How to Choose Rock Climbing Shoes

Prioritizing forefoot comfort and minimal break-in, the Black Diamond Method climbing shoes are easy on feet out of the box, while maintaining stiff edge control for power for new outdoor climbers.
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View all Black Diamond Men's Climbing ShoesBest Use | Rock Climbing |
---|---|
Climbing Shoe Type | Moderate |
Last | Slip-lasted |
Upper | Microsuede |
Lining | Microsuede |
Outsole | 4 mm BD Black Label Fuse rubber |
Footwear Closure | Strap |
Gender | Men's |
Weight (Pair) | 14.8 ounces |
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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- Buy a half size up, as these shoes run tight with little give. Ideally try on a pair or two, as it is very unlikely that they will ‘break in’ any larger. The synthetic construction makes them very durable, however if they do not fit from the box, it is unlikely that they will begin to fit later. - The shoe composition is very nice because it offers comfort and protection without taking away from dexterity. - There is adequate support with a very nice rigid toe box allowing for quite a bit of grip and power on small connections. - I think the shoe is looking for confident climbers interested in growing their skill that needs a versatile tool to start working on more advanced routes. - For beginner climbers these shoes are overkill, but will allow for growth in your climbing, though I would recommend trying on some other pairs. - As other reviewers have said, the straps that keep the shoe snug are awesome – they are quick access, and easy to reposition frequently if needed.
I really liked climbing in these shoes. They were snug yet comfortable, and overall I was very satisfied with the fit of them. Unfortunately I found the build quality to be extremely subpar. The end of one of my velcro straps ripped, which doesnt effect the function but is a little disappointing considering the shoes were only a couple months old at that point. After only one season of moderate use, some of the rubber on top of the shoe was starting to delaminate and separate, and the sole was also starting to separate from the rand. Its unfortunate because I do really like how they feel, but with how poor the durability has been I just cant recommend getting them
I wanted to get something a bit more aggressive than my la Sportiva finale's which were my first climbing shoe. I went with the BD method's after demoing them for a day at an outdoor climbing event. For a more moderately aggressive shoe, they were exactly what I was looking for, extremely comfortable and performed exactly as I desired, however after about two weeks of climbing in them (mostly indoor) the rubber started to separate on top of the toe on both shoes, which was very disappointing. These shoes also stretched quite a bit and now slip and let air in around the heal after 3 months, which is probably my fault for not sizing down more, but they were very snug (even painful) when I purchased them. Lastly, while the inner material is extremely comfortable and great for taking off/putting on, it seems to retain odor more than I would like, and I haven't had issues with this in the past, so I don't think its just my feet! For the price, I think there are better options.
I bought these to give me a more aggressive shoe for gym climbing/training, since I climb outside in high tops (Aspect Pros for hard climbs; Evolv Generals for long cruiser days). Bought an 8.5- same as my Aspect and Aspect Pro shoes. The fit is definitely more tight and aggressive, but I don’t notice any discomfort when I have them on while climbing. They hurt while walking (what aggressive shoes don’t, though?), and if I climbed a hard sport multi, I would definitely want them off at belays. The rubber is plenty sticky, and has just the right balance of sensitivity and support. Only knock is that I wish the forefoot strap was a bit longer, but with the design and added rubber for toe hooking, it’s just not doable.
Shoes are really nice. Fits great on toes. Order 1/2 size larger. Thanks for the product!
I really wanted to love these shoes. The build quality and materials are great. However, the design of the shoe leaves room to be desired. I typically would wear a size US 10, so I got one size larger based on other reviewers (US 10. 5). I was able to wear them with a moderate level of toe curl; which is expected since they're a high performance shoe. While climbing with them, they were extremely painful the first few sessions. The shoes left my toes entirely bruised and blistered. I am going to continue using the shoes to see if they improve over time. I feel these shoes could have benefited greatly from having more three dimensional toe box to accommodate for toe curl, wider asymmetric toe box and more consistent sizing.
The Methods in Envy Green are easily the most attractive shoe in BDs shoe line. Perhaps I am biased since green is my favorite color, but either way these things are beautiful. My climbing buddy swears by BDs and says they fit true to street size. However, I found the Methods to be a bit snug in street size and would opt for a half size up for the next pair. This seems to be common with the more aggressive shoes, and despite a bit of loosening up over a few sessions, I don’t expect these to stretch much based on the synthetic materials of construction. Thankfully the hook and loop dual straps make for a quick removal between routes. These are great for overhung climbing due to the aggressive fit, but I also found them to be very adept at vertical edging. The heel fits nicely and is perfect for hooking when the routes get a bit bouldery. The double finger loops in the back and tongue loop are nice when putting on the shoe. Overall, this is a nice, versatile shoe for the intermediate level climber.
Disclaimer: I got this shoe online, had I tried it on and fit it better to my foot, it might’ve changed the way I use it. I wear a US Men’s 9.5 street shoe. The 9.5 in this shoe is slightly small - even for a climbing shoe. With the Velcro straps, it works well in the gym where I can take them off after every climb. I definitely would have sized up had I tried them on beforehand. All that being said….. the last is shaped well for my foot being just a little bit wider up front and still holding my heel well. Downturned toe is great - not the most aggressive ever, so pretty versatile. Stiff enough to inspire confident edging, and sticky rubber that is especially noticeable under the ball of my foot. I really like this shoe and am contemplating getting another pair in the correct size.
Nice for intermediate/advance sport climbs. I wouldn't necessarily recommend these for beginners because there are less expensive shoes out there that work great for beginner routes - if you're never going past 90 degrees, these are overkill. But for sending off-vertical routes and overhangs they seem really good. - great form fit (the heel and forefront outsoles are independent pieces of rubber rather than being a single piece of rubber. It feels that this allows the show to really hug both the ball and the heel really well). - the sole seems to strike great balance between stickiness and durability. - stiff forefront and edges provide good power - comfortable upper material with really wide opening for easy on/off - nice toe cap for great hooking - the downturn isn't so aggressive that you couldn't smear when you need to. - having only had these a few weeks I can't comment yet on durability, but they seem extremely solid and hope to last. A note: if you're not used to moderate to aggressive shoes (and wearing them frequently), consider sizing up a half size. These are tight.
Sizing seems to be very similar to momentum velcro. I sized up a half size since that is what others were recommending, but that was a bad idea. The others must have been down sizing their momentum shoes. These strike a perfect balance for: comfort, edging, heel hooking, and toe hooking. They are not the top of the crop in any one area, but do well at all! I always wondered what shoe to recommend to people next after their first beginner pair, but now I know these are the ones!