The eight best climbing shoes to buy this fall

A gym-centric shoe in men’s and women’s models that balances fit with breathability. The knit upper has a variable weave that provides both airflow and support. The inner liner uses hemp to absorb moisture – nice when the air in the gym feels tropical. It uses proprietary BD rubber that’s designed to last through long gym seasons while you hone your strength and technique.

• Engineered Knit tech in the upper provides exceptional fit, breathability and comfort
• Hemp liner in the toe box helps manage moisture and reduce the chance of blisters
• Neutral, flat last offers comfort and support for developing climbers
• 4.3mm NeoFriction rubber is designed for durability, consistency and lightness
• Soft flex midsole adds sensitivity for the perfect foot placement
• 2 Velcro straps tune the fit
• Typically size the same as street shoe size

Stick to routes with the tenacity of an 8-legged bug. The comfort-focused Tarantulace has an unlined leather upper that moulds to the shape of your foot, with a higher shoe volume and rounded forefoot for all-day performance. The stiff midsole and sticky FriXion rubber provides support and grip on both plastic and rock foot holds.

• Unlined leather uppers are comfortable for all-day cragging and long hours in the gym
• Slightly asymmetric shape balances comfort and performance
• Long lasting sticky FriXion® rubber sticks to plastic and rock equally well
• La Sportiva suggests downsizing 1-1.5 sizes (performance fit) or 0.5-1 sizes (comfort fit) from your street shoe size

Sensitive shoes for dancing up steep sport routes and working moves on your training wall. The new women’s Instinct VS has all the performance features of the unisex version on a narrower last. They have good rubber coverage that lends itself to involved footwork and tricky hooking tactics. A bi-tensioned randing system keeps weight centered over the toe, but doesn’t cram your foot forward.

• Durable Lorica® leather uppers
• Rubber toe patch provides toe-scumming and hooking power
• Moderately asymmetric, curved shape for precise foot placement
• 3.5mm Vibram XS Grip2 rubber is designed to grip through friction moves
• Members typically downsize 1-1.5 sizes (performance fit) or 0.5-1 sizes (comfort fit) from their street shoe size

A high-performance shoe for tough boulder problems and steep routes. The Permanent Power Platform rand helps retain the down-turned shape and focuses weight and force to the toes.

• Leather and Lorica® uppers are lined through the toebox to ensure a long-lasting fit
• P3 rand retains the downturned shape and directs power to the toe
• Fast closure system for easy on and off
• Moulded 3-D heel cup is teamed with a locking heel harness for secure hooking
• 1.1mm Laspoflex midsole in the toebox supports your foot on tiny holds
• La Sportiva suggests downsizing 1-1.5 sizes (performance fit) or 0.5-1 sizes (comfort fit) from your street shoe size

An all-around shoe that redefines what an entry-level model can do. The low asymmetry and neutral profile fit comfortably right out of the box, while still providing edging power and sensitivity you’d expect from a high-end shoe.

• Leather upper molds to your foot for all-day comfort
• Lace closure can be adjusted for comfort or performance
• Variable thickness rand puts durability and sensitivity where you want it
• Supportive full-length midsole
• Thick Trax SAS rubber is super sticky
• Evolv suggests sizing the same as your street shoe size

A slip-on shoe to get you climbing at a moments notice. The powerful and sensitive slipper has a 3 closure Nano Strap, that gives you variety in your climbing style. Scarpa’s Bi-Tension system pulls power back from your toes rather than cramming your foot painfully forward, so you get more power with less tension on your foot.

• Uppers are made of microfiber with no overlaps for a durable and long-lasting fit
• The new Nano strap system has 3 modes for closure. Slipper, Fast and Strong modes keep things fresh for each route
• Slightly asymmetric, curved shape for precise foot placement
• 1mm Talyn midsole provides a supportive platform for edging and jamming
• Sole is 3.5mm Vibram® XS Grip2 rubber grips small edges and keeps things planted
• Members typically downsize 1-1.5 sizes (performance fit) or 0.5-1 sizes (comfort fit) from their street shoe size

Lightweight, super sensitive and ridiculously aggressive for your next project. Purpose-built for sending steep technical boulders and overhanging lines, the Drago does without a traditional midsole for a truly locked-in fit.

• LV fit is modified to suit lower-volume feet
• Designed to excel on demanding boulders and steep sport routes
• PCB-Tension™ active rands provide lightweight power transfer
• SRT structural toe wrap in M50 rubber provides support and friction
• PAF heel system improves fit and heel-hooking performance
• 1/3-length Vibram® XS Grip 2 soles strategically put the rubber only where you need it, delivering excellent friction with enough firmness for moderate edging

The full-length midsole and half-length rubber sole offer good performance and edging ability, and a padded mesh tongue provides additional comfort over your foot when jamming.

• Uppers are Eco leather and microfibre
• Eco leather uses a tanning process free of heavy metals
• Full-length 1.1mm LaspoFlex midsole supports feet on edgy and long routes
• Durable, grippy 5mm Vibram® XS Edge rubber outsole sticks to small foot holds and smears
• La Sportiva suggests downsizing 1-1.5 sizes (performance fit) or 0.5-1 sizes (comfort fit) from your street shoe size

Products reviewed in this article: