So you’re new to climbing right? Have you hit the point of complete obsession yet or is it just a “workout” still? Either way, let’s get you the best pair of beginner climbing shoes to up your game! Getting the right pair of climbing shoes is not only important for your development as a climber
First things first, rental shoes absolutely suck! They smell bad, they are super stiff, and the toes look like someone took a file to them. If you are reading this article, you have most likely been wearing some for the past couple of weeks or so.
Now if you’re anything like I was the first time I went to a climbing gym you probably thought you were too cool for rental shoes and just wore your sneakers. Maybe you even brought your barefoot shoes or something like that. If this is you, expect to climb 2 grades harder in your first session with your new
The only nice part about rental shoes or climbing in sneakers is that any shoe you get next will feel like a million bucks!
That’s right, you can expect to increase your climbing grade quickly after your new purchase. You can also expect increased comfort as the shoe will naturally stretch and mold to your foot.
Did you also know that the rubber that is used on most rental shoes are drastically less effective at climbing when compared to “real” climbing shoes? The rubber on rentals is designed to last a long time so that gyms don’t have to replace them very often (or ever in some cases).
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Another big grief people have with those crusty old rentals is that the velcro/laces are usually worn out and sometimes broken. Climbing shoes take a ton of abuse. Getting a quality pair of shoes will ensure your shoes will last for more than a few months.
Many experienced climbers still have their original beginner shoes, even though they are 3+ years old. They will serve you for years for reasons you probably haven’t even thought about.
Before we proceed let’s recap on a few reasons you should get a good pair of beginner climbing shoes:
- Rental shoes suck! They cost money to rent and they smell…
- Good quality climbing shoes help you climb harder
- The rubber used on high-quality shoes are superior to rentals
- New shoes will break in with your foot and be extremely comfortable
- Beginner shoes never go out of style
What Shoes Should You Get?
There are so many options when it comes to the best climbing shoes. More and more brands are popping up and flooding the market with new shoes.
So how do you pick which one is best?
Well, there are a few things that you need to consider:
- How much are you willing to spend?
- How often do you climb?
- What type of climbing do you most often do?
- Will you be climbing outside or in the gym?
- How long have you been climbing
How Much to Spend?
Climbing shoes can cost upwards of $200 or as little as $30. Depending on your budget this might be the more important factor when it comes to picking out your shoes.
If you’re like most beginner climbers, you are a college student living pretty frugally. We’ve all been there and we know how it is. If this is your case don’t panic, you can get a really good pair of beginner climbing shoes for around $50-$60.
Alternatively, some people don’t get into climbing until after schooling. If this is you then kudos on getting that bi-weekly paycheck (feels good right?). Now just because you have the money to drop doesn’t mean you should. A great way to hurt your feet and get made fun of is to buy a $200 pair of super-aggressive shoes as your first pair. Projecting a V2 in La Sportiva Solutions is silly. Beginner shoes are designed for beginners, not people on a budget. There are some Rolls-Royce level beginner shoes, don’t worry!
How Long Have You Climbed?
Your experience and level of a climbing play a huge part in picking out the best shoes.
Some climbers have been renting shoes for 6 months plus and are ready for something to support a slightly higher level of climbing.
Some climbers are brand new to climbing and looking for a solid all-around climbing shoe.
How long you’ve climbed can also determine how much you are willing to invest in your first pair of shoes. Keep this in mind when choosing your shoes.
What Type of Climbing Do You Do?
In case you were unaware, not all climbing is the same. To name a few: Bouldering, Sport Climbing, Trad Climbing, and Top Roping. If you are looking for more information on this subject check out this article: Climbing vs Bouldering.
Assuming you do have a preference in what type of climbing you do then let’s go over some
Bouldering will require a more aggressive shoe than other types of climbing. This is due to the steepness and difficulty of the movement.
Trad Climbing almost always involves crack climbing. Most beginners don’t have this skill. If you are a trad climber then you probably need to read an article like this.
If you do not know what type of climbing you like don’t worry. Most beginner climbing shoes are multipurpose anyways. You will more than likely get into all different types of climbing. If you get all-around beginner climbing shoes it will allow you to try all types of climbing without having to get more gear.
This is the recommended course of action for all entry-level climbers.
How to Size Your Beginner Climbing Shoes
Climbers are notorious for buying shoes that are too small. This is especially
The reason climbers do this is to get an extremely tight fit. This makes it so the shoe will not move in
However, beginners should NOT size down their shoes!
Getting shoes that are too small will only cause pain and injury to a new climber.
It is true that if you get a pair of new leather shoes they will stretch up to 1 full size. Make sure to note this when purchasing a new pair of shoes. Nevertheless, synthetic shoes will NOT stretch at all during the break-in period.
To top it all off, many shoe manufacturers are based in Europe. This means that you will have to shop for your shoes using the EUR system. Please refer to the rock climbing shoe size chart below.
Please note that sizing rock climbing shoes is not as easy as converting over your street shoe size. There are wide swings in sizing from manufacturer to manufacturer and model to model.
The only full-proof way to ensure your climbing shoes will fit right is to try them on. Try to find a gym or shop near you and try some pairs on. Amazon is also a good place to go considering they offer free returns on most purchases.
This leads us in to our next topic.
Where to Buy Climbing Shoes?
When it comes to finding the best place to buy rock climbing shoes it is hard to figure what store to go to. Here are of few options that come to mind.
- Your Local Gym
- Your Local REI/Outdoor Store
- Online Retailer
Buying shoes from your local gym
Getting rock climbing shoes from a local retailer is also a great option, although the same issue
Our favorite spot to buy a new pair of climbing shoes is Amazon or other online retailers. They give you the best selection. Most eCommerce retailers offer very good return policies so you can always order multiple sizes and send all the ones that don’t fit back.
Our Top Picks
For Beginner Climbing Shoes
We have filtered down all the beginner climbing shoes to come up with these select picks. We feel that these will work for climbers who fall into the specific categories.
The All-Around Gym Rat – La Sportiva Tarantula
If you find yourself putting 5+ sessions each week at the gym then the La Sportiva Tarantula is the one for you.
The Sticky FriXion soles are perfect for beginners. This rubber offers good performance and
Velcro closures are always nice on a climber’s first shoe. This makes it easy to take the shoes on and off.
This shoe is stiff enough to support a new climber’s foot while not feeling like a wooden board. The Tarantulas will transition well into the more advanced climbing shoes La Sportiva makes.
These shoes size 0.5 to 1 size smaller than street shoes. Keep this in mind when ordering.
Hipster Loafer – Five Ten Anasazi
The Five Ten Anasazi’s have been a long-time favorite of the cool crowd. They are the most comfortable shoe on the market.
Don’t let the looks fool you, you can crush in these. One major downfall is the shoes will often come off if you heel hook.
The biggest selling point for the Anasazi’s is the Stealth C4 rubber shoes. This stuff is some of the best rubber around. Having this on your first climbing shoe is a major advantage over some of your peers.
These come in leather and synthetic so size them down for the leather only.
Another note is that most climbers consider the men’s to be unisex. Your mileage
Shop Now: Anasazi’s
Best Budget Shoe – Mad Rock Drifter
It is a complete mystery how Mad Rock makes these shoes so cheap. They perform better than some $100+ models and cost about half that.
The features on this shoe are pretty plain. It doesn’t have any frills.
This shoe has a velcro closure and Friction Science rubber soles. You won’t have any problem sticking to anything in the gym with these guys.
Shop Now: Men’s
High Roller Shoes – SCARPA Force V
Beginner climbing shoes don’t get much better than this. The Scarpa Force V is by far the highest quality shoe on this list. You have to pay for the top-notch
These shoes are super comfortable. They have padding around the ankle that
The rubber on the Force V is Vibram XS Edge. This is the same rubber found on the $200+ shoes offered by La Sportiva. Vibram rubber will also you to edge like a pro!
If you can afford them, the SCARPA Force V’s
Wrapping it up
We hope this article helped you pick out your first pair of climbing shoes. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Please check out our shop and pick up some swag or a Crush Brush!
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