REASONS TO BUY
Great intermediate shoe
Solid edging
Tacky rubber
REASONS TO AVOID
Fit runs extremely small
Synthetic upper won't stretch
Thick rubber decreases sensitivity
Black Diamond Method - Women's Review
A great intermediate shoe for anyone who wants to step it up in the gym, but with a very small fit
Credit: Trish Matheny
By Trish Matheny ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 30, 2026
Our Verdict
The Black Diamond Method is a slightly downturned climbing shoe with a stiff, rigid base that makes it excellent for edging. It has a super small fit, and since the synthetic upper won't stretch, you need to have low-volume, narrow feet. The super-sticky, proprietary rubber gave us the confidence to push harder because we could trust our feet, but its thickness made it hard to toe precisely into holds. Even though the thick rubber also makes it hard to smear well, we still think the Method is a solid choice for anyone who wants to up their game in the gym.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Black Diamond Method - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best All-Around Climbing Shoes |  Best for Sport Climbing |  Best Value for Progression | Best For First-Time Buyers | |
| Price | $190 List Check Price at REI | $219 List Check Price at REI | $219 List Check Price at REI | $159 List Check Price at REI | $139 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | We were pleasantly surprised by the edging performance of this intermediate shoe, but the fit will only work if you have a very narrow foot | These high-performance slippers work well for almost all types of climbing, from cracks to steep sport climbs to bouldering | As edging machines, these shoes are great for hard sport climbing and overhanging bouldering | This slipper is comfortable and affordable, yet it's nearly as precise as more aggressive shoes, making it the perfect upgrade from your first pair | A step above your average entry-level option, this affordable shoe is our top choice for first-time buyers |
| Rating Categories | Black Diamond Method | La Sportiva Skwama | Scarpa Instinct VS | La Sportiva Skwama Lite | Evolv Defy Lace LV |
| Comfort (20%) | |||||
| Smearing (20%) | |||||
| Edging (20%) | |||||
| Pulling (20%) | |||||
| Cracks (20%) | |||||
| Specifications | Black Diamond Method | La Sportiva Skwama | Scarpa Instinct VS | La Sportiva Skwama Lite | Evolv Defy Lace LV |
| Sizing Recommendations | Comfort Fit: up 1 EU size Performance Fit: up 0.5 EU size |
Comfort Fit: down 0.5 - 1 EU sizes Performance Fit: down 1.5 EU size |
Comfort Fit: true or down 0.5 EU size Performance Fit: down 1 EU size |
Comfort Fit: down 0.5 EU size Performance Fit: down 1 EU size |
Comfort Fit: up 1.5 EU size Performance Fit: up 1 EU size |
| Expected Stretch | 0.5 - 1 EU size | 0.5 - 1 EU size | 0 - 0.5 EU size | 0 - 0.5 EU size | 0 - 0.5 EU size |
| Downturn | Moderate | Aggressive | Aggressive | Moderate | Flat |
| Asymmetry | Not listed | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Neutral |
| Closure Style | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro | Lace |
| Upper | Microfiber | Microfiber and leather | Microsuede and leather | Microfiber | Synthetic Vegan |
| Lining | Polyester | Unlined | Unlined | Unlined | Unlined |
| Volume Options? | Low Volume | Regular, Low Volume (Women's) | Regular, Low Volume (Women's) | Low Volume | Low Volume |
| Rubber Type | BlackLabel Fuse | Vibram XS Grip2 | Vibram XS Grip2 | FriXion Black | TRAX SAS |
| Listed Rubber Thickness | 3.25 mm | 4.0 mm | 3.5 mm in fromt and 2 mm in heel | 4.0 mm | 4.2 mm |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Likes
Once we dialed in the fit, we were impressed with the Method's edging ability. Even though the last is super small, the downturn isn't ultra-aggressive, so it's more comfortable to stand up on small holds.
While it works well on vertical rock outdoors, we were especially impressed with how well they edged into small holds on overhanging routes in the gym or on training boards. The super sticky BlackLabel Fuse rubber gave us enough confidence to climb more committing problems because we could trust our feet.
If you're after better edging performance that's a step above a beginner design, you may love the Black Diamond Method. Credit: Trish Matheny
Dislikes
The Method is a particularly low-volume shoe, so you need narrow feet for it to fit. Neither the synthetic upper nor the polyester lining stretches, so we recommend selecting a size that fits well – what you feel the first time you try these shoes on is what they'll feel like after they break in.
The design favors those with a low profile and narrow foot. Credit: Trish Matheny
The thick rubber below the toe somewhat limits sensitivity. Even though it's a split sole, these shoes are super stiff, which makes it harder to confidently smear. And the tight fit and slight downturn made them terribly painful for crack climbing.
Should You Buy the Black Diamond Method?
The Method is a solid step up from your very first pair of shoes. The slight downturn, stiff construction, and tacky rubber gave us the confidence to try more committing problems in the gym. But be ready for a snug fit. These are best for anyone with narrow, low-volume feet, and they run small, so you may need to size up.
What Other Women's Climbing Shoes Should You Consider?
If you don't like the sound of a stiff, rigid shoe, the La Sportiva Skwama Lite is a good alternative. It's not quite as low-profile as the Method, so it's much more comfortable. Yet it's still great for edging and pulling, and we even liked how the shoe climbed technical cracks. If you climb primarily in the gym, the Scarpa Drago LV may be the shoe to level up your climbing. But it's at the other end of the spectrum – where the stiff Method excels at edging, the super-soft Drago excels at smearing and pulling.
—Trish Matheny
You Might Also Like
