As the popularity of climbing continues to surge, the demand for high-performance gear is greater than ever before. While a climbing rope and a bouldering crash pad are not required items for brand-new climbers, a pair of climbing shoes is essential from day one.
Our ongoing effort to test every climbing shoe on the market is led by GearJunkie writer Austin Beck-Doss and Editor Matt Bento. Austin is based in Lander, Wyo., where a lifetime supply of pocketed dolomite and alpine granite provides the perfect testing ground.
Out in Bishop, California, Matt scrutinizes shoe performance in world-famous Buttermilks and on long routes in the High Sierra. To date, Austin, Matt, and other key contributors on our team have tested hundreds of pairs of climbing shoes. The recommendations on this list are the crème de la crème. The versatile La Sportiva Katana are our overall favorite, and the La Sportiva Tarantulace is the way to go if you’re just starting out, but check out our complete list to find the best shoe for your preferred style of climbing.
Editor’s note: We updated this guide on March 10th, 2025, adding 2 awesome shoes from SCARPA. The SCARPA Arpia V is a great shoe for intermediate climbers or climbers who need a comfortable shoe for training, and the new Boostic R is our favorite shoe for standing on the smallest edges.
The Best Climbing Shoes of 2025
- Sizing: Best for slightly narrow feet; most climbers size down one full size from their street shoe
- Rubber: 4mm Vibram XS Edge rubber
- Profile: Slightly downturned with subtle asymmetry
- Key features: Split sole (women's), narrow toe profile, P3 tension rand
Pros
- Great for thin cracks
- Versatile
- Great lacing system
Cons
- Expensive
- Sizing: Best for slightly narrow feet; size down slightly from street shoe size
- Rubber: 5mm FriXion RS rubber
- Profile: Flat
- Key features: Thick rubber sole and customizable fit
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good value
- Laces allow for a customizable fit
Cons
- Not ideal for progressing intermediate or advanced climbers
- Upper material: Soft touch microfiber (synthetic leather)
- Midsole: 1.4mm Dynamic Flexan midsole
- Outsole: 3.5mm Vibram XS Grip 2
- Closure: Dual Velcro straps
Pros
- Wide, forgiving fit pairs with effective closure for broad sizing options
- Stable, supportive edging
- Precise, “bitey,” lightly sensitive toe good for micro-holds, especially on vert
- Well-built: solid value and will take multiple resoles
Cons
- Full-length sole make for “clunky” grabbing on über-steeps
- Minimalist heel and toe-scum patch lighten shoe up but are squirrely for highly gymnastic bouldering
- Sizing: Accommodates wider feet, despite aggressive asymmetry, Use street shoe size or ½ size down for performance
- Rubber: 4mm Vibram XS Edge
- Profile: Downturned, very asymmetrical
- Key features: Full length outsole, V-tension rand
Pros
- Stiff
- Sensitive
- Surprisingly comfortable
- Allows you to stand on the tiniest edges
Cons
- High volume toe box not ideal for crack climbing
- Too stiff for smearing on indoor volumes
- Sizing: ½ to full size down from street shoe
- Rubber: Vibram XS Grip2
- Profile: Aggressively downturned, highly asymmetric
- Key features: PCB-tension system, M50 rubber covering the forefoot
Pros
- Super sensitive
- Excellent toe-hooking
- Soft, comfortable upper
Cons
- Expensive
- Not a good choice for long, off-vertical pitches
- Sizing: Start with your street shoe size; the TC Pro can be sized up or down depending on preference and climbing style
- Rubber: 4mm Vibram XS Edge
- Profile: Moderately downturned
- Key features: Durable peel-resistant rand, ankle-high cuff
Pros
- Versatile (with a strong preference for granite trad climbing)
- Supportive
- Durable
Cons
- A bit heavy and clunky
- Sizing: Great for climbers with a low-volume heel; size down a half or full size from street shoe
- Rubber: 3.5mm Vibram XS Grip2
- Profile: Asymmetrical, downturned, and aggressive
- Key features: Narrow redesigned heel, soft and sensitive feel, large rubber toe patch
Pros
- Excellent for indoor climbing and competitions
- Exceptional toe hooking ability
- High-quality materials
Cons
- Soft and thin rubber sole wears out fairly quickly
- Sizing: Size down ½ size from street shoe, wide midfoot
- Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 2
- Profile: Moderately downturned
- Key features: Dynamic midsole, microfiber/Alcantara upper
Pros
- Very comfortable for wider feet
- Sensitive
- Decent edging considering how soft they are
- Heel stays locked in despite lack of laces or Velcro
Cons
- Heel can slip during the most aggressive heel hooks
- A little too soft for long pitches of off-vertical granite edging
- Sizing: Start with street shoe size
- Rubber: 4.2mm Trax SAS
- Profile: Flat and asymmetric
- Key features: Available in a wide range of youth sizes
Pros
- Good value
- Stable and precise
Cons
- Not ideal for heel and toe hooking
- Sizing: A little wide, size down a full size from street shoe
- Rubber: Vibram XS Edge rubber
- Profile: Slightly downturned, slight asymmetry
- Key features: Rubber toe patch, split midsole
Pros
- Precise fit
- Sensitive
- Toe scum patch
Cons
- Some climbers miss the stiffness of the older version
- Can feel too soft on long, off-vertical edging pitches
- Sizing: True to size, go with your street shoe sizing
- Rubber: BlackLabel Fuse
- Profile: Slightly downturned
- Key Features: Ankle protection, stiff midsole, extra rubber over the toebox
Pros
- Stiff
- Comfortable
- Ankle coverage for climbing wide cracks
Cons
- Not very sensitive
- Not as stiff as the TC Pro (could be a pro for some)
- Sizing: True to size with a roomy toebox
- Rubber: 4 mm of Vibram XS Edge
- Profile: Neutral
- Key Features: Supple eco suede upper, mid-height ankle cuff, tension rand
Pros
- Suede ankle cuff protects and supports
- Holds up to the demands of granite big walls
- Comfortable
Cons
- Requires a break-in period for peak performance
- Can get sweaty in warm conditions
- Sizing: Despite the semi-narrow toebox, this shoe runs large. Size down at least one full size from your street shoe.
- Rubber: 3.5mm Vibram XS grip
- Profile: Downturned and aggressive
- Key features: Pointy toe, split sole construction
Pros
- Ideal for long, complex routes with various styles and hold types; thrives on pockets
- Top-notch heel and toe hooking
Cons
- Not ideal for wide feet
- Sizing: ½ down from street shoe
- Rubber: Vibram 3.5mm XS Grip2
- Profile: Moderate downturn
- Key features: Moderately asymmetric, Nano Strap system
Pros
- Super comfortable
- Almost no break-in period
- Rubber toecap for toe-hooking and jamming
- Good all-rounder
Cons
- A little on the soft side for all-day edging
- Sizing: Go with your street shoe size for optimal fit
- Rubber: 3.5mm Vibram XS Edge
- Profile: Mildly downturned with a touch of asymmetry
- Key features: Narrow toebox height, large rubber toe patch for scums, hooks, and jams
Pros
- Narrow toebox height is great for jamming thin cracks
- High-quality materials
- Comfortable
Cons
- The lacing system ends near the midfoot
Climbing Shoe Comparison Table
Climbing Shoes | Price | Rubber | Profile | Key Features |
La Sportiva Katana Lace | $219 | 4mm Vibram XS Edge | Slightly downturned with subtle asymmetry | Split sole (women’s only), narrow toe profile, P3 tension rand |
La Sportiva Tarantulace | $89 | 5mm FriXion RS rubber | Flat | Durable materials and comfortable fit |
SCARPA Arpia V | $169 | 3.5mm Vibram XS Grip 2 | Slightly downturned | Full length midsole, M50 rubber toe patch |
SCARPA Boostic R | $219 | 4mm Vibram XS Edge | Downturned, very asymmetrical | Full length midsole, V-tension rand |
SCARPA Drago | $209 | Vibram XS Grip2 | Aggressively downturned, highly asymmetric | PCB-Tension system, M50 rubber covering the forefoot |
La Sportiva TC Pro | $219 | 4mm Vibram XS Edge | Moderately downturned | Durable peel-resistant rand, ankle-high cuff |
La Sportiva Solution Comp | $209 | 3.5mm Vibram XS Grip 2 | Asymmetrical, downturned, and aggressive | Narrow heel, soft and sensitive feel, large rubber toe patch |
SCARPA Instinct S | $209 | Size down ½ size from street shoe, wide midfoot | Moderately downturned | Dynamic midsole, Microfiber/Alcantara upper |
Evolv Venga | $69 | 4.2mm Trax SAS | Flat and slightly asymmetric | Breathable mesh upper, simple Velcro closure system |
SCARPA Instinct Lace | $209 | Vibram XS Edge | Slightly downturned, slight asymmetric | Rubber toe patch, Split midsole |
Black Diamond Aspect Pro | $200 | BlackLabel Fuse | Slightly downturned | Ankle protection, stiff midsole, extra rubber over the toebox |
SCARPA Generator | $225 | 4mm Vibram XS Edge | Neutral | Mid-top cuff, stiff midsole, durable “eco suede” upper |
Tenaya Indalo | $215 | 3.5mm Vibram XS Grip | Downturned and asymmetric | Pointy toe, split sole construction |
SCARPA Vapor S | $199 | Vibram 3.5mm XS Grip2 | Moderate downturn, Moderately asymmetric | Nano Strap System |
SCARPA Vapor Lace | $199 | 3.5mm Vibram XS Edge | Mildly downturned with a touch of asymmetry | Narrow toebox height, large rubber toe patch for scums, hooks, and jams |

How We Tested the Best Climbing Shoes
Our Testing Team
Our Testing Grounds
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Climbing Shoe

Climbing Disciplines
Bouldering
Gym

Multipitch

Trad
Sport

Stiff vs. Soft
Shoe Profile: Aggressive vs. Flat

Asymmetry
Closure System
Laces
Velcro
Slippers

Parts of a Climbing Shoe
Upper
Climbing Shoe Rubber

Fit and Sizing
Price & Value
Budget
Mid-Tier
Premium

Frequently Asked Questions
The best climbing shoes are the ones that best fit your needs as a climber. All of the shoes on this list are great options, and we have included models that are well-suited to various climbing disciplines.
Unless you are absolutely sure the recipient will fit into a specific style and size of climbing shoes, it’s best to have them try shoes on before purchasing. If you’re looking for climbing shoes for a beginner climber, the La Sportiva Tarantulace is an excellent choice.
Climbing shoes range from around $75-230 per pair.
Climbing shoes with thicker soles and heavier materials, like the La Sportiva TC Pro, tend to last longer than softer, thinner shoes. That said, a regularly worn pair of climbing shoes will last between 3 months and 2 years. The rubber outsole of a climbing shoe usually wears out first, but rubber can be replaced by a qualified resoler for around $60.
If fitted appropriately, climbing shoes can be quite comfortable. Every climber has their own unique fit preferences. While a tighter fit tends to offer the highest level of performance for elite climbers, it’s not always necessary to wear uber-tight climbing shoes. For beginner and intermediate climbers, we recommend prioritizing comfort over an aggressive fit.
Many advanced climbers choose to punish themselves with painful, foot-binding shoes. It’s common, but not necessary (for most of us).

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