BUTORA Unisex Acro Rock/Indoor Climbing Shoes

Product Information

Another classic with decades of performance accolades, the Miura VS could be called old-fashioned next to young guns like the Acro.

The Acro is supportive enough to work as an all-around gym climbing shoe and take on longer routes on overhung to less than vertical routes. It edges extremely well in those conditions and has enough downturn to pull your lower body into the wall as the angle gets steeper. In many cases, I was glad for the extra protection of the stiff rubber. When heel hooking smaller holds, the ball could sometimes be harder to use than softer heel shapes. On sharp heel hooks, I was glad for the protection. That said, I still enjoy these shoes. In one category, the Tarantulace outscored all others: comfort. I could wear these shoes all day. I would enjoy it. Plus, the laces mean a close and supportive fit.

Precision.Control. Stability. Power.

Lined up right, these shoes would perform well, but I found it harder to nail foot positioning, and harder to know when I had.

But I still found myself reaching for the Shaman with reasonable frequency. On my foot, it was among the most comfortable shoes in this test. It all works. The Shamans felt tight without creating pain or pressure points. The heel is well designed, and there’s enough toe-top rubber for most toe hooks.Remember, sometimes the best shoe for you is simply the one that best fits your foot rather than one supposedly designed for a particular climber or style of climbing. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types. Our Selection of the Best Climbing Shoes for 2023 Comparison Table Shoe Model When performance is critical, the Scarpa Instinct VS is a solid choice for climbers with wide feet. These shoes are made from premium Lorica synthetic leather, which provides a comfortable leather-like fit. A “beginner” bouldering shoe might be viewed as a contradiction in terms. When bouldering started outdoors, there were no bouldering gyms, and most of the routes were definitely not designed for beginners. The Oasi doesn’t require a long break-in for most climbers, and the synthetic upper stretches very little, so don’t downsize too much. Most people can dial in a great fit with Tenaya’s unique double strap system, which allows you to cinch down the forefoot, midfoot, and heel areas separately. A rounded toe box and a less aggressive downturn than is typical in intermediate climbing shoes, make this an excellent shoe for transitioning from beginner shoes to intermediate.