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Shopping for the perfect climbing shoe can feel a little overwhelming — with so many styles, fits, and price points, it's tough to know where to start. Maybe you're new to climbing and want a comfortable, affordable pair of shoes, or you may be a seasoned climber looking for the perfect pair to push your next project. Either way, you've landed in the right place.
If you're buying your first pair of climbing shoes, our men's testers love the La Sportiva Finale, while our women's testers agree that the Evolv Defy Lace LV fits their feet a bit better. Both options are a huge step up in performance over rental shoes. Sticky rubber and a snug fit will help you improve your footwork, yet they're still comfortable enough to climb in all day. These shoes aren't just affordable; they're durable, and you can use them to progress from the gym to outdoor rock climbing.
If you're an experienced climber who mainly sticks to bouldering and sport climbing, all of our testers agree: the men's La Sportiva Skwama or the lower-volume women's La Sportiva Skwama is still the most versatile shoe on the market. It's a soft, aggressively shaped slipper designed to suit the modern climber. But its relatively broad toe box is more accommodating than other aggressive designs, and a bit of stiffness under the toes gives you extra power without sacrificing sensitivity.
If you're mainly climbing outside on real rock, both of our testers agree that the men's La Sportiva Katana Lace and the lower-volume women's Katana Lace are the best shoes for trad and alpine climbing.
Our team, which includes certified rock-climbing guides, has been testing climbing shoes for more than a decade. We purchased 40 pairs of the best climbing shoes on the market and tested them side by side for months. We offer our top recommendations for first-time buyers, gym climbers, boulderers, sport climbers, and trad climbers.
Editor's Note: We updated our review of the best climbing shoes on October 30, 2026, with new recommendations.
Comfort Fit: down 0.5 - 1 EU sizes
Performance Fit: down 1.5 EU size
Expected Stretch
1 - 1.5 EU size
Downturn
Flat
Asymmetry
Moderate
Closure Style
Lace
Who is this best for? The La Sportiva Finale is an excellent entry-level climbing shoe that strikes a solid balance between comfort, performance, and durability. It's a smart pick for new climbers who want a quality climbing shoe that they can progress in without spending a fortune. With a relatively neutral profile, the unlined leather of the Finale naturally molds to your foot over time, providing a personalized fit that delivers long-lasting comfort and reliability.
Why we love it: The tacky rubber outsole and moderately stiff midsole provide dependable grip and support on small footholds. As a lace-up shoe, it's both comfortable and tight-fitting, making it a go-to choice for climbers who want a comfortable shoe for long gym sessions or full days climbing outdoors. For a shoe that's comfortable enough to stand around in all day, it climbs much better than rental shoes.
Should you buy it? The Finale is the ideal shoe for anyone just getting into climbing. While its performance scores are middle of the pack, it's not built to compete with elite climbing shoes, and that's okay. It may not excel on overhanging boulder problems, but it keeps up with high-end shoes when it comes to performing two of the three main footwork techniques – using the sticky soles for traction ("smearing") and placing the edge of the shoe on small holds ("edging"). Given that the Finale costs a fraction of those high-performance shoes, that's impressive.
From your first time in the gym to your first trips to the crag, the Finale is a comfortable, surprisingly versatile shoe that you can use to progress your skills. Credit: Jack Cramer
Comfort Fit: up 1.5 EU size
Performance Fit: up 1 EU size
Expected Stretch
0 - 0.5 EU size
Downturn
Flat
Asymmetry
Neutral
Closure Style
Lace
Who is this best for? The Evolv Defy Lace LV is ideal for first-time buyers who want an affordable shoe that's still versatile and durable enough to progress from the gym to rock climbing outdoors. The low-volume (LV) fit works best for women with narrow feet and heels, but the laces make the fit fairly accommodating. (And it's available in a medium volume, if the low-volume version won't work for your foot.) Although our lead tester has narrow feet, she had to size up one full EU size to achieve a snug, performance fit – you can always size up a bit more if you're after comfort more than performance.
Why we love it: The solid outsole is stiff enough to stand on small edges on rock, yet flexible enough to smear over small plastic holds in the gym. Evolv's proprietary rubber is super sticky, and there's a substantial amount of rubber on the toes, making it perfect for learning how to toe hook. Unlike aggressive shoes, the flat, neutral shape is generally comfortable to wear for long gym sessions – though if you size them for performance, you may still want to take them off between hard pitches. Such a comfortable, well-balanced shoe is something that beginners and seasoned climbers alike can appreciate.
Should you buy it? The Defy Lace LV is the perfect gateway into climbing. Once we dialed in the correct size, it worked well for all disciplines – everything from bouldering sessions in the gym to outdoor climbing at sport crags and even for longer, multi-pitch trad routes. The high-quality, highly durable construction will survive a ton of climbing, so you'll get ample return on your investment. It's the perfect shoe for progression.
The Evolv Defy Lace LV is perfect for beginners and first time buyers after an all-around and versatile design that's available for an affordable price. Credit: Trish Matheny
Best Men's Shoes for Sport Climbing and Bouldering
Sensitive enough to smear yet supportive enough to edge
Broad toebox is more comfortable than other similar shoes
Versatile, especially for steep climbing
REASONS TO AVOID
Leather uppers continue to stretch over time
Not supportive enough for sustained edging
SPECIFICATIONS
Sizing Recommendations
Comfort Fit: down 0.5 EU size
Performance Fit: down 1.5 - 2 EU sizes
Expected Stretch
0.5 - 1 EU Size
Downturn
Aggressive
Asymmetry
Moderate
Closure Style
Velcro
Who is this best for? The La Sportiva Skwama is a one-stop shop for the modern climber. Whether you're outdoors or in the gym, this is the shoe you want to switch seamlessly between overhanging boulder problems and steep sport climbs. Other shoes may perform better at single disciplines, but none are quite as versatile. While our lead tester used to bring a bag full of shoes to the crag, now we just bring the Skwama – it's the perfect all-arounder for anyone who wants to simplify their shoe collection.
Why we love it: The word “versatility” comes up often when we're talking about the Skwama. They're supportive enough to stand on small edges on vertical walls, and on the flip side, they're sensitive and sticky enough to toe-hook out of a horizontal lip. Just by nature of their climbing backgrounds, many of our testers prefer stiffer shoes. But a softer slipper like the Skwama lets us climb more creatively, which is a real advantage on overhanging walls.
Should you buy it? Let's start with who shouldn't buy this shoe. The Skwama is not designed for beginners – for anyone not used to the particular fit of high-performance climbing shoes, the aggressive downturn will be incredibly uncomfortable. It's also too soft to support sustained vertical climbing on small edges – if you gravitate towards trad climbing, stay away from the Skwama. But anyone focused on steep climbing – whether it's hard sport routes outdoors or hanging out in the boulder cave at the gym – should put the Skwama at the top of their list.
Comfort Fit: down 0.5 - 1 EU sizes
Performance Fit: down 1.5 EU size
Expected Stretch
0.5 - 1 EU size
Downturn
Aggressive
Asymmetry
Moderate
Closure Style
Velcro
Who is this best for? Among the women on our test team, the La Sportiva Skwama is the go-to shoe. It's surprisingly comfortable for a relatively aggressive shoe, so we can wear it all day. But more importantly, with so much sticky rubber wrapped around the toe box, it's just as confidence-inspiring standing on the smallest, greasiest holds as it is toeing into the tiniest pockets and thin corners. From steep, overhanging sport projects to long, technical trad routes, the Skwama is a slipper that can really do it all.
Why we love it: We've climbed in these shoes all over the world: on the famous sandstone boulders of Fontainebleau, France; in overhanging tufa caves in Slovenia; and up long alpine cracks in Kyrgyzstan. What sets the Skwama apart from other climbing shoes – and other aggressively shaped shoes, in particular – is the softer midsole that lets your feet read the rock or plastic holds with unmatched detail. "It almost feels as if your feet become one with the Skwama,* claims our lead women's tester.
Should you buy it? This is an excellent one-and-done pair of shoes for experienced climbers. It can handle pretty much every discipline of climbing, and it does so with style. While other, more sport-climbing-focused shoes may be better for edging up technical pitches, you'll likely pull your heels out for a rest once you hit the belay. Not to say that you can leave the Skwama on all day, but it is much more comfortable on long multi-pitch routes, without sacrificing much performance.
Comfort Fit: down 1 EU size
Performance Fit: down 1.5 - 2 EU sizes
Expected Stretch
0 - 0.5 EU size
Downturn
Aggressive
Asymmetry
Moderate
Closure Style
Velcro
Who is this best for? The La Sportiva Ondra Comp was designed in conjunction with Adam Ondra – widely considered one of the best climbers in the world – to perform on the Olympic stage. The Ondra Comp is a highly specialized gym shoe, designed to meet the demands of the modern climber on some of the world's toughest sport climbs and boulder problems. If you're looking to send your gym projects or up your game in competitions, they may just be the leg up you need.
Why we love it: Most specialized gym shoes are ultra-soft, sensitive, and sticky, allowing you to smear over sloping plastic volumes – those large, geometric shapes that sculpt climbing walls – and toe into tiny holds while hanging upside down. But the Ondra Comp breaks from the norm by adding a touch of stiffness under the toes, giving you a literal edge over other soft slippers. Since you can more reliably power off your big toe, you can more easily stand on and push off small holds.
Should you buy it? To restate it plainly: the Ondra Comp is a highly specialized shoe for high-level climbers pushing their limits on difficult boulder problems and sport routes. While it's specifically designed and well-loved as a gym shoe, don't discount its utility on outdoor boulders. It's really not designed for vertical walls, but if you spend most of your time hanging upside down, then the Ondra Comp may be the perfect shoe for you.
Comfort Fit: down 0.5 EU size
Performance Fit: down 1 - 1.5 EU sizes
Expected Stretch
0 - 0.5 EU size
Downturn
Aggressive
Asymmetry
High
Closure Style
Velcro
Who is this best for? The Scarpa Drago LV is a highly specialized climbing shoe designed for modern gym climbing. However, unlike the Ondra Comp – which is a unisex shoe offered only in a single last – the “LV” version of the Drago is specifically designed to better fit a “low-volume” foot. It features a lower-volume toe box, a slimmer midfoot, and a much narrower heel pocket than other unisex shoes. If you want a glove-like shoe for difficult gym climbing but have struggled to match a climbing shoe to your narrow foot shape, the Drago LV might be the Cinderella-like slipper you've been searching for.
Why we love it: Since it's designed for competition-style bouldering and steep, overhanging sport climbs, the Drago LV feels almost like an extension of your body. It has an aggressive shape, but compared to other similar shoes, it's surprisingly comfortable. The ultra-soft midsole and ultra-tacky rubber conform to your foot and stick to plastic holds better than any other shoe we've worn.
Should you buy it? The Drago LV is one of our favorite shoes for competition-style gym climbing. While other shoes work just as well indoors and out, it's best to keep the Drago in the gym to avoid wearing out the thin outsole on this expensive shoe too quickly. It may not be as versatile as similar shoes, but it's the best in its field for gym use. If you're an experienced climber looking for that secret weapon to help you send your boulder project or to give you a leg up in your next competition, the Drago LV offers unmatched precision.
Low-volume toe can slot into thin cracks or pockets
Laces hold tighter than Velcro
REASONS TO AVOID
Not an all-day climbing shoe
Stiffer rubber sacrifices a bit of sensitivity
SPECIFICATIONS
Sizing Recommendations
Comfort Fit: down 0.5 - 1 EU sizes
Performance Fit: down 1.5 EU size
Expected Stretch
0.5 - 1 EU size
Downturn
Moderate
Asymmetry
Moderate (sharp toe)
Closure Style
Lace
Who is this best for? The La Sportiva Katana Lace is a beloved workhorse for dedicated trad climbers around the world. This is the shoe we grab for adventurous climbing days, because it's so well balanced – it's comfortable to stand on your toes, soft enough to smear, stiff enough to edge, and the precise toe slots easily into thin cracks. While you may not want to wear it for all-day alpine climbs, it's much more comfortable than similarly high-performing shoes for multi-pitch trad routes.
Why we love it: The Katana Lace has a flatter toe angle than other aggressively shaped shoes, which makes it more comfortable for climbing long pitches. The stiff, precise toe easily powers down on small edges, with just enough downturn to pull our hips into the wall. Unlike other relatively stiff shoes, you can still press through the moderate downturn to effectively smear up long slab pitches.
Should you buy it? While it will hold its own on gently overhung boulders or sport routes, if you spend your days on this type of terrain, the Katana Lace isn't the shoe for you. The stiff rubber is also not designed for smearing on large plastic volumes in the gym. Rather, this shoe is designed for climbing real rock – if you love long, run-out slabs and technical vertical faces, then the Katana Lace should be on your short list.
Comfort Fit: down 0.5 - 1 EU sizes
Performance Fit: down 1.5 EU size
Expected Stretch
0.5 - 1 EU size
Downturn
Moderate
Asymmetry
Moderate (sharp toe)
Closure Style
Lace
Who is this best for? The La Sportiva Katana Lace Women's, like other low-volume options, is designed with a narrower heel cup and smaller toe box to better suit women and folks with narrower or otherwise smaller-volume feet. But a split midsole also makes this version a bit more accommodating, since it takes less body weight to get this shoe to splay out and smear. Altogether, this makes it a great option for a smaller or lightweight climber focused on sending trad routes.
Why we love it: The Katana Lace Women's is one of the best all-around shoes we've ever worn for outdoor climbing. They particularly excel on long routes where you may find a mix of long, slippery slabs and vertical walls defined by tiny micro edges, broken up by systems of thin cracks and corners. Unlike other aggressive options, these lace-up shoes are super easy to adjust – keep them loose while warming up, and cinch them down when it's time to take on a crux pitch.
Should you buy it? It's tough to beat the Katana Lace's ability to adapt to virtually any climbing style. While other shoes may excel in one way or another, the Katana Lace can really do it all – it will even hold its own on overhanging boulders (though we would never recommend you buy it for this reason alone!). From multi-pitch routes that combine tricky face and crack climbing to hard, single-pitch test pieces, no shoe on the market is better for the dedicated trad climber.
From long, vertical faces to technical crack systems, there's no other shoe we'd rather wear for trad climbing than the Katana Lace. Credit: Babsi Vigil
How We Test Climbing Shoes
Over the past decade, we've rigorously tested (and subsequently worn out) more than 100 pairs of climbing shoes. We purchase each pair at retail prices – just like you – and send them out to our team of testers. From training sessions in the gym to hard sport routes to climbing boulders with friends and long days in the alpine, our hands-on approach to testing is how we break down the feel and performance of each pair. Our in-depth testing helps us explain where each pair of climbing shoes shines and where it may fall short. Some may say our team spends an excessive amount of time climbing – we say we do it to bring you the most comprehensive reviews of climbing shoes available.
We assess climbing shoes by splitting our testing into five rating metrics:
Comfort(20% of overall score weighting)
Smearing(20% weighting)
Edging(20% weighting)
Pulling(20% weighting)
Crack Climbing(20% weighting)
Our testers spend all season (and much of the year) putting these shoes through rigorous testing, often wearing out a test pair in a single season. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Why Trust GearLab
Our lead men's tester, Dom Rickicki, is an AMGA-certified Rock and Alpine Guide with over a decade of climbing experience. Dom lives in Estes Park, CO, a climbing epicenter nestled in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Surrounded by a storied history of famous big walls like The Diamond on Longs Peak, plus some of the hardest boulder problems and most classic trad routes in the country, Dom is continually inspired to progress in all climbing disciplines.
Our lead women's tester, Whitney Clark, spends her summers climbing around the Western US. When the weather turns cold, she heads south to winter in El Chaltén, Argentina, the gateway to iconic mountains like Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre in Patagonia. She is the previous recipient of the American Alpine Club's Cutting Edge Grant to pioneer new routes on unclimbed peaks around the world, and has climbed first ascents in India and South America.
Whitney is joined by Trish Matheny. Trish is a current member of the Yosemite Search and Rescue team, spending her summers living, climbing, and rescuing other climbers from the storied big walls of the Yosemite Valley. Whether putting up new routes in California's High Sierra or travelling to climb in places like Chile's Cochamó Valley, Trish loves to climb (and those who know her understand that's an understatement!).
We tested climbing shoes on all types of rock, in the gym, and across disciplines to build our recommendations.
How to Pick the Right Climbing Shoes for You
To start, it's important to consider the type of climbing you plan to do. Different shoes are designed for different purposes, and while some offer well-rounded performance, there's no “one shoe” that's great for everything. Since different shoes excel in different “disciplines” – gym climbing, bouldering, sport climbing, trad climbing, etc. – choosing the right shoe comes down to matching the shoe's design to your climbing style and experience level.
It can be difficult to select a climbing shoe, especially when they all look so similar at first! Credit: Trish Matheny
Different Shoes for Different Disciplines
We recognize that beginners likely have no idea what type of climbing they might want to do. In this case, we recommend a neutral, flat shoe – these shoes are comfortable and supportive, so you can maximize your time climbing and focus on developing your footwork. Moderately “asymmetrical” shoes turn your toes inward, giving you more control and power – these shoes are highly versatile, making them a great option for any climber who wants to try out different disciplines. Shoes with an aggressive “downturn” shape your feet into claws – these are used by experienced climbers for precision footwork, often on “steep,” overhanging routes.
Many shoes look similar but, in fact, have nuanced details that can make a big difference in performance. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Neutral Shoes Are Best for Beginners
Neutral climbing shoes have a relaxed, flat profile – tighter than your street shoes, but your toes still rest in a natural position, so they're comfortable, even for folks who have never worn a climbing shoe before. Neutral shoes often have thicker midsoles and more rigid soles, providing ample support for all-day wear.
The Five Ten Kirigami, La Sportiva Finale, and the Five Ten NIAD VCS all have a flat and symmetrical design. Credit: Whitney Clark
While they're not as sensitive, powerful, or precise as other shoes with more downturn or asymmetry, their comfort and durability make them a go-to choice for beginners. Incidentally, flat shoes are also a common choice for trad climbers who would rather keep their shoes on their feet during long, multi-pitch routes. If you're just getting into the sport, aiming to climb slabs outdoors for the first time, or need a shoe for long days of crack climbing, look at flat, neutral shoes.
Choosing a comfortable shoe will keep you excited to climb longer, which will help you refine your footwork faster! Credit: Eric Bissell
Moderate Shoes for Maximum Versatility
Moderately shaped shoes balance comfort and performance. A slightly downturned shape helps concentrate power on your toes, helping you stand on and push off small edges. But they're still flat enough that you can push into the outsole to smear sticky rubber over a hold. A moderately asymmetrical shape allows you to use your toes to pull your hips into the wall and maintain better tension when you're off balance.
The Katana Lace has a moderate downturn, which makes it an incredibly versatile option. Claw-like enough for hard sport climbs, but relatively flat enough for long slab pitches. Credit: Dom Rickicki
This combination makes them perfect for vertical to slightly overhanging routes, where climbers need both edging precision and smearing ability. They're versatile enough for sport climbing, trad, and gym sessions, offering a mix of stiffness and flexibility that adapts to different disciplines. By maximizing all-around performance, moderate shoes are a favorite among climbers who want a single shoe that can handle almost anything.
Moderately aggressive shoes are downturned enough to toe into holds on slightly overhanging terrain. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Highly Specialized Shoes for Experienced Climbers
Specialized climbing shoes are designed to match the demands of climbing overhanging boulders and hard sport routes – the kind of climbs where precision and power matter most. An aggressive downturn and asymmetry turn your feet into claws, letting you stand on tiny footholds or hook your toe into overhangs with control. The snug, glove-like fit eliminates dead space, while the rubber-wrapped toe and heel provide superior grip for toe- and heel-hooking maneuvers.
Both of these shoes are aggressively downturned, but the one on the left has moderate asymmetry, while the one on the right has high asymmetry. Credit: Whitney Clark
This level of performance comes at the cost of comfort. The downturned, asymmetrical shape is unnatural and uncomfortable. Many of these specialized shoes are also incredibly flexible – they offer very little support, which means your feet and leg muscles take the brunt of the effort. Altogether, these are specialty shoes designed for experienced climbers. Beginners beware.
Aggressive shoes allow you to pull more with your feet. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Size and Fitting
Unlike street shoes, climbing shoes are designed to fit snugly and often feel pretty tight at first. The right fit should feel secure, with no dead space in the heel or toe box, but it shouldn't be painfully tight and it definitely shouldn't cut off circulation.
Climbing shoes are going to be tight; they're designed to be. But you can size them based on whether you want a comfortable fit or one that maximizes performance. Credit: Dom Rickicki
How you size your shoes will also depend on the type of climbing you want to do. Whether you're a beginner at the gym or an alpine climber tackling long multi-pitch routes, if you want to keep your shoes on for a long time, size them for comfort.
When you're first starting out, buy a comfortable pair of shoes that you can use to try everything. As you climb more, you'll home in on what type of climbing you really enjoy (and the right kind of shoes to go with it.) Credit: Trish Matheny
If you're trying to claw into tiny edges or toe into holds on overhanging boulders or sport routes, you want your shoes to fit tight to maximize precision and power. It's also common for climbers to own multiple pairs in different sizes – one snug, performance-oriented pair for overhanging projects, and another roomier pair for all-day trad climbs.
The moves you'll use bouldering are very different from how you alpine climb. As a result, the shoes are designed differently, too.
Materials matter too. Unlined leather shoes can stretch up to a full size over time, while synthetic or lined shoes will keep their shape better. Some shoes come in low-volume (LV) or women's versions, designed for narrower feet, while high-volume models suit broader feet. Ultimately, the best shoe is one that feels like an extension of your foot – snug, precise, and secure, without being painful.
Leather shoes will stretch out over time compared to synthetic shoes which have very little stretch. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Tips for Fitting
While every foot is different, we provide sizing recommendations for every shoe we tested. Start with your street shoe US size, and decide if you want to size a climbing shoe for comfort or performance. Most shoes are sold using EU sizing, so once you've determined the right fit, convert your US size to the correct EU size.
Yes, it looks weird, but sometimes we put water in our shoes during the break-in process to help the shoe stretch. Credit: Luka Krajnc
Gender-Specific Climbing Shoes
Back in the day, climbing shoes had a “one-size-fits-all” mentality. Gender-specific shoes tend to follow anatomical norms. Men's climbing shoes usually have a wider toe box, a slightly higher instep, and a bit more heel space. Our review of men's climbing shoes compares these “unisex” shoes directly. Here's the breakdown of their overall scores:
Women's climbing shoes are built specifically to better fit a lower-volume foot. They have a narrower heel, slimmer midfoot, and less space overall inside the shoe. This creates a snugger, more precise fit for narrower or lower-profile feet. Many also feature softer midsoles and rubber compounds, so lighter climbers don't have to push down as hard to achieve the same grip. Our review of women's climbing shoes compares these “low-volume” options directly – here is how those scores break down:
Nowadays, men and women have more options to choose from to tailor to their specific needs. However, many climbers prefer shoes that were “designed” for the opposite gender because of how they fit their feet. There are really no rules when it comes to finding the right shoe – the most important thing is finding the right fit for your specific foot shape.
We love to climb, and we hope to share that passion with you through our thoughtful reviews and expert recommendations. Credit: Trish Matheny
Conclusion
If you're interested in climbing in the mountains, you'll need a pair of shoes to get to the base of your route. In addition to climbing shoes, we also have in-depth reviews of the best approach shoes for men and the best approach shoes for women.
GearLab was built upon reviews of climbing gear. From climbing helmets and harnesses to essentials like ropes and quickdraws, we have plenty of in-depth reviews, plus a list rounding up today's best climbing gear.
