Choosing the right climbing shoes can be tricky, especially when deciding between laced and velcro options. We’ve climbed in both types both indoor and outdoors and found that velcro shoes are super easy to slip on and off, but sometimes they don’t feel as snug as laced shoes, especially for those of us with narrower or wider feet. But if you’ve decided velcro is your style, we’ve got you covered! We’ve compiled a list of the best velcro climbing shoes out there to help you find the ones that will suit your climbing adventures the best.
What are the Best Velcro Climbing Shoes?
Below you’ll find the list of the top 5 Best Velcro Climbing Shoes. We compiled this list from velcro climbing shoes we have used, asked others about, and researched further to give you the best possible roundup. With many years of experience with climbing shoes with velcro straps you can be assured that this article will give you what you’re looking for.
We also wrote a buying guide and answered some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) at the end of this article.
1. Tenaya Tanta Shoe for Rock Climbing
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.26 pounds (0.57 kg) Sole Material: Rubber Closure Type: Velcro strap Shoe Material: Microfiber Shape: Moderate downturn |
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 Vapor Climbing Shoes
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Sole Material: Vibram Rubber Closure Type: Velcro Strap Shoe Material: Leather, Microsuede Shape: Moderate downturn |
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
3. Evolv Ashima Shoes for Climbing
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Sole Material: Synthetic, Vegan Closure Type: Velcro Strap on Shoe Material: Vegan synthetic leather Shape: Aggressive downturn |
The Evolv Ashimas are made for the beginner to mid-level climber looking to get a little more performance out of their shoe. They have a more sensitive sole, than our top two picks, which will suit the climber that is pushing the grades and finding themselves on smaller, and smaller holds. The shoe also has a good level of downward toe turn, which makes them a great option for anyone looking to up their overhang game. Last but not least, this is also a vegan shoe and no animal testing is done in order to produce it.
Pros
- Odor reducing materials Durable build
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Not suitable for people with narrow feet
4. Scarpa Origin Beginner Climbing Shoes
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Sole Material: Rubber Closure Type: Velcro strap Shoe Material: Leather Shape: Neutral |
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
5. BUTORA Unisex Acro Rock/Indoor Climbing Shoes
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.1 pounds (0.5 kg) Sole Material: Rubber Closure Type: Velcro strap Shoe Material: Leather Shape: Moderate-Large downturn |
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
Verdict
Based on all of our experience with climbing shoes with velcro straps, we found that Tenaya Tanta Shoe for Rock Climbing is the best velcro climbing shoe available today.
Our Premium Option is Scarpa Vapor Climbing Shoes with all the best features and high-quality materials, but that’s only if you have more money to spend.
However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget, you can also consider the Evolv Ashima Shoes for Climbing as an affordable alternative.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying velcro climbing shoes
Materials and Shoe Stretch
There are many different materials climbing shoes can be made from. These materials also determine how well your shoes stretch over time. For one, all climbing shoes have rubber soles, but advanced shoes have a more pliable and sensitive rubber. Additionally, it is common to see performance bouldering shoes with two pieces of rubber, as this provides added flexibility to your shoe which aids the technical moves involved in bouldering.
In terms of your shoe’s uppers, they are made from either leather, synthetic, of hemp materials. In general terms, hemp and synthetic will stretch about a half shoe size once you break them in. Whereas leather will stretch up to a full shoe size.
Downsizing
All climbing shoes fit a lot tighter than your normal street shoes, so you should plan to size down. 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?
Some of the best shoes for bouldering are climbing shoes with either velcro straps, or the slip-ons designs. 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?
This difference is that 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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