The formation of very hard ice – due to the temperatures dropping as low as -17 degrees overnight, sometimes not exceeding -13 degrees in the daylight, meant that for the ice screw to ‘bite’ meant physically having to put a lot of force through the ice screw, requiring more effort to try and get them to attach into the hard ice whilst wearing gloves. In conditions that cold, it’s also not advisable to put gear in your mouth as a means of multi-tasking as this can lead to serious injury ,..." go to full review

The Organic Full Pad has long been regarded as a must-have for any serious boulderer. Whether it's your first pad or you're adding more foam to your collection, the Organic Full will treat you right. Made with high-quality foam and an extremely durable outer, this pad should last you for years. This pad has an external flap that makes attaching it to other pads a breeze and allows you to carry a substantial amount of extra gear. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better mid-sized bouldering..." go to full review

The La Sportiva Miura VS is a stiff, aggressively shaped edging powerhouse. These shoes allowed us to stand on incredibly small holds, while their aggressive shape, with a slight downturn, makes them a master of precision. The Miura VS was our weapon of choice on the technical, gently overhanging limestone of Siurana. We also found them to compete with their lace-up counterparts, the Miura Lace, on vertical terrain since the two share incredible edging power. The Velcro model is..." go to full review

The La Sportiva Miura VS belongs in the world of tough climbing, where it can use its diamond-hard edges and almost absurdly asymmetric shape to power down on invisible rock features. Compared to the lace-up Miura, this Velcro version is more geared to boulders and overhanging terrain. For it to perform in this capacity, it must be sized tightly, and by tight, it might mean painfully so. But to push the climbing grades, you sometimes have to sacrifice comfort. To be sure these precision..." go to full review

The Shaman has won the heart of many climbers and a fair few awards along the way. However, when comparing these shoes to our other favorites, we couldn't get past the softness of the rubber as a key factor in our assessment. This rubber limits the edging ability compared to other high-end models, and with a lot of rubber underfoot, it doesn't compensate for that by being more sensitive. The toe also feels somewhat blunt, so it's harder to fit into small spaces or to place on thin edges. As..." go to full review

To some, climbing is a hobby; to others, it's an all-consuming obsession. For the latter group, there's the Scarpa Chimera. This supple Italian masterpiece offers unrivaled sensitivity in an aggressive design that's ready for your overhanging mega project. Our testers were particularly impressed with its awesome comfort and fit right out of the box. It is a specialized shoe, though, that's best suited for bouldering and shorter sport routes. There are better choices for exclusive crack or..." go to full review

As a new climber, you have a lot of options when it comes to shoes, including all-rounders like the Tarantulace and outdoor-specific models like the Mythos. But if you’re getting your start inside and don’t expect to venture outdoors for a while, the Veloce is an excellent choice. We do wish the shoe had slightly more durable rubber, as beginners with poor footwork will blow through the sticky S-72 outsole in very little time (remember, you can always get a resole). But for those with good..." go to full review

The Solution is an excellent shoe, hands down. It’s been the choice of some of the world’s best climbers for years now, performs equally well indoors and outdoors, and dominates steep boulders and sport climbs alike. Like the Testarossa above, it edges like a dream on tiny foot chips, features sticky and sensitive Vibram XS Grip 2 on both the women’s and men’s offerings, and you get a hefty dose of heel and toe rubber for all sorts of performance on overhanging terrain. Climbers have long..." go to full review

Unparallel’s Sirius Lace is one of their most popular shoes, rivaling the Testarossa above in terms of precision for vertical and overhanging terrain. The Sirius is a bit stiffer than La Sportiva’s popular lace-up, lending slightly more support and power on technical edges. And for better toe-hooking performance on steep routes and boulders, it also tacks on offset lacing and a rubber patch on the toe. That said, you do sacrifice the Testarossa’s glove-like fit with a synthetic upper, and we..." go to full review

While the Mythos is great for beginner climbers or those looking for all-day comfort, it is not an incredibly versatile shoe. It’s not made for cranking through long overhanging sport climbs, nor for heel- and toe-hooking your way through roofs. Even among the beginner shoes on the market, it isn’t the best option for smearing or edging. Heck, we don’t even recommend the Mythos for gym climbing—it’s overkill and expensive for what you need. But it’s certainly among the most durable and best-..." go to full review