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When you pick the right climbing shoes, your chances of success on the wall increase dramatically. Depending on your climbing skill and style, you will come across a wide variety of climbing shoe choices. However, sometimes you want to focus on special features and characteristics to help enhance your experience.Â
The best women’s climbing shoes, for example, help to enhance women’s climbing experience. These climbing shoes are designed to cater to the narrower and smaller female feet. Whilst maintaining their protective and supportive finish, the climbing shoes also offer a more custom fit to smaller toe areas and narrower heels of women compared to those of their male counterparts.Â
Listed below are the 10 best women’s climbing shoes in 2022. Each pair offers a unique fabrication, features, and functionality on the wall. The info is here, the choice is up to you.
OUR TOP PICK
Climb X Rave Women’s Climbing Shoes
- What Makes These Climbing Shoes Stand Out
- Durable double-stitched construction
- Breathable mesh technology for added ventilation and comfort
- Powerful ankle support
- Padded collar and heel
- Odor eliminating footbed treatment
Upper: Suede leather
Outsole: X-X Factor rubber
Closure: Velcro strap
Profile: Slip lasted
Last: Low asymmetry
EDITORS CHOICE
Climb X Redpoint Women’s Climbing Shoes
- What Makes These Climbing Shoes Stand Out
- Performance-enhancing narrow and low volume design
- Contoured arch for added support
- Neoprene tongue for breathability
- 3D molded midsole and heel cup for added cushioning and padding
- Affordably priced
Upper: Suede leather
Outsole: X-X Factor rubber
Closure: Velcro strap
Profile: Slip lasted
Last: Slight downturn
BEST VALUE
Five Ten Rogue Women’s Climbing Shoes
- What Makes These Climbing Shoes Stand Out
- Secure and snug Velcro hook and loop closure
- Unlined leather upper fabrication for added breathability
- Ultra sticky rubber outsole enhances traction and edging
- Made in the USA
Upper: Split grain leather
Outsole: Stealth C4 rubber
Closure: Velcro hook and loop strap
Profile: Low to the moderate downturn
Last: Slip lasted
- What Makes These Climbing Shoes Stand Out
- Perforated synthetic leather upper fabrication
- Nylon lining for added durability, breathability, and comfort
- Teardrop designed 1mm midsole for added sensitivity, flexibility, and edging
- VTR rand for the thick front toe area
- Narrow and low profile design
Upper: Synthetic leather
Outsole: 4.2mm Trax rubber
Closure: Velcro hook and loop strap
Profile: Flat
Last: Slip lasted
- What Makes These Climbing Shoes Stand Out
- Dual power Velcro strap for added adjustability and security
- Passive rad system for classic performance
- Narrow female-specific fit
- Stiff finish for added support and performance
Upper: Suede leather
Outsole: 5mm Vision rubber
Closure: Velcro strap
Profile: Flat
Last: Board lasted
La Sportiva Miura Women’s Climbing Shoes
- What Makes These Climbing Shoes Stand Out
- Aggressive camber shape makes them ideal for small edges and in pockets
- Triple hook and loop Velcro strap for adjustability and secure fit
- 1mm LaspoFlex midsole for added sensitivity, adjustability, and edging power
- Vibram outsoles provide great traction in any temperature
- Vibram rubber outsole design also provides weight balance in smaller spaces and edges
Upper: Leather
Outsole: 4mm Vibram XS Edge rubber
Closure: Velcro hook and loop strap
Profile: Downturned
Last: Board lasted
- What Makes These Climbing Shoes Stand Out
- Lined tongue for moisture management and breathability
- Synthetic leather overlay lacing harness adds support
- Quick pulling lacing harness for secure and snug fit
- Patented FriXion rubber outsoles for superior grip and durability
- Flexible 1.8mm LaspoFlex midsole for added sensitivity
Upper: Leather/synthetic leather
Outsole: 5mm FriXion RS rubber
Closure: Lace-up
Profile: Slight downturn
Last: Slip lasted
Black Diamond Momentum Women’s Climbing Shoes
- What Makes These Climbing Shoes Stand Out
- Forefoot microfiber liner to minimize stretch and comfort
- Unlined leather fabrication for a custom fit
- Knit technology for added breathability and comfort
- Lace-up closure for fit adjustability
- Soft flex midsole for enhanced sensitivity and flexibility
Upper: Leather
Outsole: 4.3mm NeoFriction rubber
Closure: Lace-up
Profile: Flat
Last: Slip lasted
- What Makes These Climbing Shoes Stand Out
- Padded collar and heel for added comfort
- Durable one-piece binding
- Pre downsized design for a perfect fit
- Double stitch construction for added durability
- Flexible and cushioned polypropylene midsole
Upper: Leather
Outsole: X-X Factor rubber
Closure: Velcro strap
Profile: Slight downturn
Last: Slip lasted
Evolv Skyhawk Women’s Climbing Shoes
- What Makes These Climbing Shoes Stand Out
- Unlined leather for maximum support and natural foot molding shape
- Synthetic leather lace overlay harness for added support
- Lace-up closure for an adjustable fit
- Rigid 1.4mm midsole enhances support
- Variable rand thickness for abrasion resistance and maximum toe power
Upper: Leather
Outsole: 4.2mm Trax SAS rubber
Closure: Lace-up
Profile: Slight downturn
Last: Slip lasted
How To Choose Women’s Climbing Shoes – Buying Guide
Fit
The best women’s rock climbing shoes must provide a snug fit. Think of the fit as a firm handshake that is not loose and at the same time not painful. You want the shoes to offer a proper and secure fit to maximize your tacility on the wall, but also want to be able to wear them without discomfort. Typically, your toes should either be flat or curved, depending on the climbing style. However, the toes should never be so curved that they are painful.
Profile
The three common profiles on the best women’s rock climbing shoes are straight/flat, asymmetric, or downturned. Flat/straight profiles are as suggested… flat and straightforward. This design is ideal for beginners as it offers ample comfortability, but is also preferred for multi-pitch, slab, and crack climbing. Most neutral-type shoes feature a flat profile. Asymmetric profile shoes feature a longer point over the big toe which helps to enhance climbing power.Â
Many asymmetric profile designs are found in moderate or aggressive climbing shoes. These shoes feature downturn profiles, which increase the pointed design or curve of the shoes at the toe. This profile is ideal for advanced climbers and normally features little comfort and thin outsoles for added sensitivity and flexibility.Â
Upper Material
The best women’s rock climbing shoes are built with an unlined leather fabrication. Leather material is ideal for upper build on your shoes because it offers just enough stretch to provide a custom fit over time. Additionally, leather is known to be abrasion-resistant. The unlined style gives the shoes enough breathability and air circulation to leave your feet dry and fresh.
Mid Sole
Your midsole will either be soft or rigid. These designs affect your performance based on the style of climbing. Soft midsoles are normally thinner and provide greater sensitivity – an excellent trait for advanced climbing. Rigid midsoles, on the other hand, tend to return the shoe to shape when pressure is applied, they offer great support and help to enhance comfort. Midsoles also offer support in the toe box which protects toes whilst maximizing their power during climbing.Â
Related Review: Cheap Climbing Shoes
Under Sole
The best women’s rock climbing shoes must have a grippy and ultra-sticky rubber sole. These features on the rubber outsole help to enhance friction between the shoes and the surface which in turn enhances traction. Thicker rubber outsoles offer greater support, protection, and durability but they also tend to be less sensitive. Thinner outsoles on the other end are ideal for smearing and are more commonly used by climbers on shorter, harder routes.Â
Flexibility
As mentioned above, the midsoles determine flexibility. Soft midsoles are great for indoor climbing as the terrain is less rough and your feet require less support and protection. The more rigid and stiffer midsoles are ideal for rugged outdoor use due to their enhanced support, protection, and stability.Â
Related Review: Trad Climbing Shoes
Closure
Generally, the best women’s rock climbing shoes are built with either lace-up closure, Velcro strap with hook and loop closure, or slip-on. Slip-on climbing shoes are the easiest to put on and remove, however, they may not offer the most comfortable and secure fit. Velcro straps provide an excellent middle ground between lace and slip-on options, offering more adjustability and security than slip-on shoes but still remaining relatively easy to put on and take off. Lace-up closure designs are also less likely to open up mid-climb compared to Velcro straps.
Weight
In general, you want the weight of your climbing shoes to be no more than a pound or two. Taking into account the nature of the sport, you don’t want shoes to weigh you down during the climb. Heavier shoes will affect performance, but may provide added protection, so it’s ultimately your call.
Related Review: Crack Climbing Shoes
FAQs
Q:Â What Is The Difference Between Male And Female Climbing Shoes?
The most common differences between male and female climbing shoes are their volume and width. Women’s feet tend to be narrower and smaller compared to that of males. So a size 10 women's shoe is not the same as a size 10 men’s shoe. Women’s specific shoes tend to have lower volume, smaller toe boxes, and a narrower heel.
Related Post: Climbing Shoe Sizing
Q:Â Are Unisex Shoes Good For Women?
Yes, unisex shoes for women are just as good. This is because, unlike gender-specific climbing shoes, unisex shoes are designed with consideration of both genders. Thus, they are built to fit and support different foot shapes regardless of gender. Just make sure the shoe fits your specific foot before you buy it.
Globo Surf Overview
The women’s climbing shoes reviews outline how they help enhance your climbing experience. Climbing shoes for women feature a gender-specific design that is designed to address the specific features of women’s feet for a custom fit and performance. They are also built to provide enough support and comfort so you can climb hard and send your project. The buying guide above provides a proper guide on what to look for when choosing the best women’s climbing shoes. Good luck and enjoy the rock!
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