While the Evolv Addicts are a new version of the slipper design, they're not a huge improvement. They suffer from some the same drawbacks as the Moccs: poor edging performance, and very little support.go to full review
The Force X is a solid climbing shoe that won't disappoint if you don't expect too much from it. Its limitations become apparent when the climbing starts to get steep and techie, keep yourself happy with them by sticking to more moderate terrain with it. The Force X is durable and would be a great beginner shoe or a relatively inexpensive addition to a quiver of shoes.go to full review
The Vapor V is another quality take on the two dual Velcro climbing shoe, improving upon the features on classics like the Five Ten Anasazi VCS and the La Sportiva Katana. If you're having trouble on the thin finger cracks, these shoes might be the extra something you need to make it to the chains.go to full review
The Scarpa Instinct is a worthy alternative to other single closure velcro shoes like the LaSportiva Solutions or the Butora Acro. They are wider than Solutions but not as wide as the Butora Acro, and the uppers are tight enough to fit securely on low volume feet. If you want a shoe that can edge on a dime and has a heel that won't blow before your knee does (as our lead testers did), grab yourself a pair of Instincts.go to full review
We'll keep climbing in the Alturas, since the more they break in and the better they feel, becoming more precise over time as they soften up. We wanted these to feel like $155 versions of the TCs. They're not, and don't expect the same fit or performance out of the box. We put these side by side with a brand new pair of TCs, and our lead tester could hop on the techiest of faces and pretty much climbed as confidently as he would with a worn-in pair. Not so with the Alturas. They're going to..." go to full review
These shoes are almost as awesome and versatile as our Editors' Choice, and you may even prefer the ease of a velcro closure over the laces of the Kataki. The current Sportiva line up offers a lot fit options with similar performance, and we hope this review will help you narrow down your choices.go to full review
It seems to us that Petzl didn't fully consider the female form when designing this harness, changing only a few proportions from the men's version, and of course, the color. Women and men tend to have very different anatomies, particularly in the hip area. If this harness fits, you will probably love it, but for most of us, that just wasn't the case.go to full review
The Momentum (and formerly Primrose) harness is a ubiquitous sight at crags and gyms all across the country for a reason. It's affordable and comfortable, which is not always an easy feat for a manufacturer. Although it's deemed an "entry level" harness, we know many expert climbers who use it for those very reasons as well. While we prefer the Camp Supernova as a high-end all-around harness, and BD's Solution for sport-specific applications, the Momentum is a good bet for any climber.go to full review
The DMM Dragons are reliable and well constructed. They are a bit heavier than the competition, but if the extendable sling feature peaks your interest, you'll be purchasing some high-quality cams. We prefer cams with a thumb loop though.go to full review
The Wild Country Friends seemed like an upgraded version of the Black Diamond C4, improving on the weight savings without jacking up the price. Though they aren't (as of yet) available in as many sizes as the BD or DMM Dragon Cams, they're a great choice for the backbone of your rack.go to full review