Climbing Shoes

Recent Climbing Shoe Reviews

La Sportiva Mythos Eco

Nice idea, fails because the outsole is not as sticky as standard Mythos. I've had several pairs of Mythos and now one pair of the eco version. The mythos is the most comfortable thing I've ever put on a foot (even when really tight. I am a Sportiva 43.5 in mountain boots and a 40.5 in Mythos) and I love them, and feel confident climbing all rock types.  The eco however has a much less grippy outsole. It might be the same rubber, but the re-processing appears to make it harder and less sticky. Full review

La Sportiva Miura

Perfect climbing fit, fantastic grip. I bought these three years ago after having tried at least three other brands. I climb indoors up to twice a week. The effect they had on my climbing was amazing. The fit is very snug for a wide foot but they stretch and end up fitting like a second skin. I bought lace-ups rather than velcro and find I can adjust the fit minutely on different parts of my feet. Full review

La Sportiva Katana

I am a novice weekend climber, who purchased the La Sportiva Katana climbing shoes two years ago. During this time it has given me many opportunities to test them out and provide useful information for prospective buyers. Uses I have used the Katana climbing shoes for bouldering and indoor rock walls. They have other uses but these are types of climbing that I have used them for. My review will be based on these types of climbing. Any climbers who are out on the crag, may have different experiences… Full review

La Sportiva Mythos Eco

The Mythos Eco is a great all-day climbing shoe that has been redesigned, using 95 percent recycled materials, without compromising quality and function. This product is designed for both indoor and outdoor use, and has superior comfort for all day use, whether working on projects in the gym, or long multi-pitch routes.  After 25 years of being a climber’s favorite, Las Sportiva has announced a re-edition of their classic shoe. The Mythos Eco looks nearly identical as its predecessor, however… Full review

Scarpa Origin

This is an excellent introductory climbing shoe. They blend comfort with technical power and durability quite well for a beginner shoe. I climbed in them for two years, about once a week, and they held up well. They are comfortable, but still allow you to climb moderate difficulty. Excellent edge and moderate curve. The fit was excellent, with the leather upper shoe stretching slightly to match my foot.  Full review

Five Ten Team VXI

The Five Ten Team VXi’s are a highly specialized, performance climbing shoe. If you’re at a place in your climbing where you need a little boost to crack that latest project, these are like having a cheat code in your bag. Boosting a full 360 degrees of the Stealth Mi6 makes these shoes excel at steep or overhanging routes. I’ve got very few constructive critiques. Other than a small break-in period, these are, in every aspect, a top performer. PREAMBLE This entire shoe is built around the… Full review

La Sportiva Mythos

Great comfort, perfect multi-pitch and all around shoe—very durable. I had my Mythos for three years and have climbed with it on rock—usually sport climbing, vertical walls, slabs, chimneys, and multi-pitch. I have found it really comfortable (for me a big plus, as I cannot endure pain in my feet for climbing. I simply cannot stand shoes that cause me pain in the foot/toes), and it does not have any of the new "plastic in the sole" P3 technology that La Sportiva does now (which makes your foot… Full review

La Sportiva Oxygym

This is an excellent versatile climbing shoe for a beginner. Comfortable and as good outside the gym as it is in the gym. Excellent fit. I tried on various hiking shoes that were beginner shoes and they were all extremely uncomfortable. All the salespeople were telling me that the shoe had to fit small or tight in order to climb properly and that the shoes would break in and stretch and eventually stretch and fit my foot like a glove. I thought that was nonsense. Finally a salesperson told me that… Full review

Scarpa Force X

This shoe is the most comfortable shoe that I've tried on and/or used. I got it for an inexpensive price and it fits like a glove without being painful. Sticky and light. I couldn't be happier. I am a beginner climber and had a hard time finding a comfortable shoe. The "experts" at the climbing stores kept telling me that the shoes had to be tight and uncomfortable because your feet had to feel the edges, nooks, and crannies of the climbing wall and needed to be responsive. Trying on shoes and having… Full review