Five Ten Team VXi

This is the softest, lightest shoe I’ve ever worn, and when I picked it up and could crunch the whole shoe up into my hand, I was skeptical that I’d ever be able to climb in it. But the Team VXi not only surpassed my performance expectations, it’s also changed the way I climb and made me rethink just how much support you really need in a performance climbing shoe. Aside from a couple of quibbles in terms of fit, blown out pull-tabs, and an uncomfortable spot on the inner arch, this is my favorite new slipper for 2014.