Every climber knows that climbing outdoors is always more exciting and adventurous than climbing in the gym. There are few things more satisfying that climbing your way up a rock and reaching the top. 

Climbing shoes, as we know, are found in a great variety. There are shoes available for a specific type of terrain or style of climbing. Indoor shoes are different from Shoes For Outdoor Climbing. There are some shoes, however, which can work in both situations. But if you want the best outdoor climbing shoes, you have to look for some special features that are tailored to your purpose. 

Features of Shoes For Outdoor Climbing:

It would be a stretch to say that there is a climbing shoe that can work well in every situation. It all comes down to the type of climbing you are doing and the quality of the rock you are climbing on. 

If you are climbing a steep rock, there are climbing shoes for that. On the other hand, if you are climbing on a surface that isn’t too steep, there are other shoes that will do the job for you. 

Generally, if the surface you are climbing on is rough, hard and sharp, you’ll want a climbing shoe that is stiffer. Conversely, if you are climbing on a smooth surface, you’d need a shoe that is soft and offers a significant amount of friction. 

The Best Outdoor Climbing Shoes

Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to rock climbing shoes, there are a lot of options available for you to find what you need. Here are a few of my favorite outdoor climbing shoes.

Five Ten Niad Lace

A successor to the iconic Five Ten Anasazi Pink, the Niad Lace features a stiff profile, C4 Stealth rubber, and a secure heel cup. 

Marketed as an all-round climbing shoe, it shows fantastic performance in edging. It stands out in long-route edging. As the shoe softens with use, it can work for smearing as well. 

Read The Best Climbing Shoe Rubber

Niad Lace is also a great option for climbers with narrow feet like its predecessor, the Anasazi Pink. Its lacing system is efficient, providing a great deal of flexibility.

Its upper is made from lined microfiber which makes it a very comfortable shoe to climb with. While being an all-round climbing shoe, it performs fairly well.

Butora Acro Comp

This shoe from Butroa is a favorite among wide-footed climbers. It has many qualities that make it a very reliable choice. It is sensitive yet stiff, and is great for sport climbing and bouldering. A narrow feet version is also available. 

It is one of the few climbing shoes that perform well in every type of terrain. Butora’s own Neo Fuse rubber performs well when compared to Stealth or Vibram XS Edge. All in all, its construction is top-class in every way.

Although it’s well suited for various types of climbing styles, it especially excels in edging. For a shoe with this kind of performance, it is surprisingly great at providing comfort too. 

Acro Camp provides great value for many when compared to some of the rival shoes in this price range. It is also a very durable shoe. 

La Sportiva Miura Vs

La Sportiva shoes are one of the best in business when it comes to climbing footwear. This particular model is especially suited for outdoor climbing. It gives exceptional performance whether you’re doing sport climbing or bouldering.

It has three hook and loop closures which guarantee a great fit and make it fast and efficient. The upper is made from tubular construction. P3 technology arch support makes it very durable and it performs well over a long period of time. There are slight differences between the velcro and lace version. The lace version is fully lined while the velcro has an upper that is partially lined. Velcro features a P3 platform which ensures that its downturned shape remains intact. The sole is of Vibram® XS Edge 4 mm.

Miura VS is a high performance product that does exceptionally well at thin edges and roped routes. It holds well almost anywhere and is really comfortable for all terrain climbing. All in all, it is truly a versatile shoe. It is an ideal shoe for vertical edging. Its aggressive shape and hard construction ensure safety and performance regarding vertical rock climbing.

 However, it is important to mention that Miura VS is intentionally designed tightly to ensure optimal performance – which means it is not meant for all day use. This shoe is built exclusively for sharp edges and steep terrain. It is one of the best outdoor climbing shoes.

An interesting thing about this shoe is that its wearers have reported developing a small callus on the big toe. It has become so common that it is known as the “Miura bump”. But it’s not a big concern as the condition only develops due to excessive use and usually goes away after sometime. 

This shoe also features a women’s version which is only slightly different from the men’s one. The main difference is in the sole. The men’s version boasts Vibram XS Edge rubber while the former features Vibram XS Grip 2 rubber.

In summary, the key features of the Miura VS are that it is durable. It is ideal for steep rock climbing and aggressive performance.. The Muira VS bears a good reputation among climbers and it has stood the test of time.

Conclusion

Outdoor climbing is indeed the most popular form of climbing. We have listed some great outdoor shoes options for you to consider and all of these are among the best outdoor climbing shoes in our opinion. Try them out and see what fits you best. Have Perfect climbing!