The Best Beginner Climbing Shoes
If you are just starting out on your climbing adventure or looking to progress – you may be looking for a pair of beginner climbing shoes.
With so many climbing shoes available in the market it can be confusing for beginner climbers as there are so many different fits, shapes and uses!
In this blog you will find out what to look for in a beginner climbing shoe and how to choose the right shoe for you!
Comfort
The key to getting a great beginner climbing shoe is finding a comfortable shoe.
You may have heard from more experienced climbers that climbing shoes need to hurt to fit properly. While you do want you shoes to be tight fitting – if they are too painful you will not want to wear them and not want to climb!
The best bet is to go for a tight but comfortable fit. If you aren’t sure head to your local wall or climbing shop and they will help you get the right fit.
Shape
You will see experienced climbers conquering the competition walls wearing asymmetrical and downturned climbing shoes. These shoes are designed for the needs of technically demanding climbs and will be unnecessary for beginners needs.
As a beginner it is best to go for a flatter shoe which will make the transition to wearing climbing shoes easier and will allow you to climb for longer!
Durability
While a value pair of climbing shoes may be great for getting started the materials won’t be as durable and may soon wear out!
As a beginner climber, your technique won’t be as smooth and therefore your climbing shoes may suffer wear and tear quicker.
Our beginner models are designed with tough rubber and uppers perfect for perfecting your footwork!
SCARPA’s Beginner Climbing Shoes – The Comfort Line
We don’t have a designated beginner climbing shoe range, because some of our shoes which are suitable for beginners are also suitable for more experience climbers looking for a comfortable pair of shoes to climb in. This is why we recommend our comfort line for beginners.
Our comfort line of shoes are perfect for beginner climbers – as they combine comfort and technology, these pairs are either flat or slightly angled in shape for an easy fit and maximum convenience, even after multiple uses.
Reflex VS
The Reflex VS combines premium Italian materials and tried and trusted technologies, to offer sustained comfort and solid performance even over prolonged use. Ideal for new climbers who need a comfortable and durable shoe!Featuring a 2mm suede upper, a neutral flat-lasted construction and opposing dual Velcro closure, the Reflex provides out-of-the-box comfort and road-ready performance.
Helix
The new SCARPA Helix builds on the model's legacy, offering a comfortable, versatile climbing shoe designed to be precise, durable and supportive.
Its neutral fit, Vibram® XS Edge outsole, and lace-to-toe closure deliver solid performance on long routes and extended sessions.
Veloce
The Veloce offers comfort and technology with a special focus on indoor climbing.
With a square toe profile with quite a wide heel, it will fit a wide range of foot shapes. However it maintains enough support, sensitivity and power to climb high grades with ease and without the usual rock shoe pain. This means you can train or climb harder for longer in the Veloce.
Origin VS
The first incarnation of SCARPA’s Origin VS was a new standard-setter: a competitively priced shoe that combined the comfort of an entry-level model with the performance and materials of high-end designs. This latest iteration doubles down on that ethos, delivering a truly remarkable climbing shoe- levelling up on all fronts.
Built in Europe’s shoemaking heartland and shaped on a comfort-oriented last, the Origin VS offers a relaxed, neutral fit with minimal pressure points on both heels and toes.
Want to get advice from our climbing shoe experts and try the SCARPA Range before you buy? Then head down to one of our demo nights.
We hope you found this article informative and helpful. We would love to hear any questions, so please get in touch with us on Facebook or Instagram. Here you can also share with us your climbing adventures – make sure you tag us in your posts!
