How to Choose Rock Climbing Shoes

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Built on a hand-shaped downturned last, the soft So iLL Stay climbing shoes deliver on slab, vertical or large volume climbing thanks to durable yet comfortable uppers and Vibram® XS Grip rubber.
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View all So iLL Men's Climbing ShoesBest Use | Rock Climbing |
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Climbing Shoe Type | Moderate |
Last | Slip-lasted |
Upper | Synthetic microsuede |
Lining | None |
Outsole | Vibram XS Grip rubber |
Footwear Closure | Strap |
Can Be Resoled | Yes |
Vegan | Yes |
Gender | Unisex |
Weight (Pair) | 1 pound |
Climbing Shoe Volume | High |
4.5 Mens/6 Womens | 5 Mens/6.5 Womens | 5.5 Mens/7 Womens | 6 Mens/7.5 Womens | 6.5 Mens/8 Womens | 7 Mens/8.5 Womens | 7.5 Mens/9 Womens | 8 Mens/9.5 Womens | 8.5 Mens/10 Womens | 9 Mens/10.5 Womens | 9.5 Mens/11 Womens | 10 Mens/11.5 Womens | 10.5 Mens/12 Womens | 11 Mens/12.5 Womens | 11.5 Mens/13 Womens | 12 Mens/13.5 Womens | 12.5 Mens/14 Womens | 13 Mens/14.5 Womens | |
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U.S. Men's | 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 |
U.S. Women's | 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 | 14.5 |
UK | 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 |
EU | 36 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 |
As indicated on the sizing chart, those who wear men's sizes should order their street shoe size. Those who wear women's sizes should order this shoe in their women's street shoe size (which is 1.5 sizes smaller than men's sizing).
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This shoe is a huge improvement on the already great performance line from so ILL. Improvement to the toe rubber allows for more stable toe hooks. The narrow low profile heel is comfortable while staying in place even on powerful heel hooks. The shoe is overall very soft and great for indoor comp style climbing, but also has a pretty rigid toe and moderate aggression making it suitable for small edge slabs and even overhung ( I suspect outdoor as well but have only sessioned them inside so far). Sizing is different than previous models, I wear 9.5 in new zero pro and ordered 8.5 in the stay and found a very similar fitment. (Street shoe size 9). The removed lining from previous models is a great upgrade and shaves alot of weight off without sacrificing fit, it also eliminates the chance of the pull tab seperating from the inner liner and is still very comfortable . Great addition and my new go to until torque releases .
After my first couple hours in this shoe I am very happy with how they performed. I have a narrow foot with a low volume heel. Purchased them in a 9. I have been using 41.5 La Sportiva Muiras and katanas- finding these shoes too stiff for some of my recent climbing developments I turned to the Stays after trying them on in store and liking the feel. It feels like they were molded to my foot towards the end of my first session in them. Definitely a softer bouldering shoe but it seems they would be a solid edging shoe with just a little extra work from the user. Overall very happy with them- the added steez points for the style is definitely a plus.
Love the functionality, fit, and look of this shoe! I was able to brake them in with ease on my first session. The size chart says order your street size, but that was too small for me. For reference my street size is women's 7, I went with women's 7.5.
I tried multiple shoes (La Sportivas, Tenaya, Evolve, 5-10), and they would either have a very baggy heel or destroy my toes (knuckles) :( Experience with So iLL Stay so far: - Never painful, rather very tight - I can walk in them around the gym like a normal human - After 3 sessions they feel like a glove - Extreme toe hook - that rubber sticks like crazy, feels a bit like cheating - Smearing and edging - no objections - Slightly on a softer side - but nothing crazy - Quality and attention to details is top notch! - Best looking climbing shoes on the market
Just got them and only done one day of climbing (2 hours bouldering) in them but will give a review. Sizing- I ordered the 7/8.5 (39.5 euro) with being a 41-42 euro street shoe size. Sizing for this shoe is really different than other So ILLs as I could not fit into a size 7.5-8 of their older models. (also the tag is wrong in shoe says its 7 mens/8.5 womens and 40 euro). I normally wear around 39.5-40 euro in theorys , skwama , shamans , oracles , and same for 5.10. Fit- It is a narrow shoe , the tox box is little rougher than a skwama at first , after having shoe on for 15-20m it molded to my foot/warmed up to the point of only minor discomfort in the toes. Unsure about if it'll stretch with time but I'll update if they do. They sit also low around my heel , skwama/solutions dug into my heel while these are good margin away. The single strap is enough to really keep my foot in it. If the strap breaks feels like a slipper besides that. Performance- I'm not a comp climber but volume/smearing the rubber was fantastic , the amount of rubber on top made toe hooks feel fantastic/toe flexion easier, the heel is just the same soft rubber with no plate/rand so it molds to you not sure if I really like this for heel hooks just yet but it performed all the ones I needed very well. The sensitivity for my feet I was able to feel a lot more of what I was standing on but not like the no edge shoes. I don't see myself wearing these for sport climbing due to how soft they are. TDLR: weird sizing , sensitive , easy break in period , comfy , sticky rubber , and might be my replacement gym shoe.
Been climbing with So Ill shoes for about 6 years. This is by far the best climbing shoe I have had the opportunity to climb in. They are soft, but have no pain when doing a heel hook or toe hook. Comfortable, while also aggressive enough for overhangs. I can wear them for well over an hour with zero complaints. And come on look at them, real pretty! Keep in mind this shoe will only work if it fits your foot shape and I really only ever climb indoors. Haven’t tried them outside, yet. I’m unable to speak to how they perform outside. But for indoor climbing, they are lovely. One thing I would change about them but I could be wrong, I feel the rubber could be slightly thicker/ harder. They do seem like I’m going to burn through the rubber faster than my Street So Ill climbing shoes. I hope I’m wrong. Overall, I’m over the moon for these shoes. Their team did such an amazing job. 10/10 recommend.
After having climbed with these for a few months, both on rock and plastic, and on all kind of styles, I have to say I'm really impressed. These shoes edge really well on despite being so soft, even when the rubber is getting worn down. That the shoes look great comes as a nice bonus.