The Butora Acro Wide Fit Climbing Shoe is great for those with wider feet who want a comfortable, toe-hooking, and downturned climbing shoe, without worrying about heel-hooking problems. The limited breathability and heel-hook ability may deter some intense outdoor climbers, but the adequate toe rubber, proficiency on smearing and edging, and downturned shape will suit most climbers.
The Mad Rock Lotus Climbing Shoe for women is an aggressive, protective, tight, and adjustable shoe that is suited for advanced climbers, and especially those who enjoy indoor climbing, bouldering, and overhanging or heel-hooking moves. The sizing discrepancies and slipper-style may deter some, but once you have the correct size, the comfort and technicality of this shoe shine.
The Black Diamond Aspect Climbing Shoe is a good option for intermediate climbers who want a versatile, comfortable, and breathable option for a variety of climbing routes. The lack of aggressive shape and tendency to roll makes this shoe not the best choice for advanced climbers looking to do mainly smearing, edging, or technical slabs.
The La Sportiva Futura Climbing Shoe forces your feet to do the dirty work themselves, but they get results, particularly when bouldering, and on steep and overhanging rock. With no edges, the shoes allow for more contact with the rock, and a more sensitive feel, but also do not allow for sloppy footwork, even though the rubber is grippy and the shoe snug. With an aggressive fit and a somewhat flexible sole, these are not suitable for beginners, and do not work well for all pitches, but will reward expert climbers who are willing to spend a bit of time re-learning how to climb well in these futuristic slippers.
The La Sportiva Otaki Climbing Shoe is a versatile and middle-of-the-road design, that is proficient for edging, smearing, and heel-hooking. Those looking for a super aggressive and toe-hooking choice should look elsewhere, but this shoe works well on all other routes and pitches.
The Evolv Shaman Climbing Shoe is a versatile shoe that people love for its comfort in an aggressive style. Made with sticky rubber and a “love bump” to keep toes towards the front of the shoe in comfort, they are enjoyed most while bouldering, but make a good all-around shoe, especially for those just getting interested in an aggressive style. The fit can be fickle though, so try these shoes on before buying and be aware that, after a break-in period, they will stretch considerably.
The Scarpa Boostic Climbing Shoe is surprisingly comfortable given its high level of performance. The combination of a stiff design with a stretchy upper allows users to perform at a high level without having to suffer with painful feet. While these shoes don’t fit everyone’s feet, for those lucky enough to match, these shoes are a great choice.
The La Sportiva Miura VS Vibram XS Grip2 Climbing Shoe for women is a great option for intermediate climbers needing an all-around, technical shoe. The edging ability, support, adjustability, and downturned shape makes this shoe great for multiple climbing categories.
The La Sportiva Skawama climbing shoe is aggressive and comfortable. It’s able to hold itself on little nubs of granite, smear, and climb cracks like a dream (at a decent price). The main thing to keep in mind with this shoe is sizing—you’ll probably need to go down a half size.
The Scarpa Vapor V XS Edge Climbing Shoe is great for any level of climber, focusing on comfort, technique, and durability. The versatility this shoe provides makes it great for sport climbing and multi-pitch routes.