Best Beginner Climbing Shoes
Updated How we research
La Sportiva Tarantula Unisex-Adult Climbing Shoes
The La Sportiva Tarantula is a unisex strap-closure beginner shoe, a long-running pick for gym climbers learning the basics.
SCARPA Men's Reflex VS Beginner Rock Climbing Shoes for Gym and Sport Climbing
SCARPA's Reflex VS is a men's beginner climbing shoe with a hook-and-loop closure, aimed at gym sessions and easy sport routes.
Your first climbing shoes shape how quickly you learn to trust your feet. A comfortable, flat-lasted pair lets you focus on technique instead of pain, while an overly aggressive shoe punishes every session and teaches you to avoid small footholds. Beginner models vary in closure type, rubber thickness, stiffness, and how much the upper stretches, and those differences decide whether a shoe supports long gym sessions or ends up abandoned in a locker after two weeks. We weighed comfort, durability, edging support, and price, because beginners wear through shoes faster than anyone while their footwork develops. Flat, slightly stiffer shoes suit gym climbers logging long sessions and climbers with wider feet; softer options fit those progressing quickly toward steeper terrain. Whatever you choose, aim for a snug fit with no dead space and no sharp pain, and try shoes on later in the day when your feet have swollen slightly.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 7.7 to 8.3 out of 10.
- Best overall:La Sportiva Tarantula Unisex-Adult Climbing Shoes. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.3/10.
- Also great value:Evolv Defy (2024) Rock Climbing Shoe. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.1/10.
- Solid build:SCARPA Men's Reflex VS Beginner Rock Climbing Shoes for Gym and Sport Climbing. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.1/10.
- Feature-rich:La Sportiva Mens Tarantulace Rock Climbing Shoe, Olive/Tiger, 10.5. Features score of 7/10, overall 8.1/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.La Sportiva Tarantula Unisex-Adult Climbing Shoes8.3/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.SCARPA Men's Reflex VS Beginner Rock Climbing Shoes for Gym and Sport Climbing8.1/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.La Sportiva Mens Tarantulace Rock Climbing Shoe, Olive/Tiger, 10.58.1/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Evolv Defy (2024) Rock Climbing Shoe8.1/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.BLACK DIAMOND Men's Momentum Climbing Shoes with Engineered Knit Upper, Strap Closure7.9/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.La Sportiva Men's Finale Rock Climbing Shoes7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Evolv Unisex-Adult Defy Lace Climbing Shoe7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.Black Diamond Momentum Climbing Shoes7.7/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1The La Sportiva Tarantula is a unisex strap-closure beginner shoe, a long-running pick for gym climbers learning the basics.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Unisex sizing opens up more options for a range of foot shapes
- + Hook-and-loop straps make it easy to take shoes on and off between climbs
- + Flat, all-day comfort profile works well for top rope and easy leads
- - Not as precise on tiny edges as a downturned performance shoe
- - Upper can stretch with wear, so avoid sizing up too generously
#2SCARPA's Reflex VS is a men's beginner climbing shoe with a hook-and-loop closure, aimed at gym sessions and easy sport routes.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Flat, relaxed last keeps toes comfortable through long first sessions at the gym
- + Velcro closure makes it quick to slip shoes off between routes and boulders
- + SCARPA build quality gives a newer climber a shoe that lasts past the first season
- - Flat profile loses edge precision once you move onto steep overhanging problems
- - Men's last may feel roomy in the heel for climbers with narrow feet
#3La Sportiva's Tarantulace is a lace-up, all-leather shoe that the listing pitches as a single pair for all-day outdoor climbing or trips to the gym. A rounded forefoot and higher volume make it a forgiving first shoe.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Quick-pull lacing adjusts the fit along the whole foot, which helps beginners find a snug fit without overtightening.
- + All-leather upper with a padded, cotton-lined tongue is described as breathable and able to stretch to the foot's shape.
- + FriXion RS rubber is described as grippy yet hard wearing, a sensible mix for the wear early footwork puts on a sole.
- - This listing is for one size and color, US 10.5 in Olive/Tiger, so other sizes have to be picked on the Amazon page.
- - The listing says the shoe runs big and to size down one full size from street shoes, which complicates ordering online.
#4The Evolv Defy (2024) is an updated budget beginner shoe with a flat profile for indoor climbing and entry-level outdoor routes.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 2024 update refreshes a proven entry model that many gyms use as a rental shoe
- + Flat, stiff-enough sole gives new climbers a stable platform on big footholds
- + Budget-friendly price makes it easy to replace once skills outgrow it
- - Synthetic upper can hold odor after many sweaty gym sessions
- - Flat shape limits hooking and toe pulling on steeper terrain
#5The men's Black Diamond Momentum with an engineered knit upper and strap closure, a comfy entry shoe for gym and easy outdoor climbs.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Engineered knit upper flexes with the foot, so break-in time is minimal
- + Strap closure is quick to adjust when feet swell during a long session
- + Relaxed shape makes it a friendly first shoe for top rope and bouldering
- - Softer upper offers less support on thin edges than a stiffer shoe
- - Men's sizing may not suit low-volume feet without extra heel tension
#6La Sportiva's men's Finale is a lace-up all-rounder that bridges beginner comfort and a bit more precision for progressing climbers.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Slightly more technical fit than entry shoes, so it grows with your skills
- + Lace closure delivers a snug, customizable fit for crack and face climbs
- + Versatile enough to take from gym plastic to outdoor slab and vertical rock
- - Laces slow down quick shoe removal between short gym boulders
- - Narrower men's last may pinch wider feet during long sessions
#7Evolv's unisex Defy Lace is the lace-up version of a popular entry shoe, suited to beginners who want a dialed-in fit.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Laces tighten evenly across the foot for a more secure beginner fit
- + Unisex sizing covers a broad range of feet in one model
- + Simple, sturdy build handles the wear of learning footwork on plastic holds
- - Lace-up design is slower to remove than the strap version between problems
- - Older listing may differ from newer Defy updates, so check the variant
#8Black Diamond's Momentum is a comfort-focused strap shoe with a knit upper, made for new climbers doing laps at the gym.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Breathable knit upper stays cooler and more comfortable than stiff synthetic shoes
- + Strap closure gets you in and out quickly between routes and boulder problems
- + Flat, forgiving shape suits beginners who want to climb for hours without pain
- - Knit upper wears faster than leather when jammed into rough cracks outdoors
- - Generic listing omits gender and version, so check the sizing chart carefully
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Not as precise on tiny edges as a downturned performance shoe (La Sportiva Tarantula Unisex-Adult Climbing...)
- Flat profile loses edge precision once you move onto steep overhanging problems (SCARPA Men's Reflex VS Beginner Rock Climbing...)
- This listing is for one size and color, US 10.5 in Olive/Tiger, so other sizes have to be picked on the Amazon page. (La Sportiva Mens Tarantulace Rock Climbing...)
- Synthetic upper can hold odor after many sweaty gym sessions (Evolv Defy (2024) Rock Climbing Shoe)
- Softer upper offers less support on thin edges than a stiffer shoe (BLACK DIAMOND Men's Momentum Climbing Shoes...)
- Laces slow down quick shoe removal between short gym boulders (La Sportiva Men's Finale Rock Climbing Shoes)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among beginner climbing shoes?
La Sportiva Tarantula Unisex-Adult Climbing Shoes is our top overall pick. The La Sportiva Tarantula is a unisex strap-closure beginner shoe, a long-running pick for gym climbers learning the basics. It earns our score of 8.3/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
SCARPA Men's Reflex VS Beginner Rock Climbing Shoes for Gym and Sport Climbing is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. SCARPA's Reflex VS is a men's beginner climbing shoe with a hook-and-loop closure, aimed at gym sessions and easy sport routes.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Climbing Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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