# Best Beginner Climbing Shoes Source: https://climbingnest.com/best/best-beginner-climbing-shoes Updated: 2026-10-06 Publisher: Climbing Nest. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://climbingnest.com/how-we-research#our-score 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. ## Picks ### 1. La Sportiva Tarantula Unisex-Adult Climbing Shoes Our score: 8.3/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) The La Sportiva Tarantula is a unisex strap-closure beginner shoe, a long-running pick for gym climbers learning the basics. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Not as precise on tiny edges as a downturned performance shoe - Upper can stretch with wear, so avoid sizing up too generously Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B078HGFPCM ### 2. SCARPA Men's Reflex VS Beginner Rock Climbing Shoes for Gym and Sport Climbing Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) 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. Pros: - 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 Cons: - 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 Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B0D68B3H4L ### 3. La Sportiva Mens Tarantulace Rock Climbing Shoe, Olive/Tiger, 10.5 Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) La 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. Pros: - 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. Cons: - 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. Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B09M82QQ2Z ### 4. Evolv Defy (2024) Rock Climbing Shoe Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10) The Evolv Defy (2024) is an updated budget beginner shoe with a flat profile for indoor climbing and entry-level outdoor routes. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Synthetic upper can hold odor after many sweaty gym sessions - Flat shape limits hooking and toe pulling on steeper terrain Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B08288BWXL ### 5. BLACK DIAMOND Men's Momentum Climbing Shoes with Engineered Knit Upper, Strap Closure Our score: 7.9/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) The men's Black Diamond Momentum with an engineered knit upper and strap closure, a comfy entry shoe for gym and easy outdoor climbs. Pros: - 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 Cons: - 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 Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B0C6HWFQWM ### 6. La Sportiva Men's Finale Rock Climbing Shoes Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) La Sportiva's men's Finale is a lace-up all-rounder that bridges beginner comfort and a bit more precision for progressing climbers. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Laces slow down quick shoe removal between short gym boulders - Narrower men's last may pinch wider feet during long sessions Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B01B6JCZWY ### 7. Evolv Unisex-Adult Defy Lace Climbing Shoe Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10) Evolv's unisex Defy Lace is the lace-up version of a popular entry shoe, suited to beginners who want a dialed-in fit. Pros: - 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 Cons: - 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 Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B006WH7S1O ### 8. Black Diamond Momentum Climbing Shoes Our score: 7.7/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) Black Diamond's Momentum is a comfort-focused strap shoe with a knit upper, made for new climbers doing laps at the gym. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Knit upper wears faster than leather when jammed into rough cracks outdoors - Generic listing omits gender and version, so check the sizing chart carefully Details: https://climbingnest.com/product/B077SNRB5G As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.