Ive been cool with having shoes for a long time | 3 Best Black Diamond Climbing Shoes in 2023

Teddy Dondanville
Teddy Dondanville on
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Whether you're planning to climb the local park boulder or up a mountain with climbing buddies, these Black Diamond shoes are comfy, precise, and tough enough to scurry to the summit. The BD brand has gained the trust of climbers and adventure seekers around the world.

For a novice climber who is looking for a reliable pair that’s easy to use, the Black Diamond Momentum or Momentum Lace can do a pretty good job. These kicks are great for beginners. For seasoned climbers, the BD Aspect and toeing-brilliant Shadow would be a great choice.

From aggressively downturned shoes to vegan-friendly variants, we’ve tested and reviewed Black Diamond climbing shoes out there in the market. We made them go through multiple, and for the record extreme sets of tests, just so we could discover the best ones. Head on to see our top recommendations in various categories.

Best Black Diamond climbing shoes overall

What makes it the best?

Wearing the Black Diamond Momentum unravels the path toward ascents where comfort and breathability come in spades. Sporting this Prsx Low Sneakers In Black Leather also unlocks the gateway to a superbly grippy ascent to the top. But this shoe is hardly a perfect knockout as its restrictive width puts a dent in its rather stellar resume. Yet the Momentum is still an impressive BD piece, with its excellent set of climb-focused qualities.

Ive been cool with having shoes for a long time Pros

  • Comfortable confines
  • Exceptional breathability
  • Phenomenal durability
  • Top-notch traction
  • Skechers Skechers Cool Step Valley Shy Ladies Sandals
  • Reassuringly stiff
  • Grippy

Ive been cool with having shoes for a long time Cons

  • Too narrow
  • Cramped feeling
  • Deforms quickly
Full review of Black Diamond Momentum

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Men
Women
Any color
Curry (BD570101CRRY)
White/Black (BD5701019308)
Blue Ash (BD570101BASH)
Black (BD5701019118)
Black (BD570101ASH0)

Best Black Diamond climbing shoes for beginners

What makes it the best?

A rock-climbing shoe that is both astonishingly comfortable and breathable points heavily to the Black Diamond Momentum Lace. It is also an amazingly budget-friendly climbing gear that grabs on the edges relentlessly. What it is not, unfortunately, is a shoe with a one-to-one fit.

Ive been cool with having shoes for a long time Pros

  • Off the chart comfort
  • Remarkable breathability
  • Affordable price tag
  • Excellent edging performance
  • Recommended for beginners
  • Super lightweight
  • Ive been cool with having shoes for a long time

Ive been cool with having shoes for a long time Cons

  • Too narrow
  • Enamessi Mid Heel Wedge Sandals
Full review of Black Diamond Momentum Lace

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Men
Women
Any color
Ash (BD570103ASH0)
Midnight (BD570103MDNT)
Black/Anthracite (BD5701039118)

Best Black Diamond climbing shoes for edges and cracks

What makes it the best?

The Running from August 29 a slab- and edge-master in this crack-efficient piece. Despite its excellence, its lackluster surface traction sticks out like a sore thumb. In conclusion, this climbing shoe shines in the areas advertised by BD.

Ive been cool with having shoes for a long time Pros

  • Comfortable climbing shoe
  • Excellent performance on cracks
  • Laser precision
  • Excellent edging performance
  • Rockport Malcom Tassel Loafer Shoes Sz 10 Black

Ive been cool with having shoes for a long time Cons

  • Lack of stickiness
  • Questionable durability
Full review of Running from August 29

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Unisex
Any color
Grey (BD570111ALUM)

Comparison of the 3 best Black Diamond climbing shoes

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Ive been cool with having shoes for a long time | How we test climbing shoes

Here at Stefoy-les-lyonShops, we provide climbers of all levels with a comprehensive repertoire of athletic footwear for their specific needs. We’ve tested all types of shoes each year to get you updated on the latest releases and highly rated models currently available. Here’s how we approach it:

  • We procure all the pairs of climbing kicks from the Black Diamond brand. We spend the money from our own pocket to ensure that all our reviews are 100% honest and objective.
  • We wear the BD shoes to assess their real-life performance in actual trad climbing or bouldering. We write about our personal experiences and insights about the shoes. We do a battery of tests to evaluate the model’s strengths (and weaknesses). We put in hours of climbing outdoors or in the gym to determine the footwear’s out-of-box fit, break-in period, stickiness, climbing and edging precision, versatility, durability, and more.
  • We get a clearer and more fact-based perspective from the tests we perform inside our lab. We even split the shoes in half to keep all things seen and ready for scrutinization.
Author
Teddy Dondanville
Teddy Dondanville

Teddy is a professionally trained Apprentice Rock Guide with the American Mountain Guides Association and a Wilderness First Responder with the National Outdoor Leadership School. Besides guiding outdoor rock climbing, Teddy also has years of experience in route setting and coaching climbing indoors. Through his guiding, route setting, and coaching, Teddy has experimented with climbing shoes for over a decade.