There exists a whole variety of climbing shoes. Ranging from style of climbing to proficiency level, there are climbing shoes for everyone. A lot of climbers have narrow or low volume feet. For them, climbing in high volume shoes can be a source of discomfort, and finding the best climbing shoes for narrow feet can become a problem.

 The good news is, there are specifically designed climbing shoes for slim feet available. Various brands make two versions of the same shoe; both a high-volume one and a low-volume one.

Generally, women’s climbing shoes are designed with narrow feet in mind. We regularly see male climbers sporting women’s climbing shoes because their smaller size fits well. 

Low Volume vs. High Volume Climbing Shoes

Volume, in simple terms, means how much space your foot takes up inside the shoe. Low volume climbing shoes are narrow and have a smaller heel shape. They support the feet with a low, flat arch. 

High volume shoes are wider and allow greater space inside the shoe. They support the feet with a higher arch and a wider width.

If you have narrow or low-volume feet, not wearing the appropriate climbing shoes will cause discomfort and decreased performance.  

The Best Brands For Climbing Shoes For Narrow Feet

La Sportiva and Scarpa offer some impressive climbing shoes for narrow feet. Scarpa Helix, La Sportiva Miura, La Sportiva Futura to name a few.

I’ll discuss some of the best climbing shoes for narrow feet in this article. 

Scarpa Techno X

Techno X from Scarpa combines comfort and performance with sensitivity and precision. With a flat shape, this shoe provides all-day comfort. It performs exceptionally well in edging and crack climbing. 

It is very narrow with almost no dead space, providing a snug fit for narrow-footed climbers. They are small shoes, so you might want to upsize a little in order to find the optimum fit. In short, Techno X is an exceptional low-volume climbing shoe

It has a great lace-up system which gives good adjustability.  Its flat shape makes it really comfortable for edging and gives all-day comfort. But this also makes it a rigid shoe which means you don’t get a lot of sensitivity. 

It is one of the most comfortable low-volume shoes available. Getting the right fit means you can wear it for all-day climbs without any issues. 

It can be a good option for beginners as well as experienced climbers. Its slim shape makes it a great option for narrow and flat feet. 

La Sportiva Mythos

One of the oldest and best-selling climbing shoes to date. La Sportiva Mythos shines due to its versatility and comfort. It is one of the best all-day trad climbing shoes.

Its stiff midsole strikes a great balance between sensitivity and friction. It has a Vibram XS Edge sole with a suede leather upper. Mythos is truly a winner if we talk about all-rounders.

It is a true versatile shoe, giving superb performance on a variety of terrains. Only in edging does it lag behind.  With climbing shoes, one fits all is not usually the case. But La Sportiva Mythos comes pretty close.

It is now sold in Eco version, which uses environment-friendly materials. It is suitable for climbers with narrow heels. 

This is without a doubt, one of the most comfortable climbing shoes you can buy. Climbing in it all day is as breezy as it gets. Like some of the other climbing shoes, you won’t have to take it on or off because your feet are starting to hurt. You can easily wear it all day

Its unique lacing system ensures you get a snug fit and can adjust it as you like. I highly recommend this shoe if you want a climbing shoe that provides you exceptional comfort and great performance. 

Five Ten Niad VCS

NIAD VCS is an updated version of Anasazi VCS, which was one of Five Ten’s top-selling shoes. 

It has a neutral profile with a vintage design, which may feel outdated to some. It is a very comfortable shoe nonetheless. It performs well in bouldering and sport climbing. It suits climbers with skinny feet. 

Its last, makes it a very comfortable shoe. It strikes a good balance between comfort and performance. 

It showed average performance in edging and crack climbing when we tested it. On steep terrain, however, it performed well. 

It has to be said though, NIAD VCS feels out-of-date and there are shoes with better, more modern design available, which might be a better option.

Mad Rock Drone LV

Drone LV from Mad Rock combines high performance and comfort. With an aggressive profile, this shoe is designed to deliver maximum performance.

It has a stretchy and breathable tongue, which ensures great comfort. It has a Science Friction 3.0 rubber sole that gives great friction.

Drone LV is essentially a low-volume rock climbing shoe, which makes it a great choice for climbers with narrow feet. It has a smaller heel-cup which is good for climbers with small heels . The shoe is also vegan friendly.

The shoe is great for steep bouldering and sport climbing. It is in these areas that it performs exceptionally well. It has got a sturdy heel as well. Furthermore, Drone is a really good looking shoe with some attractive colors. 

FAQs:

 Are Scarpa good for narrow feet?

Scarpa Techno X is a great shoe for narrow feet. It performs well on all types of terrain without any hiccups

Why do climbers wear shoes that are too tight?

A: Tight fitting shoes provide greater sensitivity and allow climbers to perform precise moves. In tighter shoes, climbers can perform heel hooks well.

What is a low-volume climbing shoe?

Low volume shoes mean that your feet will fit snugly in the shoe. They are narrow and have a smaller heel shape. They are also good for flat feet. They are often referred to as Ladies’ climbing shoes. Often climbing shoes brands make shoes in both high-volume and low-volume variants. For example, the Mad Rock Drone which we reviewed above, comes in HV and LV variants. 

Is La Sportiva Mythos still good?

Although an old shoe, La Sportiva Mythos is still exceptionally good. It is extremely comfortable and gives a great all-round performance.

Conclusion: 

We have listed some of the best climbing shoe options for narrow feet. Feel free to try any of them to see if it resonates with you. You can also try women’s versions of your favorite shoes to get a better fit.

Nowadays, quite a few brands are making HV and LV shoes. Mad Rock, Tenaya, Red Chili to name a few. You can try and see which brand’s low-volume shoes suit you best. Happy climbing!