REASONS TO BUY
Stiff
Excellent for edging
Durable
REASONS TO AVOID
Extremely difficult to put on
Lacks versatility
Mad Rock Drone 2 LV Review
A very narrow, very stiff shoe. But if it fits your foot, it's powerful for edging, specifically
The Mad Rock Drone 2 LV is not a shoe for everyone. But for the right people, it's a specialty shoe to consider adding to your quiver for edging projects.
Credit: Whitney Clark
By Whitney Clark ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 30, 2026
Our Verdict
The Mad Rock Drone 2 LV is made for lower-volume feet – it's very narrow in the forefoot, and may be the stiffest shoe right out of the box we've ever tested. However, this stiffness throughout the midsole and forefoot makes the Drone 2 great at edging and climbing vertical rock. Once you make it through the uncomfortable break-in process, you'll enjoy plenty of support to stand on tiny holds. That said, it has a very specific fit that will likely not work for everyone, but if it does, the Drone 2 is an edging powerhouse.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Mad Rock Drone 2 LV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best All-Around Climbing Shoes |  Best for Sport Climbing |  Best Value for Progression | Best For First-Time Buyers | |
| Price | $159 List Check Price at Backcountry | $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 | Super stiff in the forefoot and built for low-volume feet, but if the shoe fits, it can be an edging powerhouse | 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 | Mad Rock Drone 2 LV | 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 | Mad Rock Drone 2 LV | La Sportiva Skwama | Scarpa Instinct VS | La Sportiva Skwama Lite | Evolv Defy Lace LV |
| Sizing Recommendations | Comfort Fit: true to up 0.5 EU size Performance Fit: true to down 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 - 0.5 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 | Moderate (sharp toe) | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Neutral |
| Closure Style | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro | Lace |
| Upper | Syn-Flex / synthetic upper | Microfiber and leather | Microsuede and leather | Microfiber | Synthetic Vegan |
| Lining | Partially Lined, 3D mesh tongue | Unlined | Unlined | Unlined | Unlined |
| Volume Options? | High Volume, Low Volume | Regular, Low Volume (Women's) | Regular, Low Volume (Women's) | Low Volume | Low Volume |
| Rubber Type | Science Friction 3.0 rubber in toe and Science Friction R2 in heel | Vibram XS Grip2 | Vibram XS Grip2 | FriXion Black | TRAX SAS |
| Listed Rubber Thickness | Not Listed | 4.0 mm | 3.5 mm in fromt and 2 mm in heel | 4.0 mm | 4.2 mm |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Drone 2 LV shines on tiny pockets of vertical limestone. Credit: Luka Krajnc
Likes
The Mad Rock Drone LV 2 is more like a master of one. Prioritizing stability and support, it helps you transfer your weight over your toes so you don't slip off micro edges. Its extremely stiff construction makes standing on small holds much easier, as the toe of the shoe can take most of your body weight and barely flex.
With a whopping 5.8 mm of rubber under the forefoot – most shoes have under 4 mm of rubber – the Drone LV 2 is also super durable. Combined with a full-length polycarbonate midsole, the shoe creates an exceptionally supportive platform.
With a super-stiff construction, this shoe barely flexes when we fully weight it. Credit: Luka Krajnc
Dislikes
Although it's normal for shoes to excel in one way while falling short in another, we really struggled to climb pretty much anything else with the Drone 2 LV. Slabs, cracks, overhangs – they fell short on everything but edges.
They are also super challenging to put on because they're so stiff – not only are they stiff underfoot, but the whole front and top of the shoe is stiff as well. Sizing the Drone 2 LV correctly is crucial, even just to pull them on.
With so much rubber underfoot and the shoe being stiff as a board, you really can't feel the rock beneath you. Great for edging, specifically, but almost impossible for smearing or even pulling on overhangs.
If your favorite crag looks like this one, then the Drone 2 LV might be a reasonable choice (as long as it fits). Otherwise, we suggest looking elsewhere. Credit: Luka Krajnc
Should You Buy the Mad Rock Drone 2 LV?
If you have low-volume feet and specifically climb vertical rock defined by small pockets and edges, then the Mad Rock Drone LV 2 could work really well for you. It's wildly durable and will certainly hold up on this type of rock, specifically, better than any other shoe. But if you want to climb anything else, it's better to look elsewhere.
What Other Climbing Shoes Should You Consider?
The Scarpa Instinct VS - Women's or the La Sportiva Katana Lace - Women's are two shoes that are much more versatile than the Drone 2 LV, and still edge just as well. Even the significantly softer La Sportiva Skwama - Women's edges as well, and yet it excels in every other regard, too, making it our favorite all-around climbing shoe.
—Whitney Clark
You Might Also Like
