Mad Rock Phoenix

The Phoenix is Mad Rock’s take on a trad-climbing rock shoe, with the addition of its aggressive heel cup. While it’s a comfortable shoe that you can wear all day (and smears well), the Phoenix comes up short in crack-climbing performance — the lacing extends too far down the chiseled toe, leaving no room for an adequately protective toe rand. And unlike most trad rock shoes, the Phoenix is unlined, meaning it will quickly stretch out.