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Mad Rock Flash

rated 4.0 of 5 stars
photo: Mad Rock Flash climbing shoe

These shoes were my first ever pair of climbing shoes, and I used them exclusively in the gym. They edged extremely well and smeared great when I got them, but three months later the rubber has almost no smearing power, and I can barely edge. Good thing is I can get them resoled...

However, that's the extent of the negative stuff. They hook better than every shoe I've ever tried (although I'll admit I've only tried the Anasazi, Katana, and Mythos) and the velcro straps do a fairly good job at getting it fit to your foot. Very comfortable, great beginner shoe. Get them a half to a full size smaller though, because they'll stretch.

My only real complaints with the shoe are its durability, although it should be noted that I climbed every day in the gym with them for three months, and the stretch factor, as I got my size because it was fairly tight. The rubber isn't as nice as what you'll get in an Anasazi or Katana, but then those shoes are alot nicer.

It will make your foot very orange. My feet are still very orange every time I take them off three months later, but the fact that they're the reddish orange that they are (which I think is pretty sweet) makes up for it. Also, two holds in the heal allow for pulling on and off very quickly and easily.

If you're a more experienced climber I'd suggest going with a sculpted heal as I like it more for all around climbing, and the top of the Flash's heal begins to get loose when edging and heal hooking, but for a beginner this shoe is a 5/5.

Price Paid: $80

Version reviewed: 2.0

Comfotable shoe, great design, and looks cool on my feet.

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Velcro straps

Cons

  • The dye on the inside wipes off onto my feet as I sweat

All around awesome fit. I usually wear a 9.5 shoe but decided to go one size smaller. Am wearing the 9.0 size and was the best decision I made when purchasing this shoe.

A bit of break-in time is needed but that goes with any other climbing shoe. One of my cons was the fact that the dye on the inside of the shoe turns my heel and pads of my feet orange

As a climbing shoe, it does its job. I use it mostly for climbing indoors, but the Mad Rock Science Friction sole works amazingly on real rock where foot holds are non-existant. The velcro strap allow for a perfect fit, whether you like your shoe tight or just right.

Bottom line, I would recommend this shoe as a good indoor climbing shoe. Semi-agressive toe that doesn't leave you looking like a footbound Chinese woman after taking it off.

Source: bought via a "pro deal"
Price Paid: $62.82 USD

I’ve climbed in all-brands of shoes in my years, and I figured I’d finally give Mad Rock a try. I chose the Flash because of their easy velcro closure, and not overly-aggressive rand, I’m glad I did. They fit really well and true to street shoe size (9.5). It’s also nice that they’re unlined (definitely keeps odors down), and the padded overlapping toungue is really comfortable so you can really pull the velcro down snug.

The rubber is great. It’s a little softer than what I’m used to, so I’d stay away from climbing trad and edging, but I found it to be really great for higher friction climbs. Great shoes for bouldering and sport. It worked perfectly on sandstone, and gritty conglomerate rock. The heel-cup is really the best part. I believe last time I was out, a bystanding climber accused me of having the “cheater heel” because it works so well. (Turn that foot out—it works every time!)

So anyway, for $75, you really can’t beat the price and performance. Way to go Mad Rock!

Materials: Leather, Unlined
Use: Bouldering, Sport Climbing
Break-in Period: 4 sessions
Weight: 160lbs
Price Paid: $74.99

A cheap comfy shoe with a good heel. Not the greatest edging, but for the price very good value.

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Heel
  • Cheap

Cons

  • Wears out
  • Edging

A cheap comfortable shoe which is very versatile, good for bouldering, overhanging sport routes, multi pitch climbing (if you go up half a size). 

Sport climbing it is good for me up to 7C on overhanging and 7A faces.

No problem bouldering up to V5-6.

It does wear out pretty fast, but for the price it's great. 

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: 60$

Great deal for the price! The fit is perfect for me and I love the ease of getting shoes on and off. Edged and smeared well. Used it for many types of climbs: face, crack, sport, multi-pitch trad, sandstone and granite.... There is stickier rubber around but the madrubber lasts long and gripped sure enough on anything I climbed. Being quite heavy on rubber I appreciated the bit of extra thickness (5.3mm).

Break-in Period: none
Price Paid: US $65

These shoes perform well in the gym. I have yet to try them on granite or limestone since I bought them. The price hooked me, however as with everything else in climbing, I should have spent a little more for a better product. Wouldn't recommend them for multi-pitch climbs, comfort level is only so-so. Other Mad Rock shoes around the same price are more comfortable. Better luck next time, I guess.

Use: In the gym, and on sandstone in Moab
Break-in Period: 10-12 decent gym climbs
Price Paid: $60

These shoes were my first ever climbing shoes. I bought them mainly for indoor climbing. They seem to be holding up just fine. The rubber has very good grip and seems to smear well. I love the easy on and off velcro straps. Overall a good beginner shoe and the cost is not too bad either.

My first pair of climbing shoes. Great beginner shoes for limestone and granite alike and a good price. Decent performance on cracks (jams) and good durability. These lasted me 8 months using about 3-4 times/month. Just watch out for orange feet after initial use.

Price Paid: $69

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Specs

Price MSRP: $89.00
Current Retail: $71.94-$109.00
Historic Range: $0.01-$109.00
Reviewers Paid: $60.00-$80.00
Stiffness Soft/Medium
Upper Material Syn Flex, Leather
Closure Hook-and-loop
Rubber Science Friction 3.0, [rand] Science Friction R2
Midsole 1.4mm polycarbonate midsole
Profile Performance
Asymmetrical Curvature Moderate
Product Details from Mad Rock »

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