Beginner climbing shoes reddit. Now I used them for high volumen sessions only.
Beginner climbing shoes reddit. My local climbing store only seems to stock a lot of butora and scarpa. 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. Get whichever feels snug but comfortable. I can climb about V2-V3s and a few V4s but it is tough to progress with the rentals. I have been looking at the la sportiva finale. Have you tried either shoe on? It's not a case of anything works. See full list on climbinghouse. My feet are quite low volume so they fill in this model best out of the ones I tried. Any recommendation? I’ve been working on my footwork a lot recently making my footwork more precise and practicing “quiet feet” and I’m thinking about getting new shoes. Return the shoes you bought is my advice. Not aggresive, but I have seen climbers use them up until 7a (font scale) so I stopped worrying about the shoe being flat. What works for one person won't necessarily fit your foot. Between the two, Butora is wider. climbingshoes) submitted 7 months ago by ComfortableSecure930 Hello just newly got into climbing, looking to buy a pair of shoes to buy online but don't really know which website I should be looking at. Feb 17, 2021 · Our absolute favorites for the best beginner climbing shoes of 2021. I've been climbing for around 3 months now, and I bought some generic climbing shoes but turns out they were oversized for me and the return policy didn't apply. Your metatarsals hurt because Speedsters are a very highly downturned shoe (lots of curve) and your feet are not used to being in this shape. Climbing shoes so far appear to be torture devices. When’s a good time to upgrade from my beginner shoes and what are some recommendations? Mar 25, 2025 · Best Best Bouldering Shoes -> Top picks for beginners -> Aggressive shoes for advanced -> How to choose the best climbing shoes -> Pro Advice In general, I understand that neutral shoes are usually better for non advanced climbers but I know that the Scarpa Vapor V is a "moderate" (slightly aggressive) shoe (although it definitely isn't the most aggressive climbing shoe out there). When getting advanced shoes, they often have softer and stickier rubber to get better grip on bad holds. 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. So before committing it's a good idea to get to a place to try some on. If you are a beginner then just use something comfortable for now. Buy non-aggressive shoes and look for shoes that fit the shape of your foot. As an intermediate climber who primarily does indoor bouldering and prefers vert/slab, my Scarpa Velcoes are the perfect middle ground between comfy and aggressive. It’s all around a little more aggressive than the evolv defy pair I started with but still doesn’t beat me up. Am male with EU 40. Thanks to this, a lot of people are trying out sport-climbing (including many of my friends). 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. I am not a big guy, but always have trouble sizing shoes, because of width and high insteps. La sportiva solution and butora gomis are my go to right now. Alternatively, you can find quite good deals on more suitable shoes on ebay, mountain project, FB marketplace, etc. If the heel slips off whenever you try to heel hook, it doesn't matter that you have the best climbing shoe out there. I'm also an intermediate beginner -> normal feet with small heel and long toes, strongly egyptian. You can probably look at different kind of models, just maybe avoid strictly performance-oriented shoes for now. First climbing shoe was the Tarantula Boulder - pretty solid and comfortable shoe, but not enough tension and not much sensitivity under my toes, also not the biggest fan of the Friction Black rubber. I found a pair of evolv shaman climbing shoes on the used REI re/supply website for about 50 bucks and grabbed them. I found some slip-on ones. The cheapest ones that fit snugly on your particular feet so you can buy other, less cheap ones that fit even more snugly in a few months when you've got more experience and know what you want in a shoe Been climbing once a week now and looking for some nice shoes I mainly boulder and top rope with the odd outdoor climb. Just get some Scarpa Vapor's or whatever you can find easy and cheap that's readily available and comfortable from a propper climbing shoe manufacturer don't buy into the idea of "beginner shoes" it's a somewhat false economy, the same as "beginer/entry level football boots, you're paying less for a less good product) just get some comfortable If you can, find a store near you (climbing gyms will often sell shoes, if you're in America there's probably an rei near you) and try on different brands, since each will fit differently (different toeboxes, different heels, etc). com Sep 16, 2024 · Climbing shoes are complex, with shoe makers using a variety of tactics to allow, say, soft shoes to edge well, or stiff shoes to feel sensitive. At the same time, experienced climbers can use those shoes, if they are simply out of budget, or need a warm up pair. beginner climbing shoe help! Hi all and thanks in advance, 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. I like overhangs better ( cause i can compensate my lack of technique with strength) and trying to improve on slabs an coordination boulder. Also surprisingly durable for a high performance shoe, lasted 8 months before I resoled them could have probably pushed it another month or 2. We have them for rental at my gym. I've been looking at the Scarpa Instinct VS which seem to be pretty well reviewed and for me prob better than the VSR as I'm a heavier climber 100kg+ Is this a good choice for a "beginner" or should I look for something more forgiving to start with? Beginner to bouldering, free aggressive shoes or buy neutral ones? I’ve only been bouldering about a month and have been using rental shoes, but have been wanting to buy a starter pair (rentals are $10 a climb and hurt a lot). But it's not a beginner shoe and quite expensive. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Fixed leg loops are much easier to deal with on a daily basis, and since you only need to remember tighten the waist loop, it's two less things for you to forget. Upgrading from my beginner shoes after a year of climbing and was wondering if anyone had experience with women's scarpa vapors. I myself have been climbing for a… But considering you are climbing for a few months and climbing v4s, it's not like you are complete newbie. A little background, I started climbing about a year ago with a couple groups of friends. Best website to buy climbing shoes online? (self. There are beginner shoes for a reason. 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. Also aggressive shoes won't help you climb any better if you're on beginner terrain. Many times beginners will wear through an expensive pair of shoes very quickly because they are not as precise with their feet resulting in excess wear. I have tried on a pair of Scarpa Velocity (the newer version) in my local gym, and it fits quite well. 691 votes, 162 comments. e. My current shoes is Scarpa Drago LV, size UK 5. This pair fits well on every side except extra space at the heel. Whether you’re tackling your first indoor wall or venturing onto outdoor routes, the right pair will provide the support and grip you need to climb with confidence. I have neutral and moderate shoes and still usually wear neutral ones for the majority of indoor bouldering. 5 4e. Are these solid shoes? La sportiva shoes fit me well, so my beginner shoe was the Finale. But barefoot climbing is frowned upon at most gyms. Sep 30, 2024 · Looking for your first pair of rock climbing shoes? 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 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 some reason). What would be recommended for someone looking to climbing shoes that are great for entry level climbers on a budget? Aaaaghhh!! Climbing shoes get me excited. I'm a beginner climber looking into getting my first pair of climbing shoes but have no idea what size to get!! Help please! Recently climbing was put in the spotlight by The Dawn Wall, and The Oscar-winning Free Solo. Good footwork will help you progress leaps and bounds. Preferably the same shoe size would be good. These were our favorites. Feb 26, 2025 · Choosing the right climbing shoes for beginners can make a huge difference in comfort, performance, and overall climbing experience. Currently I am wearing a street size 10. They’re soft, flexible, and sensitive while being noticeably more downturned than my beginner shoes. Neutral lasts also great at cracks, slab, and long days of multipitch. But there are four general things you need to know about shoe design. 4M subscribers in the climbing community. i wear a size 11 sneakers and 9 climbing shoe. Most "beginner A well-fitting shoe matters more than a good shoe. But honestly I have no clue what makes a shoe a good shoe. Hello, recently I started bouldering and I was thinking about buying some climbing shoes. The price tag is okay, however, I read that those shoes are not very good for beginners because of the downturn. As I'm browsing through reddit, reading articles, and comments on what people suggest, I'm seeing a pretty wide range of shoe suggestions in regards to aggressive shapes. beginner shoes. Now I m looking for flat shoes suitable for indoor and outdoor climbing, sport or alpine climbing. What shoes are you using at your gym? I have wide feet and have had good luck with the LaSportiva Turrantulace and the Butora Endeavor. Any recommendations? Edit: the hardest boulder I've send is a v4 When it comes to picking out climbing shoes for beginners, comfort and price are key. If you primarily climb indoors on slab, these are Scarpa Velocity for beginner-intermediate climbers So I have been climbing for a few months in rental shoes, and looking to get a proper pair. Most men’s shoes also use XS edge rubber (stiffer and better for edging) while womens shoes have XS grip rubber (softer and On indoor boulders, you're probably going to wear out your first pair of shoes long before climbing anything where shoe design is a limiting factor. The solution is still my favorite sport climbing shoe that I have tried, precise and makes me feel confident on even the smallest feet. Shoe recommendations for beginner/intermediate top rope climbing. And yes we are scared of falling. New climbers are particularly careful with their first climbing shoe purchase. They are amazing for beginner shoes. Don't buy any shoes online till A beginner pair of climbing shoes will run you about $100 and a high quality pair will be around $200. 8s. 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. Climbing shoe reviews (Tenaya Indalo, Iati, Butora Senegi and Gomi) I've been climbing indoors for roughly 1. Jul 25, 2024 · See our guide to the best beginner rock climbing shoes, including our top picks from Butora, La Sportiva, Evolv, Scarpa, and Black Diamond. For beginners if you are on EU you can try the Simond brand since they are cheap and you won't really need better shoes. I've been climbing for around 8 months and I was wondering what is the best climbing shoes for a beginner/intermediate climber. What's the difference compared to lace-up or Velcro ones, and do you think they're worth it for a beginner? Beginner Shoes? I've recently begun some indoor climbing and have throughly enjoyed it, I've borrowed/rented shoes for a couple months now and I'm looking to buy some shoes of my own. It's a tough choice but consider going for that $200 upgrade to start with. Have a friend that is getting hooked on bouldering so he is contemplating some shoes to avoid them sweaty rentals. Feel around Jan 11, 2022 · The Endeavor seems to hit that sweet spot of affordability, climbing performance, and the ability to fit a wide range of feet; the ideal for beginner shoe. It’s the first purchase I would make in terms of climbing, besides a membership at a gym lol Reply reply LiveMarionberry3694 • I got shoes when I got a membership, but a large part in that was because my gym was running a special where you get a harness, shoes, chalk bag etc. Since you're shopping online, finding a pair that feels good right off the bat is super important. Stiff shoes last longer Soft shoes are more comfortable I'd recommend something billed as an all round/medium stiffness for a beginner, minimal downturn. I prefer top-rope over bouldering and currently am not planning to ever climb outdoors. I think people pick these up as their "intermediate" shoe without realizing what they are. I'm still using my beginner shoes that I got from a sports shop called Decathlon. Hopefully some lead climbing soon. At least the Tarantulas, or any other beginner shoes would be beneficial for your footwork, which is one of the most important thing about climbing/bouldering. I’m only going to be climbing indoors so I don’t need something for the terrain outside. I saw these 2 entry level shoes. Google image search those to get a sense of what one kind of beginner shoe might look like Attitudes are changing though. Hi guys looking for recommendations for a fully synthetic shoe beginner to intermediate have been climbing in basic decathlon shoes on and off for about a year or so and like the look of Scarpa veloce and unparallel souped up. 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. You need to get the right shape for your toes. 1. For a beginner, my standard recommendation would be La Sportiva Tarantula because they're really comfy for most people. Here's everything you need to know about bouldering shoes for beginners. The home of Climbing on reddit. Beginner climber, very wide feet (prefer 4E in regular shoes). Nov 11, 2023 · Ready to leave the beginner shoes behind? A reliable pair of intermediate climbing shoes might be exactly what you need to take your climbing game to the next level. I do love my Skwamas, but want to try something different. I am not a total, total beginner but I'm still new to the sport (I've been climbing for ~2 months). Would it be a bad idea to buy intermediate shoes as a beginner at bouldering or should i buy beginner shoes first and wait until i get to a good level. For a first shoe, something cheaper to beat around is good for the first year. Highly recommend for a beginner shoe as you are looking to improve. 10 Kirigami worked great for me if you can find them tho. I have very narrow feet and my climbing shoes are la sportive mythos. I'm looking to buy a good pair of climbing shoes for beginners! Here's all the information that may (or may not) be helpful: I've been climbing for 4 weeks and am climbing 5. Maybe try Sportiva Tarantulace. Climbing shoes are a little different to street shoes. 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! Climbing Shoes for Narrow Feet Heyyy I would like to get some advice for those have similar experience. I was wearing Millet Easy-Ups prior. Is the Ocun Strike QC good for a beginner shoe or should I consider for the same price as the Tarantulas, something more advanced, like the Ocun Advance QC? Thank you all very much and I really appreciate the feedback. My first climbing shoes were an old pair of blown out madrock drifters (which is okay if you were dirt poor like i was), and though they are okay. Need advice on Beginner Climbing Shoes for Wide Feet I'm having a hard time choosing a pair of rock climbing shoes as I have very wide feet. I have several friends that have chosen those shoes as their first pair and couldn't be happier with their choice. 5 years and been through a few shoes so thought I'd write a review based on my experience in case it can help people in the future. Nov 6, 2023 · Level up your bouldering ability with the right shoes. I have decided to compound a list of beginner's shoes (available in SG) to help you find your little glass slippers. 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. Any info/recommendations is appreciated. Now I used them for high volumen sessions only. I was previously recommended by friends to perhaps Any gains you get from tight shoes will be instantly lost as a beginner if you experience pain or discomfort. I've been climbing for around 4 months and am ready to buy my own pair of shoes. What you want to do is climb in shoes that use softer rubber (xsgrip), look for shoes with wider forefoots (I live by Scarpa) and avoid most low volume shoes. Any recs would be appreciated! Just started getting properly into climbing (indoors) and thought it was time to stop renting shoes. Personally I'd go neutral. If not 5. I started bouldering recently and I'm thinking about getting my first pair of shoes (it's expensive to hire them on the centre that I go). Any brand/shoe recommendations that aren’t too expensive? I'm a total beginner and looking to get some climbing shoes, mainly for indoors, but hopefully for some outdoor trips. I was thinking about buying the ocun's bullit or havoc climbing shoes but I'm not sure if they are beginner friendly. 1 A note on Beginner and Neutral shoes Neutral Shoes are not just for beginners, but if you are a beginner you're going to want a flat, comfy, neutral shoe. I struggled to find a nice more performative Jun 12, 2025 · We put 23 pairs of climbing shoes to the test on boulder problems, sport climbs, and traditional routes. Been climbing for about a year, v4ish? Using a pair of gifted shoes that are similar in function to tarantulas, i. Nov 17, 2023 · The shoe that's best for you depends on your body type, climbing style, the type of rock you climb on, and how much you want to spend. 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. For wide feet, I think the laces are essential, so you can get the right length, then tighten or loosen where needed. IMHO, unless the only part that you like about climbing is trying REALLY hard on very technical bouldering or sport routes, shoes aren't going to make a huge difference. Below you can find a few solid suggestions I recommend, many of these shoes hover around the $100 mark, although my goal is to share the best-value models rather than the cheapest climbing shoes. I really don't know anything about climbing shoes so anything will be helpful. I was wondering if anybody has any suggestions for a beginner to intermediate climbing shoe for the bouldering gym? La Sportive, Scarpa? my first "beginner" shoe was the tarantulace i've been climbing for years now and i climb V7-V8 and you know what? i STILL use tarantulace, they're one of the most inexpensive and comfortable shoes out there, and i can do some of the most difficult climbs at my gym with these shoes, so needless to say i highly recommend them Go for lace-ups, whatever brand or model you choose. 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. Beginner Hello, my university has a small boulder and rock wall in the rec center and I decided I want to have a pair of climbing shoes to get some workouts in there. You’ll do a lot better and progress quicker climbing more since your feet are comfy :) For harnesses tbh they are all the same just get one you can afford from a rock climbing brand. If you'd rather try your luck there for a more aggressive shoe. Aggressive shoes help with really steep overhang but will kill your feet pretty quick. Shoes! A topic most climbers love talking about. In this guide, we ranked and reviewed the 7 best climbing shoes for beginners, along with our As the title says. We've found some brilliant options for beginners to cover all budgets - Read now! the scarpa vapor v is a fantastic shoe for intermediate climbing! if you wanted to go the la sportiva route you could try the kubos, i’ve never worn either of them but i have friends who have and loved the shoes— if you’re looking for more aggressive shoes and you’re primarily gym climbing la sportiva has the theories which are an 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. If you are mindful of this, it might actually make you a more technical climber. Or they may be just perfect. Here's what you need to know. I've been climbing for about 4-5 months now and climbed my first V3-V5 yesterday. They are top-notch Unless you're going mountaineering, or ice climbing, I would forget any harness with adjustable leg loops. Go somewhere where you can try some different shoes out, if you can. Additionally, the Velcro makes it easier to ramp up the tightness when climbing and letting it go completely when on the ground. Just for the fact it’s cheaper to buy one pair of shoes rather than 2 Nov 6, 2023 · My Favorite Cheap climbing shoes If you’re a beginner or a big wall climber, then there are plenty of good-value shoes that could be perfect for you. I have a narrow feel especially heel area. 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). At my gym we sell a range of beginner shoes so here is a handful of random information High Volume/men’s shoes tend to be wider than women’s shoes but with most shoes (keyword most) there aren’t structural differences. Those are beginner shoes but with features such as a toe patch for toe hooking that give them the ability to do more competition style movement like fancy shoes without the extreme niche fit or downturn. I love my Sportiva Katana Lace. Also you can ask in your local gym/store since it's better to try them and they will advice you about models. I would definitely recommend getting the Evolv Defys way more. Usually climb 3 to 4 times a week if life permits. However my fiancée just got Sportiva Kubo’s and those look pretty forgiving and worth a shot if you’re a beginner. It's a pretty good beginner shoe that's comfortable to wear and is a definite step up from rentals. . Do you think they are any good and safe as entry level shoes for indoor bouldering? Which ones would you choose? Thanks and sorry if it's a silly question but I'm really new The purest in me says climb barefoot and learn to use your toes. Nothing special just £40 climbing shoes. Variance in foot metrics make a big difference. I've been looking at the Scarpa Veloce shoes and thought This is my first crack at a shoe review, I wanted to give an insightful perspective of my experience with this climbing shoe for new and experienced climbers alike. I'm exclusively bouldering and rope climbing in the hall, and was thinking about the Vegan Skwama von La Sportiva. Shoes vary so much between brands and even within a brand's models, let alone people's foot shapes, pain tolerances, climbing style preferences, and preferences on sizing street shoes. As everyone knows, when you first start out as a newbie climber there is an overwhelming La Sportiva Tarantula Boulder? 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? Something I do and could work for you is wear your beginner shoes to warm up in and then switch over to your moderate or aggressive shoes when you’re climbing at your limit. That said, softer beginner shoes like that seem to be out of style, I couldn't find anything last time I went in looking for exactly what you are now. Whether you're a beginner or have been climbing for years the right pair of shoes can be hard to find. Still a lot of good rubber left but wondering if I should be switching to more aggressive shoes and if so, what models? Friends recommend the skwama or zenist but having tried them on they are far too uncomfortable. But they may not work for you. An honest review of the best indoor climbing shoes for beginners from brands like Butora, La Sportiva, Evolv, Black Diamond, and many more! Check out the la sportiva zenit. 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. I've been on the hunt for a new pair of shoes, I'm currently in some beginner level Tarantulas that I didn't size right and starting to feel it's time. They’ve also held up pretty well without needing a resole too frequently. ndac rgfwd znxk ezboo qbby cosxyd helfn nvkf fka vvixlu