10 Best Climbing Shoes 2025 in the United States

The Black Diamond Men's Momentum climbing shoes are designed to offer a comfortable and user-friendly experience, especially suited for beginners or those looking for all-around climbing shoes. The engineered knit upper helps with breathability and stretch, making them comfortable for longer wear. The soft flex midsole adds to comfort and also improves sensitivity, which is helpful when feeling the rock surface. Velcro straps provide an easy and secure way to lock down the midfoot, allowing quick adjustments and a snug fit. The durable rubber outsole ensures you get reliable traction on various climbing surfaces.

These shoes have a fairly neutral shape, making them good for general climbing rather than aggressive or steep routes. Because they use synthetic materials, they tend to stretch less over time compared to leather. While they don't have a super stiff sole, which might limit support on very technical climbs, their softer flex makes them ideal for comfort and casual to moderate climbing sessions.

In essence, the Black Diamond Momentum shoes are a solid choice if you want comfortable, breathable climbing shoes that are easy to put on and take off and work well for everyday climbing activities.

The Black Diamond Momentum climbing shoes are designed with comfort and versatility in mind, making them a good choice for beginners or climbers who spend extended periods on vertical routes. Their neutral, flat shape supports all-day wear without causing foot fatigue, which is great if you're looking for shoes that prioritize comfort over aggressive performance. The two Velcro straps make it easy to adjust the fit quickly, so you can get a snug but comfortable feel. A soft flex midsole adds sensitivity, helping you feel the rock beneath your feet, while the updated midsole improves edging ability—important if you want a bit more precision on small footholds. The shoe uses 4.3mm rubber, which balances durability with good grip and is molded to maintain consistent performance.

The materials are fully vegan, including a hemp footbed and breathable knit lining, which offer comfort and keep your feet cooler during climbs. Softer toe rands and updated heel rubber geometry improve fit and heel grip, helping with heel hooks and overall tension. Because these shoes have a neutral fit and softer midsole, they might not be the best for aggressive or highly technical climbing where a downturned shape and stiff sole are preferred. While the durability is good for a softer shoe, they may wear faster if used extensively on rough terrain.

These shoes are well suited for climbers focused on comfort, all-day wear, and vertical climbing, but may not satisfy those looking for high-performance edging or steep, overhung routes.

The SCARPA Drago Rock Climbing Shoes are tailored for sport climbing and bouldering, offering specialized performance for those who need sensitivity and precision on technical climbs. The aggressive downturn and thin midsole are beneficial for steep sport climbs, and the Vibram XS Grip 2 rubber sole provides excellent grip and stiffness, which is essential for securing footholds on challenging surfaces. The use of microfiber material in the upper part of the shoe minimizes stretching, ensuring a consistent fit over time.

Additionally, the PCB Active Rand enhances sensitivity and precision by reducing layers around the foot, making it easier to feel and adjust to slick footholds. The closure system of these shoes is slip-on, which may be convenient for quick adjustments but might lack the customization of a lace-up system. The synthetic material ensures minimal stretching, so it’s crucial to get a snug fit from the start, using the provided sizing advice. However, those with wider feet might find the fit less accommodating.

These shoes are machine washable, making maintenance straightforward. They are well-suited for climbers who prioritize sensitivity and precision in their footwear and are particularly beneficial for those tackling steep and technical climbs.