Trad climbing is loads of fun, especially for those people that engage in it.
You see, it is not many people that are into it, and that makes it unique. Trad climbers feel unique, and don’t waste any time juggling with the idea of whether to attend a specific climb or not.
Climbing comes naturally to them.
We would be insincere if we said that trad climbing is not risky. The risk of falling is an ever-present reality that climbers face every day.
5 Best Trad Climbing Shoes Review & Buying Guide
However, you can minimize the risk by having the best trad climbing shoes that you can find. Trad climbing shoes protect your feet from the significant beating that they may experience.
Without the right kind of shoes, it would be practically impossible to enjoy the activity.
But how do you find the most appropriate and best trad climbing shoes for you? is there a particular criterion that you use to find your ideal shoe?
Definitely, and that is what we are going to discuss in a moment. More importantly, we list some of the best climbing shoes for your safety and protection.
Our first choice is Mad Rock Men’s Flash 2.0 Climbing Shoe, followed by La Sportiva Tarantula Climbing Shoe.
These two pairs of shoes are compatible, robust to protect your feet from the rough handling of the stones, and flexible to allow movement and climbing.
1. Mad Rock Men’s Flash 2.0 Climbing Shoe
One of the reasons why mad rock climbing shoes are a favorite of many people is its comfortable design and unmatched functionality. The idea is to find footwear that is supportive when climbing and comfortable as well.
Undoubtedly, the shoe fulfills this requirement without a problem, as you will notice in various mad rock climbing shoes reviews from climbers.
The 100% leather and synthetic provides adequate support for the feet when climbing. It is a robust upper material that protects your feet from abrasion when climbing.
Chances of injury are minimal, and that is a good thing.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the mad rock drifter is relatively breathable. Therefore, you do not get too sweaty and slippery to risk losing your grip. Trad climbing is quite demanding, and anxiety combined with the hot weather can push your sweat glands on overdrive.
You may be skeptical about leather and synthetic and how they contribute to breathability.
However, leather is naturally breathable, and you can rely on it to allow sufficient flow of air into the wall climbing shoes.
The leather and rubber sole are quite flexible to support the coiling of the foot when climbing. You can, therefore, find a crack to jam your foot quickly and effortlessly. It is also ideal for all levels of climbing, and it does not matter whether you are a beginner or a pro. We might as well refer to it as the best intermediate climbing shoes.
the shoe is quite supportive, flexible, and comfortable to help with rock climbing.
- It has a comfortable design
- Leather and synthetic material for comfort and flexibility
- Leather and rubber sole to help in safe climbing
- The climbing shoe is lightweight
- The two straps may get caught when climbing
- It is quite pricey
2. La Sportiva Men’s TarantuLace Performance Rock Climbing Shoe
It seems that leather material is ideal for rock climbing shoes. The good thing about leather is that it is durable, flexible, and rugged to protect your feet against the knocks that characterize the rock climbing. It is the material that you will mostly find in the best climbing shoes for bouldering.
A fast lacing system that ensures you get a good fit to avoid friction and injuries. As mentioned in this guide, the lacing system is always better compared to the other forms of closure, such as velcro. In the majority of the cases, the laces in climbing shoes are quite durable, and you don’t need to worry about cut laces when you are in the process of getting to the peak. And this also applies to la Sportiva women’s climbing shoes.
It is a versatile rock climbing shoe that any level of the climber will find useful. You can easily use it for hooking, smearing and edging. As a beginner, you can be confident that the shoe is comfortable and supportive to help you as you practice to become a professional. It is a shoe that you’re going to grow with gradually. Make sure that you get good la Sportiva climbing shoes sizing to avoid problems later on.
Another Point of efficiency is the FriXion RS midsole and rubber sole that provides flexibility and considerable shock absorption. Your fingers and the entire foot will be safe as you regularly jam your foot into the cracks and elevate to a higher level.
- The durable, flexible and rugged upper leather material
- Fast lacing system for a proper fit
- Versatile and ideal for all levels of climbing
- FriXion RS midsole and rubber sole for efficiency
- The shoe may be a bit narrow for some people
- The lacing holes are not quite durable
3. La Sportiva Tarantula Climbing Shoe
The 100% leather material is responsible for making La Sportiva Tarantula Climbing Shoe durable and significantly protective. As a climber, it is imperative that your choice of shoes takes into account several factors and among them is protection from abrasion.
It is not once or twice that your foot will slip, and if the upper material is not protective enough, then your skin will bear the brunt of the rocks, and may not be quite useful. The low asymmetry and the excellent fit that you get from la Sportiva climbing shoes make it comfortable.
Discomfort when climbing can significantly affect your concentration, and the chances of making mistakes compound significantly, and that can sometimes be a risk hazard. As much as you get the right shoe with the best quality material, make sure the shoe is comfortable as well.
The unlined leather upper is quite efficient in moisture management, and that pretty much makes it the best climbing shoes for wide feet.
It does not get too hot, and you can be at your best to climb to the top, something that some La Sportiva climbing shoes review highlight. Another Point of comfort is the laspoFlex midsole. It makes the shoe flexible and supportive when climbing. As a result, you can easily jam your foot into a crack and elevate yourself effectively.
- Durable and rugged upper material to provide protection
- Low asymmetry and a good fit that you get from the shoe
- Unlined leather upper to help keep cool
- the laspoFlex midsole for flexibility and support
- The sizing of a climbing shoe may not be perfect
- They may feel as if they’re digging into your heel
4. Five Ten Men’s Anasazi Climbing Shoe
And while leather material is the most appropriate for climbing shoes, polyester isn’t so bad. Five Ten climbing shoes are durable and quite flexible – some of the qualities you will appreciate in best climbing shoes for narrow feet.
Manufactured in the USA, you can be sure that you are getting something quality to last you through the seasons of rock climbing. The overall quality is something that we truly appreciate, not to mention the attractive design.
The rubber outsole on the 5.10 climbing shoes is flexible and sufficiently thick to help you in climbing. You can jam your foot into various types of cracks and edges comfortably and confidently. It gives you a good grip and protection from the sharp edges. Multiple 5.10 climbing shoes reviews are quick to highlight this.
The other features that contribute to comfort include the medium-stiff midsole and lace-up design.
- Durable and flexible polyester upper material
- Quality climbing shoe made in the USA
- Flexible rubber outsole that is sufficiently thick for rock climbing
- The medium-stiff midsole for easy climbing
- Lace-up for a good and comfortable fit
- They may produce some awful smell which may go away with time
- Sizing may be a little off
5. La Sportiva Men’s TC Pro Climbing Shoe
The combination of leather and Vibram is what makes this pro climbing shoe one of the best. And like a la Sportiva genius, the shoe is durable and quite protective to the feet, and you will not feel any undue pressure that may affect your efficiency in climbing.
It is ideal for crack climbing and edging. In particular, it is flexible to allow the carving in your foot to stretch to the maximum and elevate yourself to a higher position. It is sturdy to prevent any stress and abrasion that your foot may encounter when climbing.
You will find out that the foam padding is in all the right places to protect your feet against the brunt of the edges and hard surfaces.
The Vibram rubber material on the outsole is not only flexible but also quite protective. We might as well mention that it gives you a good grip on the small surfaces available on the side of the rocks.
- Practical leather and Vibram material for climbing
- The shoe is the best for crack climbing and edging
- It is robust to protect your feet
- Foam padding in all the right places for comfort and protection
- The shoe is a bit small for some people
How To Choose The Best Trad Climbing Shoes In Rock Mountain
Laces
Stability when climbing is critical, and you want good quality shoes that have a decent lacing system to overcome the abuse associated with rubbing against the rocks. Velcro may seem like the most appropriate system for a good fit in climbing shoes.
However, that is not the case, and the velcro straps can quickly come off when trapped somewhere between the rocks.
To ensure safety when climbing, avoid the velcro straps as much as possible. Opt for the lacing system. And if you’re not a fan of shoelaces, you can still go with the slip-on.
Semi Sturdiness
It is vital that the shoes you choose for the best trad climbing shoes are sturdy in terms of materials used. The idea is to protect your feet against the possible abrasion they may experience when climbing.
Sometimes you don’t have time to put your foot at the right spot and the speed at which you react to find a sound footing may cause a significant knock to your toes.
As a result, the shoes should have sturdy rubber material for shock absorption and abrasion resistance. However, it should not be too sturdy to affect flexibility. In the majority of the cases, there is a thin line between robustness and flexibility — the balance between the two factors.
Flat Toes
In most cases, the idea is to find the cracks where you can jam your foot and help you move upwards without problems and risks.
Try to find shoes with flat toes to ensure flexibility of the midfoot, and to prevent the footwear coming off when you are in the middle when climbing.
Comfortable
It is imperative that the shoes for trad climbing are suitable to help you enjoy the activity. It would be unfortunate if the boot starts pinching the toes when you are in the middle of trad climbing.
Another issue is breathability to prevent sweating. Moisture inside the shoe is a risk Hazard and should make sure that the shoe is always dry.
One way that you do that is by choosing a breathable shoe. It is not every Brand on the market that can boast sufficient breathability, and so it is essential to check this feature out.
The Type Of Climbing
It is not every shoe that you find on the market that is appropriate for every form of climbing.
For example, the technical or steep route requires footwear with a moderate or aggressive downturn. The shoe for thin vertical cracks may not require a protracted decline.
Good Fit
You should avoid a wiggling or a slipping shoe if you want to enjoy the climbing. Of course, you cannot enjoy the activity if the footwear keeps on coming off, and wiggling out of position. To avoid the misfortune of missing the side cracks just because the shoe is not steady, go for a good fit.
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Final Word
Choosing the best trad climbing shoes may not be an easy exercise, especially if you’re a beginner, and you don’t have the right information. The above guide will help you identify the most appropriate footwear for a variety of trad climbing. Our top Choice is Mad Rock Men’s Flash 2.0 Climbing Shoe and has all the makings of a high-quality climbing shoe.
Other options are still decent, and you can choose any of them depending on preferences, and of course, needs.
