Best intermediate climbing shoes Kate Sedrowski. Our Recommendation For The Best Intermediate Climbing Shoes In 2022. I've been using rental shoes for like a 6 months but I decided I'll do it more often so this is why I'm looking for one. 6 Best Cheap Gym Climbing Shoes. Section divider Ten Things You Need to Know About Climbing Shoes 1. Your choice of shoe will depend first and foremost on your climbing style. Tenaya Iati. 6 oz. Honestly, i feel like intermediate shoes are not worth it. Why purchase an intermediate boulder shoe? Intermediate boulder shoes sit right between beginner and performance shoes. 10-11 range. They're made by one of the best climbing footwear manufacturers in the world, which makes them a reliable, durable climbing shoe for women. Was pretty close to quitting with other shoes. Best for: Precision and Versatility. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, the right pair of climbing shoes is essential. This combination of features will help you climb harder grades while letting your feet adjust to the fit of high-performance climbing shoes. First, think about the kind of climbing you will be doing. La Sportiva Tarantulace: Flat: Lace-up Sep 10, 2021 · Intermediate Climbing Shoes. Nov 30, 2022 · The La Sportiva Theory is a purpose-made climbing shoe for hard indoor bouldering and competition climbing. We have a full article on the best intermediate climbing shoes, but as an overview intermediate climbing shoes generally have a little bit of downturn and asymmetric profile, but much more subtle. 5mm Vibram® XS Grip2: Downturn: Slight: Shape 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 Apr 9, 2021 · Best Intermediate Climbing Shoes in 2024. Personally, I believe that shoes should be tight but not painful (no hot spots) – even during the break in period. My Katakis stretched a 1/2 size at least. The Tenaya Iati is a versatile climbing shoe that provides an ideal balance of comfort, precision, and performance. Feb 28, 2022 · Hard steep climbing requires aggressive shoes with power and precision, and no other climbing shoe does both better than the La Sportiva Solution Comp. Shoes with synthetic uppers won't stretch very much, while leather uppers will. Butora Endeavor 2. La Sportiva Miura VS Women's: Best Trad Climbing Shoe for Women. The main qualities you should look for in an intermediate rock climbing shoe are the following:. My street shoe size is 38. 4 Best La Sportiva Gym Climbing Shoes. The type of shoe you want is more based on style of climbing and personal preferences. Shop at Amazon $219 at REI Mar 19, 2024 · How to Choose the Best Climbing Shoes Choosing the best climbing shoes for your needs depends on your preferred style of climbing, your expected volume of climbing, and the shape of your foot. 95 $119. Mar 25, 2025 · Our team felt these were the best climbing shoes for intermediate and advanced climbers looking for something more aggressive and technical. Mar 13, 2023 · How I size La Sportiva. 5. Dec 22, 2022 · Our Best Intermediate Climbing Shoes: La Sportiva Men’s TarantuLace Performance Rock Climbing Shoe – Best Overall Intermediate Climbing Shoes; Climb X Rave Strap Climbing Shoe – Best Budget Intermediate Climbing Shoes; Evolv Defy Climbing Shoe – Vegan-Friendly Intermediate Climbing Shoes Oct 5, 2020 · The reason why this shoe best bouldering climbing shoe in La Sportiva's line-up (in my opinion the Solution is the best of all for bouldering shoe that you can find) is; The Solution has an adjustable and precise fit, solid rubber, aggressive, unique heel, and opportunity to give you a chance of sticking even the smallest footholds. . Comfort is not king. Buy now £116. com. I’m looking for a more intermediate/moderate shoe and wanted some insight. Always try on Feb 19, 2021 · The best intermediate shoe for you will vary based on the climbing style you do: For crack climbing, an intermediate shoe is not normally recommended, as you tend to want a more neutral camber for jamming your feet in cracks. Whether you tackle boulders, multi-pitch routes, smooth rock faces or sheer cliffs. Black Diamond Climbing Shoes Black Diamond is a relative newcomer to the rock shoe market, having launched the flat-lasted, beginner Nov 14, 2024 · An entry-level shoe seen on beginners and intermediate climbers alike, the La Sportiva Finale ($130) is not only an amazing bang for your buck but an extremely well-made shoe for all-day climbing In the Top Pick series, our testing team offers their thoughts on the best climbing shoe for every occasion. Our Selection of the Best Climbing Shoes for 2025 Comparison Table Best Hip Hop Shoes: Review & Detailed Guide; Sports. Everyone loves to use intermediate climbing shoes. I had scarpa helixes I returned. Corey Buhay Climbing Style. Also consider what you typically climb. 0 ($115) Upper: Synthetic Closure: Velcro Ability level: Beginner to intermediate What we like: Great price for a well-designed and well-built shoe. While it was designed for overhanging sport routes, bouldering, gym climbing, and technical face climbing depending on how they are sized they are equally Mar 7, 2025 · Best climbing shoes for beginners Given their steep price and asymmetrical design, these shoes are best-suited for intermediate to advanced climbers. But earlier there weren’t a lot of options available to be able to choose from. It’s sensitive with good support on small holds, making it ideal for sport climbing overhangs and bouldering. The closure system should be easy to use and provide a secure fit. How to Choose the Best Intermediate Climbing Shoe for You. Best Cycling Shoes: Most Comfortable Road Cycling Shoes; Running. Climbing goes with grades, from beginners to intermediate and then to pro. The wide toe box saved my interest in the hobby. Best Gym Climbing Shoes of 2025. Nov 17, 2023 · Here, we’ve compiled ten of our favorite bouldering shoes—and a list of ten things to think about when buying climbing shoes. com Finding the best intermediate climbing shoes can greatly enhance your climbing experience. When a company designs a new suite of shoes, they send pairs to us and our testers, and we climb in them, compare notes, write a review, and then, later, do a roundup of the latest and greatest releases of the year. Feb 17, 2023 · The best intermediate climbing shoe would be the ones that are snug, secure, but still comfortable when you wear them. I can say that I'm an intermediate climber or somewhere there. Jan 11, 2022 · Remember, sometimes the best shoe for you is simply the one that best fits your foot rather than one supposedly designed for a particular climber or style of climbing. 06 , Alpine Trek Evolv Shaman 3 Tenaya Mastia are the only shoes I've found in a decade of climbing that are available in my size (EU48ish for street shoes) AND the exact right shape for my heel. Instead of offering a women’s version of their intermediate Apr 6, 2025 · The most effective intermediate climbing sneakers may even be sturdy sufficient to resist the trials of standard use. Now, let’s get started with reviews of the best intermediate climbing shoes. May 4, 2021 · 3 Best Intermediate Gym Climbing Shoes. They hurt my feet less than any climbing shoe ive tried. Nov 24, 2023 · An outdoor expert tested the best climbing shoes for beginner, intermediate, and expert level climbers to climb slab, trad, crack, and bouldering. I feel like beginner shoes and most intermediates are pretty similar and not worth it. Our Premium Option is La Sportiva Solution Climbing Shoe Men’s with all the best features and high-quality materials, but that’s only if you have more money to spend. For women, our recommendation is the SCARPA Women’s Origin Rock Climbing Shoes. Seconding these as a beginner/intermediate. If you need inspiration for your next pair of shoes, this is where to find it! Feb 28, 2023 · The Gambit VCS Rock by Five Ten is a comfortable semi-technical pair of shoes for the climbing gym, slab, trad, and long routes. Best Wide toe Box Running Shoes; Best Running Shoes for everyone's needs: the best intermediate rock climbing shoes, for those looking for top performance, sensitivity, comfort and durability, and also for those who are just starting to climb; the right men's beginner climbing shoes for a good start. Lindsay Rohrbaugh. Sep 17, 2021 · Best Intermediate Climbing Shoe: La Sportiva Miura Intermediate climbers can’t go wrong by picking shoes that are slightly aggressive, medium- to high-performing, and decently comfortable. Scarpa Force V Women's: Best Beginner Shoes for Women. There are a couple of key issues to contemplate when selecting the most effective intermediate climbing sneakers. With its moderate fit, this shoe excels across a range of climbing disciplines, from sport and trad climbing to bouldering. Jun 4, 2024 · This is a great intermediate-climber sport climbing shoe. Best Disc Golf Shoes: Detailed Review & Guides; Best Golf Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis: Review & Guides; How to Clean Golf Shoes:7 Easy But Effective Ways; Basketball; Cycling. When shoes require more complex skills like intermediate climbing, you need the best shoes to tackle the game. With low volume and a women-specific fit, they’re a great intermediate shoe. Read on for our 2025 picks from La Sportiva, Scarpa, and more! The SCARPA Arpia V is a great shoe for intermediate climbers or climbers who Apr 26, 2023 · Our Selection of the Best Climbing Shoes for Women in 2023. TLDR: I am looking for intermediate but comfortable climbing shoes for indoor climbing with slight/medium downturn and low/medium pre-tensioning. Kate Sedrowski . Important Specs; 4. Comparison Table; 1. 5 Best Women’s Gym Climbing Shoes. I have flat and rather narrow low-volume feet. By the end of a day, my feet are dead. Jan 8, 2021 · Best Intermediate Climbing Shoe – Scarpa Arpia. Products reviewed in this article: Best for climbers seeking versatility, sensitivity and precision for difficult climbing. 21 at Backcountry. If you’re looking for the best climbing shoes for your needs, you’ve come to the right place. I had some Ocun shoes which was 65€ and then i went for some shoe that was ~100 and afterwards upgraded to the VSR, which I love. Over the past decade, our team has tested over 45 of the best climbing shoes for women. Our top 5 picks for 2024—La Sportiva Miura VS, Scarpa Vapor V, Five Ten Anasazi VCS, Butora Acro, and Evolv Oracle—offer a range of features that cater to different needs, from affordability and comfort to precision and performance. Best All-Around Climbing Shoe: La Sportiva Katana Lace; Best Budget/Beginner Climbing Shoe: La Sportiva Tarantulace; Best Bouldering Shoe: Scarpa Instinct VS; Best Shoe for Granite and Crack Climbing: La Sportiva TC Pro; Best High-Performance Gym Climbing Shoe: Scarpa Drago Mar 15, 2025 · This guide will look at the different characteristics of climbing shoes and help to explain how best to identify the right pair of climbing shoes for you. La Sportiva Theory Women's: Best Sport Climbing Shoe for Women. —the Tarantulace is a comfort-first shoe with an unlined leather upper, a mildly asymmetric shape, a stiff last, and a relatively roomy toe-box. Best Women’s Climbing Pants of 2025. Mar 9, 2023 · Looking for a new intermediate climbing shoe, specifically for indoor bouldering? This 2023 Buyers Guide will help you find the best intermediate boulder shoes tailored for modern bouldering gyms. A good mix of bouldering and sport climbing and I climb at the V4/5 and 5. Golf. Dec 17, 2024 · Our Team's Climbing Shoe Picks. Please turn off your ad blocker. Apr 2, 2023 · What are the best Scarpa climbing shoes for intermediate? The answer is the Scarpa Vapor V, which offers a balance of comfort and performance, catering to various climbing styles. S. See relevant content for outdoorrackbuilder. Jan 9, 2025 · SHOES DOWNTURN CLOSURE UPPER WEIGHT (PAIR) La Sportiva Katana Lace: Aggressive: Lace-up: Leather/Microfiber: 1 lb. Should I size down in Scarpa climbing shoes? Sep 30, 2024 · Rubber Type: 5 mm Vibram XS Edge Lining: Unlined Upper Material: Leather/Microfiber Closure: Lace-up Can be Resoled: Yes Type: Neutral Sizing: Runs slightly small What we liked: comfortable enough for beginners but aggressive enough for intermediate climbers, a shoe that sticks with you as you become a more skilled climber, dialed in fit, grippy sole, value for the price || This is the official Site of EVOLV Buy the best Intermediate Climbing Shoes Men's & Women's Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Free shipping over $49! Oct 27, 2021 · Five Ten Anasazi climbing shoes are always a quality product, so you'll also be ensured long-term wearability if you choose these intermediate climbing shoes. $158. But now the times have changed and there are several options to choose from when it comes to different styles or even quality. In our gym there are 6 marks and I can climb all of the 3's (yellow) and I started climbing 4's (green). Tarantulas are fine shoes comfortable (for a climbing shoe) while performing well enough. If you want to wear your shoes for hours or climb a lot of slab, no need to get something with a more aggressive Dec 29, 2022 · Check out GearJunkie’s guide to the best climbing shoes. In La Sportiva I wear the following fits: Performance fit: 36. SCARPA Mens Arpia Climbing Shoes [su_amz asin=”B07N1TD8MT”] Competition climbers love the Scarpa Arpia. Please wait while your request is being verified Jul 25, 2024 · Best Overall Beginner Climbing Shoe 1. A sibling of the best-selling Solution, the Comp series differs in that the heel cup is softer, extra rubber is added along the toe for heel hooks, and the midsole is more flexible. Feb 2, 2024 · The classic intermediate climbing shoe, the Miura boasts the pedigree of a reputable climbing manufacturer as well as being the top pick for intermediate climbing shoes for the last decade. Like every climbing shoe, the right one for you ultimately comes down to how well the shoe fits your foot and how well-suited it is to the climbing terrain. The slipper design of the instincts alongside the velcro strap means they fit like a glove and things like overhangs and tiny footholds become easy to navigate. Comfort; Performace; Price; Getting a proper balance of these 3 main features will ensure you get the best intermediate climbing shoe! Sep 20, 2021 · Best Intermediate Climbing Shoes of 2025. Best Intermediate Climbing Shoe for Women. I. Typically they wear out quicker because they are a common "first climbing shoe", and newer climbers tend to wear out shoes quicker; when you're new, you're more likely to drag toes on the wall, not be as careful with foot placement yet things that which contribute to shoe wear especially around the Sep 28, 2017 · What to Look for in Rock Climbing Shoes. I'm looking for a basic, all-around workhorse shoe that leaves everything up to my footwork to get by on anything I throw at it (except for overhang). If you’re perceptive, you might have picked up on the commonalities between these shoes. 10 Best Climbing Shoes, Tested & Reviewed by an Oct 28, 2022 · I’ve climbed outdoors a handful of times and I want to get outside more, especially in the spring, but it’s mostly indoors for me. Important Specs; 2. The five shoes I will share with you on this page are some of the best climbing shoes for intermediate climbers available in 2023, all of which are See full list on theadventurejunkies. Mar 10, 2025 · The best climbing shoes just keep getting better. This would be my first purchase. Laces, velcro, and buckles are the three most common types of closure systems used on climbing shoes. Check Price on Amazon CHECK PRICE ON ZAPPOS So I've been climbing in Skwamas for a bit now, and while I love them for bouldering, they're not the best-equipped for edgy vert, or slab, or all-day hangs. e. Feb 22, 2023 · The shoe is slightly more expensive than the Instinct Lace, but still represents decent value for an intermediate climbing shoe. Check Price on Amazon. The fact that they're decent all-rounders with that balance between grip/sensitivity and edging support is an added bonus :) Sep 16, 2024 · La Sportiva Tarantulace. The ideal pair will offer the fit and performance that match your climbing style so you can tackle the wall more confidently. The more complex the grade, the more Apr 16, 2025 · What to look for in sport climbing shoes; Ten things you need to know about climbing shoes; Our favorites; Honorable mentions; Most gear roundups cover new releases. 1. The cheapest shoe on this list—and, consequently, one of the best-selling climbing shoes in the U. Rubber: 3. 5 EU; Comfort fit: 38 EU 👉 How to size Indoor Bouldering shoes Apr 6, 2025 · The closure system of a climbing shoe is an important factor to consider when choosing the best intermediate climbing shoes. Fitting your climbing shoes for comfort is like buying a car because you like the driver’s seat. For multi pitch sport climbing and trad climbing routes, you want a more comfortable shoe that can still perform well May 10, 2021 · Men’s climbing shoes are wider and higher volume than women’s shoes with a larger toe box, so if a women’s pair is too snug, the men’s version will probably fit you fine. We tested crack climbing performance on various crags across the country, including Idaho's City of Rocks, Utah's Indian Creek, and the hallowed walls of Yosemite Valley. Feb 11, 2023 · The top 5 intermediate climbing shoes we recommend for 2025: Editor’s Choice: Scarpa Vapor V Upgrade Pick: La Sportiva TC Pro Best Value: Mad Rock Remora Best For Bouldering & Sport Climbing: Butora Acro Apr 22, 2025 · The Best Climbing Shoes for Women. Jul 29, 2022 · Discover the best beginner climbing shoes in 2025 with our analysis to pick the most suitable model. Important Specs; 3. Apr 16, 2025 · Fortunately, several shoes meet these basic criteria, so the choice comes down to finding the model that is the best fit for your foot and best suits your climbing goals. More info provided below :) Hey guys, I am currently looking to update my La Sportiva Mythos (been climbing through three pairs in the past few years). 5 EU (6 US men). I used to sell climbing shoes and often people look for “beginner” or “intermediate” shoes. With a single velcro strap and slipper-like comfort, it’s incredibly sensitive but offers surprising edging ability thanks to La Sportiva’s P3 tensioned rand system and No-Edge sole technology. Nov 11, 2023 · The Best Intermediate Climbing Shoes. This shoe is suitable for beginners as well as intermediate climbers. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types. Based on all of our experience with bouldering shoes for intermediate climbers, we found that Evolv Shaman is the best intermediate bouldering shoe available today. eecybuiyfzktsqaxawvtqsfnrvcmmnmcptwbhfhdlqeaxgpmlteekkheojwmlwwejhwoamyyy