CLIMB X ROCK MASTER

If you value price tag as much as performance, then look no further. The Rock Master is by far the least expensive shoe in the review, and it climbs quite well. A flat, symmetric last, unlined leather uppers, and mid-volume design make this a comfortable kick for all-day use. The laces extend to the toe and effectively tweak the fit to eliminate bagginess and pressure points. The 4.2mm X-Factor rubber feels hard but sticky. The blunt toe and solid edging platform feel clunky on many small holds, but one tester discovered that the shoe front-points effectively on micros. With a high rand and medium toe profile, this shoe jams well, especially on thin-hands and wider cracks. The heel is ribbed, and the ribbed rear sole improves traction on descent trails.