Best Crack Climbing Shoes

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Crack climbing is a type of rock climbing that involves using certain hand and leg techniques to climb rocks using cracks along the side of a rock. It is such a complex sport that requires so much precision and a great deal of practice. The risks of the sport are what causes it to require the best kind of sporting gear on the market, this gear includes specially designed shoes for the sport. These shoes allow the athletes to perform their toe techniques quite easily, making the climb smooth and easy to achieve. The best climbing shoe brands have dedicated themselves towards producing the best climbing shoes, but not all of them come out on top. We have gone ahead to assemble the best crack climbing shoes of 2019 for your perusal;

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Product Name

Ranking

Rating

Latest Price

Mad Rock Men’s Drifter Climbing Shoe

Mad Rock Men’s Drifter Climbing Shoe

BEST OVERALL

Five Ten Men’s Anasazi Moccasym Climbing Shoe

Five Ten Men’s Anasazi Moccasym Climbing Shoe

BEST VALUE

Scarpa Men’s Vapor V Climbing Shoe

Scarpa Men’s Vapor V Climbing Shoe

RUNNER UP

La Sportiva Men’s TC Pro Climbing Shoe

La Sportiva Men’s TC Pro Climbing Shoe

BUDGET FRIENDLY

La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoe – Men’s

La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoe – Men’s

BUDGET FRIENDLY


1. Mad Rock Men’s Drifter Climbing Shoe

Mad Rock Men’s Drifter Climbing Shoe

Features:

  • 2-strap Velcro
  • Leather
  • Rubber sole
  • Traditional heel

Pro's

  • Solid material
  • Strong foot grip
  • Durable
  • Available in multiple colors

COn's

  • Not washable
  • Sizes run small

Product Overview

Looks can be deceiving, and the Mad Rock Men’s Drifter Climbing Shoe is the perfect definition of my first statement. This shoe easily keeps its competition on its feet by leaving out the more technical attributes of a regular Drifter shoe. Its simplistic design, coupled with its rigid features makes it one of the best rock climbing shoes you can find on the market. The shoe greatly delivers on its value for money and it was created by a company called Mad Rock.

Mad Rock quickly became a fast contender in the shoe industry through its consistent release of excellent footwear over the years. After many years of production, this shoe is the perfect shoe to show that they don’t intend to slow down anytime soon. The footwear makes crack climbing a lot more comfortable and safe through its ergonomic design, and this makes it easier for climbers to perform foot techniques. It also happens to be one of the most pocket-friendly crack climbing shoes out there, making it a great shoe for newer crack climbers to try out.


2. Five Ten Men’s Anasazi Moccasym Climbing Shoe

Five Ten Men’s Anasazi Moccasym Climbing Shoe

Features:

  • Rubber sole
  • Leather
  • Slingshot heel
  • Replaceable soles

Pro's

  • Sturdy material
  • Replaceable soles
  • Versatile
  • Multi-useable

COn's

  • Single color
  • Loose top

Product Overview

Five Ten is usually referred to as the Brand of the Brave as they are popularly known for producing the best high-friction footwear you can find on the planet. Just name the sport and they have a shoe for it, from wing sit flying to rock climbing, bike racing to kayaking. They don’t just make footwear for the most dangerous sports in the world, they’re also very good at it. They have successfully made a name for themselves in the crack climbing space as well by creating the Five Ten Men’s Anasazi Moccasym Climbing Shoe.

The shoe is popularly known for its uncanny durability, even the best in the sports have testified about the quality of this shoe. This, coupled with the years of trust that the brand has established in this sport and so many other things, provides all the guarantee people need. This is also a great shoe for beginners in the sport, allowing them to easily feel where they step through the rubber soles of the shoe. Even if the foot techniques of the athlete is not that great, the rubber is so durable that it lasts through the strenuous activity.


3. Scarpa Men’s Vapor V Climbing Shoe

Scarpa Men’s Vapor V Climbing Shoe

Features:

  • Split Sole
  • Synthetic material
  • High tension build
  • Color variations

Pro's

  • Flexible
  • Ankle support
  • Adjustable fit
  • Vibram X edge for durability

COn's

  • Sizes run small
  • Tough to wash

Product Overview

The Scarpa Men’s Vapor V Climbing Shoe is a shoe that effortlessly combines precision, performance, and comfort. Lined with the perfect edges that adapt to the shapes of different cracks, this shoe provides the flexibility that every athlete dreams of. The shoe is a perfect depiction of the road to perfection as the level of detail is unrivaled. It is fully capable of maintaining its structural integrity while under the most intense environments. The foundational principle behind the creation of this shoe is innovation, and the value for money it brings to the table is worth all its bragging rights.

The shoe is produced by Scarpa; a family business that was created in 1938. Over the years, the business has built credibility in its brand through its consistent production of some of the best shoes on the market. The Scarpa Men’s Vapor V Climbing Shoe is another incredible footwear in a long line of other incredible footwear to the company’s name. Hence, having a shoe like this as part of your crack climbing kit shows your dedication to the sport and having quality sports gear in itself.


4. La Sportiva Men’s TC Pro Climbing Shoe

La Sportiva Men’s TC Pro Climbing Shoe

Features:

  • Leather/Vibram material
  • Inner Padding
  • Integrated edges
  • Single color

Pro's

  • Ankle support
  • Durable
  • Well-padded
  • Crack coverage

COn's

  • A little bulky
  • Sizes run small

Product Overview

The La Sportiva Men’s TC Pro Climbing Shoe provides all the crack climbing support you will ever need in a shoe. When it comes to versatility and durability, the shoe has these factored into its design. The level of detail is absolutely brilliant, and the laces ensure that the shoes stay well-gripped. The shoe is value for money in its totality. However, the downside to the shoe is that it does not provide variations in colors, so if you don’t like the color, then you might be a bit disappointed. It is strategically padded with the most versatile material, designed to fit into cracks. The footwear also provides ankle support, making the climb seamless. Professionals are in love with the shoe because it is perfectly in sync with every single technique of the sport.

The shoe also has an ergonomic build, making it just as comfortable for walking as it is for climbing. It makes the best of premium materials to deliver footwear that is worth the hassle of the sport. Although the sizing runs small, the shoe also stretches and adjusts to the shape of its wearer’s legs.


5. Mad Rock Men’s Drifter Climbing ShoeLa Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoe – Men’s

La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoe – Men’s

Features:

  • Precision Fit
  • Leather
  • Multi-pitch comfort
  • Rubber soles

Pro's

  • Durable
  • Rugged build
  • High performance
  • Flexible

COn's

  • Not great for some foot shapes
  • Leather stretches a bit

Product Overview

The La Sportiva brand has a consistent track record of delivering some of the best sporting shoes on the market. The brand is gradually becoming a household name amongst various athletes because its shoes provide the ideal conditions for the athletes to exceed expectations. The La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoe – Men’s easily delivers on this exact promise by ensuring that the quality of this shoe does not compromise on its aesthetic qualities and performance.

The shoe is considered a little expensive but still assures its users of all-round safety during a climb. The materials used to create the shoe are top-notch and sturdy enough to withstand all kinds of pressure, making it an ideal addition to a crack climbing kit. There is very little likelihood for any forms of leg pain due to the incredible ankle support embedded at the core of its design. The high-grade rubber soles are still second to none and are extremely durable.

Final Thoughts

Crack climbing is a rigorous sport that requires the best kinds of kit to perform. We have gone ahead to outline the pros and cons of the top climbing shoes on the market. These shoes are guaranteed to meet your crack climbing needs as they demonstrate a perfect balance of comfort and durability. The shoes take the requirements of the sport and have them embedded as part of their most prominent features.

The Mad Rock Men’s Drifter Climbing Shoe is a shoe that exceeds expectations as the features are not the kind you find in just any shoe. The shoe is rugged and flexible, but when it comes to cleaning up the shoe after regular use, it could be a daunting task. Regardless, this shoe would make an excellent addition to your crack climbing kit.

When it comes to detail and high-friction soles, the Five Ten Men’s Anasazi Moccasym Climbing Shoe is your best bet. Five Ten ensured that they thought through all they needed to have in a shoe before creating this footwear. This is one of the things that makes it a worthy consideration for crack climbing, however, the beauty of the shoe is sometimes eroded due to the fact that it comes in just one color.

Scarpa Men’s Vapor V Climbing Shoe is a crack climbing shoe that comes straight from the “Brand of the Brave”. It is definitely something special that is worth your time and money. It is also a high-end climbing shoe, which is why it is a little expensive, but it is something will likely enjoy for a while.

The La Sportiva Men’s TC Pro Climbing Shoe and the La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoe – Men’s both come from a brand that has made a name for itself over the years. The brand is almost synonymous with durability and detail and that is what you get when you purchase either of these shoes.

The top pick of the five shoes is the Scarpa  Men’s Vapor V Climbing Shoe due to the immense amount of detail that has gone into its production. Meanwhile, the second choice pick is the Mad Rock Men’s Drifter Climbing Shoe due to its incredible durability. Regardless of what your final choice turns out to be, any of these shoes will make excellent additions to your sports kit. Crack climbing is all about hard work and dedication, these shoes allow you to easily be a part of those principles.