Can I use rock climbing shoes for bouldering? 🧗 11 Best Rock Climbing Shoes: My Top Picks for Conquering Every Climb

Can I use rock climbing shoes for bouldering? Yes, climbing shoes are suitable for both climbing and bouldering, but you might want to choose a model optimized for your specific climbing style.

Did you know that nearly 70% of climbing injuries are linked to improper footwear? I learned this the hard way on one of my first climbs. My feet were screaming, and my confidence crumbled with every slip. That’s when I realized: the right climbing shoes aren’t just a luxury—they’re a necessity.

If you’ve ever struggled with finding the best rock climbing shoes, I totally get it. It can feel overwhelming with so many options out there. But don’t worry, I’ve been through trial and error, and I’m here to help. Let me share what I’ve discovered so you can find the perfect pair without the hassle.

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🧐 Things To Consider While Buying Rock Climbing Shoes [Buying Guide]

Below are some key points that we should keep in mind while buying shoes for rock climbing.

• Fit and Comfort
  • Importance of Proper Fit: A well-fitting shoe is crucial for both performance and comfort. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to blisters, discomfort, and even injuries.
  • How to Choose the Right Size: Rock climbing shoes should fit snugly but not painfully. Try them on with climbing socks or bare feet and ensure there’s no significant gap or pressure point.
• Closure Systems
  • Velcro vs. Laces: Velcro closures are quick to adjust and great for gym climbing, while laces offer a more customized fit and are better for outdoor climbs.
  • Pros and Cons of Each: Velcro is convenient and easy to adjust on the fly, while laces provide a more secure fit but require more time to adjust.
• Sole Types
  • Rubber vs. Synthetic Soles: Rubber soles offer excellent grip and durability, whereas synthetic soles can be more flexible but might not last as long.
  • How Sole Type Affects Performance: The type of sole impacts how well you can stick to different surfaces. For technical climbs, rubber soles are usually preferred.
• Downturn
  • Aggressive vs. Moderate vs. Neutral: Aggressive shoes are downturned for precision, moderate shoes offer a balance of comfort and performance, and neutral shoes are for all-day comfort.
  • Choosing Based on Climbing Style: For technical routes, aggressive shoes are best, while moderate and neutral shoes are better for longer climbs or beginners.
• Material
  • Leather vs. Synthetic: Leather offers better breathability and conforms to the foot, while synthetic materials are more durable and often lighter.
  • Breathability and Durability: Consider how much you’ll be climbing and choose a material that fits your needs for breathability and durability.

Last update on 2024-12-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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📃 List of the 11 My Top Picks for the Best Rock Climbing Shoes

After a lot of research, personal experience, and considering buyers’ reviews we have shortlisted some of the top rock climbing shoes.

1. Men’s Instinct VS Climbing Shoes By SCARPA

The Scarpa Instinct VS are well-liked climbing shoes among many enthusiasts of steep climbing and are a favorite of many competition climbers. Your big toe is perfectly positioned for edge or toeing into pockets thanks to the rigid construction of the Scarpa Instinct VS.

Additionally, the curvature of the heel is ideal for heel hooks, and the rubber covering the toe makes them fantastic for toe hooking.

The Scarpa Instinct VS is less suitable for narrow pockets and thin crack climbing since the toe box is bigger than some.

The Scarpa Instinct VS isn’t the greatest for difficult slab climbing routes right out of the box due to the stiffness of the shoes. They become more pliable and ideal for smearing after some time.

Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also Read: Best Waterproof Shoes For Women

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2. La Sportiva TarantuLaces

The tarantulas is one of the best climbing shoes available and an ideal choice for beginners because they are comfortable and still perform well.

These bad guys will last through your developing stages of subpar footwork since the rubber is so strong and sticky.

Additionally, these shoes are made of unlined leather, which will expand to fit your feet and aid in your adjustment to the sensation of the modest decline.

The TarantuLaces have an aggressive heel and an asymmetrical form that will work well through the intermediate grades without failing you, despite how nicely they fit.

Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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3. Grindstone Climbing Shoes By Five Ten

As a replacement for the TC Pros, Five Ten released the Grindstone. And they function just as well as the renowned shoes inspired by Yosemite, albeit in a different way.

Because ankle scabs are uncool, the benefits of the high-top shoe are that you won’t scrape your ankle bones on the side of a wide crack.

The Grandstone’s upper is made of microfibre, which lessens stretch and improves comfort. These sneakers are perfect for day trips anywhere in the world.

The Grindstone is softer than other shoe designs and has a greater downward slope than other trad-specific footwear often has. More sensitivity results from the softness, although they are still rigid enough to be excellent at edging.

In comparison to stiffer shoes, the slope of these shoes assists with steep terrain by allowing them to fold and move with your foot. These shoes are equipped with Stealth C4 Rubber so they will adhere to any rock you may hurl at them.

Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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4. Men’s Tarantulace Rock Climbing Shoe By La Sportiva

La Sportiva Skwamas is another well-liked shoe for pretty much any form of climbing, including steep bouldering and gym climbing. When climbing steep sports routes with small grips, these soft climbing shoes are incredibly sensitive and prepared to toe in.

The narrow toe fits nicely into thinner crevices, making them unexpectedly effective for crack climbing. Additionally, because they are softer shoes, they smear nicely on slabs and in corners without cracks.

These shoes are great for indoor and outdoor climbing for traditional, sport, and bouldering.

The Vibram XS-Grip2 sticky rubber sole’s edge distortion is minimized thanks to P3 technology and a split-sole design. Compared to other shoes with synthetic uppers, the unlined leather upper also helps to control some odors.

Plus, these bouldering shoes feel solid on heel hooks thanks to a rubber patch on top of your toe. The S-heel structure and smaller volume of the heel allow for good fit and heel hooking movement.

Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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5. Rock Climbing Shoes By Evolv Nighthawk

The Evolv Nighthawk is a cost-effective solution for people looking to start or advance in moderate climbing and is one of the best moderate climbing shoes available.

This rock climbing shoe has a lace-up construction that is easily adaptable for different-shaped feet and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor climbing.

The flat shoes have an antibacterial split tongue and an unlined leather upper, and they are cozy enough to wear for hours. They can therefore be used for extensive indoor climbing sessions as well as multi-pitch routes and outdoor climbing.

These shoes will assist you in moving forward because they are adept at standing on a variety of footholds, including pockets, edges (but not the smallest), smears, and foot jams. Just be careful not to walk on the rope for climbing! The Evolv Nighthawk is a good intermediate shoe.

While it won’t help you complete your challenging bouldering project, it will offer the comfort and feel of a beginner shoe with slightly better performance. When ordering these shoes, size up from your street shoe size.

Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also Read: Best Men’s Walking Shoes For Travel

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6. Shaman Rock Climbing Shoes By Evolv

These shoes are undoubtedly excellent bouldering shoes and shine on steep terrain because they were created by Chris Sharma, the king of steep routes.

Your toe is pushed into the front of the rock climbing shoe by the form of the shoe, which makes it easier to place your toe on narrow footholds. Additionally, it prevents these shoes from losing their shape over time and retaining their downturned shape.

These shoes should not be worn on steep or even slightly inclined terrain due to their form. They also do a poor job of edging since the rubber can bend around tiny rock nubs because it is so soft.

Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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7. Acro Climbing Shoes By BUTORA

Climbers with wide feet love Butora Acros in particular because they have a wide option that gives you a wider toe box and heel. They are down-turned for maximum performance.

These shoes are equipped to handle challenging terrain, including limestone pockets, narrow edges, and overhanging bouldering. When you toe in on tiny edges with your big toe, the high tension gives your big toe a lot of control.

NEO The soles and a large portion of the shoe’s upper are both covered in fuse sticky rubber. These toe hooks on the shoes we tested had some of the most secure toe hooks because the toe is wrapped in rubber.

Although the heels are likewise rubber-covered, our tester discovered that there was too much space in the heel, which made heel hooking a little awkward.

Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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8. Rave Strap Rock Climbing Shoes By CLIMBX

I purchased a pair of Climb X shoes on Amazon when I first started rock climbing. It was simply the easiest option for me to get going.

They were reasonably priced and helped me understand the fundamentals. These remain a nice choice for those who don’t want to spend $100 on a novel activity they aren’t even sure they will enjoy.

Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also Read: Best Shoes For Hiking That Provide Full Comfort

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9. Free Range Pro By So I’ll

The aggressive Free Range Pro shoe from So iLL has a strong toe box but enough flexibility to handle almost any terrain.

This shoe has been used by our tester to climb on practically every type of rock, including limestone, granite, basalt, and sandstone, all over the world, from France and Italy to Mexico and the USA.

Our tester is like the rigid, forceful toe box, which is ideal for overhung climbs, precise footwork, and steep caves.

Since this shoe is so aggressive, it might not be the best choice for easy sports climbs, but after breaking it in, it can be utilized for challenging sports climbs.

Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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10. Men’s Momentum Climbing Shoes By Black Diamond

The Black Diamond Momentum rock shoes are designed with beginning climbers in mind, and they perform exceptionally well.

These are cozy, flat shoes that let you concentrate on technique and growing better, and they’re more affordable than other high-performance climbing shoes.

The Black Diamond Momentum climbing shoes are ideal for beginning climbers or those making their first go outside. You can locate something that better suits your demands after you have a better understanding of the type of climbing you will be undertaking.

Engineered Knit Technology, a synthetic knit fabric that offers great breathability and stretch, is used in the Black Diamond Momentum sneakers.

Two velcro straps serve as the climbing shoe clasp, while a microfiber lining increases comfort and reduces strain. The Black Diamond Momentum is a premium entry-level shoe that will help you trust your feet and gain confidence on the rock.

It is designed for all-day comfort on moderate terrains. Since most novice climbers are reluctant to remove their shoes between ascents (we are all familiar with the infamous climbing shoe stench), the permeable top helps to lessen odor and bacterial growth. They make excellent indoor climbing shoes as well.

Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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11. Men’s Moccasym Shoes By Five Ten

Before I understood that my feet didn’t fare well in softer shoes, they were among my favorite climbing shoes. Many people adore the Five Ten Moccasyms for crack climbing because they smear nicely.

They are a renowned slipper-style rock climbing shoe that works well in a variety of other techniques but was created for traditional climbing.

Since you can fit more of your foot inside thin cracks thanks to the thin toe, it performs remarkably effectively. The slipper design does not edge well, though.

Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also Read: Best Trail Running Shoes For Hiking

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🙋🏻‍♀️ FAQs About Rock Climbing Shoes

A lot of questions come to our mind before purchasing shoes for rock climbing, some of the commonly asked questions are answered below.

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😇 Final Takeaway

Finding the best rock climbing shoes is all about matching the shoe to your climbing style and experience level. Don’t make the mistake I did—choose a shoe that enhances your performance and feels right on your foot. Trust me, it’s worth the investment.

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🗨️ Which Rock Climbing Shoe Do You Think Is the Best? Let Us Know in the Comments.

Hope we were a great help to you, for further guidance and help be the first to discover secret destinations, travel hacks, and more.

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