15 Best Climbing Shoes For Women In 2021
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An adventure without the appropriate gear is not only inconvenient but also dangerous in some cases. So, if you love adventure activities such as mountain climbing, hiking, or going on long trail walks, then you need the right kind of shoes for it.
If you enjoy rock climbing or trekking and participate in often, you need a pair of the best climbing shoes that give you a good grip without holding your feet too tightly.
The variety of climbing shoes also differs based on the shape of the feet, material, the terrain or surface, and the kind of climbing activity you are going to partake in. MomJunction shares a list of the best climbing shoes for women to choose from.
Top Picks
15 Best Climbing Shoes For Women
1. La Sportiva TarantuLace Climbing Shoe
iLa Sportiva TarantuLace is among the best climbing shoes for women because of its comfort and performance. The shoe has a rugged rubber heel that lends grip, support, and sensitivity while climbing.
Pros:
- Provides grip and support
- Comfortable
- Rugged Rubber heel provides grip
- A great choice for vertical routes
Cons:
- Might be costlier than other shoes
- Leather upper stretches might be uncomfortable
2. SCARPA Women’s Origin Climbing Green
Made of lush leather, these climbing shoes are for beginners. They have proper padding to provide comfort to your feet and keep them relaxed. The hook-and-loop closure keeps the feet cozy and well-positioned, to prevent falling.
Pros:
- Feet stay positioned
- Enhanced performance
- Reasonably priced
- Size can be adjusted
Cons:
- Rubber might not support well
- Might affect the durability
- Takes time in adaptation
3. Five Ten Climbing Shoes
These are the high-friction footwear that enhances the performance, making them one of the best shoes for most adventure sports. Also, the sole of these shoes is made of world-class rubber to provide grip and support.
Pros:
- Easy closure
- Stiff rubber
- Durable
- Solid edges
Cons:
- Sizes run small
- Design might not impress
4. Evolv Skyhawk
These lace-up climbing shoes are a pleasant choice for aggressive climbers. The shoes are the perfect combination of comfort and high-performance and have a tight fit, which keeps the feet well-positioned.
Pros:
- High-friction rubber sole
- Enhanced performance
- Sticky sole
- Antimicrobial mesh to keep odor away
Cons:
- Costlier than other options
- Users may need time to get used to the shoes
- Heel cup could be bulky for some
5. Evolv Kira
Engineered with durable polyester fabric, these climbing shoes offer a great fit. The fit is comfortable and enhances performance. At the closure, it has a buckle along with a pull strap that makes putting on and taking off shoes easy.
Pros:
- Made of synthetic fiber
- Durable
- Asymmetrical shoes with a high-traction rubber sole for grip
- Comfortable because of down turned design
Cons:
- Suitable for small feet
- Shoes might retain sweat
6. Black Diamond Momentum
With these lace-up climbing shoes, Momentum has reached a peak and keeps up to your expectations. It has a 4.3 mm Neo Friction rubber sole that provides a consistent grip. The shoes’ fabric is breathable and offers a customized fit.
Pros:
- Easy to wear
- Neutral and flat
- Synthetic upper and flexible midsole for support
- Lace for adjusting the fit
Cons:
- May not work for a professional climber
- Sole may not be efficient enough for a top climbing experience
7. Sportiva OXYGYM
With an upper fabric that offers moisture control, these climbing shoes are comfortable and breathable and can be worn all day. The feet stay positioned and are super comfortable even when used for long hours.
Pros:
- Adjustable hook and loop closure
- Breathable fabric with moisture management
- Triple-layer outer cover keeps the shoes clean and hygienic
Cons:
- May not be durable
- Fabric might rip
8. SCARPA Arpia
With all the sides and the forefoot covered in sticky rubber, these climbers are a good choice for boulder climbing and those into overhanging sport climbing. These are a perfect pair for professional climbers.
Pros:
- Made of microsuede for strength, friction, and elasticity.
- The PCB active feature makes them lightweight and enables quick power transfer
- Sticky rubber soles
- Durable
Cons:
- Not for beginners
- Might seem costly
9. So iLL Runner Climbing Shoes
These high-performance climbing shoes are among the best options for women. They have rubber padding that provides sufficient grip and proper support to the feet. Also, these down turned shoes are best for boulder climbing.
Pros:
- Down turned toe
- Synthetic upper and fishhook mid sole
- Three-point closure
- Padded tongue
- Dark matter rubber for sole
Cons:
- Size runs small
- The sole might detach sooner
10. Teva Vina Chelsea
Teva shoes support all kinds of adventurous lifestyles and are stylish too. With an innovative design, these shoes can be worn when you go out on an adventure or on casual treks with friends.
Pros:
- Waterproof leather
- Rubber sole for grip and support
- Durable upper fabric
- Platform heel
Cons:
- Not a suitable product for vegans
- Might be costlier than other options
11. Tenaya Masai Climbing Shoe
Tenaya Masai is designed well for those who climb higher mountains. These Masai climbing shoes deliver edging power with a supportive midsole that keeps your feet positioned and comfortable.
Pros:
- Enhanced performance
- Durable
- Lace-up full closure
- Allows superior control on grip and movement of feet
Cons:
- Aggressive fit might affect the climbing experience
- Tight fit might bruise your feet
12. La Sportiva Women’s Miura Rock
These lace-up shoes are a great choice for the boulder climbers, overhanging route climbers, and gym climbers. These are specifically designed for professional climbers.
Pros:
- Leather upper
- Quick lacing system
- Comes with a slingshot rand that connects to the power hinge underneath the shoe, which helps you stay safe on edges
- Lining that allows your feet to stretch
Cons:
- Not aggressive
- Fit might be too tight for some
13. La Sportiva Women’s Solution
These shoes are quite comfortable and have an aggressive yet snug fit. The sole of the shoe feels soft and keeps the feet positioned. They are ideal for overhanging sports, rock climbing, gym climbing, and technical face climbing.
Pros:
- Downturned shape with P3 Power Platform and 3D heel cup
- Sensitive and precise on steep rocks
- Can hook, grab, smear, and edge easily on any feature of the surface
- Lock harness offers a perfect fit
Cons:
- Might be costlier
- Not for beginners
14. Evolv Elektra
This is one of the best climbing shoes for women with amazing comfort, value, and enhanced performance. The shoes are an ideal choice for both beginners and professionals. The high friction rubber provides support and grip and improves performance.
Pros:
- Asymmetrical shoes with synthetic upper
- High-friction rubber
- Enhanced Performance
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Size runs small
- Aggressive fit might hurt your feet
15. Five Ten Blackwing
These Five Ten climbing shoes are a good choice for overhanging routes, as they offer high performance and a great fit that doesn’t hurt your feet.
Pros:
- Made of polyester
- Padded tongue for supersoft experience
- Sticky soles for enhanced grip
- Better results in rock climbing
- Velcro for ease of use
Cons:
- Not comfortable to wear
- Loose heel cup
- Size runs small
What Makes Women’s Climbing Shoes Different From Men’s Shoes?
Women’s climbing shoes have a specific design with a lower-volume heel, softer insole, thin rubber support for easy flex, and a narrower fit compared to men’s climbing shoes. As women’s foot mold is not similar to men’s, climbing shoes for women come with smaller molds. The color and design options are also more in women’s shoes.
Types Of Climbing Shoes
There are three types of climbing shoes, based on the type of closure they have as that affects how they are secured around your feet, how the material feels and the kind of grip you may have.
Velcro
The benefit of Velcro is that you can easily put on the shoes and take them off as and when needed, even during the adventure. Velcro saves time and is less fussy.
2. Lace-up
Lace-up climbing shoes are a great choice for trad and alpine climbers, who do not remove the shoe more often and have to be sure that the shoe does not come off easily while climbing.
3. Slipper
These climbing shoes are worn and taken off easily. Also, climbers who are boulderers, gym climbers, and sport climbers prefer slipper climbing shoes, as they can be removed in between.
How To Choose The Best Climbing Shoe For Women?
While choosing climbing shoes for women, consider the following points:
- Identify your style of climbing, for it requires different types of shoes. If you are looking for a pair that is suitable for rock climbing, you need the shoes with extra rubber grip and a better fit for easy flex.
- The shape of the shoe matters a lot. Most climbing activities require shoes with a tight grip and high performance. Also, shoes for women have a smaller mold that positions the feet accordingly, while allowing for a comfortable climb.
- Choose the fabric of shoes that is durable and lasts in tough climbs. It is better to buy a synthetic upper climbing shoe than go for leather upper. Leather upper climbing shoes are not durable and are low in performance. Whereas synthetic uppers are comfortable, last long, fit well and are good for competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should you replace climbing shoes?
It is not necessary to replace the climbing shoes often. If you climb regularly, a pair of climbing shoes can last for a year and more, but if you take proper care of the shoes.
2. How do you know when your climbing shoes need resoling?
To know when to get the resoling done, follow the steps:
- Press the center of the sole with the thumb. If the area feels weak and spongy, it is time to go for resoling.
- If there is a wearing pattern on the bottom of the climbing shoe, it is time to replace the sole.
The right pair of climbing shoes ensure you stay safe during your adventures. Whether you’re climbing in a gym, overhanging route climbing, or going boulder climbing, you need to wear the right shoes that give you a good grip and let you climb efficiently. So, go through the list of shoes and tips on how to pick the right pair and ensure you get only the best climbing shoes for yourself.
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