Tenaya RA Climbing Shoe

We’ve read the reviews across the web for the Tenaya RA Climbing Shoe and summarize the results below:

Universal Ranking

PeakScore: 90 (out of 100)
User Rating: 4.5 stars 
Expert Rating: 4.4 stars

Number of Ratings Reviewed: 42

Pros & Cons

Reasons to buy:

User Reviews

  • Very soft and comfortable.
  • The slight down-turn and medium-stiffness creates a versatile shoe.
  • Makes your feet feel secure.
  • The thinner material gives ample feedback.
  • Smears extremely well and provides excellent stick.
  • Well designed and moderately aggressive for some harder routes.

Expert Reviews

  • The mid-sole combines stiffness and sensitivity for ideal performance.
  • The dual straps provide a secure closure.
  • The Vibram grip rubber lets you smear easily.
  • The 4mm rubber on the mid-sole is high-quality.
  • The snug fit provides a secure and stable feel.
  • Great shoe for all-day use due to the comfort and performance provided.
  • Performs well on technical face climbs due to the construction and material.

Reasons NOT to buy:

User Reviews

  • Not good at edging because they are too soft.
  • The square toe-box makes it more difficult to fit into pockets.
  • The heel has some movement during use.

Expert Reviews

  • Some users may think the 4mm feels thick during the first few uses.
  • Reports of the toe-box folding up after use, which makes it less reliable.

Summary:

The Tenaya RA Climbing Shoe is a secure and comfortable option that is well-suited for climbers who frequently smear and climb on technical faces. Despite the toe-box preventing the best fit for pockets and the construction being too soft for edging, the shoe is designed for proficiency on smearing, a slight down-turn for more aggressive climbs, and medium-stiffness for added versatility.

Multimedia:

Note: User and expert rankings were reviewed across the web. Some expert reviews include these: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.