If you are thinking of joining climbing for fun or professionally you definitely need some help getting the best beginner climbing shoes. This is not just because there is a ton to choose from but also because you have no experience. For starters, the best shoes for climbing needs to fit tight but no too tight to cause pain. Secondly, they are durable enough to hold up with repeated use. Climbing shoes are designed differently with others having laces and others loop and hook closure for easy putting on, taking off, and adjusting. Not to mention, that they are padded on the tongue and soles for optimal comfort and support. Now before you go to the best beginner climbing shoes reviews, here is more information on how to find the best beginner climbing shoes. Consider;
- Fit: Climbing shoes are designed to fit differently from ordinary shoes. That is why most of them are tight-fitting. The best beginner climbing shoe needs to fit tight without putting pressure on your toes. Some shoes come already pre-downsized so if you find any of these shoes pick a size up for better fit.
- Traction: The strength of any climbing shoe lies in its traction ability; whereby traction is the amount of grip a given shoe has on a surface. Therefore, ensure the shoe is designed with a sticky rubber outsole. The stickier the outsole is the better grip it provides on any kind of terrain.
- Durability: Just like any gear, the best beginner climbing shoes should be durable enough to withstand repeated use and abuse. So make sure the construction materials are breathable and comfortable but still sturdy enough to hold up with repeated use.
Without further ado, here are some of the products that made it to the top 10 best beginner climbing shoes reviews in 2021
Contents
- 10. CLIMBX Crush Lace Bouldering Shoe 2019 -Red
- 9. La Sportiva Tarantula Women’s Climbing Shoe
- 8. BUTORA Women’s Endeavor Rock Climbing Shoe -Preferred
- 7. Climb X Gear Icon Rock Climbing Shoe Knit 2019
- 6. Climb X Kinder Kids Climbing Shoe (2019 Model)
- 5. La Sportiva Women’s OXYGYM Climbing Shoe
- 4. Climb X Gear Red Point Climbing Shoe 2019
- 3. Black Diamond Mens Momentum Lace Climbing Shoes -Preferred
- 2. Climb X Rave Strap Climbing Shoe 2019, Blue -Preferred
- 1. La Sportiva TarantuLace Performance Rock Climbing Men’s Shoe- Black/Poppy -Preferred
10. CLIMBX Crush Lace Bouldering Shoe 2019 -Red
Looking for the best beginner bouldering shoes to crush your next project; your search ends with the CLIMBX Crush Lace Bouldering Shoe 2019 –Red. It has a highly-padded ankle cuff to give you the comfort and support you need. This pair of beginner climbing shoes is equipped with an odor-resistant organic hemp foot bed with cushy sandwiched foam lining. It is, therefore, breathable to deliver comfort that lasts. This model is designed with comfortable contour straps to hold your foot in place. It has rubber outsole to give you a tight grip for you to climb with peace of mind. This unit boasts high-quality construction with rubber wrapped sticky heel for added comfort and performance.
PROS | CONS |
Available in various sizes to choose from | The sizing runs large so choose a size down for a great fit |
This climbing shoe is easy to put on and take off | |
It is a nice quality only comparable to high-end versions without the hefty price tag | |
The pull up heel tab provides added convenience | |
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9. La Sportiva Tarantula Women’s Climbing Shoe
The La Sportiva Tarantula Women’s Climbing Shoe is round and higher in volume to ensure you don’t mangle your feet. Yet it remains aggressive enough to perform exceptionally well when needed. This shoe boasts a highly adjustable closure system that adapts to multiple foot types and shapes. It is designed with an unlined upper to provide excellent moisture management. As a result, it provides reliable and long-lasting comfort all day long. This unit is not just comfortable but it is easy to get on and off in a flush. What’s more, it is made up of a leather upper part for extra strength and longevity.
PROS | CONS |
Suitable for feet of different shapes and sizes | These shoes may be too wide and too long for an average person |
Uses a hook and loop closure that is easy to handle | |
Comes in an assortment of colors to pick from | |
The stickiness of the sole is pretty decent | |
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8. BUTORA Women’s Endeavor Rock Climbing Shoe -Preferred
Given its undeniable precision, the BUTORA Women’s Endeavor Rock Climbing Shoe offers a top-notch experience for beginners and pros alike. It has a tongue made up of Poron mesh to give you unrivaled breathability and comfort. This beginner climbing shoe features a split leather footbed plus comfortable fit work to help you stay on the wall longer. It is accompanied by 3D injection-molded full-length variable thickness polyurethane midsole for precision edging and torsion rigidity. With two pull-up heel tabs, this climbing shoe is easy to put on and to take off. This is well complemented with the hook and loop closure for added convenience and ease of use. Best of all, this shoe is made with a triple fork webbing design for a custom fit.
PROS | CONS |
Available in lavender and crimson | The tight-fitting design isn’t ideal for large feet, but you can choose a size up |
The outsole is NEO fuse sticky rubber to help you stay longer | |
This unit has a 100% organic Hemp lining to control odor and stretch | |
There are multiple sizes for you to find the right fit | |
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7. Climb X Gear Icon Rock Climbing Shoe Knit 2019
Quality climbing gear comes no better than the Climb X Gear Icon Rock Climbing Shoe Knit 2019. It combines knit upper with soft neoprene upper to provide utmost comfort for you to go the long mile. This shoe features a hook and loop closure that makes it easy to put on and take-off even on-the-go. It has a nice grey color finish that is not only low-profile but goes well with most outfits. This model has two pull up heel taps that make it even much easier to use. It is highly breathable to enable you to stay cool and comfortable without compromising on durability. This shoe is complete with a large sticky rubber outsole to give you a secure grip each time.
PROS | CONS |
This shoe is sturdy and reliable | These shoes tend to run small; so choose a size up or half a size up a comfortable fit |
Offers good quality and value for money | |
The knit fabric seems is durable and breathable | |
Available in a wide range of sizes | |
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6. Climb X Kinder Kids Climbing Shoe (2019 Model)
If you enjoy rock climbing with your kids, the Climb X Kinder Kids Climbing Shoe (2019 Model) ensures your kids also get the best rock climbing shoes for beginners. It comes in several sizes from 1 to 13 for you to choose from. This rock climbing shoe for beginner kids is made from a strong material to ensure it can sustain repeated use and abuse. It has a removable heel cup to allow you to expand the size and grow with your child’s feet. Besides, this shoe comes in a bright color combination that all kids will love.
PROS | CONS |
This shoe is easy to use so kid’s can put in on themselves | This shoe is a bit stiff and needs breaking into |
It is breathable and comfortable | |
This shoe is nicely padded to cushion and support your kids little feet | |
The quality is good and it is reasonably priced | |
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5. La Sportiva Women’s OXYGYM Climbing Shoe
Engineered for excellent moisture management, the La Sportiva Women’s OXYGYM Climbing Shoe is super-comfortable for all-day wear. It is equipped with an AirTex silver lining that provides added comfort while reducing odor. This shoe is completely washable, meaning it is easy to maintain for added longevity. It is durably-made so rest-assured it can withstand several uses and abuse. This shoe is made of a highly breathable closure system to ensure it adapts to different foot types and shapes. It is versatile and suitable for all terrains including gym climbing and all-around climbing. Plus, this shoe has 3 layers of WashTek fabric that keeps it clean and hygienic.
PROS | CONS |
This shoe provides a personalized fit | This shoe isn’t too aggressive; but still, it has some arch |
It is easy to use and to take off | |
Available in multiple sizes to suit various needs | |
Suitable for beginner and intermediate climbers | |
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4. Climb X Gear Red Point Climbing Shoe 2019
Consider the Climb X Gear Red Point Climbing Shoe 2019 if you are a beginner or intermediate climber. It is designed to provide all-round performance not limited to any style, rock, or angle of climbing. This shoe comes engineered with a contoured arch that gives a vacuum-tight fit to help you stay much longer on the wall. It has a padded ankle cuff to give you support every step on the rocks. This climbing shoe is lined with odorless hemp footbed to provide reliable comfort. Moreover, it is versatile making it a great companion for any trip to the Gunks, Red Rocks, and training at your local crag.
PROS | CONS |
Comes with sticky 3D molded heel cup | The rubber sole could be grippier; otherwise, it’s a great climbing shoe |
Made from fabric and leather for comfort and durability | |
This shoe is easy to put on and take off | |
Available in different sizes for you pick from | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
3. Black Diamond Mens Momentum Lace Climbing Shoes -Preferred
Climb the rocks in style when you have the Black Diamond Mens Momentum Lace Climbing Shoes. It is loaded with lots of features to give you just what you need to reach the peak. The woven upper, for instance, is exceptionally breathable not to soak up sweat for added comfort. This shoe is neutral and flat last suitable for vertical climbing as well as all-day comfort. It is equipped with 4.3mm NeoFriction rubber to deliver extra strength and durability. This shoe is molded to provide you with optimal consistency and performance. Better yet, it is built with medium flex midsole to add support without compromising sensitivity.
PROS | CONS |
Available in three color options | These shoes might be too tight for wide feet; choosing a size up helps |
This shoe has lace entry for fit customization | |
It is well-made for gym climbing | |
There are several sizes to select from | |
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2. Climb X Rave Strap Climbing Shoe 2019, Blue -Preferred
Well-made with double stitch construction, the Climb X Rave Strap Climbing Shoe 2019 is sturdy enough to stand the test of time. It has a padded collar and heel to keep you comfortable and supported throughout. This climbing shoe features a polypropylene midsole and one-piece binding for added comfort. Since climbing shoes are supposed to fit very tight, this shoe comes pre downsized so you need to buy a size down to get the tight fit. And although it is blue, this shoe comes in two other colors for you to choose from according to your tastes and preferences.
PROS | CONS |
This shoe is easy to put on and to remove | This shoe may be too tight for people with wide feet |
The hook and loop closure enables you to adjust effortlessly | |
There are 2 heel tabs for added convenience | |
The rubber sole is sticky enough to keep you secure on the rocks | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
1. La Sportiva TarantuLace Performance Rock Climbing Men’s Shoe- Black/Poppy -Preferred
Built to last, the La Sportiva TarantuLace Performance Rock Climbing Shoe Men’s – Black/Poppy is ideal for indoor and outdoor climbing. It included 1.8mm LapsoFlex at the midsole and 5mm FriXion RS at the sole to make it as stable as possible. This shoe is designed with a quick pull lacing harness to allow for precise regulation of inner volumes. Thus, it wraps the foot snuggly for excellent fit, support, and comfort. This shoe is designed to help intermediate climbers hook, smear, and edge just like pros. It is complete with an aggressive rubber rand sticky enough to help you climb with great sensitivity.
PROS | CONS |
Available in three different colors | This shoe isn’t hardcore but it works well for beginners |
Offers the best of comfort and durability | |
There is a lined tongue to control moisture | |
It has synthetic leather that adds the right level of comfort | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
Conclusion
Did you find a pair or two of beginner climbing shoes worth your time and money? Just in case you didn’t read through, the shoes included above are sturdy, pretty, and affordable so you don’t even have to break the bank to own one. Most of them are suitable both for beginners and intermediate climbers. Thus, regardless of the one you choose, rest assured it will carry as you start till you become a pro.