PCB-Tension System
Power Connection Band transfers power from the toe area to the heel.
Chimera 2020
Description
The Chimera is the pinnacle of modern climbing shoe design and innovation.
With its vacuum like upper lacing system, TPS insert and 8 panel upper, this shoe is built for climbers tackling the most demanding routes and boulders. The SRT randing system and the hand built heel make the Chimera the perfect choice for toe or heel hooking.
The TPS plastic insert is positioned under the forefoot which gives better support for the toes when pushing down hard. When smearing it extends out, which increases the surface area which produces superior grip.
"If I could only have one shoe for bouldering, it would be the Chimera". Dan Varian
Retail price
US$ 199.00
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| Weight | 420 g Single : 210 g / 7.4 oz (Size 42) |
| Closure Type | Lace |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Volume | |
| Sizing Information |
European sizes 35-45 From your measured size, you'll want to consider downsizing .5 - 2 full sizes. The flatter the shoe, the closer to your measured size; the more downturned / aggressive the shoe, the more you'll want to downsize.  Scarpa-Shoe-Size-Chart_2.pdf |
| Best Use (Highest Performance) |
Trad / Crack Sport / Face Bouldering Indoor |
| Asymmetry | Aggressive |
| Tongue Details | not provided by the brand |
| Last Details | Shape: Downturned (performance) Construction: not provided by the brand Last : FZ Scarpa considers last information super top secret so we can’t define the last types further than the initials FZ. But, if you find a Scarpa shoe that fits, any Scarpa shoes with the same last initials will fit your foot in a very similar way. |
| Upper Material | not provided by the brand Microfiber / Leather |
| Midsole Material | not provided by the brand |
| Sole Material | 3.5 mm
Vibram® XS Grip 2
Rand: PCB-Tension |
| Footbed Lining | not provided by the brand |
TPS – Toe Power Support
The TPS is a thermoshapable insert positioned under the forefoot. It provides a customized, anatomical fit to the front area of the shoe. The main benefits of the TPS are: a better support for the toes when pushing down hard, improved pulling capabilities and last, but not least, increased precision. When smearing, the TPS becomes extended so that it does not constrain movement and in doing so it helps to increase the area of the sole in contact with the rock to provide you with even more grip.
VIBRAM® XS Grip2
Represents the natural evolution of VIBRAM® XS Grip, the new XS Grip2 delivers highly improved grip, while maintaining consistent performance in all temperatures. XS Grip 2 is the best solution in pure friction situations while remaining durable and even-wearing.
No reviews yet.
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.
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. However, that's best suited for bouldering and shorter sport routes. There are better choices for exclusive crack or pocket climbing. Nevertheless, if climbing means absolutely everything, the Chimeras are an ultra-performance pair worth checking out.
Overall, the Scarpa Chimera climbing shoe is a welcome addition to an already stellar line of high performance climbing shoes designed by Heinz Mariacher. Sensitive and lightweight, the Scarpa Chimera is a specialized shoe designed for difficult bouldering and overhanging climbing. Featuring one of the best heels on the market, the Chimera is a must have for the bouldering enthusiasts who need a tool in their toolbox to tackle technical heel hooks and require sensitive footwork on overhanging rock. We did find that the Chimera lacked power on vertical terrain and because of this we would consider it a supplementary shoe rather than a primary all-around shoe. The lace-up system of the Chimera worked well to ensure a snug fit and the quality of its build is what you would expect from a high performance shoe.
Scarpa just keeps the hits coming in the high end shoe department, and the Chimera is what we’ve come to expect from them. If you like the Drago but want something with more support for roped climbing, the Chimera might be exactly what you’ve been looking for: a high performance tool that is geared toward sending steep routes with small, smeary foot holds that you really need to be able to feel underfoot to stand on confidently. The only drawback is the steep price tag, but you get what you pay for, and considering what people spend money on to improve their climbing, an extra $30 or so for the best shoes seems like a no-brainer to me.
The Chimera is a cutting-edge redpoint and bouldering shoe with a hypersensitive toe and soft, grippy feel. They were grabbing machines on the steeps, digging into the tiniest of holds with lock-on precision (they force you onto the point of your big toe, which takes some adjustment for edging). Outsized, perforated toe-hooking patch was a dream on boulders and heel cup was bomber.
I’ve been sport climbing in the Chimera for the past six months, and they’ve held up remarkably well. The shoe stretches about half a size, but otherwise the last remains nearly identical to its out-of-the-box fit—an achievement in shoe technology that may seem expected by today’s standards but was not really possible just 12 years ago.
In summary, the Scarpa Chimera draws on all of the aforementioned technology and years of developing and constructing such a complete range to design and forge possibly THE ultimate shoe for steep, high performance bouldering and sport climbing…
Chimera Shoe Review
