How to Choose Rock Climbing Shoes

Feel comfy on the wall or the ground in the men's Black Diamond Momentum climbing shoes, designed with flexible, breathable knit uppers and molded rubber outsoles for locked-in support.
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Imported.
View the Black Diamond Momentum Product LineView all Black Diamond Men's Climbing ShoesBest Use | Rock Climbing |
---|---|
Climbing Shoe Type | Neutral |
Last | Slip-lasted |
Upper | Knit fabric |
Lining | Microfiber |
Outsole | 4.3 mm rubber |
Footwear Closure | Strap |
Can Be Resoled | Yes |
Vegan | Yes |
Gender | Men's |
Weight (Pair) | Unavailable |
4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 15 | |
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U.S. Men's | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 15 |
U.S. Women's | 5.5 | 6 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | ||||||||
UK | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 |
EU | 35.5 | 36 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 48 | 48.5 | 49.5 |
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I've climbed casually for years, mostly indoor gym climbing. this is my second pair of climbing shoes and all in all its a solid shoe. soft and flexible uppers keep it comfortable. the sole has enough grip and support to hook a heal or toe a crimp, but is flexible and soft enough to wear for longer periods of time. the velcro makes it easy to switch to my chacos for belaying or an approach. if you're looking to learn to climb, or enjoy climbing as a fun hobby you can't go wrong with this shoe. if you're looking to climb competitively or for intense full body work outs you're going to want a more intense shoe.
These bouldering shoes were my first pair that I ever bought. They got me through the tough climbs from beginning to more challenging climbs. I would definitely buy them again, especially since I lost the first pair.
I've owned these shoes for a little over a year and put a beating on them. I have climbed with them on quartz, granite, limestone and the edging is pretty good while retaining all day comfort after breaking them in. I have practically hiked in them and done a lot of cliff jumping and the soles have retained their integrity through all of this. This shoe is built tough however I have had issues with the smell which is hard to erase and not only that but you can only climb to a certain level with these shoes for intermediate to advanced climbers I would not recommend. If your looking to get into climbing though I highly recommend investing in these shoes they are very reliable and great for just getting into the sport.
If you’re a beginner or experienced looking for a gym burner (when you don’t want to destroy your TC pros), this is the shoe. The quick and dirty: in my experience, order a 1.5-2 sizes up from your street shoes for comfortable fit (able to wear socks with them on cold crag days). For reference - in brooks running shoes, I’ll wear 11.5, and I buy these in 13. Details: These are not aggressive and considered a “softer” shoe, that being said, they are comfy and do their job. Once worn down a bit after breaking in, you can really feel the small foot holds/chips on higher graded routes in gyms (think 5.11 and up). As for outside, you won’t have a problem wearing them for extended period of time (multi pitch belay and climb, for example), and in theory you could keep them on and walk around in the gym without taking them off, but I take them off in between burns anyways. I’m approaching 3 years climbing, and this has been my go to - because I know the sizing, when I order online I know what I’m going to get, they generally go on sale twice a year, and they are perfect for my needs - climbing very frequently and performing. Also, because they are on the cheaper end of shoes, you can have a pair for burning in the gym, and a pair for outdoors. As for negatives, you may experience a very slight gap in the heel - this is considered “bad” or improperly fitting, but I haven’t really had an issue with this. I believe this shoe is meant to have a wider toe box so it would be better for those with wider feet. Also, I like the white and black version of this shoe - the previous model looked pretty nice too (grey and blue), but I can’t find them anymore. I hope this review helps at least someone out there who is looking for a pair of climbing shoes, thanks for reading.
Beginner here so take this with a grain of salt. I changed from la sportiva lace ups for the straps. These are extremely comfortable. I went with a size up from street but i think i need that due to my wide and flat feet. The fit is great however i do feel like the sole is a bit thinner than my last pair and it might limit the level of aggressive bouldering I'll be able to do in the future. From what i can tell La Sportiva is just a higher quality brand - interested to see other reviews of this shoe.
I have a narrower foot, and these did not fit well. I ordered 3 sizes and ended up getting a smaller size (11), which was still too wide and and a little too short. My toes curled under and my foot slid side to side. Just not made for my foot type. They were also stiffer (bruised my toes). If you have a wider foot than me, then they might be fine. I tried for a month and then returned them. I eventually went with the Evolve Kronos (velcro) in 11.5 US men. I typically wear a 11.5-12 in vans. The evolvs worked perfectly. La Sportiva Tarantulance (laces) would probably work for a narrower foot as well.
The straps make this shoe more flexible and easy on the feet. I have owned a pair for a year now and I found that these shoes are best used for easier climbs and relaxed sessions. I say this because 1) there is noticeably less (in comparison to other shoes) top of the toe rubber for toe hooks and 2) the straps, while very comfy, do let the shoe slide on your foot more than a laced shoe. I still give it 5 stars for a great low-cost entry to nonrental shoes for newer climbers.
I purchased a pair of these four years ago and loved them so much. They finally got too worn out and I bought another pair. Same size, yet they fit so differently, and not in a good way. I have long, narrow feet and my last pair fit perfectly. These are wider and it allows my foot to move around too much. I don’t feel comfortable climbing in them. I’ve tried tightening the Velcro straps as tight as possible, but it doesn’t help and they don’t feel comfortable at all due to creases in the fabric. Really sad that I will have to return them and figure out another shoe to buy.
clearly high quality shoes, excited to try them out!
Beginner climber here, shoes fit great, plenty of traction on the wall.