Whether it’s bouldering (Dan Varian said they were the best single pair of shoes for bouldering, Alex Puccio likes them), trad (Emma Twyford used them on her ascent of the The Big Issue E9), sport or competition climbing (too many top-end climbers using them to name!), then these are going to make you better.go to full review

An incredible shoe with almost no issues, an affordable price tag, and a respectable record of brilliance from a family of shoes beloved by climbers the world over. Scarpa have become my go-to shoes over the last year or more, with a number of different models jumping out as the best of their category, and this is no exception. I use them in every session I have at the wall, and frequently outside as well.go to full review

A lace-up version of the pre-existing Speedsters (slipper) and Futura (velcro), the Genius is a classy piece of engineering. The No-Edge technology that LS pioneered with these three shoes is at its best in the lace-up variant, which vacuum packs your foot into an unbelievably sensitive yet aggressive shoe. Climbing in it, you can tell it’s a bit different to almost everything else on the market. At home in whacky, 3D climbing or on disgustingly steep board problems, the toes seem able to..." go to full review

This shoe performs at it’s best on all types of rock from small limestone pockets to sandstone edges and granite cracks, making it the perfect weekend warrior companion. Adding in the quality and craftsmanship you would expect from La Sportiva, you can begin to understand why the Katana is the shoe of choice for many climbers looking to step up their game.go to full review

Without a doubt the Miura is an absolute top pick when it comes to climbing on edges, pockets and even smearing. If you balance your climbing priorities between the sport crag and longer multipitch climbs, then give these a try. For an avid Miura wearer, they may even stock the shoe in different sizes, ready for all occasions.go to full review

A favourite amongst wide-footed climbers, the Butora Acro snuck onto the climbing scene in 2015 and quickly became known as a high performance sport and bouldering shoe that can compete with the biggest names in the game. For those of you who haven’t heard of Butora, this Korean company burst onto the climbing scene in 2014 under the ownership of Nam Hee Do – a man with some serious climbing shoe credentials having worked with various shoe manufactures (including Five Ten and Evolv) for..." go to full review

The velcro version of the Katana is a great contender when it comes to all around use. We would recommend this shoe for intermediate to advance climbers. If you’re looking to graduate from your first pair of climbing shoes these could make for a good introduction to the world of aggressive climbing shoes. For the advanced climber, we would consider these as a gym companion when you’re getting the mileage in (especially for those of us who hate taking off their shoes). They’re technical..." go to full review

The Miura VS is a brilliant shoe that shares many of the charactrics that made the original Miura great, but the aggressive last and stiff sole make it obvious these shoes were designed for a different task. For that exact reason, the Miura VS is a great choice for intermediate and advanced climbers looking to invest in a pair of climbing shoes that can do it all, with a focus on steep and overhanging terrain. These shoes were certainly not designed for all-day comfort, but they are one of..." go to full review

Providing that climbers use them on the right route, the Futuras are a fantastic buy. They don’t quite have the edging power of a Genius, but make up for that with an arguably superior fit for most people’s feet. ‘The right route’ is key though, and not every route is that. Arguably their best virtues are wasted indoors, and you’d be better off saving yourself the cash and getting a pair of soft but resoleable velcro closure slippers like a Python or Instinct SR which will keep your toes..." go to full review

Ah, the La Sportiva Skwama. Potentially the best high end all-around shoe on the market. The combination of that sleek design and the abundance of innovation make this a real contender as one of the heavy hitters in the climbing shoe world. The softer cousin of the super-stiff Otaki and Kataki, the Skwamas will rarely let you down. Being one of the most versatile shoes that La Sportiva manufacture, this shoe excels anywhere from technical slabs to steep overhanging routes.go to full review