If you have been rock climbing for a while, you will be aware of the struggle of choosing the best shoes for the job. Due to the overwhelming number of available brands, users can sometimes become confused when selecting the best brand for their specific needs. Especially the climbers who have been climbing for a long time find themselves at a loss to determine the best climbing shoes for them. 

With this point in mind, we set out to find the best intermediate climbing shoes for the people who want the best product within a specific budget. Our climbers tested various shoe brands over three years, and based on their opinion, we have selected the best climbing shoes among the bunch. 

Our reviews will mainly be based on men’s climbing shoes, but the same shoes are also perfect and usable for women. 

Here are our top Nine picks for the best intermediate climbing shoes:

La Sportiva Katana Lace:

La Sportiva is known around the world as the Italian shoe-making giant. As regards the sales made by the company, in 2016 they were about $97 million and in 2019, they amounted to about $115 million. In 2021, this figure was 125 million euros. Most of these sales were made through exports as the domestic sales were not that high. 

La Sportiva has made its mark as one of the best shoe-making brands. Founded in the 1920s, the company has been around for over a hundred years and makes a complete range of climbing shoes for all user types.

These La Sportiva climbing shoes are the cousin to the La Sportiva Otaki and are the best high-profile climbing shoes in their game. These shoes consider all the different conditions the climber goes through and provide some of the best results in each. Whether the climber faces different sizes of cracks, types of rocks, or smaller protrusions on the surface, these shoes are sure to give him peace of mind when facing all these conditions. 

The rubber sole in these shoes gives accurate grip power for every type of rock. The rubber is 4mm thick and is of the Vibram XS Edge type, which combines durability and grip power to give the climber a solid grip even in complex, slippery conditions.

The breathable microfiber top leather provides the feet with proper airflow. So the climber can do more extended missions without the nuisance of their feet becoming sweaty. The lacing option instead of the Velcro gives the shoes a little more room for fitting in cracks and gives an overall better comfort. 

Scarpa Vapor V 

During our testing, most climbers found these shoes to be one of the most comfortable for long-term climbs. And to no surprise. Scarpa climbing shoes are one of the best traditional climbing shoes on the market. In 2020, the company’s sales value amounted to 110 million euros. Compared to the previous two years, this figure marks an increase.

The Scarpa Vapor V combines a microsuede upper with a solid heel to give comfort, a good climbing grip, and good durability. They also come with a rubberised forefoot to give the climber an advantage when putting the foot into tiny cracks and edges.

They have a Talyn midsole which gives proper comfort without compromising the performance. The shoes have a velcro strap instead of laces which can perfectly adjust the shoes on foot. Although some of these also come with laces. The Scarpa Vapor lace variant can give better comfort than the velcros.

Five Ten Asym VCS

Five ten climbing shoes are unparalleled for long-lasting comfort and reliable performance. Our research also found these shoes to be the best for proper fitting. Five ten also makes good fitting shoes for wide feet.

The perfect fit comes from a leather upper and an asymmetrical hook-and-closure system, giving the shoes one of the best fits and allowing them to be used for all types of climbing, be it trad climbing, rockclimbing, slab climbing, or sports climbing. It would be safe to say that these shoes are one of the most versatile climbing shoes.

These shoes also come with a C4 rubber outsole, giving the best gripping results. The interior is unlined, which minimises weight and allows for a roomier and breathable inner side. A medium-stiff sole provides the foot with good comfort so the climbers can wear them for long-term climbing. 

Evolv Shaman 

Evolv puts a lot of thought and engineering work into giving its customers the most comfort and the best performance. These climbing shoes are one of the best examples of the engineering marvels done by evolv and are among the best shoes for bouldering and indoor climbing. 

These Evolv shoes are entirely synthetic vegan leather and come with “love bump” and “knuckle box” technologies. They love bumps to fill the empty gaps inside the shoes created by our toes so that maximum energy can be put into edging and the knuckle boxes make a good resting position for our middle toes. If this isn’t a thought process set into designing shoes, we don’t know what is.

The midsole is half-length, and the inside is unlined to give good breathing space. The upper is also made of lightweight synthetic leather, providing excellent comfort without adding to the bulk of the shoe. The shoes come with three straps, which we can adjust depending on our shoe sizes to allow proper fitting.

Scarpa Instinct VSR

Same as the Scarpa Vapor V, these climbing shoes by Scarpa are known for their all-around performance and durability. Our climbers found these shoes to be perfect for aggressive climbing. 

They come with the Grip2 rubber technology by Scarpa and provide the best grips even in steeper climbs. They also have a toe rubber system to allow proper hooking grips. They have a single velcro strap, called the floating power strap by Scarpa, which is sure to provide good fitting and unmatched power.

These shoes also have a bi-tension system, which consists of a tensioned rubber strap that reaches both sides of the shoe and makes the sides stiff but leaves out the centre part to give proper support in acute climbing conditions. 

These shoes also have a bi-tension system, which consists of a tensioned rubber strap that reaches both sides of the shoe and makes the sides stiff but leaves out the centre part to give proper support in acute climbing conditions. 

Mad Rock Drifter 

Mad Rock is a relatively newer company for making climbing shoes. But it has proved itself as one of the best ones out there. Its shoes combine innovative design, technicalities, and affordability to give its customers the comfort and performance they are looking for.

The Mad Rock Drifters are one of the lightest climbing shoes and are made of 100% leather. They come with a rubber sole with the world-famous Mad Rock friction-reducing design to give a comfortable feel. Thes shoes have a 2-strap velcro closure design to allow proper fitting.

The shoes lack any pressure points or open spots, making the climbers a perfect fit for steep climbs. The price factor is also well within a reasonable range. All in all, these shoes are one of the best mountain climbing shoes and perfect for the climbers who go for the set it and forget it approach when it comes to climbing shoes.

Also Available in

Scarpa Veloce

With this shoe on, your bouldering sessions will be much more fun and comfortable for your feet. Scarpa has hit the nail with this one, which comes with a roomier toe box and an S-72 rubber design. These features and many more make this shoe the best option for indoor climbing jobs and bouldering purposes. 

This shoe has all the premium features that all other Scarpa shoes have. It has a DTS rand technology maintained at a medium tension level to give efficacy and performance for extended periods. The RPF system further improves the space in the toe area to provide breathing space. 

To make enhancements in the heel hooking department, the heels of the shoes also feature the RPF system technology. The closure system on this shoe is through a single velcro strap, which allows for a more comfortable and long-lasting fit. All in all, these shoes are the best option for all types of indoor climbing sessions.

La Sportiva Zenit

With Zenit, La Sportiva has taken a step ahead regarding versatility and comfort.  The shoes have a knit upper, which makes them breathable and comfortable. To improve the sturdiness, the shoes have a rubber midsole, which gives excellent support without taking from the performance.

The outsole and the toe box are made of Vibram rubber technology, which is long-lasting and durable and makes the shoes flexible and supportive even in the tiniest of cracks. To improve heel hooks, the heels come with an injection moulded technology. The forefoot of the shoes has a design in which easy resoling is allowed. 

The shoes also come with a dual hook and loop closure system, which allows the shoes to fit on the feet perfectly and further adds to the comfort. The tongue of the shoes is lined with cotton to give the users breathability and comfort all day long.

Also Available in

Tenaya Oasi

This versatile shoe from Tenaya has been a favorite among some of the leading climbers in the world. It is a curved shoe that holds well in various challenging conditions. Climbing shoes that are high performance aren’t usually comfortable, but Oasi is comfortable for a shoe of its kind. 

Talking about specifications, it has a microfiber upper with TXT-treated cotton lining. Its sole is made from Vibram. It sports a Draxtor Velcro closure system that provides excellent control over the adjustment of the shoe.

Tenaya Oasi is specifically suited for bouldering and vertical routes. Its construction and material are such that it provides incredible power transmission. Its closure system is very intuitive and precise. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it is one of the best climbing shoes.

The hallmark of Tenaya Oasi is that it combines comfort with high performance. Users have reported that even after all-day use, it is incredibly comfortable. 

La Sportiva Miura

This lace-up climbing shoe from La Sportiva is specially designed for edging control and pocket climbing. It is ideal for slabs and vertical or steep rocks. It has a suede leather upper with Dentex lining and Vibram sole.

The Dentex lining is ideal for keeping the feet dry and comfortable over more extended usage periods. It is an intermediate high-performance shoe different from the Miura VS, a high-performance shoe. Miura is flatter and more comfortable than the Miura VS.

It is one of the most comfortable downturned shoes in the climbing business. If you are looking for a climbing shoe that has stood the test of time and is trustworthy, Miura is a good choice. It can do well in a variety of terrains without any hiccups. It is a do-it-all classic.

Although Miura is not particularly brilliant in a single terrain, it is an excellent all-around option that doesn’t lag in performance too much while providing comfort. If you’re keen, you can choose some exclusively designed high-end options.

Five Ten Hiangle

This award-winning classic shoe from Adidas is versatile and performs indoors and outdoors well. It comes with a synthetic upper and rubber outsole. It has a single strap velcro closure system. It is excellent for bouldering as well as for the gym.

It is a moderately aggressive shoe but is surprisingly comfortable. It has a moderate downturn and performs well in a variety of conditions. Its sole is sticky, which makes it ideal for smearing. Its C4 stealth rubber provides a great deal of sensitivity.

It is a popular choice for those who climb at the gym. It is also a good all-rounder but nothing too high-end for tricky climbing. They do pretty well for bouldering, too and perform decently overall. It has a fairly reasonable price and provides good value for money. 

Available in

Pro Tips Before Buying The Best  Intermediate Climbing Shoes

After going through all this stuff above, if you have decided to get a pair of intermediate climbing shoes for your hiking activities then you must be wondering what features you should be looking for in them.

To make life easier for you, we have listed the parameters that you should use to judge these shoes while going out shopping for your next hike.

Comfort

A shoe is of no good if it is not comfortable as it does more damage than benefit. Shoes being comfortable must be your first priority. It should not be so much tight that it hurt your feet as is the case with some climbers who sacrifice their comfort for better control while climbing vertical rocks.

Outsole

The outer sole of various shoes differs in thickness and the material that is used for the manufacturing. It all depends on what kind of hike they are going to be used for. The rubber used in it can be either firm or sticky. You should opt for firm rubber if better support is what you looking for. Otherwise, a stickier rubber is better for the grip on the smears of a slab in case of an adventurous hike.

Shoe closure system

It can be either laces or slip-on or straps. All perform the same function but each of them has its own unique features specific for a particular hike.

Laces provide versatility and are the most common ones. These are specially made for climbing that last a longer duration. Slip-on or most commonly known as slippers are elastic and offer the lowest profile making them ideal for slotting into thin cracks. Straps are useful in case of bouldering as these can be easily taken off in between the hikes.

It is up to you what kind of activity you are going to do and should choose the closure system accordingly.

Stretch

Climbing shoes are not the same after a few days as you first wear them after taking them out of the box. They usually stretch as keep wearing them. So try to get a smaller shoe size for a better fit later on. They may be uncomfortable in the beginning but it decreases as you wear them. One thing to keep in mind is that shoes with rubber shoes with a lining stretch less as compared to others.

Conclusion

Now you know your way around the best intermediate climbing shoes. Whichever brand you go for, ensure it has all the features you want. One thing about intermediate climbing shoes is that they have a lot of good features, but they are also pricey. But the peace of mind with a good pair of climbing shoes to help us during our climbs is well worth the price.

.