Aspect
Description
Built to handle endless splitters of the Creek, cragging days at City of Rocks and the notorious slabs of Little Cottonwood Canyon, the Aspect is an engineered trad climbing machine. Designed with fine, durable leather, our innovative NeoFriction Force rubber and an Engineered Knit Technology tongue, this flat-lasted, slightly asymmetrical lace-up is perfect for plugging gear at the cliff.
Whether teching your way up a run-out granite slab or hucking laps on the splitters at Indian Creek, the Aspect is an engineered trad climbing machine. Built with the highest grade European leather upper, the Aspects balance comfort with performance using innovative designs that subtly set it apart. Lace up a pair and you’ll notice that the leather upper slightly covers the laces on the outside of the foot—specifically designed for protection during abrasive jamming. The shoe’s tongue is made from our Engineered Knit Technology, which adds breathability and comfort. The knit also extends to the outside of the shoe to just under the rand line to offer extra padded protection for foot jams. The lateral stabilizer rands increase precision by keeping your foot from rolling when pressure is applied to the outside or inside edges. The Aspect’s stiff and durable NeoFriction Force rubber is unique in that it’s molded—inspired by the way we forge our carabiners—and not cut from one sheet of rubber. This is our engineered solution to optimize our shoe’s rubber and rands for weight, consistency and comfort. The Aspect's medium-flex midsole adds support without sacrificing comfort. So next time you’re eyeing that trad line, consider the Aspects a part of your rack.
Retail price
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Weight | 516 g Single : 258 g / 9.1 oz |
Closure Type | Lace |
Gender | Unisex |
Volume | Average |
Sizing Information |
US Men sizes 4-15 black_diamond_shoe_size_chart.jpg |
Best Use (Highest Performance) | Trad / Crack |
Asymmetry | Low |
Tongue Details | Engineered Knit Technology tongue |
Last Details | Shape: Flat (comfort) Construction: Slip Lasted not provided by the brand |
Upper Material | not provided by the brand Highest grade European leather |
Midsole Material | not provided by the brand Medium flex |
Sole Material | 4.3 mm
NeoFriction Edge Rubber
Rand: not provided by the brand |
Footbed Lining | Hemp |
The trad and crack climbing shoe scene has been dominated by the TC Pro for several years now. That's starting to change as several companies have added their own stiff-soled, high-top mimics. Black Diamond's contribution, the Aspect, is a great addition and worthy of consideration for those desiring more sensitivity or a low-top design that's less likely to irritate their Achilles tendons.
Overall this is a great entry level rock shoe. It comes in at an excellent price and is likely to be found comfortable by many. It is soft in use without a really sticky rubber, so it won't be what you are after for top end climbing; but for long days on multi-pitches, or for users who just prefer a bit of comfort in a hard wearing rock shoe, the Momentum is well worth considering.
A fluent, versatile, hard-wearing low-top trad shoe with great foot protection and a rounded toe best for cracks. The Aspects tend toward stiff and take break-in for smearing, but are reliable edging monsters—on a Boulder Canyon thin-face 5.11+, one tester felt like he could “stand for hours,” then segued into a second-pitch 5.11 layback crack with no problem.