The Defy is one of Evolv's best-selling climbing shoes and a great all-rounder. It has gone through several technical upgrades over time making it an even greater choice for beginners all the way to advanced climbers. And after recognizing the growth of indoor climbing, La Sportiva released an upgraded version of its popular shoe; the new La Sportiva Tarantula Boulder. It’s not just a thriving network of sponsored athletes that has turned heads though. Evolv has forged a reputation for producing robust and high-quality climbing shoes for climbers of all abilities. They also have one of the most extensive ranges of vegan-friendly shoesof any manufacturer, with over 60% of their shoe offerings using vegan-friendly materials and adhesives.

The shoe performs well here. It heel hooks fine and I have never had a heel slip out, nor have I ever had the sensation that one was about to slip out. I have had no issues with toe hooking, either. Take our recommendations to heart, but remember that the best shoe is the one that is most comfortable, and feels right for you. It’s priced competitively and designed like most beginner shoes: flat, simple, and comfort-oriented.Durability is an issue on the Scarpa Origin climbing shoe with reviewers reporting rubber peeling and sewing issues. Several climbers report the Origin runs small, especially in the toe box.

Each pair of shoes we tested for this article was used multiple times on multiple different roped routes. We also tested the shoes bouldering on problems of varying difficulty. Then, we tested the shoes outdoors on moderate climbs and outside bouldering. It will save you money over renting shoes from your gym, along with better performance and a personalized fit. Plus, if you ever want to climb outside, you’ll need to bring your own shoes. But it also allows you to dial in a precise fit, which is why the Tarantulace takes home the award for the most comfortable beginner climbing shoe in this test.

Summary

The Finale is the most traditional climbing shoe in this test: unlined leather with a simple lace closure system.

Comfort was slightly inconsistent as well — the padded tongue is cozy, but the upper is generally unsupportive. As a beginner, the chances are you won’t be working on any serious overhung problems until your technique and strength have developed. This is why the best beginner bouldering shoes are usually flatter with a slightly stiffer feel than shoes suitable for advanced climbers. Where Can You Buy Bouldering Shoes For Beginners? Evolv have pulled out all the stops whilst designing the construction of this shoe. its single layer leather and semi perforated upper allows the shoe to mold and stretch to your foot shape, giving a bespoke fit whilst ensuring the shoe does not loose structure over time. The 3/4 length speed lace closure assures that you can tighten the shoes up to your desired fit, and add a little more performance, driving some extra power to your toes when needed. The 1.2mm full-length midsole is paired with a slightly asymmetric toe profile, this gives a sturdy enough platform to give good edging attributes but also provides enough confidence when the terrain becomes more over-hanging. It was the better performer of the two, lending confidence on slabs and edges while turning in a respectable performance on steeper climbs. I felt the shoe had a good balance between stiffness and pliability, along with adequate if not exceptional sensitivity. The number of times climbing shoes can be resoled depends on the shoe's construction and how well they've been cared for. Quality climbing shoes can typically undergo several resoles if maintained properly. Do I need to buy a specific shoe for each climbing style?

The Defy was my first shoe and lasted me a little over 4 months of indoor bouldering 4-5 times a week before I finally wore through the toe rubber. In that time I found the shoe was highly comfortable thanks to its neutral profile and minor asymmetry, the round toe box ensured I never had toe pain from scrunched toes and I could wear these shoes for 1-2 hours straight without feeling any foot discomfort. I rarely took them off during a session, and only ever did if my feet were feeling a bit too warm or sweaty. Many Evolv climbing shoes are designed to be unisex. The size guide for Evolv follows the US street shoe sizes. That said, Evolv shoes are renowned for running small, so be prepared to upsize your climbing shoes. I find the perfect size is usually 1/1.5 EU sizes larger than my street shoe. The Kronos/Kira has a slightly more cambered shape and a more performance-oriented heel and toe design than the Defy. It’ll feel most at home when edging and smearing on vertical and slabby walls. They can also handle themselves on slight overhangs and modern bouldering styles. Air dry: Never leave your climbing shoes in direct sunlight or near a heat source, such as a radiator or heater. Instead, let them air dry at room temperature. Excessive heat can cause the shoe materials to warp, delaminate, or lose their adhesive properties.

And while the Tarantulace isn’t a star performer, it’s also not a dud. It smears particularly well, and it’s adequate on most terrain. In an equivalent size, the Finale fits tighter than its La Sportiva sibling, the Tarantulace. The leather did stretch out a little as the shoe broke in, which made for a snug but comfortable fit (expect to size down 1-1.5 sizes from your Euro street size). That may sound like faint praise, but for how comfortable the Tarantulace is, it’s an exceptional blend of accessibility and performance.

Design

Moccasyms are known to stretch quite a bit. For the best fit, it may be best to size at or a little below your street shoe size. Use shoe deodorizers: To prevent odor buildup, consider using shoe deodorizers or inserts made of cedar or activated charcoal. These help absorb moisture and keep your shoes smelling fresh. Storage A relatively new addition to the Evolv line, the Zenisthit the shelves in February 2021. This super-soft shoe was designed for the single-minded purpose of crushing hard on indoor walls.