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- A pair of good climbing shoes is the first thing you'll want to buy if you want to try gym climbing or bouldering.
- Climbing shoes won't be as comfortable as your everyday shoes, but there's a balance to be struck between longevity, performance, and fit.
- We find the Scarpa Vapor V to be a great choice whether you're just starting out or already climbing.
If you are playing basketball, you'd want to wear basketball shoes, right? Most sporting and outdoor activities require specialty footwear, and it's certainly true for climbing. Because when you need secure footing while scaling a climbing wall, you certainly don't want to wear Chuck Taylors that offer no grip. So if you're thinking about pursuing climbing as a new hobby, you want to make sure you have the right gear, and it all starts with the shoes.
A good climbing shoe should have a grippy and stiff sole in order to support one's body weight while stepping on very small toeholds. Don't expect comfort: When climbing shoes fit right, they should feel as if they're too tight. Even the most experienced climbers will slip out of them in between climbs or when belaying. However, this tightness is what makes climbing shoes so essential for their one job - climbing up big slabs of rock or a gym wall.
Some shoes will be more aggressive with a downturned toe box and a curve toward the big toe, which allow for precise placement on tiny holds and overhangs. Neutral shoes will be flatter, slightly more relaxed in fit, and much more comfortable as well as better suited for fitting into cracks when climbing outdoors. Somewhere in the middle are moderate shoes, offering stickier rubber than neutral shoes but without the "I'm getting these off as soon as I get to the top" feel of aggressive shoes.
Those new to climbing will likely begin in a gym, trying out bouldering (climbing short routes that can be highly technical, without ropes) or top roping (climbing with a rope, which is anchored above the climber). In either case, a climber will start out with rental shoes. These are fine for the beginning or occasional climbs, but you'll want to buy your own pair if you plan to climb more frequently.
When you're looking to buy your first climbing shoe, be sure to try on a few pairs and be flexible with sizing. Trying on your shoes in the afternoon - when your feet swell slightly larger - will help obtain a good fit. Your toes should be bent at the knuckles in a well-fitted climbing shoe, which gives you more power while on the wall. With this said, the bend should be comfortable and your toes should not be pushed hard into the top of the shoe.
A shoe shouldn't be so uncomfortable that it turns you off to climbing, so aim for a fit that feels snug and precise, but not toe-achingly tight. Some have a strap closure, while others use traditional laces. Once you've got your shoes picked out, hit the wall and send that route you could never quite get in those well-used gym slippers.
As an avid climber, I have tried many climbing shoes - some I ended up loving, and some I gave away immediately. I have also gone through the buying process and learned what to look for. With this experience, coupled with extensive research and testing, I've narrowed down the list of climbing shoes to the best currently available.
Note: Although I reviewed the men's version of each shoe, they are also available in women's sizes.
Here are the best climbing shoes you can buy in 2019:
- Best climbing shoe overall: Scarpa Vapor V
- Best climbing shoe for beginners: Five Ten Gambit
- Best climbing shoe for wide/high volume feet: La Sportiva Solution
- Best climbing shoe for less than $100: Black Diamond Momentum
- Best lace-up climbing shoe: La Sportiva Tarantulace
Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.
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