Climbing is all about performance and precision, and this is the dilemma many climbers have with regards to buying shoes that are laced vs velcro. While velcro shoes offer the convenience of putting shoes on speedily, it might not give as firm and tight a fit as compared to a laced pair of shoes. This is especially true for people with narrower or wider feet feet that the average person, laced shoes make the fit around your sole like a second skin. So if lets say you opt for velcro shoes and decided thats for you, what are some of these top best velcro climbing shoe options to pick from?
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What are the Best Velcro Climbing Shoes?
To find the list of absolute Best Velcro Climbing Shoes, we have researched many climbing shoes with velcro straps and what people who bought and used them say about these products. Based on their experiences, we compiled for you the top 5 velcro climbing shoes.
Also, to make it easier for you to making the right choice, we also wrote a mini climbing shoes with velcro straps Buying Guide and frequently asked questions (FAQs). You will find it at the end of this article.
1. Tenaya Tanta Rock Climbing Shoe
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) |
They are probably the least aggressive-looking shoe on our list. But that doesn’t take anything away from their performance. They’re created with the new M4 technology for comfort and performance. The climbing shoe is more aimed towards beginners, hence the lower price and comfortable design. To make sure you get a good fit, they made sure the shoes were adaptable for different width feet. Considering they’re aimed at beginners, they have a fantastic rubber toe box and heel. It helps beginners perform more complicated moves like heel hooks. The sole is made with 4mm rubber, so it withstands abrasion for a long time before failing. Another feature worth mentioning is the shoe is 100% vegan, so no animals were hurt in the manufacturing of the product. It’s one of the cheaper bouldering shoes, but it doesn’t lack in performance. It’s slightly less aggressive, but this just means it’s somewhat more versatile.
Pros
- Two velcro straps
- M4 technology 100% vegan
Cons
- Not very stiff
2. Scarpa Origin Beginner Climbing Shoes
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The Scarpa Origin is a great unisex beginner climbing shoes that is designed for all day comfort. It is a neutral shoe with a stiff sole that provides ample support for beginner climbers. We like the addition of velcro straps, which makes it easy for slipping on and off at the gym. The durable sole means that when you start to venture outdoors, this Scarpa edition will be a great go to option for all day trad climbs.
Pros
- Flat profile,
- Sticky and durable rubber,
- Velcro straps
Cons
- Not great on overhangs
3. BUTORA Unisex Acro Rock/Indoor Climbing Shoes
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This might be the climbing shoe for you if you have wide feet. The problem with wide climbing shoes is they tend to lack the ability to edge. But not with the BUTORA Acro climbing shoes. The bouldering shoe uses BUTORA Neo Fuse rubber and features an ABS-injected mid-sole. This helps the shoe keep its shape and provides the extra strength it needs to edge on tiny holds. If you haven’t got wide feet, don’t worry, they also provide a slim fit option. One of the best features is the large thin layer of rubber on the toe box. This gives more grip for toe hooks, which is vital for bouldering. The rubber layer’s problem is it inhibits the climbing shoe’s breathability. So, if you’re not a fan of sweaty feet, you might want to look elsewhere. The most significant difference with the BUTORA model is the massive rubber piece on the toe box. However, this does limit the amount of ventilation.
Pros
- ABS injected midsole
- High tension rand
- Great toe box
Cons
- Heel digs into the Achilles
4. Mad Rock Drifter Climbing Shoes
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) |
The Mad Rock Drifter is a great all-rounder shoe that gains praise from beginners to advanced alike. It has a neutral shoe shape, with a leather upper that creates a comfortable climbing shoe. It is slightly asymmetric in shape, yet not too aggressive for a beginner climber.
Pros
- Affordable price,
- Velcro straps makes for easy removal between climbs,
- Stiff soles supports new climbers
Cons
- Sizing runs small
- If buying online, check return shipping options
5. Scarpa Vapor Climbing Shoes
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Sole Material: Vibram Rubber Closure Type: Velcro Strap Shoe Material: Leather, Microsuede |
If you are looking for a pair of intermediate level shoes for overang routes, the Scarpa vapor is great for it. There is a small amount of rubber at the shoe tip that protect toes during toe-hooks. The slight downturn gives you power from your feet to inch up steep routes, and yet they are soft and flexible enough to provide confident footing ans smearing on slabs and sloping surfaces. They are quick to put on and take off and have a relatively sharp inner edge to help you balace and stand on small ledges.
One last big plus point about this model is that similar to many other Scarpa shoes, it is vegan.However, the Vapors are not particularly specialized in any discipline of the sport, which can be restrictive for those who want to focus on one type of climbing like bouldering or crack climbing alone.
Pros
- Shoes for intermediate climbers
- Can be worn all year around,
- Straps are very solid and secure
- Adaptable to use on slabs,
- Great edged outsole heel that is perfect for narrow slas
Cons
- Long breaking-in period
Verdict
After all of our long research about the Best Velcro Climbing Shoes, we found that Tenaya Tanta Rock Climbing Shoe is the best Velcro Climbing Shoe available today.
There’s also a Premium Option with all the best features and high-quality materials if you have more money to spend, namely BUTORA Unisex Acro Rock/Indoor Climbing Shoes.
However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget, you can also consider the Mad Rock Drifter Climbing Shoes as an affordable alternative.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying velcro climbing shoes
Downsizing
All climbing shoes fit a lot tighter than your normal street shoes. In a properly fitted climbing shoe, your toes will be slightly curled and touch the edge of the toe box. A general guideline is to size down 0.5 to 1 US shoe size. You want to aim for a shoe that is comfortably snug, not painfully tight.
Rock climbing shoes vs bouldering shoes
There’s a big difference between climbing shoes and bouldering shoes. We’ve already mentioned the shoe’s shape, so we go into that.
One of the most significant differences between the shoes is the comfort level. Traditional rock climbing shoes tend to be more comfortable due to the climbs being longer.
Bouldering requires maximum performance over short distances, which means you don’t have to wear them for long periods.
You’ll also notice that bouldering shoes generally have stiffer soles, making them better for edging, jamming into cracks or toe hooks.
Questions and Answers About velcro climbing shoes
What are the best shoes for bouldering?
For bouldering shoes, we suggest going with climbing shoes with either velcro straps, or the simple slippers. This will allow you to have a more performance fit for your shoes, with the ability to easily take them off and rest your toes between climbs.
What’s the difference between a women’s bouldering shoe and a men’s bouldering shoe?
A women’s bouldering shoe will have a low profile and a narrower foot shape. This creates a more snug fit around the heel and arch of your foot unlike men’s shoes which tend to be wider and have a broader big toe portion.
How long does it take to break into climbing shoes?
There’s no specific amount of time to break in shoes, some take 2 weeks others 3 months. But if you follow the steps above or wear thick socks to stretch them out, the time can be significantly shorter.
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