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End your days as Senderella: Find your perfect Climbing Shoe
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items Unfortunately, many of us are still in the Senderella phase. I'm hoping this will help narrow things down for you. But do know, shoes and feet come and tons of different shapes and sizes. Don't give up! For every shoe that doesn't work, at least you can cross that off your list of hopefuls. You can try things on in your gym, from REI (great return policy so you can try on a bunch), or shoe demos. Be patient. And last but certainly not least, COMFORT IS KING. Your shoes SHOULD NOT be painful!! Uncomfortable at first? perhaps. But not pain. You are, in fact, trying to get some climbing mileage and I don't think Janja is staring at this list so,...
Sections
5
Introductory
Intermediate
Baby Feet
Pizza Feet
Clown Feet
Introductory
New to Climbing and don't want to spend a fortune on shoes? Want to make sure you get all the wear you can? Try these!
These were my first climbing shoe. They got the job done and lasted me quite a while before I needed/wanted to get a different shoe. Very neutral, can wear for a long time, and mostly comfortable.
Scarpa Origins
These are essentially what many gyms have as their rental shoes, with better rubber. If you like the rentals but they aren't included in your day pass or membership, this may be a great option.
Butora Endeavor
You can sometimes find them really cheap at the Mad Rock website when they have shoe sales, along with their other styles!
Mad Rock Rovers
These are incredibly comfy and moderate! You can climb in these all day and may even prefer these as an intermediate shoe, as well!
Black Diamond Momentum
Intermediate
You climb consistently and are ready to hop into some better shoes. These are great picks for an intermediate climber.
A nice intermediate shoe (both the mens and womens versions). A fit more moderate than an intro shoe but not aggressive. Be warned, if you are getting into toe hooking, you may want to upgrade instead of getting into this. I'd say this would be fine for rope climbing, though!
Scarpa Vapor V
You can't go wrong with Mad Rock and they often have great sales! Their sizing charts/recommendations are fairly accurate and true to size. I love the sharks (but v sad they discontinued the women's lotus because that shoe was AWESOME).
Shark 3 LV/HV
Comfy, long lasting intermediate shoes! Fun fact: these are also great for climbers putting in a lot of mileage/advanced climbers. They are very soft so if you prefer a more stiff, structured shoe…try the vapor.
Scarpa Veloce
Baby Feet
Smol footed folks recommendations. Tiny/narrow all over.
They have a lot of styles and I find these to work well for smaller/narrow feet. This brand is from the original group of 5.10 climbing shoes and I've heard great things!
Unparallel Climbing Shoes
I really wanted to love this shoe but it suits a narrow footed person who still wants a decent toe box. Takes awhile to break in, in my experience. La Sportiva, in general, is very ill fitting for me, as I'm more pizza foot but these felt almost good and not too aggressive.
La Sportiva Skwama
I really wanted this to work for me, but these are quite narrow! And I mean, if Natalia and Janja crush in them…..you know the rest.
Five Ten | Hiangles
Pizza Feet
WTF is a pizza foot? More like a new york slice, you know? wide toe box, narrow heels. Get it?
Love this shoe! Works really well with pizza feet and very comfortable once broken in. It makes for great heel hooks and the “claw toe” makes it great for steep/outdoor climbing if that's your vibe.
Mad Rock Drones LV
MY SHOE. Never thought I'd say it but I love this for indoor climbing and training. They are so long lasting, great price point, and have a lot zero break in period.
Black Diamond Method S
My outdoor/super steep board climbing shoe. Love this, as well. This is the best heel for pizza feet folx!
Scarpa Instinct VSR
Yes, I have this here TWICE but, this is the LV version, which I find has a better heel if you're a pizza foot like me
Scarpa Drago LV
Clown Feet
Just a sasquatch but don't fret! These may work for you. Keywords when scoping out shoes for you: HV =higher volume=for big feet/heels
I would say you'd be okay with anything from Evolv as they carry bigger shoe sizes. Shaman is a tried and true staple for those with big feet. I definitely recommend trying them on because sizing is REALLY strange with this brand!
Evolv Shaman
Some people swear by the Acros. If you'd prefer a softer shoe, they also have a comp version and gomis (they have a wide feet that should work, too). And again, sizing here is weird so be prepared to try some on and not get the perfect size, first go.
Butora Acro (Wide Fit)
There's a reason this is such a popular shoe. Be warned, you could go through these very quickly. There is a normal and LV version, and I think this fits most feet, besides extremely narrow (which maybe the kids drago would work?). They mold to your foot BUT i'd say they are better suited as an indoor shoe.
Scarpa Drago