10 Best Climbing Shoes 2025 in the United States

The La Sportiva Men's Tarantulace climbing shoe is designed as a versatile option for climbers who want a reliable, all-around shoe suitable for various climbing styles—from indoor gym sessions to outdoor adventures. Its lace-up closure system allows for a snug and precise fit, which helps keep the shoe secure on your foot during climbs without being too tight. The shoe uses durable FriXion RS rubber on the sole, known for providing excellent grip on different surfaces while also lasting through extended use.

The leather upper, combined with a lined tongue, manages moisture well, keeping your feet more comfortable during long climbs. The shoe’s shape is not aggressively downturned, making it less specialized for steep or technical routes, but it balances comfort and performance effectively. This makes it especially suitable for climbers who want one dependable pair rather than multiple shoes for different activities.

If you’re looking for top-tier precision or maximum edging ability, this model may feel a bit basic compared to more specialized options. The Tarantulace is a solid choice for beginners or intermediate climbers who value comfort and durability without sacrificing grip and fit.

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 La Sportiva Skwama is a performance climbing shoe that blends the snug fit of a hook-and-loop closure with the comfort of a slipper-style design. This makes it a good choice for climbers who want precision without sacrificing comfort. Its microfiber and leather build ensures durability and breathability, while the unlined interior helps with a close fit. The shoe features a down-turned shape supported by the P3 System, which helps maintain power on small footholds and steep routes.

The split-sole design allows some flexibility, reducing sole deformation when you put weight on edges. The sole is made of 4mm Vibram XS Grip2 rubber, known for excellent grip and adaptability, important for technical climbs. Additionally, the sticky rubber toe patch and a rubber toe cap improve performance on toe hooks and smearing. The patented S-Heel design enhances heel hooking and fit. The single hook-and-loop closure keeps the shoe secure and easy to put on or take off, while heel pull-tabs assist with this and can be used to clip the shoes to a harness or bag.

Despite its many advantages, the shoe can feel quite aggressive and may take some getting used to for beginners or those who prefer a more relaxed fit. Also, as it is unlined, it might stretch slightly over time. The Skwama is well-suited for climbers looking for a precise, high-performance shoe that performs well on a variety of climbing styles, especially steep or technical routes.