Best Beginner Rock Climbing Shoes

Whether you’re learning to climb outside or in the gym, the first thing you want to be concerned about is the best beginner rock climbing shoes. That is why we have spent the time writing this essay. It not only provides newcomers with a wealth of superb climbing shoe alternatives.

But it also addresses some very crucial issues. Our shopping guidance and comparison table cover everything you need to know to get the best beginner rock climbing shoes on your feet and you on the wall, including sizing, materials, price considerations, and progressing into more advanced models. If you’re ready to move on, read our article on the best overall climbing shoes on the market.

As a beginner, we also recommend you check this gear list for ice climbing.

How To Choose The Best Climbing Shoes For Beginners

How To Choose The Best Climbing Shoes For Beginners

The Upper Material

Leather: The most traditional material for a climbing shoe is leather. During break-in, it stretches the maximum, up to full size. When sizing your shoes, keep stretch in mind, especially if they’re leather. Many are partially lined, which helps to reduce strain. Leather shoes that have been colored may discolor the feet.

Synthetic Fabrics: do not expand like leather, which is beneficial during sizing. Synthetic uppers will normally stretch no more than half size, and sometimes not at all. The disadvantage is that synthetic shoes do not breathe adequately, resulting in sweaty feet.

Synthetic/Leather: The uppers of a number of the shoes we tried are a hybrid of synthetic and leather. It only stretches a little, but it is still comfortable and breathable.

Knit: It is a thin but tough layer of cloth. It is slightly more breathable than synthetics or leather, but only slightly. It has a slightly stretchier feel to it, but it does not stretch out during the break-in period.

System Of Closure

Velcro: Velcro shoes are easier to put on and take off, which is useful at the gym. The disadvantage is that the closure will be asymmetrical. Velcro shoes are also less customizable due to only two points of adjustment.

Lace-up: Because the two sides of a lace-up shoe are distinct, they can be cinched to your liking. The toebox should be tighter than the arch, and vice versa. 

Shoes with Velcro and slip-ones are more practical, while lace-ups provide a more exact and adaptable fit. It comes down to personal preference, as long as you can find a fit that works for you.

Velcro Climbing Shoes VS. Lace-up Climbing Shoes

A lace-single-up tongue next to the overlapping tongues of a velcro clasp.

Rubber

The sticky rubber sole of every climbing shoe is the key to success. Every brand utilizes a distinct type of rubber, and most companies use a different type of rubber for each shoe. The thicker the sole, in general, the more durable and less sensitive the shoe. Most novice climbing shoes are made of tough rubber and have a strong sole.

4 mm: Most climbing shoes have a 4 mm sole as standard. Some sneakers fall just a little short at 3.8 mm, but it’s not enough to notice. A 4 mm sole is a good compromise between durability and sensitivity, but it will need to be resolved sooner than a 5 mm sole.

4-5 mm: Some shoes are slightly thicker at 4.2 and 4.3 mm, respectively, representing a halfway ground between 4 and 5 mm soles.

5 mm: This thick sole is intended for shoes with a firmer platform, which prioritizes durability above sensibility. They will last the longest before they need to be thrown out or resolved, but they may not feel as good.

A Few Words On Fit

The fit is maybe the most critical aspect of any climbing shoe. Different feet like different shoes and several brands are known for a certain form.

I recommend all shoe consumers learn about shoe fit before purchasing. Although trying on shoes in person is preferable, most online retailers accept returns or size exchanges.  

The fit of a shoe should be snug and precise, but never uncomfortable. Your gym’s extreme boulderers may require that shoes be two sizes too small and excruciatingly unpleasant, but they’re wrong. Purchase a shoe that fits your foot.

My own feet are narrow and have a low-volume arch. My testing results will show how well these shoes fit my feet. I tried to indicate if this had any ramifications for shoe fit wherever possible.

How We Experimented

  • I put the novice climbing shoes to the test on some outdoor rocks.
  • I started by evaluating these shoes in the place where most climbers start: the gym.
  • I put each shoe through rigorous testing on slabs, overhangs, roofs, and various types of faces. I took notes on my observations of each, then ran head-to-head tests to discover where each shoe excelled.

Shoe impressions are, by definition, subjective. Every foot is unique, and everyone climbs in their way. I did my best to evaluate these shoes from several angles, but their ratings are ultimately a reflection of my experience. I graded them based on three criteria: performance, comfort, and sensitivity.

Performance

How capable is the shoe on varied terrains? How comfortable do I feel wearing it? How much do I unintentionally slip?

Comfort

How far can I go in these shoes? How lovely do they look on the wall? Is it ever possible for discomfort to be distracting or disruptive?

Sensitivity

How much of my body can I feel through my shoes? How well do I know their boundaries? How much do they assist me in understanding my footwork?

La Sportiva Tarantulace

Best Climbing Shoes On A Budget For Beginners

La Sportiva Tarantulace

Upper: Leather

Closure: Lace

Beginner’s level of ability

What we like: It’s comfortable, long-lasting, and reasonably priced.

What we don’t like: The roomy fit isn’t precise, and the FriXion rubber isn’t very sticky.

La Sportiva Mythos

The Best Trad Climbing Shoes For Beginners

La Sportiva Mythos

Upper: Leather

Closure: Lace

Beginner to intermediate skill level

What we like: It’s long-lasting and well-made.

What we don’t like: expensive

Scarpa Reflex

The Best Gym Climbing Shoes For Beginners

Scarpa Reflex

Upper: Synthetic

Closure: Velcro

Beginner’s level of ability

What we like: A tough, comfortable, and breathable shoe designed specifically for indoor climbing.

What we don’t like: The thick sole lacks sensitivity, making it unsuitable for outdoor use.

Evolv Defy

The Best Bouldering Shoes For Beginners

Evolv Defy

Upper: Synthetic

Closure: Velcro

Beginner’s level of ability

What we like: a long-lasting, tried-and-true classic that’s ideal for steep climbing.

What we don’t like: Nothing about this sneaker jumps out.

Butora Endeavor

The Best Overall Climbing Shoe For Beginners

Butora Endeavor

Leather/synthetic upper

Velcro closure

Beginner to intermediate skill level

What we like: a wonderful deal for a well-made, well-designed sneaker.

What we don’t like: The moderate downturn implies that this shoe will struggle on vertical or overhanging terrain.

Summary

  • La Sportiva Tarantulace is the best budget climbing shoe for beginners.
  • La Sportiva Mythos is the best beginner shoe for trad climbing.
  • Scarpa Reflex is the best gym climbing shoe for beginners.
  • Evolv Defy is the best beginner bouldering shoe.
  • Butora Endeavor is the best overall beginner climbing shoe.
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