In a hurry? Here are the best products at a glance.
Rock climbing is a sport that requires several pieces of gear, but rock climbing shoes are your top priority before you start climbing. Picking out your rock climbing shoes takes a little more research than your average shoe, so we decided to write a buying guide to save you the trouble. If you’re ready to get climbing, you’ve come to the right place. When it comes to choosing the best rock climbing shoes, you have to understand how the sizing works, as well as other features that these shoes have that your everyday shoes don’t. Here are a handful of things to consider before buying your first pair of climbing shoes.
Material: Climbing shoes are made out of different materials for durability, strength, and ease of cleaning. The most common materials are synthetic or suede, but you can also find shoes made of leather if you’re looking to really invest in the sport.
Gender: The shoe’s gender will help determine what shoe fits you best. Some rock climbing shoes come in unisex sizes, but those that solely for males or females may have a difference in the width and length of the shoe.
Color: Color can be very important to climbers, especially if you climb with a team. You can find almost every color you can dream of in a pair of climbing shoes if you search long enough. If color is important to you take a look at the color options before purchasing.
Sole Material: The sole material of your rock climbing shoes is very important if you ever decide to climb outside. Most soles are made out of rubber to prevent you from slipping and falling, but there are other synthetic materials out there, too.
Sizing: There are two types of sizing for rock climbing shoes: European and US. European shoes are measured in centimeters while US shoes are measured in inches. Be sure to double check the sizing before you buy to avoid having to return your shoes!
Closure: Just like all athletic and sporting shoes, rock climbing shoes have to be closed in some way. The two most common ways to close your shoes are laces and straps. Laces are tied up, while straps are usually closed with velcro.
Now that you’re prepared to buy your rock climbing shoes, it’s time to find the best pair for you. We’ve hand selected the top 10 best rock climbing shoes to bring you the best options to choose from. Our top pick and budget pick are the top two picks, but we have an additional 8 pairs of rock climbing shoes to give you a little bit of variety in sizes, closures, and shoe material. Without further ado, here are the best rock climbing shoes for you!
Jennifer Trimbee
Expert Researcher and Writer
Jennifer Trimbee, a lead researcher and writer at GeekWrapped, is an expert writer with many years of experience. Jennifer writes about technology, sports, outdoor, and gear products.
Article last updated on:
September 30, 2019
See more reviews: