Bouldering shoes for beginners reddit Aside from its low price for such a formidable brand, it feels like second skin even with a 5 mm thick Also consider what you typically climb. The more downturned/aggressive the shoe shape, the better suited for challenging climbs (but they can also be more uncomfortable if you’re not used to it). The ideal pair will offer the fit and performance that match your climbing style so you can tackle the wall more confidently. When I first started shopping around for a climbing shoe I was very intrigued by La Sportiva specifically, and after looking at gear labs’ “best climbing shoes” tier list I was considering the LS Katana and Solutions. As a beginner, all that matters is learning technique and getting stronger. Yea If your a beginner UC would be the go I think. You need to get the right shape for your toes. 5 (I could’ve done a 43). As a beginner, I would recommend “neutral” to “moderate” climbing shoes. Downturn: Aggressive Just head to a gym, rent some shoes, learn how to fall, and you are off to the races. La sportiva futuras and skwamas work for me as tight bouldering shoes. initially downsizing too much and never taking off my shoes when climbing for years has given me a fairly gnarly bunion. Try several sizes in a couple different brands, every company has some type of entry-level/relaxed shoe. I would recommend to you: -Mad Rock Drone HV: All round hard sender. Noting that some people that buy very expensive, very sensitive and soft climbing shoes to climb indoors potentially own more than 1 pair - and they aren't using these pricey shoes for every send. SBP is bigger and good too. 1. They're saving them for the high grade, steep routes where their advantage is clear. The Best Bouldering Shoes in 2023. Scarpa is cutting back production. However, relegating this model to the ranks of newbies sells its capabilities short as a low-cost all-around climbing shoe. I am around V3 level for reference. She was so close to getting the top but had no gas left and kept failing to grab it, he kept tryin 377K subscribers in the bouldering community. 2. Try which shoe is snug without being painful and go for it. There is no beginner shoe. Climbing shoes are categorized by their shape from neutral to moderate to aggressive. Roman Feet. Here are some of the key factors to consider when choosing rock climbing shoes: Fit. Some shoes can definitely stretch 2 sizes, some none. 2) climb with friends who know what they're doing. It's unsurprising that beginners/intermediates like them because basically anything is better than a flat, hard beginner shoe, but that doesn't mean it's good for what you need, it's just that the bar is super low. Softer shoes will conform to those big plastic holds and smear on the sandpaper-textured wall with ease. At our level its not that important to downsize aggresively etc. I boulder a lot so I have a pair of fancy $200+ aggressive shoes, but unless I'm climbing above 12-, I don't use them. Brands like Scarpa and La Sportiva have some solid options. They're cheap, comfortable, and work well enough on most terrain. I'm still a beginner obviously, so comfort is pretty important as I'm learning. Climbing shoes for beginner I'm a total beginner and looking to get some climbing shoes, mainly for indoors, but hopefully for some outdoor trips. Essential Info. You foot should dictate what shoe works, not the price or company. Apr 24, 2025 · Best Climbing Shoes at a Glance. For starters, check out some all-around climbing shoes that offer all-day comfort. 5 in my climbing shoes doesn't necessarily mean I recommend going half an eu size down for your climbing shoes. I was wearing Millet Easy-Ups prior. I've been climbing for a year and I think my level is low-intermediate. Best Outdoor All-Rounder: Scarpa Arpia V ($169) Best Sport/Mixed Shoe: Unparallel Qubit ($186) Best Bouldering Shoe: Scarpa Drago XT ($229) Best for Beginners: Butora Rubicon ($150) Best Shoe for Steep Routes: La Sportiva Mandala ($209) Best Training Shoe: Scarpa Veloce L ($175) Best Pure Slipper: La Sportiva Salutations, ladies! I've recently started practicing indoor bouldering and after borrowing them for the first sessions, I'm finally searching for a nice pair of shoes with the best price-performance (and I stress "price", considering every recommended pair seems to cost 10% of my monthly income). As a beginner, it's also better to fit for comfort or a snug but not painful sizing as the shoes will stretch out over use. Which then made the shoe too long and I lost a lot of grip in the toes, or dealing with a very tight shoe that was borderline cutting off blood to my feet. The rentals I have had were hit and miss. They are designed to be climbed in. My gym grades: White: V0 Yellow: V0-V2 Blue: V1-V3 Purple: V2-V4 Black: V3-V5 Red: V4-V6 I can comfortably climb the purples (V2-V4). I've been climbing for about 4-5 months now and climbed my first V3-V5 yesterday. Regardless, sites like REI will let you narrow choices by shoe volume and give you results for any gender. now I gym climb only in moccs and wear mostly street shoe size climbing shoes unless a climb requires tighter shoes for some reason, ie hard small edging or heel hooks. When a cheap pair is like $90, and a high quality pair is about $200, why not go for the higher quality? Im about 6 months into climbing, and my shoes still basically look new. Also, i would recommend a beginner shoe that would still be good after resoling it, still serving a purpose. Since you're shopping online, finding a pair that feels good right off the bat is super important. Hi, I'm new to bouldering and I want to find some durable climbing shoes that aren't very expensive for my fairly narrow feet. We're looking to buy shoes now but aren't really sure where to start. Suppose you’re still hesitant about whether climbing shoes will perform better than your hiking boots. it’ll be difficult to find a shoe that works perfectly for your toes but the I happen to agree with Steve from the bad beta podcast. Go to a gym and try climbing using the rental shoes. 5 star sensitivity with 5mm of frixion rubber? lmao. The Mocc isn’t a high performer by any stretch of the imagination, but it isn’t exactly a beginner shoe either. Climbing shoes are a little different to street shoes. Nov 11, 2023 · In the kingdom of climbing shoes, comfort is not king. I want to buy my first pair of climbing shoes and am looking for recommendations. My rock climbing teachers recommended me the sportiva kubo. Read and post on the Friday New Climber Thread on r Feb 19, 2021 · The primary traits that separate rock climbing shoes from street shoes are their snug fit, down-turned camber, asymmetric last-shape, and special rubber coating. A beginner would wear out a good pair in all the wrong places and make them pretty unusable pretty quickly, so unless you want to go to a place that charges like $20 to rent shoes (which there probably isn't) just remember your own shoes i totally agree with everything tango1911 said! and to answer your other questions, as you can see in the picture comparing the two shoes sole to sole, the drone cs hv are actually just medium volume (and the lv is very skinny) whereas the shark 3. normally i’m a size 39/39. TLDR: I am looking for intermediate but comfortable climbing shoes for indoor climbing with slight/medium downturn and low/medium pre-tensioning. try to get a feel of which brand and shoe most likely fits ur foot shape, if possible, try them on. If you like it then get your own shoes and chalkbag (search threads here for recommendations on what to get. 8s. La sportiva pythons are instruments of torture. whilst climbing is very different to whilst walking. The Defy is the male rock-climbing shoe and the Elektra the female rock-climbing shoe. I can‘t tell you exactly what kind they are but I can all tomorrow and ask. - if you like climbing enough to want to buy your own pair, decathlon sells dirt cheap climbing shoes. A lot of people seem to like tarantulace as a starter shoe so maybe check those out. Evolv Defy/Elektra beginners rock climbing shoe. I am new to climbing, have gone about 5 times, but just started a membership to go more often. I only do the indoor bouldering. If you had to recommend 1 shoe, you used every climbing session (2-4 times a week for me) for indoor bouldering what would it be? I am having an incredibly hard time deciding, because whatever I pick is likely going to be the only shoe I use for the next 1-2 years. See All Bouldering Shoes! As you can see, my top bouldering shoe was the Scarpa Drago. Furias are just a little softer than dragos, but it's very difficult to get them these days. Check sizesquirrel. I am not a beginner, and I still use BD momentums as my gym bouldering shoe. In reality they're probably just flat neutral shoes and such shoes are great to keep in your collection for gym days. Only thing I'd recommend to you as opposed to an actual beginner is to lean towards softer shoes if possible, since this will make overhangs more doable. Nothing special just £40 climbing shoes. May 14, 2021 · Rock climbing is a great way to stay fit, enjoy the outdoors and meet new and interesting people from all walks of life. What shoes are best for v3 area / where I seem to currently be? Hello, recently I started bouldering and I was thinking about buying some climbing shoes. I have 4 pairs of shoes that are 4 different sizes (half size increments) that all fit me As others have already mentioned, rental shoes are going to seriously hold you back, you need to get some real shoes, rentals are designed to hold up through a lot of wear, not be good. They are not designed to be walked in, no time or energy is spent designing these shoes to be comfortable to walk in. Jan 11, 2022 · 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. The shoes don’t have to be painful, just snug enough that you can’t stand around in them for a whole session. With a single velcro strap and slipper-like comfort, it’s incredibly sensitive but offers surprising edging ability thanks to La Sportiva’s P3 tensioned rand system and No-Edge sole technology. I’m looking for a beginner / intermediate shoe that will help me more than my current ones for bouldering and occasional top roping. They offer the grip, precision, and control you need to send it on any problem or route. Indeed, the Simond Rock+ is the quintessential beginner’s climbing shoe. I think climbing in general purpose shoes is totally fine well into 5. I've had my evolv phantoms 3 months into climbing and I for sure will never climb Daniel's v17. Don’t choose your climbing shoe (or shoe size) based on how they feel to walk in. Climbing shoes are designed to get lots of power through the tip of the shoe, and especially the big toe. Cordless and proud. The price tag is okay, however, I read that those shoes are We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. My local climbing store only seems to stock a lot of butora and scarpa. Veloce's are a beginner shoe in the same vein as the Mantra but worse. Read other beginner threads here. (1) Comfy (2) Good for climbing easy stuff (3) Good for climbing hard stuff (4) Not too aggressive but not too flat (shoe’s curve) (5) You never need another shoe Reply reply throwaway70357 I started climbing about a month ago, enjoyed it instantly and am now looking to buy my first pair of shoes, mainly looking for an all-rounder as I still need to learn a lot of technique. For residents of Japan only - if you do not reside in Japan you are welcome to read, but do not post or you will be removed. Hey, so primarily youre gonna want a shoe thats comfortable. it has nice padding and easy slider adjust. wear whatever shoes you want, just make sure they fit first. S. ) Watch videos here and on r/climbing on how to move on the wall. If you are brand new to climbing, then I suggest heading over to our beginner bouldering shoe guide instead. Whatever shoes fits best. e. La Sportiva Tarantulace. A rental shoe is gonna be better for climbing than any street shoe, but pretty much any other climbing shoe will be better than a rental. g. Men's climbing shoes are often high volume and women's are low, but with your size I'm not sure men's will go small enough. Would definitely recommend going to a shop and trying on a bunch of different shoes, until you get one that feels right. 8 mm, but it’s not enough to notice a difference. Since you are just getting into it, but want to mostly boulder, I would recommended a snug fitting slipper or Velcro shoe. Finally, climbing shoes simply don't last so it could be a bit of a waste to get an expensive pair now. Fit is more important than almost all performance enhancing features. They let me try the different types of shoes ranging from more comfortable shoes, to the more aggressive ones which provide more precision but are less comfortable. The Mad Rock shoes fall just slightly under at 3. The Best Bouldering Shoes in Detail 1. Prepare yourself for better sensitivity, greater precision, and the ability to pull pockets on steep overhanging terrain. It's a very comfortable shoe that breaks in literally by climbing in it a few times (in a single session). Edit: also, this review is wild. Nov 30, 2022 · The La Sportiva Theory is a purpose-made climbing shoe for hard indoor bouldering and competition climbing. my tarantulas i got in a size 39. The middle of the shoe does not give a lot of stability or power, so don't use it unless the situation specifically calls for it. If you want to wear your shoes for hours or climb a lot of slab, no need to get something with a more aggressive When I first started shopping around for a climbing shoe I was very intrigued by La Sportiva specifically, and after looking at gear labs’ “best climbing shoes” tier list I was considering the LS Katana and Solutions. Nov 11, 2023 · I guarantee you will be amazed at the difference after you swap your beginner climbing shoes for a more performance-ordinated model. I've been climbing for about 5 months with rental shoes (they are free with membership to the gym). Dive into my 2023 scoop on the most comfortable climbing shoes. I still remember how it felt when I slipped on my first pair of ‘serious’ climbing shoes. Although the La Sportiva Tarantulace already took the place for best gym climbing shoe for beginners it could easily have taken this spot too. Scarpa furia and drago are torture. Beginner shoes and cheap, durable all-round shoes are the same thing. I climbed a single v5 problem and several V4 problems (I know they are quite different across gyms but just as a reference). With climbing shoes there's no way I'll be able to buy online or just from recommendation. This relatively flat, lace-up climbing shoe may never climb 5. Get a decent middle ground (in terms of geometry and specialization) shoe and fit it properly, then have them resoled when you inevitably blow through the toe box as you I’ve been bouldering for just over 7 months and just upgraded my shoes from soft flat but decent Evolv Defys to a slightly more performance focused Evolv Kronos - instantly felt better on small foot holds - a stiffer shoe means you won’t be putting so much focus on getting power onto those small feet holds. 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. At the beginning level, everyone's technique is generally bad so shoes don't matter that much. Google image search those to get a sense of what one kind of beginner shoe might look like Attitudes are changing though. Get cheap beginner shoes to learn footwork, but don’t expect a five star, “perfect allrounder” shoe. My first pair of snowboarding boots, figure skates, and climbing shoes all ended up not being what I wanted sooner than the actual material wearing down and I eventually spent more in the long run buying new pairs. 5 It seems like your big complaint is that the rental shoes aren't performance climbing shoes. World of difference and cheap ones on amazon are like $50-60. Any random beginner shoe even will be a huge upgrade. Our three favourite rock climbing shoes for beginners: ‍ ‍ 1. 0 (hv) is WIDE. That is why climbing shoes classified as beginners' either have quite durable front or are just cheap enough so people won't be mad about killing them fast. Hey everyone, my girlfriend and I recently started climbing a lot, and have acquired all the great except shoes (we've just been doing indoor top-roping, so we've gotten by on renting shoes at the gym for a few dollars). A beginner pair of climbing shoes will run you about $100 and a high quality pair will be around $200. You could try specifically looking for a "neutral" shoe (or just sort by price and start from the bottom, since the expensive shoes are usually the aggressive ones). The cheapest shoe on this list—and, consequently, one of the best-selling climbing shoes in the U. The reason you're buying shoes is because you want to have something fit and perform better than the rentals. Scarpa makes a couple good beginner shoes you may want to check out. I'm exclusively bouldering and rope climbing in the hall, and was thinking about the Vegan Skwama von La Sportiva. 10 moccasin to start. I am about to replace my beginner climbing shoes as it was a hand-me-down (albeit it was a decent fit at that point of time) and its starting to feel loose. Beginners should get a cheap beginner shoe. Fit is the most critical consideration A bad fitting high-end shoes won't outperform a good fitting beginners shoe. I'm almost 2 years into climbing now, indoors and outdoors experience. It's been a good experience, they are really comfortable and versatile for both climbing and short rock routes. Nov 6, 2023 · It is probably the most popular crack climbing shoe ever and was the first shoe ever to use a slingshot rand. If your shoes have more grip than the rental shoes, a rubber toe patch and a and sole stiffness that fits your weight, you can stick with it. The adult course was later in the evening and I couldn't participate, so I had to learn everything like techniques and climbing jargon via YouTube in my spare time, even safety stuff like how to properly take a fall or descend from the top of the wall. A downturned shoe isn't versatile and unless you are really just climbing steep boulders all the time will probably be overkill to start with. Each place has a few beginner boulders that are more or less like climbing a ladder, and obviously harder ones to start with too depending on how strong/fit you are. Most beginner oriented shoes will also last a bit longer, because usually the rubber is thicker and a bit less soft. The solution is still my favorite sport climbing shoe that I have tried, precise and makes me feel confident on even the smallest feet. To be honest, if you are climbing because you saw free solo: - don't buy shoes. IE, get whatever "beginner shoe" is most comfortable. Many people are flocking to the sport as it increases in popularity, and subsequently a great range of budget friendly climbing shoes under $100 have entered the market. The shoes came out to be 140€ -10% -> 126€ for beginner pair. Gender aside, this really means they fit slightly different with the Defy being slightly wider and Elektra narrower so go with what feels right Honestly, giving any kind of 'universal' advice on how to size a new shoe is bound to be problematic. 4 mm: A 4 mm sole is the standard on most climbing shoes. If anyone could recommend some shoes to me that would be nice. For a country where bouldering has only recently caught on, the route setting at São Rock Climbing in Porto, Portugal is pretty amazing!!! 😯 🇵🇹 r/bouldering • Did my first ever competition topped 4 out of 5, very happy that I got rank 10 in my state, here's 1 of the climbs Dec 29, 2021 · Generally speaking, the thicker the sole, the more durable and the less sensitive the shoe. Key characteristics of indoor climbing shoes include; We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. I found some slip-on ones. Bouldering came to mind, and I was wondering if someone could kindly give me some tips for first-timers? Backround: I’m a 5’1 125lb female in my early 20s. If you’re just getting started with bouldering or looking for an all-around comfortable entry-level rock climbing shoe, the Black Diamond Momentum is our top pick. And don't buy anything hyper aggressive as your These shoes I needed to buy them at 9 1/2 which is a size I didn't buy for even my first pair of climbing shoes as a beginner when I was looking for comfort over most things. I’ve been using the LS Tarantulaces in a 43. I tend to feel like beginner shoes are way less aggressive on the toes. Probably not applicable to OP, but my last time at 9D a couple/first daters possibly were climbing, big girl the guy was experienced. This. The next shoes I got were a cheaper pair of Climb X, and a pair of Sportiva's that were much more aggressive. In that case, I encourage you to rent a pair at your local climbing gym. La Sportiva Mythos are higher quality/better shoes that are very comfortable, but will cost more. Get what fits your foot well. I myself got the Defy for ~70 bucks (retails for ~90 but you can usually find it on sale somewhere), and it has worked great. So if you're looking to get these shoes try to find a place you an try them in person or at least a place online that has free returns so you can try a different size. New shoes aren't comfortable like rented shoes which were broken in by 100+ of feet. What I'm trying to say is don't spend absurd money for marginal performance gains as a beginner. Hi there, I bought my first climbing shoes at Campers Corner, the staff were really helpful when I was a beginner back in 2021. I’ve been rocking with some semi-hard shoes, but really wanted to explore with soft shoes. But go to a store. These are THE La Sportiva beginner climbing shoes that everyone is talking about. For bouldering in the long run i would aim to have at least 2 shoes running all time: One supersoft comfy for training/warm up and one aggressive af for the sends. Why spend that money when it's not necessary? Anybody have any recommendations on some good burner gym shoes? Currently I am rocking some of the old blue hiangles from the $50 sale a couple years ago, but I am starting to burn through the toes. I prefer top-rope over bouldering and currently am not planning to ever climb outdoors. If you are on more very angles but with really tiny foot chips or really bad smears, shoes with more support or better smearing will make a difference. Nov 16, 2023 · This is the preferred style for indoor shoes because gym climbing is significantly more dynamic and three-dimensional than traditional outdoor rock climbing. Until you refine your footwork, don’t buy anything expensive, asymmetrical, or downturned (e. The shoe you pick will have virtually no consequence to your climbing. With so many great options out there it could have been any of them. I’m a fairly new climber that mainly boulders V3-5. Some context: my friends and I have had some good days at Boulder Movement, where all of us could complete a decent number of routes up to middling For you, looking at shoe volume will be important with your wider feet. Editor's note: We updated this article on July 25, 2024 to move La Sportiva's Kubo up as our favorite beginner shoe for gym climbing, add Unparallel's slip-on Up Mocc, and Feb 26, 2025 · The La Sportiva Men’s Tarantulace Rock Climbing Shoes are designed for climbers seeking a versatile, all-around shoe suitable for both outdoor climbs and gym sessions. Don't dare dip your feet in that buttery sock. typically advanced bouldering shoes are downturned enough to cause pain for new climbers, or at least to make it uncomfortable to climb. Jul 25, 2024 · Below are our picks for the 13 best beginner climbing shoes of 2024, but if you’re ready to take the next step, check out our article on the best overall climbing shoes. The only things you should probably avoid as a beginner are: (a) overly aggressive/downturned shoes, and (b) anything painfully tight. For harness I used the black diamond momentum… got it at REI for 64 bucks. I've seen good things about the Evolv Defy VTR and they're currently on sale for £55, but also read that they're smelly! Half moon bouldering is smaller but less busy and I found it to be beginner friendly. Have a friend that is getting hooked on bouldering so he is contemplating some shoes to avoid them sweaty rentals. Scarpa Drago. Using the heel is also good. But yeah, thats just like my opinion, man. they’re the go to beginner shoes in my circle, but i really like them still. I’ve just bought my first pair of climbing shoes for bouldering indoor. I have narrow heels and have always had issues with my shoes chafing my heels. It's an old version but still a good starter shoe that doesn't hurt (and feel like slip-ons). Better to pay £40 extra on a shoe that'll function, rather than just choosing the cheapest one going. I feel like they will last a while, but Im already overdue for For bouldering regulars, which gym(s) would you recommend for beginners to start getting into the hobby? Especially with routes that might be friendlier for less fit, and/or heavier folks. 13 or V7 gracefully. Feb 28, 2022 · Best Bouldering Shoe for Beginners: Black Diamond Momentum. com Nov 6, 2023 · Here’s everything you need to know about beginner bouldering shoes. 12/V6. I myself have been climbing for a bit more than half a year and have been using La sportiva Zenits which has been enough for me (climbing up to V5, projecting V6), although I do not have anything really to compare to so would love some input on what to recommend! When it comes to picking out climbing shoes for beginners, comfort and price are key. Footwork is insanely important in climbing, you’re not going to be able to learn good footwork in rentals. Below you will find some of my favorite bouldering shoes right now. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, the right pair of climbing shoes is essential. I'm searching for a pair of vegan climbing shoes (don't judge me, guys and gürls); I'm a beginner with an enormous street shoe size of 38. Sep 30, 2024 · We tested 30 top-rated climbing shoes in the gym, crag, and bouldering to find the best rock climbing shoes for beginners and mid-level climbers, with winners from La Sportiva, Five Ten, Black Diamond and Evolv. Any recs would be appreciated! Went to a store today to find my first bouldering shoes. My top pick for beginner gym rats who are looking for comfort and performance. Then you can pick either shoe depending on the type of climbing you're doing. 5/40 depending on the type of shoe (trainers towards 40/heels&boots mainly 39). A stiff shoe makes it hard to feel your feet and prevents you from learning how to really use your feet and will promote sloppy footwork. I. Have been looking at a first climbing shoe to get as a beginner (V4), to progress in and wondering if the LS Tarantula Boulder shoes are any good in the bouldering gym? Nov 10, 2023 · With the exception of a few models, many of the bouldering shoes I share below are chosen with intermediate and advanced climbers in mind. I used the Climb Xs a lot more often. With either, you’re probably going to eventually want to upgrade to an intermediate shoe long before your beginner shoe is worn out. If you think you need more aggressive shoes, get those too. 9K subscribers in the climbingshoes community. A budget-friendly shoe created with beginner boulders in mind. In Bosnia, the selection of these shoes is limited and overpriced, so my only option is online stores like banana fingers and epictv( bergfreund doesn't ship here for So I have been climbing for a few months in rental shoes, and looking to get a proper pair. I used to sell climbing shoes and often people look for “beginner” or “intermediate” shoes. Apr 22, 2025 · The Best Climbing Shoes for Women. for a good pair of starter shoes I would recommend the LA sportiva tarantulace (90 bucks), they fit comfortably and break in easy they have laces which I liked because if felt more secure… beefy toe pads and good heal pad all around solid shoe Sep 16, 2024 · La Sportiva Tarantulace. I bought the vsr after 3 month of climbing and they feel 1000 times better than the average beginner shoes, I went with my street shoe size, a good pair of climbing shoes does make a big difference, especially in the gym, If you have a wide foot they should fit you well Have you tried either shoe on? It's not a case of anything works. I started with some Evolv's (not the Shamans, though) and they were perfect for my starter pair. The best bouldering shoes for beginners are ones that are comfortable and get you climbing. Anything relevant to living or working in Japan such as lifestyle, food, style, environment, education, technology, housing, work, immigration, sport etc. . See full list on climbinghouse. ). Lots of factors like shoe material and rand-to-upper ratio dictate how a shoe will break in. It’s pretty much the level right after renting shoes: you know you want to pursue rock climbing but are worried about shedding too much money right off the bat for your first pair While bouldering has become its own category and discipline in the greater category of Rock climbing, I personally feel that one can boulder, gym climb and sport climb all with the same shoe. If you want to buy your own shoes, there are a bunch of reddit threads with advice or someone at the gym could probably give suggestions. I’ve realized the important part is the last of the shoes. the women’s tarantulas have a narrower heel compared to the men’s, no other difference in sizes as far as i remember. Stick with rental shoes for the first few sessions and then do some research on beginner models. I've tried on everything at REI and found that my heels were getting rubbed raw from standing on my toes to test flexibility. 5EU. La Sportiva Tarantulace is a good beginner model to look for. I'm an 8 foot and I bought a 7. Haven't ever really run into "expired" climbing shoes though, maybe the rubber would flay out (so not the best person to ask) If you're getting back in, I would use the sportiva tarantulas. A subreddit dedicated to discussing and reviewing climbing shoes. Also, the rubber is usually quite soft/thin so as to allow for extra feedback in the shoe making it easier to tell if you are on a very small foothold. The BD Momentum checks all the boxes a beginner rock climbing shoe should: it's inexpensive, comfortable, and durable. I do feel that I had some bunching in the normal Drago mesh that isn't there in the LV. These are a great beginner shoe that are also suitable for years of use by more advanced and stronger climbers, although they tend to be better suited to outdoor climbing. Final thoughts on bouldering shoes for beginners. Indoor, outdoor, boulder, or sport, the Vapor V excels at it all, and much more. For me it was also a big revelation how much difference shoes make when it comes to heel hooks and toe hooks. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Naturally started at v2's and I can do some v3's. The type of shoe you want is more based on style of climbing and personal preferences. In the following paragraphs, I’ll go into further detail on how I gave my ratings and will also describe the process of finding shoes with the best fit for you. When I started bouldering I just walked in, paid and started climbing, no courses no safety briefing. I'm still using my beginner shoes that I got from a sports shop called Decathlon. Over the past decade, our team has tested over 45 of the best climbing shoes for women. Mar 25, 2025 · #1 Scarpa Origin Climbing Shoes – Best Beginner Bouldering Shoes #2 Five Ten Kirigami Climbing Shoes – Best Cheap Bouldering Shoes #3 La Sportiva Miura VS Men’s Climbing Shoes – Best Aggressive Bouldering Shoes #4 La Sportiva Finale Women’s Climbing Shoes – Best Beginner Boulder Shoes for Women La sportiva shoes fit me well, so my beginner shoe was the Finale. Pretty much all brands build shoes for different feet nowadays. com for a database of foot shapes and sizing on climbing shoes. Tendons/ligaments you'll want to rest a bit more if they're sore, but if you're a beginner, you're likely not climbing stuff that will heavily strain your tendons (unless you have a history of bad joints). On that note: I had good experiences with La Sportiva Tarantulas and Evolv Nighthawk as comfy beginner shoes. So me saying I wear size 40 in regular shoes and 39. Something like a Scarpa Vapor V is a great climbing shoe but you just can’t heel hook properly in them. And I'm Male. But injuries from overusing muscles arent very common in climbing, i think. Toe hooks, technical heel hooking, and horizontal roofs are definite weak spots, but those don't show up in a lot of beginner problems. Yeah, buy whatever shoes you want, there’s no rule against “beginners” having good shoes. If you are climbing on steeper boulders with more heel and toe hooks, an aggressive downturned shoe is going to make a big difference. Try on the shoes. I consider myself mediocrely athletic (I hike, ride horses, ski etc), looking to shed a few lbs and gain muscle tone. I work in a shop which sells climbing shoes, and the best thing to do is try a bunch on and see what's comfy. Sportiva has a lace and velcrow version of that shoe. Comfort is not king. best climbing shoes for beginner and intermediate climbers ; Cons: not great for toe-hooking ; synthetic fabric attracts odor ; 6. I don't want to purchase online as I want to nail the size perfectly. But thanks to the magic of modern shoe technology, many shoes now offer both performance and comfort in equal measures. Mar 17, 2025 · How to Choose Rock Climbing Shoes? Choosing the right rock climbing shoes can be a daunting task, but with a little bit of knowledge and research, you can find the perfect pair for your individual climbing style and needs. I tried on every shoe they had (fairly limited selection) at the shop and found the Boreal Jokers to be perfect for my feet. NOTE: If you were permbanned for being nonresident prior to June of this year AND you have since moved to Japan This month I started this beginner alpine climbing course and now that the course is over I want to train more with this group but I need some climbing shoes and here's the prob. 3) When you start, it's more important to learn technique because starting problems don't require as much strength as you think. I'm regularly able to find them for 20-30% off, which helps . —the Tarantulace is a comfort-first shoe with an unlined leather upper, a mildly asymmetric shape, a stiff last, and a relatively roomy toe-box. Learn which part of your shoes to use. Hi everyone, been climbing for a while now and my shoes have likely met their end. Climbing shoes fall on a spectrum based on how they embody such traits: ranging from Beginner, Intermediate, to Advanced (aka. I have tried on a pair of Scarpa Velocity (the newer version) in my local gym, and it fits quite well. And the way weight is distributed, shoes bend etc. Apr 16, 2025 · Whether you're trad climbing, bouldering, or crack climbing, climbing shoes are a must, no matter your style. More info provided below :) Hey guys, I am currently looking to update my La Sportiva Mythos (been climbing through three pairs in the past few years). I also find that the Drago is a little more precise/fine-point than the LV, but that the LV holds up significantly better-- overall construction is I just want to reccommend trying a bunch of shoes and paying attention to the lasts. They're a cheap shoe, and good for beginners, but you will quickly out grow them. Just depends on your budget. For me, with climbing shoes, there's no substitute to going to a store and trying on different models and different sizes. Climbing shoes so far appear to be torture devices. Just be careful about sizing no matter what you get. I have flat and rather narrow low-volume feet. If you have a local climbing gym, REI or similar sports store that sells climbing shoes, definitely go try a few pairs on. I get several years of fun out of a pair of climbing shoes, in fact the Scarpas I was climbing in 25 years ago are still OK. I say live large and buy the shoes that make you happy! When you're just starting out my tips are to 1) invest in climbing shoes. Snug is good, painful is bad (until you get into super aggressive shoes) and will ruin a lot of the fun of bouldering. 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. I spend most of my time sport climbing indoor, maybe around a 70/30 split of the time, where I engage in bouldering more often than top/lead climbing. Also, pain costs concentration, and motivation, a too painful shoes can hurt your performance and your enjoyment. Some popular beginner shoes are the La Sportiva Nago, 5. I found myself having to size up to account for the wideness of my feet. You’ll wear shoes down faster as a beginner by dragging your feet on the wall and something neutral with a rounded toe will be more forgiving for less precise placements. Also surprisingly durable for a high performance shoe, lasted 8 months before I resoled them could have probably pushed it another month or 2. That implies the shoe is only for beginners. Don't focus on the brand too much. Maybe you can head down and take a look around! And a beginner model that isn’t designed as a rental probably has much better features without the need to sacrifice feature quality for durability. Buying new shoes right away is usually a mistake - you don't know what you're looking for or how to properly size them, and also you're gonna beat the hell out of them with your beginner footwork. May 4, 2021 · Deciding on the best La Sportiva climbing shoe for use in the gym was not an easy proposition. Aggressive shoes are for hard climbing. I know evolvs fit my feet so I stick with their phantoms for downturned aggressive shoes and their Kronos when I need a softer shoe. At the same time, experienced climbers can use those shoes, if they are simply out of budget, or need a warm up pair. Everyone's feet are different, and its doubly important to get a well fitting climbing shoe. Comfy shoes are likely to get you climbing more, performance shoes aren't gonna turn you into Adam Ondra all of a sudden Also understand what you're buying, performance shoes doesn't mean better in every way or better for everything. I've been bouldering for a couple months and I am at the V3 level. That'll take some testing on your part to know your body. I bought some scarpa origins and they were too wide. instincts, solutions, etc. Bouldering is a pretty cheap sport. The all-leather upper is breathable and durable, stretching to conform to the foot’s shape for a custom fit. Then I found the theories. Scarpa instinct lace are comfortable. Most beginner climbing shoes use durable rubber and a relatively thick sole. I can climb about V2-V3s and a few V4s but it is tough to progress with the rentals. Get that. There's no such thing as a beginner shoe. 10 Moccasym, and Evolv Defy. I have five ten teams and la sportiva futuras for my try-hard shoes so I am not worried about getting something ultra-performant. Idk why people downvoted this comment, starting with the sensitive good shoes for bouldering is the only way to get used to sensitive shoes for bouldering, you can get in tarantulas or some other stiff shoes with no downturn and when you feel like you can climb better but your feet aren't helping you as much and you go for performance shoes you're almost back to 0 because you climb different Hot take: beginner shoes suck and get away with it because reviews come largely from folks who started climbing in them and then stopped before moving on to other shoes. They store clerk was really friendly, tried out a few shoes with me too see which fit and which don‘t and which size Ill need. Fitting your climbing shoes for comfort is like buying a car because you like the driver’s seat. I'd recommend a shoe like the 5. I've been climbing for 4 weeks and am climbing 5. What's the difference compared to lace-up or Velcro ones, and do you think they're worth it for a beginner? Beginner climber, very wide feet (prefer 4E in regular shoes). Some people think that if you can manage to fit into a more technical shoe earlier, it might give you more tools with which to develop your skills. Hey everybody! I've started climbing recently at my local gym and I'm in the market for some actual climbing shoes as getting some of the smaller… Sep 21, 2022 · Simond Rock climbing shoes by Decathlon are almost impossible to miss at the crag or gym. I wouldn't change anything about how I started tbh. etptw zmy fuiboi kncreb pnvjm xuk ebnpw cjrxe afel npwjdg xysnk wgor daz oqayxh ehdpoj