Our Favourite Spring Rock Climbing Shoes
Spring climbing with warm weather and clear skies is just around the corner
With spring just around the corner, most climbers are itching to get outside and squeeze some real stone. Unfortunately, the long winter of plastic pulling has likely taken its toll on your current climbing shoes. To make sure you don’t blow that critical onsight or redpoint, you’re likely going to have to update your footwear. So, to help you decide what shoes you should purchase, we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite climbing shoes for the spring 2025 season.
Scarpa Drago
A classic high-end sport climbing and bouldering shoe
High-level sport climbers and boulderers will appreciate the Scarpa Drago. This highly downturned and asymmetric shoe delivers exceptional precision and sensitivity for difficult climbing. Scarpa starts with a lightweight synthetic upper that maintains its shape during the shoe’s life but yields sufficiently to hug the climber’s foot. The shoe’s forefoot is swathed in ultra-grippy M50 rubber that helps focus power to the toes and provides unparalleled toe hooking. A small 1 mm thick Flexan midsole provides some support when venturing onto less steep terrain, and the Vibram XS Grip 2 rubber sole delivers consistent performance on a variety of holds. Women and male climbers with narrower feet will also appreciate that Scarpa now offers the Drago LV, which features a lower-volume fit.
La Sportiva Theory
A super soft and highly flexible high-end shoe
Climbers seeking a no-compromise super-soft shoe for super-steep rock or plastic climbing shenanigans will appreciate the Theory. Constructed with all the now-expected specialized high-end shoe features (aggressive tensioning, high asymmetry, high downturn, plenty of rubber coverage), the Theory also has a unique outsole that’s thinner where you need less rubber, resulting in greater forefoot flex. The outsole also employs a combination of Sportiva’s No Edge technology and traditional edge construction for optimal performance on small holds. Sportiva specs a single hook-and-loop strap closure for additional security during tenuous heel hooks and Vibram’s XS Grip 2 rubber ensures consistent and predictable adhesion on steep terrain. If you are climbing indoors this season and want uncompromising performance on steep routes and boulder problems, check out the Theory.
Black Diamond Method S
A sensitive and comfortable intermediate shoe
While the original Method was optimized for face climbing and small edges, some climbers longed for a softer version that was more sensitive and, therefore, more capable on steeper routes. Black Diamond clearly heard these requests and introduced the Method S. Built on a similar moderately downturned last with a sophisticated tensioned rand system and soft midsole, the Method S provides the power, sensitivity and control climbers demand on steeper sport climbs. Black Diamond has spec’d a breathable, foot-confirming engineered knit upper and added a single Velcro strap closure that simplifies entry while providing a sufficiently locked-down fit when heel hooking. Speaking of hooking, the Method S has a large forefoot rubber patch and a full-rubber heel for secure hooking and scumming. Finally, Black Diamond employs its Black Label Fuse rubber compound for the outsole, which provides a balanced blend of grip and durability.
Scarpa Instinct VS
A classic high-end sport climbing and bouldering shoe
Built on a moderately downturned asymmetric last, the Instinct VS delivers the performance climbers demand when attempting challenging routes and boulder problems. The shoe features a relatively soft midsole for sensitivity and smearing, and thanks to the thin slab of Vibram XS Edge rubber in the forefoot (XS Grip 2 for the women’s version), it can also deftly handle standing on small edges. The top of the shoe is shod with a generous patch of rubber for hooking, scumming, and other steep-angle shenanigans, while the single hook-and-loop closure strap ensures the shoe stays on during powerful heel-hooking. On the women’s model, Scarpa specs a somewhat lower-volume heel for a better and more secure fit.
La Sportiva Miura VS
A precise face-climbing shoe
If you spend your time climbing on vertical or gently overhanging terrain, check out the Muira VS. The Miura VS features a downturned last and asymmetric shape, ensuring exceptional support and power when standing on small edges. This performance is further enhanced thanks to Sportiva’s P3 (Permanent Power Platform) construction, which helps maintain the Miura VS’ downturned shape. For the upper, La Sportiva specs three hoop-and-loop closure straps that allow for excellent fit adjustment without the hassles of laces. Finally, a 4 mm thick Vibram XS Edge outsole provides the ideal level of edging performance without comprising the grip required when smearing polished features. The fact that the Muira VS has been in production for over 20 years speaks to the effectiveness of the design. Get a pair; you won’t be disappointed.
Scarpa Arpia
A comfortable all-rounder
Built on a slightly downturned asymmetric last, the Arpia provides the precision and control necessary for sport climbing and bouldering without compromising the comfort many climbers demand. For the upper, Scarpa uses a stretch-resistant microfibre material with a luxuriously soft liner, ensuring a consistent fit and exceptional comfort. The addition of a thin Flexan midsole adds support when standing on small holds, while the TA-Tension system provides performance-boosting compression without the eye-watering pressure of some rand designs. A full rubber heel and a generous patch of super-sticky M50 rubber on the toe box ensure solid hooking, while the Dual opposing Velcro straps provide an easily adjustable locked-in fit. Finally, a full-length slab of sticky Vibram XS Grip 2 sole rubber provides consistent performance on steep and or insecure terrain. This is a great intermediate-climber sport climbing shoe. Size them accordingly (snugger for more difficult climbing and somewhat looser for easier grades), and you won’t be disappointed.
La Sportiva TC Pro
A classic trad climbing shoe
This classic mid-height shoe has become the go-to for many crack climbers and multi-pitch aficionados. The shoe is built on a flat last with a supportive midsole for all-day comfort when standing on small edges. The leather upper provides solid abrasion resistance, while the carefully positioned perforations and ventilated padded tongue deliver additional airflow for greater comfort during longer climbs. Sportiva has tweaked the randing to minimize delamination and has also modified the medial side lacing for greater comfort when jamming. Finally, a generous slab of Vibram XS Edge rubber ensures consistent performance when standing on granite micro-edges and nubbins.
Scarpa Veloce
A super-soft and comfortable performance shoe
While this super-soft shoe excels at modern plastic climbing, it’s also right at home on overhanging sport routes where pulling and pawing with your feet is mandatory for success.
The shoe features Scarpa’s extremely sticky S-72 rubber compound for exceptional grip on even the most tenuous holds. From a fit perspective, Scarpa has employed a more relaxed last with a roomier toe box, a slight downturn, and gentle tensioning. The result is a comfortable fit that does not sacrifice performance. This an ideal shoe for intermediate climbers looking to upgrade their footwear or experienced climbers seeking a comfortable shoe for extended climbing sessions.
Products reviewed in this article:
Scarpa Drago
La Sportiva Theory
Black Diamond Method S
Scarpa Instinct VS
La Sportiva Miura VS
Scarpa Arpia
La Sportiva TC Pro
Scarpa Veloce
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