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Blackwing Women
Description
Think Dragon with a Velcro® closure. Our top competitive climbers swear by the Blackwing’s precision and power. Yet you don’t have to be racking up 5.14s to appreciate the Blackwing’s exquisite blend of support and comfort. The padded tongue has a super-soft, fleecy microfiber lining that wicks sweat to prevent hot spots. The gently downturned outsole helps you pull into the rock, like a monkey uses its feet. The Blackwing has a superior fit with easy entry.
Retail price
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Weight | 406 g Single : 203 g / 7.16 oz (Size 9) |
Closure Type | 2 Velcro closures |
Gender | Women |
Volume | |
Sizing Information |
US sizes : 5-10UK sizes : 2.5-7.5 ![]() |
Best Use (Highest Performance) |
Sport / Face Over-hanging |
Asymmetry | Aggressive |
Tongue Details | Padded tongue has a super-soft, fleecy microfiber lining |
Last Details | Shape: Downturned (performance) Construction: not provided by the brand not provided by the brand |
Upper Material | not provided by the brand Cowdura (man-made synthetic suede) |
Midsole Material | not provided by the brand |
Sole Material | not provided by the brand
Stealth® HF™
Rand: not provided by the brand |
Footbed Lining | not provided by the brand |
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No reviews yet.
![Outdoor Gear Lab Gear Review Outdoor Gear Lab Gear Review](https://weighmyrack.com/sites/default/files//legacy_files/images/media_logo/Outdoor_Gear_Lab_Logo.jpg)
This aggressive shoe is works well on the steep stuff, but is not as comfortable as other aggressive women's models. We would rather climb in the Top Pick winning La Sportiva Solution.
Be forewarned, these shoes run extra small. Five Ten does size their shoes so that you can wear your street shoe size, even in climbing shoes, without down-sizing them. However, comparing your size to other models of Five Ten shoes does not cut it. Try them on first or buy a size larger than you would expect. Also, these shoes do not stretch much since they are made with synthetic materials instead of leather.
![Blister Gear Review Blister Gear Review](https://weighmyrack.com/sites/default/files//legacy_files/images/media_logo/012011_BlisterLogo_white2_1.png)
Overall, the women’s Blackwing is an excellent high-performing, aggressive shoe. Much like other aggressive shoes, the intense down-turn also basically eliminates the possibility of climbing comfortably on slab or while smearing for any extended period of time. However, they excel at anything overhanging, especially pocketed climbs. Toeing in with the Blackwings feels like a piece of cake; they stick exactly where you put them and they don’t let go. They also edge supremely well on steep routes, which is particularly helpful for drop-knees and other movements that require you to turn your hips in to the wall. In short, get on anything overhanging, and these shoes will work like magic.
![Rock and Run Gear Review Rock and Run Gear Review](https://weighmyrack.com/sites/default/files//legacy_files/images/media_logo/1375102831blog-logo_1.jpg)
Blackwings are a soft shoe. Nowhere near as extreme as hornets, but noticeably softer than dragons, giving more sensitivity and better feedback on rugosities and small positive features. This lets you wrap your feet around features better on overhanging rock. The MK2 Blackwings feel slightly stiffer than the original versions; maintaining the sensitivity which sets them apart but with slightly better edging capabilities. Considering that general opinion was that they were too soft, this should improve their mass appeal.
![Rock and Ice Gear Review Rock and Ice Gear Review](https://weighmyrack.com/sites/default/files//legacy_files/images/media_logo/RockandIce.jpg)
For all intents and purposes, the Blackwing fits like the Dragon lace-up with one crucial improvement. The Blackwing's heel is lower volume, and doesn't feel as baggy as the Dragon lace-up. Based on the same design used in the Five Ten Team shoe, the Blackwing's heel has less rubber than the Dragon, allowing you to feel your foot better on the rock, improving heel-hooking performance. That said, I think the shoe's heel could be even lower volume, for my foot at least, and have a thinner application of rubber -- there was still a pocket of air here.