12 Best Rock Climbing Shoes (Review) in 2020

How We Chose Our Selection of Rock Climbing Shoes

When it comes to kitting yourself out with rock climbing gear, the perfect pair of shoes should be at the top of your list. Comfortable footwear that helps to enhance your performance as you grip and push your way up cliffs and mountainsides is what will keep you safe and secure as you excel at the sport. This is why we have compiled a list to help you select a pair of rock climbing “kicks” that boast the following features; quality, brand, good reviews and reasonable pricing.

Quality – A quality pair of climbing shoes will remain durable while still complying with regular use. Add this to a comfortable fit, a secure grip and materials that allow an ideal amount of ventilation – then you have a quality shoe that will help you to reach your peak performance.

Brand – We cannot deny that a brand holds a reputation which, for the most part, will dictate the performance of the product. In the case of choosing the best climbing shoes, we made sure that we selected from brands that not only have a good reputation for designing climbing gear that’s a cut above the rest, but we also ensured that they adhere to a thorough after-sale experience by living up to their promises.

Reviews – When we compile our lists of the best products on the market, we always make sure we get a second opinion, and then a third and fourth! What the consumers have to say about a certain brand and model truly matters and with this input, we can separate the good from the bad.

Price – As a beginner rock climber, you might want to start off with a less expensive pair of climbing footwear. This is why we made sure to include a range of the best beginner to advanced mountain and bouldering shoes that vary in their pricing but still offer excellent value for money.

Features To Look For In Rock Climbing Shoes

Shape – climbing shoes come in three different standard shapes; flat, moderate, and aggressive. Each of these shapes come with unique attributes and depending on the performance you require from your shoes, you will need to choose the preferred shape accordingly.

• Flat shaped climbing shoes: Ideal for beginners, flat-shaped shoes give the most comfort. They tend to be quite stiff with thick rubber soles, which gives good muscle support.
• Moderate shaped climbing shoes: These shoes perform well on more advanced routes because of their generally thinner and stickier rubber soles. They have a slight downturn which makes the shoe just a little more uncomfortable than the flatter shaped climbing shoes.
• Aggressive shaped climbing shoes: Aggressive climbing shoes are more focused on performance than comfort. They tend to have a sharp downturn and are also asymmetrical in shape. This asymmetry tends to squash one’s toes together - which make edging a dream, but also tends to strain the foot.

Weight – Weight is possibly the least significant factor when choosing a pair of climbing shoes. If you want to lighten your climbing gear in general, however, then you might want to settle on a lighter pair of climbing slippers over chunkier shoes with big rubber soles.

Flexibility – Like shape, the required flexibility will be determined by the climbing you have in mind. Flexible shoes with a lot to give are preferable for easier climbs or for indoor training. Stiffer climbing shoes are ideal for trickier obstacles and allow for a better hold on crags and rock faces.

Support – The support you are looking for will depend on the climbing challenge you have in mind. While thinner and stickier rubber soles might be better for gripping and pushing at the rock, they are also more likely to leave your feet feeling raw, sore and sensitive. Thicker soles with arched support, on the other hand, will give your foot the comfort it needs but might be a bit clunkier when it comes to navigating small edges or steeper inclines.

Closure – Most climbing shoes come with either a Velcro, Laced or slipper-type closing system. Each of these systems offers support by securing the climbing shoe to your foot for a snug and tight fit. The benefits of Velcro or slipper shoes are that they are quick and easy to put on as well as to take off again – they’re less of a fuss. Lace-up shoes, on the other hand, allow you to further customize the fit of each shoe which can, in turn, enhance your climbing performance.

Protection – When looking for a decent pair of climbing shoes, you should try to find a good balance between a design that will offer your foot comfort and protection from external elements while not negatively affecting the shoe’s overall performance.

Comfort – A comfortable design will not only better your performance but it will keep your feet in good condition in even the most extreme climbing endeavors. Look for a shoe that gives ideal support to your foot structure and size. Soft materials that breathe easily also tend to keep your feet fresh, dry and well-looked after.

Surface & Terrain – While some climbing shoes have been built for general climbing and will suffice on all sorts of surfaces and terrains, other shoes are designed with more of a niche purpose. Thicker rubbers soles are more ideal for bumpier terrains while thin and sticky soles will give you the grip you need on flatter surfaces. Before purchasing your climbing kicks, decide on which terrains appeal to you and make your decision accordingly.

Types of Rock Climbing Shoes for the Various Terrains

Aggressive Climbing Shoes

Aggressive climbing shoes have the most downturned design of all the climbing shoe varieties. They also usually come with extra heel tension which gives the climber an extremely powerful grip and push ability. Aggressive climbing shoes are popular for their asymmetrical shape which forces the shoe to curve towards the big toe, this allows for a more precise placement on even the tiniest of holds.

Because the soles of Aggressive shoes tend to be extremely thin and very sticky, these shoes do not do well on multi-pitch routes or on long climbs. Instead, they are at their peak performance when used for single pitch sports climbs.

Moderate Climbing Shoes

Moderate climbing shoes are a step between neutral and aggressive shoes. While they are not as flat as the more neutral types, they only have a slight downturn which makes them ideal for technical climbing. Moderate climbing shoes have been built to easily handle crack climbs, slab routes, and sports climbs that have slight overhangs.

While the thinner soles of this shoe category provide a better grip and offer increased sensitivity so that you have more of a real feel of the terrain beneath you, they are more prone to wear and tear and are thus not suitable for lengthy excursions.

Neutral Climbing Shoes

These climbing shoes have been engineered for all-day comfort. Unlike the Aggressive and Moderate designs, Neutral Climbing shoes encourage one’s toes to sit flat inside of the shoe, instead of forcing them into a point. These rock climbing shoes are ideal for beginner climbers but are enjoyed just as much by more experienced climbers who often participate in long multi-pitch climbs.

How to Correctly Fit Your Climbing Shoe

To have a good climbing experience, it is paramount that your rock climbing shoes fit correctly. So, how do you choose the best shoe for your next expedition? Firstly, you need to find a shoe that matches your foot size in both length and width. Some shoes are made for narrow feet while others can accommodate a wider foot structure. When choosing a climbing shoe, you usually settle on a size smaller than your actual shoe size so that you have more of a snug and secure fit.

Not only do your climbing shoes and slippers have to fit your feet, however, but they also need to fit in with the turf and terrain you are about to climb. The more enduring the climb, the tighter the shoes need to be. If it’s wall climbing or an amateur route that you are about to embark upon, then a loose and airy fit will do the trick.

Last but not least, every brand has its own individual sizing chart. These charts can often differ from general street shoe sizes, which are not always accurate in themselves. To curb this issue, you will need to try on a pair of shoes from your favorite brand/s and then match your foot size according to their own unique size charts.

Rock Climbing Shoes FAQs

Q: What Are Rock Climbing Shoes?

A: Rock climbing shoes are a unique type of footwear that are specifically designed for rock climbers, wall climbers and mountaineers. They are made to sit tight on your feet, have very little padding and feature sticky rubber soles that help you to grip the terrain for a better climbing performance. Because they are not fit for general walking, rock climbing shoes are usually put on just before a sportsman embarks upon a climb.

Q: What Type Of Rock Climbing Shoes Should I Buy?

A: Before you start browsing rock climbing shoes, you need to identify your climbing needs. Are you a beginner or a professional? Do you intend to climb at your local gym or are you more interested in bouldering, cliffs and crevices? The type of climbing you have in mind will determine what type of shoes you need. Generally, the more advanced the climb, the more aggressive the fit needs to be and the longer the route, the more comfort should be taken into consideration.

Q: Do You Wear Rock Climbing Shoes With Socks?

A: Wearing socks with your climbing shoes are not recommended. Not only will they have a negative impact on the shoes’ overall performance, but your feet will also run the risk of slipping around in your climbing shoes. To add, socks tend to build moisture and this will not only leave your feet feeling soggy but it could also lead to foul foot odor.

Q: How Do You Keep Climbing Shoes Clean?

A: Cleaning methods will depend on the type of fabric the shoes are made from and for the most part, your shoes will come with the recommended cleaning instructions. A general rule of thumb, however, is to avoid washing machines and tumble dryers. Instead, handwash your shoes with lukewarm water and dry them with a heated fan.

When it comes to keeping your climbing gear clean, prevention is better than the cure. Avoid putting your shoes on when your feet are dirty and if they are exposed to moisture, allow them to dry out as soon as possible.

Q: What Kind Of Climbing Shoes Do The Pros Wear?

A: The pros wear climbing shoes that work best for them. While you do get your more distinct and popular brands, pros and beginners alike should choose a shoe that’s a perfect fit for the shape and size of their feet while taking their preferred terrains and challenges into consideration. Generally, however, the pros tend to wear a more aggressive climbing shoe because of their more advanced climbing expeditions.

Sources

1. What is a climbing shoe? - Wikipedia