With so many women discovering the joys of rock climbing, it’s more important than ever to find the right shoe to excel in the sport. We, as a team made up of both female and male clinbers, have spent many hours climbing, learning that a good and snug pair of climbing shoes can make all the difference between a perfect sit in, smear or a overhang. We don’t want you to waste any time on the wrong shoe, so we’re here to guide you through the ins and outs of the best women’s climbing shoes to help you start your climbing journey on the right foot!
What are the Best Women’s Climbing Shoes?
Below you’ll find the list of the top 7 Best Women’s Climbing Shoes. We compiled this list from women’s climbing shoes we have used, asked others about, and researched further to give you the best possible roundup. With many years of experience with ladies climbing shoes 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 Rock Climbing Shoe
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.26 pounds (0.57 kg) Sole Material: Rubber Closure Type: Velcro straps Shoe Material: Microfiber Shape: Moderate downturn |
The Tenaya Tanta is a beginner to intermediate level shoe designed for all day climbing. It is a neutral shoe that lands mid range in terms of flexibility, with a slightly downturned toe.
The shoe includes velcro straps, and is a good option for people who want a durable shoe that gets the job done at the gym and on sports routes. Tenaya recommends downsizing 0-0.5 sizes from your US street shoe size for an all day fit and 0.5-1 sizes for a performance fit
Pros
- Vegan friendly
- Comfortable
- Neutral and flexible
- All around versatile climbing shoe
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Requires sizing down
- May not be suitable for advanced climbers
2. Evolv Kira
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Sole Material: Rubber Closure Type: Velcro straps Shoe Material: Leather Shape: Low-moderate downturn |
The Evolv Kira are a good low profile climbing shoe for the beginner-to-intermediate level climber. The shape of the shoe has a moderate downward facing toe, making it a good option for climbers venturing into overhang routes. If you are looking at climbing granite, these shoes will be a great option as they excel at smearing. The final selling point of the Kira’s is that unlike many vegan friendly shoes, the Kira’s are still affordable even at a more premium price on this list.
Pros
- Vegan friendly
- Low profile and low heel
- Comfortable
- Velcro-straps
- Great for overhang routes
Cons
- Not great for beginners
- Premium pricing
3. CLIMBX Women’s Rave
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Sole Material: Rubber Closure Type: velcro straps Shoe Material: Suede Shape: Low downturn |
The ClimbX Rave Women’s Performance is a budget friendly option for the beginner climber. This is an all-round shoe that has a neutral profile and stiff sole to provide additional support to your feet. It is made with a plush leather upper and a hemp foot bed to better mold to the contours of your feet. If you are just dabbling with rock climbing, and want something better than worn out rentals at the gym, these are a great option to get you started.
Pros
- Durable
- Comfortable Odor resistant
- Versatile design
- Affordable
Cons
- You may need to go from one to two sizes bigger for a comfortable fit
4. Five Ten Women’s Anasazi LV Climbing Shoe
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Sole Material: Rubber Closure Type: Velcro straps Shoe Material: Synthetic Shape: Neutral |
The Five Ten Women’s Anasazi LV Climbing Shoe is a good all-rounder. The sole has a flat profile, which is ideal for a beginner’s first climbing shoe. It has a particularly sticky sole, which is great for smearing. It also has a precise toe box which works well on small footings. Overall, it is a versatile shoe that works as well in the gym, as it does outdoors on cracks. It got voted down a place as the velcro strap didn’t hold the foot as tight as the La Sportiva Tarantula.
Pros
- Toe box works well for gripping small holds
- Great traction Comfortable
- Velcro Straps for easy put on
Cons
- They run small, so you may need to go a half or full size up
- Not for women with wide feet
5. Butora Women’s Endeavor
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.15 pounds (0.52 kg) Sole Material: Rubber Closure Type: Velcro Shoe Material: Leather Shape: Neutral |
The Butora Endeavour is an affordable entry-level women’s climbing shoe. Made from synthetic and leather material, this shoe provides great stability when climbing.
We like that the design minimises foot odor through the inclusion of organic hemp lining. We also like that the Endeavour comes in both a narrow and a wide option. While only achieving a bronze in our women’s climbing shoe round up, its level of quality and affordability makes it podium worthy.
Pros
- Affordable
- Odor resistant
- Low profile
- Rubber sole good for edging
- Has an organic hemp lining
Cons
- May need to size up, runs small
6. Scarpa Women’s Origin
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Sole Material: Rubber Closure Type: velcro straps Shoe Material: Suede Shape: Neutral |
The Scarpa Women’s Origin is an affordable beginner climbing shoe. It is a flat and neutral shoe with a stiff sole that supports your feet. While these shoes are aimed at the beginner climber, the durable rubber makes them a good climbing shoe that could work well as a second pair for climbers looking to save their premium shoes for more aggressive tougher climbs.
Pros
- Long lasting rubber
- Easy slip-on shoes with velcro straps
- Comfortable
- Attractive color
Cons
- Not a great fit for people with very narrow feet
7. Black Diamond Momentum
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Sole Material: Rubber Closure Type: Lace-up Shoe Material: Microfiber Shape: Neutral |
Black Diamond’s Momentum Lace Climbing Shoes are designed to be a good quality beginner shoe. Very reminiscent of La Sportiva design, the use of a lace system provides the climber with the additional ability to adjust the shoes to the perfect snug fit. Made from a durable rubber, and a breathable upper, these shoes are a good option for a climber that values comfort.
Pros
- Breathable
- Durable sole
- Adjustable lace system
- Snug yet comfortable fit
Cons
- Longer break-in time
- Not great for wide feet
Verdict
Based on all of our experience with ladies climbing shoes, we found that Tenaya Tanta Rock Climbing Shoe is the best women’s climbing shoe available today.
Our Premium Option is Evolv Kira 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 CLIMBX Women’s Rave as an affordable alternative.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying women’s climbing shoes
Type of Materials and Sole
There are many different materials used to make the upper and sole of climbing shoes. Many climbing shoes come with leather uppers. This allows a natural stretch over time, and creates a very comfortable shoe. However, for vegan climbers, there are shoe manufacturers who use synthetic, cotton, and hemp uppers.
All soles are made from rubber. If you are a beginner, you want a stiff one-piece rubber sole as this will give you the most amount of support. Beyond the beginner model, the amount of rubber is stripped back to allow the climber to feel the rock they are climbing.
For the advanced climber, you may opt for a shoe with two temperate pieces of rubber on the toe and the heel. This provides more flexibility, which is crucial when taking on overhangs.
Pricing
Because of the high-performance nature of bouldering shoes, you’ll generally be looking at a higher price tag. The best bouldering shoes provide you with excellent assistance on more challenging climbs. In the end, this means you can climb more complex grades with a suitable investment. On average, you could be looking at between $100-$200 for the best climbing shoes for boulderers.
Questions and Answers About women’s climbing shoes
What makes a good women’s rock climbing shoe?
One thing that makes a good women’s rock climbing shoe is the narrowness and size of the heel. Women tend to have narrower feet and smaller heels than men. By opting for a women’s specific shoe over a men’s shoe, you will have a better fitting shoe. And with a better fitting shoe, you will avoid any shoe movement and be able to translate more power from your foot to the wall.
What are the best shoes for indoor rock climbing?
In theory, any rock-climbing shoe can be used for indoor climbing. The best shoes for you will be one’s that fit well and are appropriate to your climbing level. If you are just starting out, get a stiff shoe which will support your foot. If you are moving into overhangs, get a moderate to the aggressive shoe. Velcro or slip-ons can be a good option for a climbing gym, as you can size down for a performance fit, yet easily take them off in between climbs.
What are the best climbing shoes for beginners?
The 2 main elements to look for in a beginner’s climbing shoes is a flat and stiff sole. This provides additional support for you as you develop the multitude of foot muscles used during climbing.
What size climbing shoe should I buy?
Climbing shoes sizes vary from model to model, so the size you get can vary as well. Typically, you will need to go either a half size, or a full size down from your regular sneakers. More advanced climbers may even go down two sizes.
As a simple guide
– Performance bouldering shoes should fit the tightest as they worn for the least amount of time
– Sports route shoes should be comfortable enough that you can wear them for multiple pitches
– Trad shoes should allow you climb all day
Remember: you also need to get climbing shoes that are the right width for your foot. If you have a wide foot, get a wide shoe! If you want to know more about climbing shoe fit, check out our guide that will help your find your true climbing shoe size.
How can I make my climbing shoes more comfortable?
In general, climbing shoes are a little uncomfortable, but stretching them can help make them more comfortable. It is important to remember that most climbing shoes will stretch and become better molded to your feet once you break them in. So the more you climb, the more comfortable they will become. One solution people use to expand their shoe is to squeeze as many socks as possible into the shoe and use a hairdryer on high heat within the socks to expand the shoe slightly. But the best solution is just to give it time with more climbs to break into your shoe naturally.
No Comments