This was our favourite climbing shoe from 2024
We tested a lot of climbing shoes in 2024 but this one tops the list


Scarpa Arpia V
A comfortable all-rounder
Ok, let’s get this out of the way: the Arpia V does not deliver the bleeding-edge performance found in the current wave of hyper-specialized climbing shoes. So, if you are looking for a shoe to climb Will Bosi’s latest double-digit testpiece or flying to Norway to bag a quick repeat of Silence, then you can stop reading now: the Arpia V will not meet your needs. If, however, you have more mortal ambitions, then this is the shoe for you.
Built on a slightly downturned asymmetric last, the Arpia V provides the precision and control necessary for sport climbing and bouldering without compromising the comfort many climbers demand. The Arpia V can easily transition between plastic and rock and will perform admirably on slabs, vert, and steeper stone, an accomplishment that more specialized shoes will, understandably, struggle to achieve. Oh, and did I mention that it delivers all this performance and versatility without the foot-contorting fit frequently found on ultra-technical footwear?
Looking a little closer, we can see that Scarpa has employed a stretch-resistant microfibre upper with a luxuriously soft liner. The result is a consistent fit for predictable performance and exceptional comfort. Scarpa has also spec’d a thin Flexan midsole that adds support when standing on small holds without inhibiting the necessary flex required for tenuous smearing moves or when running across plastic volumes. At the back of the shoe, Scarpa has used its TA-Tension system. This savvy rand construction delivers performance-boosting compression for technical face climbing without the eye-watering pressure of some rand designs. A nod to the plastic-pulling crowd can be seen with the full-coverage rubber heel that easily dispatches the now-ubiquitous hooking shenanigans found on modern indoor routes and boulder problems. Up front, a generous patch of super-sticky M50 rubber on the toe box delivers similarly secure performance during toe hooks but may not be as large and, therefore, effective as more specialized, less versatile shoes. Finally, a full-length slab of sticky Vibram XS Grip 2 sole rubber performs as expected; it provides consistent grip and performance on steep or insecure terrain.
Having used the Arpia V for months, it has proven to be more than capable of dispatching mid-range grade boulder problems and routes in the easy 5.12 range, all while maintaining a relatively high degree of comfort. Size them accordingly (snugger for more difficult climbing and somewhat looser for easier grades), and you won’t be disappointed.
Products reviewed in this article:
Scarpa Arpia V
