Splitter Choss

I would put these shoes in the same league as the Scarpa Boostic and Miura VS, in that they are on the stiffer side of performance shoes. I found they were best on vertical to just past vert climbs with small footholds. The toe is very precise, once I got used to it, with enough sensitivity to know I was standing on the best part of the hold, but supportive enough my feet didn’t tire quickly standing on small nubbins.go to full review

Those minor gripes aside, after several months of use I can honestly say the Iati hits the sweet spot of offering the right amount of sensitivity and precision for most of my sport climbing needs. Given how comfortable they are, they often have a place in my pack, and in fact I just got them resoled so I can keep using them.go to full review

After using these shoes extensively the last couple of months, my only criticism is that I’ve worn through the rubber pretty quickly, which was a bit surprising for the usually quite durable XS Edge. It’s possible that because it’s only 3.5mm, instead of the typical 4mm found on most edging shoes, there wasn’t as much to begin with. Or maybe I just climbed a lot.go to full review

The magic is made possible by the Wireframe construction, which uses thin bands of Spectra in the waistbelt and leg loops, and eliminates the need for bulky and heavy foam. It also serves to distribute the weight evenly, and I’ve been shocked by how comfortable it is around my bony hips, expecting it to dig in given it’s small profile. Other’s have said the same, and consensus seems to be that in spite of it’s size it ranks near the top of the comfort category when compared to all the..." go to full review

A harness this nice with brand new technology would typically be priced towards the top of the line, but somehow it comes in at only $69.95. With that kind of value, combined with top-notch performance, I highly recommended this harness for anyone needing an all-around rig that’s light and extremely comfortable. It’s also available in a women’s specific model as well.go to full review

I’ve been using the Vergo for several months now, and one of the reasons Trango sent me one early was because they knew I’m a huge GriGri fan and very skeptical of competitors. Before the Vergo I would have said there were some OK alternatives, but nothing I had tried would ever replace the GriGri for me. That has changed with the Vergo, as much as it pains me to say anything negative about my beloved GriGri, and there are plenty of days when it’s the only device I take with me to the crag..." go to full review

I’m a big fan of offset cams. When Wild Country introduced a set back in 1999, most people wrote them off as being too specialized, and sadly the company stopped making them. As it turns out, they were just a little too far ahead of their time, as many now agree that not only are offsets great for clean aid climbing, but free climbers are also finding they are an indispensable part of their rack at many trad climbing venues.go to full review

The only downside is that they retail for $190, which makes them the most expensive shoe on the market. However, climbing shoes are the only piece of gear that can really affect your climbing, and if you are looking for a precision tool for your latest project, these are worth checking out.go to full review

Putting them on the first time, I thought I got these too big, but that seems to be a common trend for me with the latest Scarpa shoes. They are so soft, there isn’t much pressure on your foot when you cinch them down tight. Don’t be fooled though, as soon as you start climbing in them, you’ll feel the power afforded by the Active Randing system.go to full review

Since the Blancos were discontinued last year, people are asking how these compare. For one, the toe is much pointier on this, making it better for pockets. The toe box is wider, so if you have big feet, these will probably feel much better, though the asymmetric shape might be a factor to consider if you aren’t used to wearing those kinds of shoes. The Verdon is also stiffer than the Whites, which could be good or bad depending on your preferences. The heel is much more comfortable, and..." go to full review