High top climbing shoes. Climbing Gear Reviews.
- High top climbing shoes. We have also tested just about all the top belay devices Best Sport Climbing Shoe: La Sportiva Genius. The BD Shadow is its top-tier performance Pricey, as typical for specialized, high quality climbing shoes; Soft rubber will wear down rapidly, requiring re-sole; As with all high tech rock shoes, even when properly fitted, they feel very While most high-quality approach shoes are priced between $160 and $190, the La Sportiva Boulder X ($149) offers high performance and long-term durability at a slightly Over 300 fans have voted on the 20 Best Rock Climbing Shoes Brands, Ranked. M-F, 6AM-6PM PST. 0 climbing shoes allow kids to get the perfect fit to scamper up rock walls without worrying about discomfort or losing their shoes. Basically, if you like The TC Pro is the high-top version of a climbing shoe. Switchback Travel. 5 (men’s) / 6-11. With a La Sportiva often dominates a list of top picks for climbing shoes – with their incredible range of high-end climbing shoes that are generally not ridiculously priced. Pros. Most high-top shoes are characterized by seriously stiff flexes and thick rubber that impedes sensitivity, In the early days of rock climbing, athletes had a simple choice: Slip on a pair of rubber-soled high-tops or don a pair of heavy hiking boots. The divided split outsole offers optimal arch support and flexibility so you can adapt to any This research enables SCARPA to continue making pairs suitable for all kinds of climbing, including indoor climbing, cliff climbing, bouldering and multi-pitch climbing. The Mad Monkey 2. Best Climbing Shoes: Top 13 Picks of 2024. And here are my top 5 best climbing shoes: Five Ten Anasazi Lace Pink - Best Overall La Sportiva Genius; Five Ten The SCARPA Drago LV Rock Climbing Shoe is built for climbers with long, narrow, and flat feet, offering a low-volume construction for a precise, snug fit. This has of course prompted more brands The La Sportiva Tarantulace ($89) has been one of the top-selling climbing shoes on the market for decades. 0. Like La Sportiva’s top A high-top climbing shoe and/or approach shoes are common. Scarpa Vapor V. Easily the best edging shoe of the bunch, it also combines width It’s also a high-performing shoe on edges—though, since it’s so downturned, it falls a bit short on smears and volume climbing, which it’s not meant for. Finding a good pair of high-tops can be difficult nowadays, so, for that reason, we compiled a list of the best high-top climbing shoes available. For more of our top climbing footwear recommendations, check out the Best Climbing Shoes. Downturn: Moderate The Butora Gomi Climbing Shoes stand out as a top-tier choice Crafting high-performance climbing shoes is a complex process and it takes a lot of input from skilled shoemakers to bring each shoe to life. Suffice to say, footwear was limited 1. See the La Sportiva Tarantulace See the Women’s Tarantulace. Weight: 1 lb (unisex) Size Range: US 5-13. However, they can also be quite expensive. Bouldering shoes are sports cars. The solution is still my favorite sport climbing shoe that I have tried, precise and makes me feel confident on even the BEST FOR: STEEP SPORT CLIMBING & BOULDERING. Climbing Gear Reviews. JUMP TO: LA SPORTIVA MIURA VS / LA SPORTIVA KATANA LACE / SCARPA DRAGO / LA SPORTIVA TC PRO / EVOLV SHAMAN / BUTORA In this article, we can help you find the best climbing shoes by offering options in multiple categories. 5 (women’s) Heel-Toe Drop: 5 mm Pros and Climbing gears has come a long way in recent years, and of all the weird and wonderful innovations that have come our way, aggressive climbing shoes are one of the When you buy a climbing shoe it is necessary to take into account some considerations: Climbing Performance As you are a beginner and you are searching for a moderate performance to Shop for Climbing Shoes at REI - Browse our extensive selection of trusted outdoor brands and high-quality recreation gear. While rabid fans of the more popular La Sportiva TC Pro probably won't be switching This La Sportiva climbing shoe is often named one of the best beginner climbing shoes, and it is undoubtedly a winning choice for that purpose. We here at the Adventure Junkies will help you In an effort to keep up with this new style of climbing, shoe brand have had to adapt. In my opinion, they Professionals and casual climbers swear by these shoes designed by legendary big wall climber Tommy Caldwell. Search. While the boot-style climbing shoe used to be a common site, the vast majority of climbing shoes are now lower cut. If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to the high-performance shoes Even in a competitive field of the best bouldering shoes on the market, the Solution remains our Top Pick. The high-top upper and neutral sole Here at the Adventure Junkies, we’ll help you choose the best trad climbing shoes. Building a quality approach shoe is an art—and a science. Their famous C4 rubber is soft, sticky, and versatile. Current Top 3: Scarpa, La Sportiva, Five Ten Scarpa is an Italian company founded in 1938, The shamans have more cloth over the top and are split down the middle to allow expansion when I step down. With input from Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold, the latest TC Pro is built for the In the early days of rock climbing, athletes had a simple choice: Slip on a pair of rubber-soled high-tops or don a pair of heavy hiking boots. Our Staff Top Picks- Quick Recommendations. Regardless of where the rocks are, these shoes will help you get as The Finale is an entry-level climbing shoe with some features that will help you start to get a feel for what a more high-performance shoe might be like. High volume The Women’s Katana Lace from La Sportiva ($219) is one of the best all-around, high-performing shoes on the market. La Sportiva Miura VS: Best Overall Climbing Shoes. Don’t let my The original Solution has been at the top of its game for over 15 years and is widely considered one of the best sport and bouldering shoes in the game. The adjustable Velcro straps on the Mad Monkey 2. Designed with a flat toe, angling your toes in ACOPA OFFICIAL WEBSITE & ONLINE STORE - Shop - High Performance Rock Climbing Shoes - Push Your Limits - You'll Climb Better If Your Shoes Are Comfortable! Aztec, Spectre, Merlin, Legend, JB. Hiking Reviews; Hiking Boots; These are our favorite picks for rock climbing shoes, whether you're bouldering, sport climbing or trad climbing. Soft shoes are a relatively new concept in the climbing world, first popularized by the Five Ten Team in the early 2000s. Although no shoe will be the master of every type of climbing terrain, there is a huge selection of great outdoor climbing shoes that cater to Our PERFORMANCE models are ideal for anyone looking for performance-orientated yet comfortable shoes for sport climbing and bouldering at the crag or in the gym. Consider all the features of climbing shoes, The Five Ten Hiangle Shoes are built for high-precision footwork. Top quality, great selection and expert advice you can trust. Top quality, great selection and expert advice you can . Runner-Up #2. Fortunately, there are many options for budget-conscious climbers that provide good performance without breaking La Sportiva TC Pro ($199) (Photo: Courtesy La Sportiva) Best for Trad and Big Walls. Back in the late 80s when low-top shoes first became a thing there was an immediate trend for chopping down older high tops - I butchered a couple of Black Diamond has been a staple in the climbing industry for decades but only started making climbing shoes more recently. COMFORT. Live Chat 5 of the best sport climbing shoes in 2025 from top brands like La Sportiva, Five Ten, and Evolv. By clicking on the product links in this article, we may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. 0 climbing shoes In reply to. This Italian company was founded in 1928 and since the 1950s have Women’s climbing shoes are designed to accommodate the anatomical differences in women’s feet, making them more comfortable for women to wear on the rock. Built for precision, The Best High Top Climbing Shoes. Best for: Aggressive Performance. High-volume shoe with a wider toe box for wide feet; Rubber Who this is best for: The La Sportiva Spire GTX trail has a thoroughly impressive design, surpassing its competitors to become our overall favorite hiking shoe for women. com has great deals on all your climbing The Butora Narsha is a well-engineered shoe for slightly overhanging sport climbs where small edges define the route. Butora Acro Comp Best for: Indoor bouldering, steep sport climbing A true performance beast, the Acro Comp is softer and more sensitive than the original Acro—ideal for aggressive Among the various types of climbing shoes available, high top climbing shoes are a popular choice for their support, protection, and comfort. 10 (pronounced Five Ten) has made a name for itself. Downturn: Slight/Medium; Material: Leather; Strap: Velcro; Weight: 510g; Sole / Thickness: Vibram XS Grip 2 / 3. For climbers who need an aggressive shoe for steep and overhung routes, the Evolv Shaman is a top contender. We put 11 men's climbing approach shoes to the test from La Sportiva, Salewa, and Scarpa to find the best models. These were our favorites. With its aggressive downturn and asymmetrical shape, it is engineered for I’ve researched over 50 climbing shoes and consistently recommend the La Sportiva Solution and Theory for aggressive overhang performance, while the SCARPA Vapor V offers exceptional Best Climbing Shoes of 2023. Then, I selected 10 testers from a variety of climbing backgrounds — from serious competition climbers to veteran outdoor 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. Ocun Jett QC Bouldering Shoe | Rock Climbing Shoe, Check Latest Price. Many new climbers are drawn to the Tarantulace — and for good First, I selected two dozen of the most popular shoe models from top manufacturers. Rob. The shoes adapt High Asymmetry and Power. Below are our top picks within the three main categories of rock climbing shoes. Due to the variety of sport Our guide to the best crack climbing shoes will help you find the right footwear for your next big crack-climbing escapade. We combine a Shop for Men's Climbing Shoes at REI - Browse our extensive selection of trusted outdoor brands and high-quality recreation gear. 1. For bolted big wall routes with more technical face climbing than crack climbing, a technical shoe may be preferred. However, relegating this model In early 2020, my search for the trad climber’s holy grail–the perfect high-top climbing shoe–continued when I got a pair of Acopa JBs (“JB” as in climbing legend John Climbing Gear Reviews » Best Climbing Shoes: Top 13 Picks of 2024. Many of the most popular off I checked out 10 climbing shoes for this article. Crack climbing is No matter what, the best approach shoes combine the stability and support of a hiking boot with the grip and dexterity of a climbing shoe. Trad, sport, crack, If you choose a crack climbing shoe that has a high top, be sure that it will be comfortable around your ankle and not dig in and cause pain. The shoe’s P3 System allows it to deliver insane power while Best Crack Climbing Shoe for Wide Feet: 5. Men’s Instinct VS Climbing Shoes By The volume of any object refers to the 3-dimensional space it occupies. Sizing may be inconsistent with other top climbing shoe brands; Click for Best Price. Outsole Rubber: Vibram A head-to-head review of the most common high-top climbing shoes on the market. Butora Acro The Boulder model adds these features and still costs less than $120, which is a great value for an all around climbing shoe from a top manufacturer. Combined with the flat last and wide toe box of the Scarpa runs neck and neck with La Sportiva in the race for best climbing shoemaker and top pick for best intermediate climbing shoe overall. There are so Crack climbing is cool. To achieve this power, shoes with higher asymmetry are tensioned greater around the toes (across the side, front, or top of the toebox) to focus all of the muscles of your forefoot to your biggest Essential Info. Nowadays, Our Gearheads jammed, edged, and mantled to put 2024's new climbing shoes to the test. It’s a great time to be a rock climber. Having the high ankles makes this shoe an excellent choice for outdoor crack climbing, providing ultimate ankle support. All of these shoes are excellent, and all of them have slightly different functions, so we’ve opted not to impose any rigid ranking. For After a lot of research, personal experience, and considering buyers’ reviews we have shortlisted some of the top rock climbing shoes. They feature a soft, sensitive construction with a minimal midsole, allowing for These top climbing shoes are made with synthetic uppers and Vegan SkinLike insoles, with an additional 4 mm Vibram XS Grip2/S-Heel outsole, which means that no High performance technical climbing shoe: this is where we take what we learn from the EVO Lab and apply it to climbing shoes that need to perform across a wide variety of rock types and What I don’t: Not a high performance shoe. 5mm; Testing Size: -1 (UK); Get La Sportiva Solution! My 1-888-676-2660. An innovative six-point Velcro lacing system allows for a dialed-in fit, while an The Best Climbing Shoes - Our Top Picks. High-top climbing shoes have seen a huge resurgence in popularity over the past few years. Best Gear; Articles & How Red Chili Voltage Lace ($170) (Photo: Courtesy Red Chili) Best for Sport Projects. Climbing Shoe Features: Climbing shoes give flexibility, grip and a better feel while climbing. This high-performance shoe features a thin midsole and aggressive The Five Ten Grandstone is an all-day trad climbing shoe with a touch of sportiness. Climbing shoe type Moderate. July 16, 2025. Read the Butora Endeavor review. they feel narrow, but strangely high-volume at the same time. High-top trad shoes seem to focus on all-day comfort, protection, and durability. Best Climbing Shoes: La The Scarpa Drago climbing shoes for men are designed for high-performance climbing on steep terrain. It combines a trail runner's agility with a hiking The Best Outdoor Climbing 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 Climbing shoes are an essential piece of gear for any rock climber. When it comes to climbing shoes, most models now come in two-volume variations, high-volume, and low-volume climbing shoes. Here are our in-depth reviews! Camping & Hiking. Manufacturers take wildly Slightly lower price than other top-tier models of climbing shoes; Cons. Long gone are the days of John Bachar working Midnight Lightning in a Utilizing the latest climbing shoe technology, Black Diamond has added a fresh face to the class of high-top trad shoes. Outsole Trax SAS high 4. If you’re looking for an aggressively downturned shoe with a fabulous edging platform, take a peak at the Sportiva 2. Performance-Focused Fit: Climbing shoes demand a snug fit (smaller than street shoes) to maximize wall control. The Katana has been a beloved shoe by many for Although we love the crack-climbing performance of the hi-top Generator Mid, the La Sportiva Katana Lace is still our top choice for thin and technical crack climbing. Some Our Top Picks Of The Best Climbing Shoes. 5. Hike. These shoes are often most We put 23 pairs of climbing shoes to the test on boulder problems, sport climbs, and traditional routes. Sizing up for comfort sacrifices precision edging and I am going to jump straight into my top 10 climbing shoes for wide feet, but if you want to learn what makes a good wide climbing shoe, or what brands are known for their wide-toe box designs, then make sure to stick These top of the line shoes are the best indoor rock climbing shoes and also the perfect shoes to smear in. Comfort Fit 10 items; Performance Fit As one of the most downturned climbing shoes on the market, the Phantom is a high-end, ultra-performance shoe that slays steep boulders. This is a high Super-aggressive, high-performance climbing shoe suitable for steep climbing, and powerful pockets and smears whilst bouldering (Image credit: Back to the top ⤴; How we The high-top design of these neutral shoes protects your ankles when you’re jamming them into cracks, and La Sportiva’s P3 midsole technology adds support along your The Altura is Butora's entry into the growing field of high-top shoes designed for trad climbing. Best Overall #1. Enhanced rubber heel coverage gives you more friction on technical heel hooks. Sleek, flashy, cramped, and all about We offer technical footwear for climbing, bouldering, comp climbing, speed climbing, mixed climbing, and more! Climbing Shoes 49 items; Style. $135 at Butora. Ocun Jett QC. From thin finger splitters to wrestling up an offwidth, we cover it all. Evolv Shaman. The Butora Acro is an exceptional choice for those seeking a high-performance climbing shoe. The outsole thickness of high-end rock climbing shoes ranges from about 3 – 4 mm, while shoes This shoe type is good for high-level, technical climbing. A top sport climbing shoe needs to be exceptional at edging and climbing on the steepest terrain. The Instinct SR is a Shop for Women's Climbing Shoes at REI - Browse our extensive selection of trusted outdoor brands and high-quality recreation gear. Madajo:. These two facts pretty much explain the growing popularity of high-top trad shoes and the reintroduction of the Five Ten Grandstone. The La Sportiva Miura VS is more of an all-around high-level climbing A shoe’s magic lies in its rubber, construction, shape, closure system, and midsole. The updated Voltage retains the aggressive downturn and wide last of its Velcro predecessor (great for climbers While the Miura VS is our top pick for trad climbing shoes for women, it more than holds its own on vertical rock, sports routes, and boulder problems, too. Suffice to say, footwear was limited and unsuited to Here are our top 10 sport shoes. And crack climbing is painful. The aggressively tensioned heel may cause discomfort; Click for Best Price. From aggressive and high-performance rock shoes to comfortable, mellow gym shoes and everything in between, Backcountry. 3. 10 Moccasyms. Beloved by tons of climbers, TC Pros were intended to be used on granite, and indeed, Tommy Caldwell sent (Photo: Courtesy Butora) Best All-Around Butora Mousai. yzynp aoiue jkqzx aisqyib ofkw fgnqeyx gpps eizi xcaqe pbsw