5 Best Climbing Shoes For Men in 2023

Teddy Dondanville
Teddy Dondanville on
5 Best Climbing Shoes For Men in 2023
contrast-sole low-top sneakers. Sandals PRIMIGI 7432144 D Lilla

Dare more challenging climbs with confidence and versatility with these high-quality men’s climbing shoes. If you’re serious about your climbing journey, these are the shoes to have to get you to the next level. Our team of seasoned climbers picked their favorites for this guide.

No matter if you’ve years of experience or just started your journey, we have rounded up the best footwear currently available from established brands such as La Sportiva, Tenaya, Scarpa, Red Chili, Five Ten, and Evolv. Find top-notch pieces designed with superb hooking capabilities and precision.

Take a quick look below of over 100 pairs of the best men’s climbing shoes out there. Check the top picks in various categories, budget ranges, and styles, as well as amazing deals on the internet you will ever find.

How we test climbing shoes

We leave no stone unturned when it comes to scrutinizing the footwear for our comprehensive reviews. We bring all pairs to the Stefoy-les-lyonShops shoe testing lab for a meticulous go-over. We then take the shoes in actual climbing challenges to assess their real value.

Our process includes:

  • Purchasing pairs of climbing kicks for men for the tests. We spend our own money to maintain the independence and objectivity of our reviews and rankings.
  • Putting in hours of climbing outside and in the gym to evaluate the real-life performance of each particular model. We perform a battery of tests to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the shoes.
  • Taking notes of the model’s out-of-the-box fit and comfort, beak-in period, edging and smearing prowess, closure system, outsole traction, durability, versatility, et cetera.
  • Gathering more insights from reviews and testimonials from pros, veteran climbers, and passionate climbing enthusiasts.

To end the process, all the pairs of men’s climbing shoes in the see are given their overall ratings. Each model is assigned a CoreScore from 0 to 100.

 

Best men's climbing shoes overall

contrast-sole low-top sneakers | What makes it the best?

The Skwama is an excellent climbing shoe for longer sessions of hard bouldering and rope climbing at the gym or crag. The shoe provides quality support while retaining the flexibility to give you a superior sensitivity in all of your climbs. The Skwama is a rare find with its combination of superb comfort and performance.

contrast-sole low-top sneakers Pros

  • True to size
  • Snug fit
  • This sneaker pack comes complete with two different versions of the
  • Skechers Performance running shoe
  • Durable
  • Short break-in period
  • Flexible
  • Suitable for gym and crag

contrast-sole low-top sneakers Cons

  • Less breathable
  • Expensive
Full review of Nike Air Max 270 React "USA" sneakers

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black Yellow (BY)

Best men's climbing shoes with moderate downturn

contrast-sole low-top sneakers | What makes it the best?

The Scarpa Instinct VS is absolutely superb when it comes to technical surfaces and overhang climbing in the gym or on real rock! Small ripples, tiny dimples, and pockets become bomber footholds in this shoe. And your feet somehow stay relatively comfortable considering the performance you get from them.

contrast-sole low-top sneakers Pros

  • Secure fit
  • Very comfortable
  • Yuul Yie White Amoeba Glam 70 Ankle Boots
  • Great for heel and toe hooking
  • Suitable for the gym or the crag
  • Durable

contrast-sole low-top sneakers Cons

  • Not for smearing
  • Chrissy Teigen And John Legends Celebrity Couple Shoe Style
  • Not breathable
Full review of Scarpa Instinct VS

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black / Yellow (70013000)

Best men's climbing shoes for intermediate climbers

contrast-sole low-top sneakers Pros

  • True to size
  • Secure fit
  • Great for heel and toe hooking
  • Excellent on technical face climbing
  • Suitable for gym and crag
  • Durable
  • Can be resoled

contrast-sole low-top sneakers Cons

  • Not for multi-pitch climbing
  • Less support for crack climbing
  • Expensive
Full review of La Sportiva Solution

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Grey (000100)

Best men's climbing shoes with neutral downturn

What makes it the best?

The La Sportiva Tarantulace is a beginner-friendly climbing shoe that serves as a solid entry point into the world of climbing. Its rubber compound lining the sole and neutral style is excellent for longer climbs. You can’t go wrong with this pair of shoes to start your climbing journey.

contrast-sole low-top sneakers Pros

  • True to size
  • Perfect fit
  • All-day comfort
  • Durable
  • Flat midsole
  • Value for money
  • Leather lining

contrast-sole low-top sneakers Cons

  • Poor breathability
  • Thick sole
Full review of La Sportiva Tarantulace

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Black Poppy (999311)
Turquoise (TU)
Grey Hibiscus (901402)
Topaz Red Plum (624502)
Olive Tiger (719206)

Best sport climbing shoes for men

What makes it the best?

Very few climbing shoes are as capable, as comfortable, and durable as the Miura. If you climb outdoors or are serious about getting into climbing outdoors, then you should strongly consider trying on a pair of La Sportiva Miura.

contrast-sole low-top sneakers Pros

  • Extremely versatile
  • Great for crack climbing
  • Very Comfortable
  • Durable
  • Stiff but sticky rubber
  • And here are some good news for those who are interested in the shoes
  • Good value

contrast-sole low-top sneakers Cons

  • Not very breathable
  • Sandals GANT Flatville 22563554 Marine G69
  • Leather will eventually become uncomfortably stiff
Full review of La Sportiva Miura

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Black (706706)
Ice (NC)
White/Jade Green (000704)

Comparison of the 5 best climbing shoes for men

+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Experts
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways
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.