Black Diamond Zone Climbing Shoe

We’ve read the reviews across the web for the Black Diamond Zone Climbing Shoe and summarize the results below:

Universal Ranking

PeakScore: 79 (out of 100)
User Rating: 3.8 stars 
Expert Rating: 4.3 stars

Number of Ratings Reviewed: 48

Pros & Cons

Reasons to buy:

User Reviews

  • Very comfortable for all-day use.
  • Fits your foot comfortably and snug without being too tight.
  • Stylish and sleek compared to other options on the market today.
  • The Velcro straps provide adjustments and are durable for a long-lasting mechanism.
  • Provides ample performance on both toe and heel hooking.
  • Medium stiffness and flexibility for a versatile and comfortable option.

Expert Reviews

  • The stiff toebox works well for edging and small holds.
  • The material and construction do a good job of holding down the shape after many months of use.
  • The knit uppers provided enough breathability for warm and sweaty gym sessions.
  • The shoes use beefy material and construction to last for multiple resoles.
  • The fabric on the top of the foot provides enough cushioning so you can fully tighten it without being uncomfortable on your skin.
  • Features a minimalist midsole so you can have a sensitive grip on steep and tough terrain.
  • The upper aids in the edging performance since the material does not slide as much as other choices.

Reasons NOT to buy:

User Reviews

  • Some reports of the rubber not lasting very long over multiple months of use.
  • The material and stitching near the top of the toe box is not comfortable and can rub on your foot.
  • Many complaints about the rubber not being durable and not performing well enough for toe hooking.
  • Some reports of the sizing and the fit not working well for some foot shapes.
  • There are size discrepancies, so you may have to try on in person before buying.

Expert Reviews

  • Not very comfortable for long climbing sessions in the gym.
  • The heel cup might be baggy and too loose for some users’ foot shapes.

Summary:

The Black Diamond Zone Climbing Shoe is a breathable, comfortable, and adjustable shoe that works well for bouldering and sport routes during all-day use. Even though there have been some reports of a lack of durability and correct sizing when purchasing, this shoe could work well for climbers who try on before buying and know they want a stylish option that contains medium stiffness and flexibility for a variety of routes.

Multimedia:

Note: User and expert rankings were reviewed across the web. Some expert reviews include these: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.