How to Choose Rock Climbing Shoes

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With upgraded, all-microsuede uppers for this season, the Scarpa Vapor V women's climbing shoes hit the sweet spot of comfort and sensitivity for steep climbing performance.
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View all Scarpa Women's Climbing ShoesBest Use | Rock Climbing |
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Climbing Shoe Type | Moderate |
Last | Slip-lasted |
Upper | Synthetic microsuede |
Outsole | 3.5 mm Vibram XS Grip2 rubber |
Footwear Closure | Strap |
Can Be Resoled | Yes |
Gender | Women's |
Weight (Pair) | 14.8 ounces |
34 | 34.5 | 35 | 35.5 | 36 | 36.5 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 EU | |
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U.S. Women's | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 |
EU | 34 | 34.5 | 35 | 35.5 | 36 | 36.5 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 |
Mondo | 20 | 21 | 21.5 | 21.5 | 22 | 22.5 | 23 | 23.5 | 24 | 24 | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 |
All Scarpa non-plastic footwear uses European sizing.
• 1 Euro whole size = 6.6 mm = 0.26 inches
• 1 US whole size = 8.4 mm = 0.33 inches
• The 30 Euro sizes above cover the same size range as 24 US sizes.
• More Euro sizes provide a better, more precise fit for your intended use.
Rock Shoes: Scarpa recommends you downsize 1/2 to 2 full sizes from street shoe size, though downsizing depends on shoe model, intended use and personal preference.
Mountaineering: Scarpa recommends you upsize 1/2 size or more depending on desired fit. Scarpa plastic mountaineering boots are based on the UK sizing scale.
Ski Boots: All Scarpa ski bootsare measured in Mondo sizing. Highlighted (or not) sizes share the same shell size; the liners are lasted for each 1/2 size. Some skiers may want to downsize up to 1 full Mondo size, depending upon personal preference.
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After the initial break-in period, I found these shoes to be incredibly comfortable. It’s not uncommon for me to wear these for hours at a time in the gym or on long multi-pitch climbs without taking them off in between pitches. The tongue on this model of the Vapor V is noticeably more padded than the previous model, which adds an extra level of comfort and breathability. The newer model also sports an elastic band over the top of the foot for increased support, eliminating the need to downsize. This is a big improvement over the prior model where the tongue would slide and bunch up between the two Velcro straps. This is a very versatile shoe!
I really wanted to like these shoes, since they were supposed to be my first pair of moderate climbing shoes after 8 months of climbing. To be fair, I liked their colors, I liked their design, and for someone whose feet are rather slim, I liked how they hugged my feet so well. Yet only after 3 or 4 times of wearing, the tip of the right shoe started to wear with some rubber coming off. You'd think a pair of $200 shoes would have better quality, especially since the highest grade I climbed was V4... Ended up returning them and got another pair from another brand. (FYI: I wear 6 or 5.5 for normal shoes, and I got 6.5 for these Scarpas.)
I have been climbing for about 8 months in the gym and a couple of times outside. I love these shoes as I feel confident when facing difficult challenges. I feel like I have the support needed on tiny little foot holds. I feel that my shoes have helped me to progress from 5.9 and comfortably into the 5.10 and even into the 5.11 on the most recent occasion. Smearing can be a little difficult for me in them. I am still learning a lot and it could be my technique. I did go up half a size from my regular foot size. I have a super high arch so I felt like these shoes were built for my feet and they didn’t have a long break in period.
This is my second pair of Scarpa Vapor V's. I bought my first pair at an REI garage sale and loved them. Yes, know they're women's but they fit well so why should it matter? The fitting is just like the last model, but the interior of the shoe is much softer and more comfortable. The newer model does not have the ribbed sole like the last model, which I always thought was strange. Another reason I bought this shoe was because of the colorway. I've received a lot of compliments from people at the gym about how great they look!
This was my second pair of climbing shoes, and I didn’t know that the heel of the shoe should be flush with your heel! I have a wide toe area, flat feet, yet a normal heel width that made these shoes overall incompatible. I’ve had the shoe for over a year and enjoyed the toe box fit. It’s great for bouldering when you need a stiff toe for pressure and stability. Low sensitivity in the toe region, so if slab is your go-to, this may not be the shoe. I really enjoyed them, although i learned that it wasn’t the right fit for my feet. This was exemplified in my tries to heel hook, yet my heel would slip out of place. I also will say that they stretched quite a bit, so definitely size down approx. 1 full size (I didn’t when I got them)! I’d still recommend them!
I really like the Vapor for heel hooks and toeing. These are a great all-round shoe for sport climbing, outdoor bouldering and indoor climbing. I used Miura before for many years, and they would literally slip off the heel while bouldering. I feel much more confident in the Vapor. I got half a size smaller than my regular shoe size and would recommend sizing normally. I've started to form bunions on the heel because of smaller climbing shoes - very painful. Save your feet!
I've been climbing for about a year now and pretty much solely on la sportiva muiras. After two pairs of disappointment I have finally found a shoe I love. They stick so well to the rock and I don't have to give up comfort for great sends. I am in the 5.11-5.12+, V5 V6 range of climbing. That being said those tiny little nothing foot holds have nothing on these shoes.
It took me a little while to break these shoes in - I sized a half size down from my normal shoe size. It feels great in the toe now and gives a lot of support, but I've noticed lately that they're getting loose in the heel after about 6 months of use. Grip is great, support is great. The only thing I'm a bit disappointed in is the durability - after about 6 months of moderate use (indoor, on average 3x per week), the rubber has worn down to the fabric on the toe.
Great option for men who want less volume in the heel, otherwise it’s exactly the same as the men’s version
I love these shoes! It took me quite a few rounds of trial and error to get the correct size, but I am very happy with the way these fit and feel while climbing. I have a narrow foot and usually wear a 7.5/8 and went with a size 39. Perfect fit! Snug, but not too painful and they felt great on the wall. I also tried on the Instincts, but these felt more comfortable and snugger in the heel.