User Review: Mad Rock Flash

Mad Rock Flash
Above: The current Flash, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed March 25, 2006 by Will

Rating:
Price Paid: $80

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.

Save & Share