Best Climbing Shoes For Bouldering

Best Climbing Shoes For Bouldering

Bouldering has been a revolutionary sport in the past decades, bringing tons of aerobic and physical benefits for the health conscious outdoorsy. But before taking those calculated leaps, finding your way through long cracks, horizontal breaks and steep overhangs among other challenges, wearing the wrong shoes is a mistake you don’t want to make. The footwear industry is awash with top rated brands and equally virtually impeccable bouldering shoes. However, we’ve got a good list of some of the best beginner bouldering shoes to consider when next you go shopping for a convenient, safe, snug fit and highly efficient climbing shoe.

1. Evolv Men’s Shaman Climbing Shoe

Product Overview

Made for serious climbers, this shoe comes with a “love bump” midsole design and a big toe “knuckle box” that aid superior edging and grabbing ability. The Evolv Men’s Shaman Climbing Shoe is made of materials that are both efficient and perform well in the toughest bouldering conditions. The TRAX XT outsole of the Evolv Men’s Shaman ensures maximum stick and terrific friction which is great to have if you will be mountaineering in harsh wet conditions. The delicately designed arch gives you maximum heel comfort and ensures dead space is eliminated. The shoe works well for climbers with wide feet. The toe rands of this bouldering shoe come in varying thickness for increased durability in high wear zones without hampering your comfort. With full-length MX-P 1.5mm midsoles that give the extra edging power when traversing long face routes, check out Evolv Men’s Shaman Climbing Shoe today!

2. La Sportiva Men’s TarantuLace Performance Rock Climbing Shoe

Product Overview

Here’s another shoe to look into when scouting for the best rock climbing shoes. The aggressive rubber heel rand of La Sportiva Men’s TarantuLace Performance Rock Climbing Shoe takes your traction and grip to super elevated levels. And the sticky FriXion RS rubber gives even more firmness on slippery zones. The bouldering shoe can be used for many indoor and outdoor activities, thanks to its 1.8mm LaspoFlex midsole and 5mm FriXion RS sole. Its lined tongue takes care of water and therefore significantly reduces your chances of developing cramps and blisters while the lacing harness ensures you have the best feel when making adjustments for a comfy and roomy ambience. With many buyers opting for the piece, La Sportiva Men’s TarantuLace Performance Rock Climbing Shoe is likely great value for money for everyday mountaineering challenges.

3. Mad Rock Men’s Drifter Climbing Shoe

Product Overview

Good for beginners and perfect for the budget conscious boulderer, Mad Rock Men’s Drifter Climbing Shoe comes with a two strap closure that increases compact fit and convenience all day. The compressed polyester midsole material and premium leather footbed designs are what you need to cruise through tricky rock terrains without getting injured. The 2-strap closure secures your feet for and snugs perfectly. It also has a durability that’s just enough to get you past beginner challenges. As users complain of long-term durability, with wear and tear problems after using for a few months, the shoe might not be your ideal buy if you are a pro looking for the most rugged footwear. However, for a versatile, adequately supportive and inexpensive option, beginners can relish all likely challenges by getting into the Mad Rock Men’s Drifter Climbing Shoe.

When going outdoor climbing, getting top quality bouldering shoes will likely not come at a bargain. But on the good side, a few climbing shoes are however likely going to be perfect for your budget, and one of those to keep an eye on is the Evolv Defy Climbing Shoe. Great pick for beginners, the climbing shoe not only looks well designed but also comfortable and fits snug, with an overall decent performance. With its antimicrobial mesh and good synthetic upper for better feel, the shoe promises great value for money, and so we’ve got all you need to know before making your footwear choice when buying one of the best beginner bouldering shoes.

4. Evolv Defy Climbing Shoe

Product Overview

Stave off financial worries when buying a bouldering footwear with the Evolv Defy Climbing Shoe. Perfect for beginners and decent enough for most of your outdoor climbing needs, comfort and performance blend for a snug fit and comfy design in this bouldering shoe. One of its top features is in the odour control department, where it comes with a handy anti-microbial mesh that not only makes for improved breathability but also prevents growth of microorganisms that would otherwise find home in a damp, stuffy ambience in shoes with poor breathability. The synthratek VX upper material is there for improved cushioning while the overall design is anatomically perfect for pocketed climbs.

5. SCARPA Men’s Instinct VS Climbing Shoe

Product Overview

Not many footwear provide answers to all your bouldering questions. But the SCARPA Men’s Instinct VS Climbing Shoe seems to have all your worries addressed going by its overwhelmingly positive buyer reviews. And it’s not hard to see why. The shoe works well coming with a Vibram grip and has a mid-length outsole construction for superior grip and traction. There are loads of other features to get you in the groove too. Some of which include a highly charged bi-tension active randing that provides maximum toe power. The slipper design makes for a simplistic appearance but has all deformations resistant features to keep you firm, even on sharp rock edges. It goes on easily and comes off your feet quite effortlessly too. Consider buying a size ½ longer than your normal shoe size when ordering the SCARPA Men’s Instinct VS Climbing Shoe. Hands down the best bouldering footwear for some buyers, take the leap and enjoy a blister-free mountaineering adventure in these shoes.

 Final words

Bouldering shoes come in varying brands, shapes, designs, colours and features. With synonymous yet different capabilities to take on the challenges of outdoor mountaineering. The best beginner bouldering shoe is only one that works well for your legs, and so knowing the features and getting trusted reviews are the least you can do when getting the best for your legs. Durable climbing shoes shouldn’t wear off easily, so for long-term use, the resoling feature of the Evolv Men’s Shaman Climbing Shoe can be a huge determiner when looking to get shoes suitable for long-term bouldering. Individuals with wide feet are common candidates for size discrepancy when cashing in on a footwear, but that shouldn’t be the case if you are shopping for a bouldering shoe as Evolv Men’s Shaman Climbing Shoe seems to work well for most users, including those with wide feet.

Given superior toe power on tricky rocks and firm grip is essential for the adventurous pro boulderer, the simplistic yet effectively designed SCARPA Men’s Instinct VS Climbing Shoe ensures every bouldering challenges and needs of most terrains are addressed. With a rich history of churning characteristically cutting-edge shoes over the past decades, it’s unsurprising to know that SCARPA is the only brand in this list with very few negative reviews; the only concern lying in getting the right match for your shoe size. But as the brand officially suggests, go with a size ½ longer than your normal shoes and you should be fine.

Mad Rock Men’s Drifter Climbing Shoe may be your top pick if you are a cash-strapped beginner boulderer looking for an aggressive bouldering shoe that is fancy, yet comfortable and effective for your bouldering trip. Most of these bouldering shoes snug well and provide good traction on rock surfaces. However, the top of the line aggressive rubber heel rand of La Sportiva Men’s TarantuLace Performance Rock Climbing Shoe will probably take your traction and grip to a new level, making it arguably the best of the lot if you will be adventuring slippery surfaces. Its 1.8mm LaspoFlex midsole and 5mm FriXion RS sole also make the Tarantulace your top performer for other activities apart from bouldering. Have a feel of the lined tongue and you can go bouldering all day without worrying about cramps, strains or blisters on your feet.

The choice of which footwear to include in your outdoor backpack depends on your needs and level of expertise, however, figuring your size and getting one of these shoes should put you firmly positioned for an intriguing, safe, and a truly fulfilling bouldering adventure.

Read more about bouldering climbing here.