Buying your first pair of climbing shoes is a big step.

Ditching rental shoes means better fit, comfort, and performance, helping you climb more confidently and consistently. But, with so many options (and a price tag to match), choosing the right pair can feel overwhelming. To help, here are our top 5 beginner climbing shoes to get you started.

1. Evolv Defy Range

Key Features:

• Comfortable, slipper-like feel and design with perforated upper for increased breathability
• 100 % Vegan friendly materials
• Slight downturn and asymmetry to boost performance 

Who for?

New climbers looking for a shoe to help them progress through both entry and intermediate level climbing, thanks to more technical features on the Defy range.

Climbing or comfort?

Both.

What makes it special?

Climbs way harder than most traditional entry-level shoes, with a technical profile and features that complement its comfortable fit.

 

2. Scarpa Origin VS / Scarpa Origin VS Womens

Key Features:

• Scarpa's S72 high friction rubber.
• One strap closure system.
• Microfibre upper.
• Neutral shape and a medium-width fit, the perfect all-rounder!

Who?

For those beginners who really want to push their first pair of shoes. Whether this is with loads of climbing or through adventurous climbing trips outside, the Origin VS has been designed to withstand the punishment. A must-shoe for any regular novice indoor climber looking to up their game, trad climber looking for all-day comfort and performance, or just someone who wants a well rounded shoe that is comfortable.

Climbing or comfort?

Both. 

What makes it special?

The toe box is generously coated with soft M50 rubber often found on Scarpa's high-performance models, providing optimal grip for hooking on any surface, from modern indoor holds to all types of outdoor rock.

3. Red Chili Ventic Air Lace

Key Features:

 

• All textile elements of the upper are recycled from post-consumer polyester and produced in line with the Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
• 100 % Vegan friendly materials
• RX-2 Techgrip - If you're looking for high edge stability, you can't beat the RX-2 Techgrip
• Neutral Fit - to suit a wide range of foot shapes
• RC-Support - The RC-Support is a full-length midsole that is used in Red Chili comfort and performance shoes. It is a very supportive midsole. It provides beginners and intermediate climbers with a very stable feeling while standing on any type of foothold
• Hemp Footbed

Who for?

Climate conscious climbers who want a supremely comfortable shoe.

Climbing or comfort?

Comfort.

What makes it special?

The Red Chili Ventic Air Lace might just be the most environmentally friendly climbing shoe ever made and it backs these credentials up with respectable and accessible performance. 

4. La Sportiva Tarantula Boulder

Key Features:

• Leather construction (Softer Suede for JR) – will stretch up to 1 UK size.
• Durable FriXion rubber. 
• Highly adjustable, Velcro closure system.
• Medium Volume fit – will suit a wide range of foot shapes.

Who for? Beginners seeking comfort who want to get maximum wear from their first pair of shoes.

Climbing or comfort?

Comfort

What makes it special? The Tarantula’s durability and construction make it the perfect, versatile shoe for a beginner who’s interested in learning to climb both indoors and outside on real rock.

 

5. EB Electron

Key Features:

• Synthetic construction – will stretch 0.5 UK sizes.
• 5mm Optimax highly durable rubber.
• Double velcro closure.
• A medium volume shoe with a classic shape to fit most climbers feet.
• 100% Vegan friendly.

Who?

Developed for outstanding comfort, aimed at newbie climbers or experienced climbers looking for a shoe that can still perform at indoor walls & outdoor crags. A great all-around sport climbing and bouldering shoe with all the features you would come to expect from a modern-day climbing shoe, at a very reasonable price.

Climbing or comfort?

Comfort.

What makes it special?

Intermediate levels of performance in a beginner friendly package at a fantastic price!

 

Top Tip

One last thing to remember is if you've been wearing rental shoes for a while, don't expect your new pair to feel as comfortable straight away. Constant use will have stretched them out, but with a little patience your new shoes will soon feel just as comfy (if not more!) once they've moulded to your foot shape. 

So there you have it, a wide range of shoes to suit different sized budgets and different shaped feet! However, if you feel you still need a little more advice - don't hesitate to drop us an email at info@rockrun.com, give us a call on 015395 64540 or visit our South Lakes Showroom where we can help you make the best choice.

Climbing shoe collections

• Click here to see our entire selection of climbing shoes
• To see all mens and unisex climbing shoes, click here.
• For women's specific shoes, click here.
• Click here to see a wide variety of 'extra large' climbing shoes.
• As well as all of the above, we stock kids shoes too!