing shoe is to determine if it easily folds over on itself. With so many options available, it can be tricky to choose the right pair. A master of technical climbing, the Tenaya Masai is an outdoor sending machine. Nov 19, 2025 · We purchased and tested 18 pairs of the best women's climbing shoes from La Sportiva, Scarpa, Five Ten, Unparallel, Butora, Evolv, and Black Diamond Jun 8, 2021 · Evolv touts the Zenist as an indoor weapon with the high sensitivity needed for precise foot placements and delicate heel and toe hooks. Nov 17, 2023 · The shoe that's best for you depends on your body type, climbing style, the type of rock you climb on, and how much you want to spend. Although Tenaya touts the edging power and strength of the Tenaya, in reality it leans more toward the soft shoe side of the spectrum. These shoes are an investment that will pay for themselves when it comes to tackling tricky footwork on barely-there edges. This is primarily due to the incredible sensitivity of the shoe – finding those micro edges is virtually effortless. We used the shoes to ascend fixed lines, hike with heavy packs, and traverse knife-edge ridges. Sep 23, 2025 · Step up your climbing with moderate shoes that balance all-day comfort and precision on slabs, cracks, and vertical walls. The following five picks emphasize precise toe placement, edging stiffness, and secure fit across different styles and climbers. Our wide selection is eligible for free shipping and free returns. Read on for our 2025 picks from La Sportiva, Scarpa, and more! Best For: Diverse bouldering and sport climbing, especially steep stuff Summary: The Shaman is a solid bouldering and sport climbing all-rounder, but it really feels at home on the overhung projects in your life. Dec 29, 2020 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. La Sportiva Katana Lace Nov 14, 2025 · Discover the best climbing shoes for edging that enhance your performance and grip. Aug 2, 2021 · We field tested 9 of the best bouldering shoes in 2025 from top brands like La Sportiva, Scarpa, and Five Ten. Find your perfect climbing shoes at REI. Nov 22, 2024 · Buy SCARPA Boostic R Rock Climbing & Bouldering Shoes - Specialized Performance for Edging & Support - Honey/White - 3-3. In this review, we compare eight of the best models on the market today in side-by-side tests. Climbing shoes can make or break your climbing experience, and finding the right pair is crucial for both comfort and performance! Did you know that 68% of new climbers struggle to find their perfect first climbing shoe? Enter the La Sportiva Zenit – a game-changing shoe that bridges the gap between comfort and technical prowess. Mar 10, 2025 · The best climbing shoes just keep getting better. A softer midsole allows the shoe to mold to the surface, maximizing friction and surface contact. Jun 16, 2021 · Buy SCARPA Boostic Rock Climbing Shoes for Sport Climbing and Bouldering - Specialized Performance for Edging and Support - Black/Azure - 8-8. Jun 3, 2025 · Every climber knows the importance of a good pair of shoes, but when it comes to edging, the right pair can make all the difference. Designed to crush anything you can throw at them, the Skwama is a serious contender for the best sport climbing shoe on the market. Mar 23, 2023 · The best overall climbing shoe should be versatile and comfortable, yet capable of edging, smearing, heel hooking, and toeing into cracks. Sep 8, 2021 · The Satori is Boreal's best new climbing shoe. Soft but still supportive, the Scarpa Instinct VSR is the ultimate quiver of one shoe. It features a unique knit pattern on the uppers, making these Nov 10, 2023 · One of the most debated topics in the world of climbing shoes is the type of rubber your shoes are packing. You’ll notice they have sticky Vibram XS Edge rubber and durable leather 4 days ago · La Sportiva Tarantulace Climbing Shoes One of the Best Bouldering Climbing Shoes for climbers seeking a versatile and comfortable option for both outdoor and gym use. It’s an aggressive and stiff shoe with a downturned toe, best known for its ability to stand with precision on tiny edges. The velcro alternative to the classic lace version, the La Sportiva Katana VCS still offers the same amazing edging ability, just with a little extra ease of access. Jan 9, 2026 · Choosing the right climbing shoes is essential for maximizing edging grip and on-wall control. Nov 7, 2024 · A shoe’s magic lies in its rubber, construction, shape, closure system, and midsole. This is my go-to shoe when I need a versatile boulder and sport climbing shoe with serious sending ability. While not the absolute best, they still edge better than many stiffer models. Credit: Matt Jun 13, 2016 · See our review of the Scarpa Boostic rock climbing shoes, with analysis of the Boostic’s performance, fit and comfort, construction and more. Mar 7, 2025 · If you’re overwhelmed by the variety of climbing shoes, our expert-vetted guide covers everything you need to know. Mar 18, 2020 · Compared to the average climbing shoe, we would still describe them as stiff, but there is noticeably more flex than you get with the La Sportiva TC Pro or other high-top crack shoes. Nov 14, 2024 · We tested and reviewed the best women's climbing shoes of 2025, including picks from La Sportiva, SCARPA, and more. It can climb well on a variety of indoor holds, from smearing to edges to toe and heel hooks. The lack of sensitivity and neutral shape of the last limits this type of shoe’s performance on steep problems. But even the cheapest climbing shoes are miles better than rentals. Nov 11, 2023 · Moderate climbing shoes offer the best of both worlds; downturned enough for precise footwork on steep terrain, and flat enough for friction moves on slabby sport lines. Aug 1, 2023 · The La Sportiva Kubo is best used as an indoor climbing shoe for bouldering, top roping, and lead climbing. Here's everything you need to know about bouldering shoes for beginners. And we don't toss that accolade around lightly. Mar 4, 2022 · Climbing shoe manufacturers generally take one of two design paths to create a high-performance edging shoe. My shortlist includes a range of shoes; some are ideal for slab climbing with sharp, crimpy footholds, and others are perfect smeary, friction-dependent slabs. Jan 22, 2025 · These are our favorite picks for rock climbing shoes, whether you're bouldering, sport climbing or trad climbing. Sep 27, 2024 · Discover La Sportiva climbing shoes with their unique features, lasts, colors & technology. Jul 17, 2021 · Rock climbing smearing essentials. From thin finger splitters to wrestling up an offwidth, we cover it all. Aug 19, 2025 · Choosing the right climbing shoes is essential for precision edging and overall climbing performance. EDIT: I settled on La Sportiva Theory shoes after trying on and climbing in about 6 different shoes (Drago, Furia Air, Solution, Solution Comp and Theory all in various sizes) Mar 12, 2025 · From the car to the cliff, a good pair of approach shoes can help you reach your rocky objective in style. The Miura VS is best suited for hard sport climbing and bouldering — it does well on both technical face climbing and overhanging rock. Nov 19, 2025 · The La Sportiva Skwama won us over with its consistent performance across disciplines, taking the top spot for the best overall women's climbing shoe. This shoe's pointy toe supplies an outstanding sensation of precision to ensure your toes are properly placed on the tiniest footholds. I’ve tried shoes that feel pinchy and others that offer comfort but slip off mid-route. Aug 17, 2017 · Edging How does such a soft shoe edge so well? Perhaps it's Tenaya's RB Range X technology in the rand, which claims to make climbing feel “ easier and more intuitive. 2. Jun 8, 2022 · Where the shoe shines is while edging and in sport climbing. Over the past decade, I have tried and tested dozens of wide climbing shoes. Moved Permanently The document has moved here. Jan 8, 2025 · Find the perfect fit for narrow feet with our guide to the best climbing shoes, offering performance and comfort for every climbing style. That said, if you are on the hunt for the best climbing shoes for wide feet, you have landed in the right place. Dec 6, 2021 · The La Sportiva Skwama climbing shoe holds up reasonably well when edging. Nov 10, 2023 · The La Sportiva No Edge climbing shoes dare to defy conventional wisdom. May 4, 2020 · The stiffness of the midsole, plus the downturned shape make these shoes ideal for sustained edging — especially for folks who shy away from soft slippers. 5 Women and other Climbing at Amazon. Dec 9, 2025 · What do you need to know before you buy your first pair of climbing shoes? This article tell you everything you need to know about the different shapes and functions of climbing shoes, and makes some recommendations for a first-time pair. Soft shoes will bend like a taco, stiff shoes won’t. What is smearing, when to do it, how to get better at it, advanced techniques and the best shoes for it! What is edging? This post explains this basic rock climbing footwork technique, how to use it, how to train it, and why you should learn it.

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