Climbing Shoe Review
A lace-up version of the pre-existing Speedsters (slipper) and Futura (velcro), the Genius is a classy piece of engineering. The No-Edge technology that LS pioneered with these three shoes is at its best in the lace-up variant, which vacuum packs your foot into an unbelievably sensitive yet aggressive shoe. Climbing in it, you can tell it’s a bit different to almost everything else on the market. At home in whacky, 3D climbing or on disgustingly steep board problems, the toes seem able to..." go to full review
This shoe performs at it’s best on all types of rock from small limestone pockets to sandstone edges and granite cracks, making it the perfect weekend warrior companion. Adding in the quality and craftsmanship you would expect from La Sportiva, you can begin to understand why the Katana is the shoe of choice for many climbers looking to step up their game.go to full review
Without a doubt the Miura is an absolute top pick when it comes to climbing on edges, pockets and even smearing. If you balance your climbing priorities between the sport crag and longer multipitch climbs, then give these a try. For an avid Miura wearer, they may even stock the shoe in different sizes, ready for all occasions.go to full review
A favourite amongst wide-footed climbers, the Butora Acro snuck onto the climbing scene in 2015 and quickly became known as a high performance sport and bouldering shoe that can compete with the biggest names in the game. For those of you who haven’t heard of Butora, this Korean company burst onto the climbing scene in 2014 under the ownership of Nam Hee Do – a man with some serious climbing shoe credentials having worked with various shoe manufactures (including Five Ten and Evolv) for..." go to full review
The velcro version of the Katana is a great contender when it comes to all around use. We would recommend this shoe for intermediate to advance climbers. If you’re looking to graduate from your first pair of climbing shoes these could make for a good introduction to the world of aggressive climbing shoes. For the advanced climber, we would consider these as a gym companion when you’re getting the mileage in (especially for those of us who hate taking off their shoes). They’re technical..." go to full review
The Miura VS is a brilliant shoe that shares many of the charactrics that made the original Miura great, but the aggressive last and stiff sole make it obvious these shoes were designed for a different task. For that exact reason, the Miura VS is a great choice for intermediate and advanced climbers looking to invest in a pair of climbing shoes that can do it all, with a focus on steep and overhanging terrain. These shoes were certainly not designed for all-day comfort, but they are one of..." go to full review
Providing that climbers use them on the right route, the Futuras are a fantastic buy. They don’t quite have the edging power of a Genius, but make up for that with an arguably superior fit for most people’s feet. ‘The right route’ is key though, and not every route is that. Arguably their best virtues are wasted indoors, and you’d be better off saving yourself the cash and getting a pair of soft but resoleable velcro closure slippers like a Python or Instinct SR which will keep your toes..." go to full review
Ah, the La Sportiva Skwama. Potentially the best high end all-around shoe on the market. The combination of that sleek design and the abundance of innovation make this a real contender as one of the heavy hitters in the climbing shoe world. The softer cousin of the super-stiff Otaki and Kataki, the Skwamas will rarely let you down. Being one of the most versatile shoes that La Sportiva manufacture, this shoe excels anywhere from technical slabs to steep overhanging routes.go to full review
The Ozone is one of the company’s flagship products, designed for steep sport climbing and bouldering. Taking into account its price, these shoes perform and age surprisingly well. I have used the Ozones for about 3 years now, and in that time they have survived a fair share of punishment. The scorching Cypriot sun, the salty air of Tonsai Beach, and Croatian deep water soloing are just a few of the harsh trials these shoes have endured. Throughout this time, I have only had to resole them..." go to full review
The Shaman, designed in partnership with one of the biggest names in the climbing shoe world – the legendary Chris Sharma. These Evolv shoes are a regular sight at bouldering gyms across the world. The Shaman isn’t exactly a new shoe though, with the first edition hitting the shelves in 2011. With the shoe’s continued success as one of Evolv’s most popular models, the shoe got an upgrade in 2016. Improvements include; a new color scheme, a better fitting (non-achilles crushing) heel, a..." go to full review