Best Indoor Climbing Shoes of 2026
Climbing shoes with the best sensitivity, precision, friction, and power for indoor slabs, overhangs, bouldering, and rope climbing
We tested 17 pairs of shoes to find the best for indoor climbing.
May 28th, 2026
Home > Gear Reviews > Climbing
If you’re a climber nowadays, you probably climb indoors at least a little bit. There are tons of benefits to gym climbing, from safer landings and climate control to community building and work spaces. You might not think you need climbing shoes that are specifically built for indoor gym climbing, but they can actually make a big difference. They tend to be softer than outdoor shoes and can be a lot more comfortable, too.
To help you find the right pair of indoor climbing shoes, we tested 17 different pairs from all sorts of brands, including La Sportiva, Scarpa, Black Diamond, Tenaya, and more. Our official testing period lasted more than four months, but we also included shoes we’ve climbed in for up to two years.
We climbed in each pair in local gyms around the Front Range of Colorado, and put them up against a wide variety of climbs. We made sure to test every pair on slabs, overhung climbs, comp-style boulders, and rope climbs. We also tapped all the indoor climbing expertise we’ve gained from climbing at gyms for over a decade and even working at two gyms in the past.
To differentiate one pair from another, we tested and judged each pair for their fit, comfort, edging capability, friction, design, durability, and more. Each pair got put through a climbing gauntlet, and had to perform on smeary volumes while bouldering and credit-card-thin footholds while rope climbing.
After all our testing, 7 pairs stood out. But the single pair of indoor climbing shoes we think everyone should consider is the La Sportiva Mantra. They’re our pick for the best overall indoor climbing shoes because the brand’s NoEdge Technology adds incredible sensitivity and durability, and they feel tailor-made for gym sessions. They’re extremely soft, so they might not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for a pair of climbing shoes that will last a long time, are easy to take on and off, and perfectly balance comfort and performance, the La Sportiva Mantras deserve your attention.
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Comparison table
Men’s
| INDOOR SHOE | TREELINE AWARD | CLOSURE | DOWNTURN | RUBBER TYPE | UPPER | STIFFNESS | FIT | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Sportiva Mantra | Best Overall Read why |
Slip-on | Aggressive | 1-2 mm 3.5 mm Vibram XS Grip 2; NoEdge | Microfiber | Extremely low | Normal to narrow | $189 |
| Scarpa Drago | Best for Indoor Bouldering Read why |
Strap | Aggressive | 3.5 mm Vibram XS Grip 2 | Synthetic microsuede | Low | Narrow | $229 |
| La Sportiva Solution | Best for Indoor Sport Climbing Read why |
Strap | Aggressive | 3.5 mm Vibram XS Grip 2 | Leather/ synthetic leather | Medium | Best for long and narrow feet | $219 |
| La Sportiva Finale | Best for Beginners Read why |
Lace-up | Flat | 5.0 mm Vibram XS Edge | Leather/ microfiber | Medium | Slightly narrow | $139 |
| La Sportiva Solution Comp | Best for Advanced Climbers Read why |
Strap | Aggressive | 3.5 mm Vibram XS Grip 2 | Leather/ microfiber | Medium | Long, narrow | $229 |
Women’s
| INDOOR SHOE | TREELINE AWARD | CLOSURE | DOWNTURN | RUBBER TYPE | UPPER | STIFFNESS | FIT | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Sportiva Mantra | Best Overall Read why |
Slip-on | Aggressive | 1-2 mm 3.5 mm Vibram XS Grip 2; NoEdge | Microfiber | Extremely low | Normal to narrow | $189 |
| Scarpa Drago | Best for Indoor Bouldering Read why |
Strap | Aggressive | 3.5 mm Vibram XS Grip 2 | Synthetic microsuede | Low | Narrow | $229 |
| La Sportiva Solution | Best for Indoor Sport Climbing Read why |
Strap | Aggressive | 3.5 mm Vibram XS Grip 2 | Leather/ synthetic leather | Medium | Best for long and narrow feet | $219 |
| La Sportiva Finale | Best for Beginners Read why |
Lace-up | Flat | 5.0 mm Vibram XS Edge | Leather/ microfiber | Medium | Slightly narrow | $139 |
| La Sportiva Solution Comp | Best for Advanced Climbers Read why |
Strap | Aggressive | 3.5 mm Vibram XS Grip 2 | Leather/ microfiber | Medium | Long, narrow | $229 |
The winners
Best overall indoor climbing shoes: La Sportiva Mantra
Shape and downturn: Slightly asymmetric and downturned
Closure type: None (slip-on)
Rubber and thickness: 1/2 Sole No-Edge Dynamic Technology (D-Tech) / Differentiated 1-2mm Vibram XS Grip 2
Stiffness: Extremely low
Fit profile: Normal to slightly narrow
What we liked: Extreme sensitivity and softness, NoEdge Technology adds durability and sensitivity, slip-on design
What could be better: No adjustable fit, probably too soft for some; can struggle on really small footholds
The La Sportiva Mantras are our pick for the best overall indoor climbing shoes because of their use of the brand’s NoEdge Technology, and their balance of comfort and performance.
They’re incredibly soft, which a lot of gym climbers will love, and their slipper design means you can pop them on and off in seconds. They have great friction and perform surprisingly well, whether it’s on small holds while sport climbing or massive volumes while bouldering. Learn more in our in-depth review of the La Sportiva Mantra climbing shoes.
La Sportiva Mantra
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The fit and sizing of the La Sportiva Mantras is honestly one of their weak points. Because they’re a pair of slippers, you can’t adjust the fit at all. While other shoes have laces or Velcro systems, the Mantras have a simple opening with a flexible mesh lining, and that’s it. For a pair of gym shoes, we actually like this style because it makes taking the shoes on and off extremely easy, but it’s important to buy the right size.
The fit feels true to size, and they don’t feel particularly wide or narrow, so they should fit most feet. We got a pair in size EU 42, which is actually bigger than what we normally wear in climbing shoes. Typically, we opt for an EU 41 for an everyday, comfortable fit, and an EU 40.5 for a performance fit.
We sized up so much because we knew these were going to be our primary gym shoes, and we wanted to prioritize comfort over performance. Still, we wish we went a tad smaller to a EU 41 or 41.5. Even though the shoe size we picked was slightly too big for our liking, we were impressed with their performance.
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The Mantras have a slightly downturned design that performs much better than you might expect on many different climbs. With such a soft design, there’s bound to be energy wasted when you’re pushing off tiny footholds, but we rarely encountered climbs where using the Mantras held us back.
One of the biggest differences you’ll notice about the La Sportiva Mantras is their use of NoEdge Technology, and this definitely impacts their precision. The point of the toe box itself is pretty narrow, so it feels quite precise, but there isn’t an edge (hence the name NoEdge). The rubber on the outsole of the shoe wraps up and around the toe box, which gives the Mantras a softer design.
Because there isn’t an edge, standing on small footholds can feel a little different than what you’re used to. However, the added softness helps in these circumstances. Instead of placing the edge of your rubber on a foothold, we’ve learned to step slightly above tiny chips and mold the rubber down into the hold itself. With this technique, you can maximize the amount of rubber on the hold, and it works surprisingly well. In the vast majority of gym climbs the NoEdge Technology didn’t hold us back. That included doing pistol squats off tiny edges on slab, and stemming on thin flakes while rope climbing.
It takes a little bit of getting used to, but we didn’t experience much of a downgrade in performance on small footholds, except outdoors, when footholds get even smaller.
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The Mantras are wrapped in a lot of rubber, and much of it is Vibram’s XS Grip 2. This compound prioritizes grip and softness over durability, making it the perfect rubber for smeary indoor climbing.
These La Sportivas are some of, if not the softest pair of climbing shoes we’ve ever tested, which, combined with their use of Vibram XS Grip 2, turn them into smearing super shoes. Boulderers will benefit from this the most, where there are more volumes, slopey feet, and smears to contend with, but even while sport climbing, we loved the softness and sensitivity of the Mantras.
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The Mantras aren’t super versatile. They’re slippers and they’re extremely soft, so you probably won’t want to take them outside. Indoors, they lean a bit more towards boulderers because of their incredible sensitivity, but sport climbers looking for soft shoes will probably love them, too.
While these shoes aren’t great for every type of climbing, one of the biggest reasons for their placement at the top of our list is their durability. We’ve been climbing in a pair for over two years, and they’re just now in need of a resole. The durability comes from the NoEdge Technology, because there’s more rubber on the tip of your toe. Since this is the place that comes in contact with the wall the most, we’re really thankful for the extra protection.
Whenever we saw other climbers who owned the Mantras, we asked how long they’ve had them, and every single person we talked to said they were impressed with their durability.
Best shoes for indoor bouldering: Scarpa Drago
Shape and downturn: Highly aggressive and asymmetrical
Closure type: Velcro strap
Rubber and thickness: 3.5mm Vibram XS Grip 2
Stiffness: Low
Fit profile: Narrow
What we liked: Super soft and aggressive design, tons of rubber all around, excellent power production
What could be better: Too soft for some, too uncomfortable for some, closure system is simple
If you want a soft pair of shoes to perform at your best on indoor boulders, the Scarpa Dragos are for you. They’re narrow and not very comfortable, but the high asymmetry and downturn make them some of the most powerful and precise shoes we’ve tested.
Scarpa Drago
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The Scarpa Dragos are a narrow pair of climbing shoes, and they’ll feel smaller than other shoes of the same size because of their downturned, highly asymmetric design. But believe us when we say that the uncomfortable fit is worth it, because they’re some of the highest performing shoes we’ve ever tested.
We tested the Dragos in an EU 40.5, and they felt slightly tighter than other shoes we tried of the same size, even from Scarpa. They loosened up after a few climbing sessions, but these will probably feel smaller than other shoes you have.
The toe box is one of the narrowest we tested, and the heel is quite skinny too. They fit our regular-width feet quite well, but if you have wide feet, you might be uncomfortable. If you have narrow or smaller feet, the Dragos are also available in a low-volume version.
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The toe box of the Dragos is narrow, so your toes come to a very fine point that can balance on basically any hold. This makes these shoes feel extremely precise, since you can place that fine point on tiny holds with great accuracy. The softness of these shoes also play into their precision, because the high degree of sensitivity helps you feel exactly where you’re placing your foot on a hold.
When it comes to power, the extreme downturn and asymmetry of the Dragos makes it easy to get the most power out of footholds possible. While we were climbing on all sorts of boulders in local gyms, we loved how locked-on our feet felt in the Dragos. They performed extremely well on board climbs and in caves, where the downturn really helps you grip onto footholds. Even on vertical climbs and slabs, we found the precise toe extremely useful, and our footwork never felt clumsy.
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The Scarpa Dragos are wrapped in Vibram XS Grip 2, and they’re some of the stickiest shoes we’ve worn. Especially when footwork gets weird—think about awkward toe hooks and scums on volumes and slopers—the extra rubber on the inside of the shoes helps a ton.
These Scarpa shoes are also very soft. They’re not quite as soft as the La Sportiva Mantras, but they fold in half with minimal effort, making them a fantastic pick for all the volumes and smears found indoors. Plus, since they’re so soft, you can easily bend them with your feet, making heel hooks and toe hooks that much easier.
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The Scarpa Dragos can handle any gym climb you throw at them. From competition-style slabs to long overhung sport routes, the Dragos will keep your footwork precise and powerful. They’re uncomfortable, so you’ll want to take them off when it’s your turn to belay or when you’re walking around looking for a new project, but if on-wall performance is your top priority, you can’t go wrong with the Dragos.
You can definitely still sport climb in the Dragos, but they really shine on boulders and steep terrain. Because indoor routes are often shorter than outdoor ones, we don’t think their softness is a huge deal for climbers who only do ropes. However, if all you do is sport climb, a stiffer shoe might be better.
When it comes to durability, we haven’t noticed any issues with our pair of Dragos. We owned a pair about five years ago, and never really experienced any out-of-the-ordinary durability issues with them either. However, since they use Vibram’s soft rubber compound, you’ll want to keep a careful eye on the rubber and the tip of their toes and resole when appropriate.
Best shoes for indoor sport climbing: La Sportiva Solution
Shape and downturn: Moderately asymmetric and aggressive
Closure type: Velcro Fast Lacing System
Rubber and thickness: 3.5 mm Vibram XS Grip 2
Stiffness: Medium
Fit profile: Best for long and narrow feet
What we liked: Precise and elongated toes, medium stiffness for long routes, downturn and asymmetry for power, easy and effective Velcro system
What could be better: Heel cup is huge, Velcro system has durability concerns
The La Sportiva Solutions are some of the most popular climbing shoes on the market for a good reason. They have elongated toes that feel fantastic to climb with, use sticky rubber, and have a versatile profile. They have big heel cups, but for sport climbers looking for a semi-stiff pair of shoes, you can’t get much better than the Solutions.
La Sportiva Solution
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The La Sportiva Solutions have a long and narrow toe box compared to many of the other shoes we tested, but with a less aggressive profile than the Scarpa Dragos, they’re still a decently comfortable pair. We have regular-width feet, but like wider toe boxes in general, so while our feet are comfortable in the Solutions, we prefer slightly wider options like the Scarpa Instinct VSR or La Sportiva Skwama Vegan. However, if you have long or narrow feet, you’ll love the way these feel.
We got a pair in size EU 40.5, which felt just how we thought they should. We downsized a full US size from our street shoe size, and they feel just about as tight as they can be without getting painful.
In general, the Solutions fit us well, but there is one spot where the fit feels off, and that’s the heel cup. It’s very bulbous and has a lot of volume that our small heels just can’t fill. Because of that, even though our toes are smushed into the front of the shoes, we can feel dead space in our heels and they feel insecure while performing technical heel hooks. If you also have small heels, check out the women’s version of the Solutions, or the Solution Comps which are softer and have a narrower heel (or even the women’s Solution Comps for the lowest-volume option).
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Both the La Sportiva Solution and their newer sibling the Solution Comps are some of our favorite shoes to climb in because of their toe design. On top of their downturned shape, the very tip of the toes points outwards and down, creating a small talon-like hook at the end of your feet. It feels a little bit different than climbing in other shoes, but once we got used to it, we loved the precision we got.
Thanks to the aggressive design of the Solutions, they can create a good amount of power too. They didn’t feel as powerful as the Scarpa Dragos, but we still loved how much force we were able to drive through our toes on board climbs and in caves.
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We never had any friction issues with the Solutions, thanks to their use of Vibram’s XS Grip 2 rubber. Whether it was on slab, volumes, or slopey holds, we always felt confident while wearing these shoes.
One of the areas where the Solution Comps are a bit better than the originals, though, is in the toe rubber patch. The one on the Comps is bigger and has more ridges for friction. However, there aren’t as many toe hooks in sport climbing as there are in bouldering, so we think rope climbers won’t mind it too much.
The main reason why you’d want the original Solutions over the Comps is for their stiffness. They’re a bit more rigid than their competition-oriented counterparts, which gives you more support on small holds and long routes. During testing, our feet never got tired while wearing these on indoor rope climbs, and we preferred the support over super-soft shoes like the Mantras.
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The Solutions are an incredibly versatile pair of shoes. You can wear them indoors and out, while bouldering or sport climbing. Because they are stiffer and don’t have as good of a toe patch as the Comps, if you truly split your time evenly between bouldering and ropes, we recommend the Comps. However, if you mainly climb ropes and only occasionally dabble in bouldering, the original Solutions are a great pick.
We haven’t noticed any durability issues with the rubber of the Solutions, but we’ll keep an eye on them as we continue to climb. One area that we do have durability concerns for is the Velcro system. It utilizes the same design as the Solution Comps, and after about a year of using those, we’ve noticed some fraying on the strap elements. Online reviews for both the Solutions and Solution Comps have noted the Velcro straps fraying and sometimes breaking, so just try not to yank on them with all your might.
Best beginner indoor climbing shoes: La Sportiva Finale
Shape and downturn: Flat
Closure type: Laces
Rubber and thickness: 5mm Vibram XS Edge
Stiffness: Medium
Fit profile: Slightly narrow
What we liked: All-day comfort, stickier rubber than other beginner shoes, slightly soft design, versatile performance
What could be better: No downturn means they aren’t great for steep terrain, hooking is difficult
If you’re a beginner who wants a comfortable pair of shoes that don’t climb terribly, the La Sportiva Finales are what you’re looking for. They have stickier rubber than every other beginner pair we tested, and they feel more precise and sensitive too. They cost a little bit more, but they’re a pair that can grow with you as you get better at climbing.
La Sportiva Finale
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The fit of the La Sportiva Finales is pretty standard, and didn’t feel too wide or narrow on our normal-width feet. The toe box has plenty of room so your toes aren’t uncomfortably jammed together, but the shoe still comes to a decently fine point for precise footwork.
We climbed in a size EU 41 in the Finales, which felt like the perfect balance of comfort and performance. That’s a 1/2 size down from what we wear in street shoes in the US system, and one full EU size. With this fit, we could wear them for an entire session indoors, and we didn’t even take them off while belaying. But when we were climbing, our feet weren’t sliding around and we had a surprising amount of precision and control over the shoes.
We also love the fact that the Finales feature a lace closure system. Typically, we like Velcro systems better, but since the Finales are so comfortable and you can leave them on all day, we don’t mind the extra few seconds it takes to tie up the laces. Plus, laces give you a more customized fit, so the Finales can feel more locked on to your feet.
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The Finales have a flat design, which means power production is not their forte. However, they are quite precise, especially for the price tag. They’re some of our favorite shoes to wear while rope climbing because the tip of the toe is accurate enough for basically any route you’ll come across. After climbing in them for several rope sessions, the only time we felt a bit uneasy on our feet was when we were standing on razor-thin footholds on a stemmy corner problem. On that route, we wish we had more performance-oriented shoes, but on every other climb the Finales performed beautifully.
Where the Finales fall short is on overhangs. Because they’re flat, you don’t get the benefit of downturned shoes, and using these on footholds on steep terrain feels harder. If you love climbing overhung problems in caves, this pair might not be for you, but we think most beginners will be more than happy with their performance.
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Probably the biggest reason why the Finales stood out as the best pair of indoor climbing shoes for beginners is because of the rubber compound they use. They’re equipped with Vibram XS Edge, a compound that feels much stickier than proprietary rubbers most other low-cost shoes use. We noticed the extra friction on every single climb, which is why we think it’s worth it to spend a little more on the Finales.
These La Sportiva shoes were also softer than most other beginner shoes we tried. Instead of having a single piece of rubber as the outsole, the Finale uses two separate pieces. This lets the shoe be more flexible, which made them perform miles better on smears and volumes.
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The La Sportiva Finales are quite the versatile pair of shoes. You can wear them all around the gym, and the only place you’ll want a different pair is in a cave. We wore them while rope climbing and bouldering and were thoroughly impressed with their performance in both disciplines. They do lean more towards rope climbing, because performing heel hooks and toe hooks felt a lot harder in these shoes than more advanced options. However, for beginners, we think the Finales are the perfect pair.
Best advanced indoor climbing shoes: La Sportiva Solution Comp
Shape and downturn: Moderately asymmetric and aggressive
Closure type: Velcro Lock Harness System
Rubber and thickness: 3.5mm Vibram XS Grip 2
Stiffness: Medium
Fit profile: Best for long and narrow feet
What we liked: Elongated toe for great precision and power, perfect balance of sensitivity and stiffness, sticky rubber
What could be better: Toe box is long and narrow; strap has durability concerns
Some of the most versatile climbing shoes we tested, the La Sportiva Solution Comps are all-arounders that can help you send your indoor project, whether it’s a sport route or boulder. They have the same elongated toes as the original Solution, but are softer, have narrower heels, and bigger toe rubber patches.
La Sportiva Solution Comp
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The La Sportiva Solution Comps fit quite similarly to the original Solutions. They’re better for climbers with long and narrow feet, and might be too slim for people with wide feet. The sizing felt just as we expected too, with an EU 41 bringing us a nice balance of comfort and performance.
Where the fit of the Comps differ from the normal Solutions is in the heel. The heel cup is much narrower, and we think it will provide a better fit for most climbers. It’s one of the slimmer heel cups we’ve tried, so if you know you have big heels, go with the original Solutions.
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Just like the old Solutions, the Comps are some of the most precise and powerful shoes we’ve climbed in. The elongated toe feels just as good on this pair, and climbing in these shoes is a delight. They’re precise enough for the smallest slab chips, but the downturn can really help grab footholds in overhangs so you can generate tons of power.
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The Solution Comps also feature Vibram XS Grip 2, which gives them a fantastic amount of friction. This competition-oriented pair has a softer, more flexible construction than its older sibling, which makes them a tad more sensitive and better for smearing. We typically gravitate towards softer shoes because bouldering is our favorite discipline, so we liked the sensitivity of the Comps over the original Solutions.
The Comps also have a larger, more textured toe rubber patch, which we found made a decent difference in their toe-hooking capability. Toe hooks felt easier to hold thanks to the extra grip.
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The La Sportiva Solution Comps are an amazingly versatile pair of shoes. The softer design and bigger toe patch means they’re slightly better for bouldering than the original Solutions, but you can send hard in either pair. If you like bouldering and rope climbing, prefer softer shoes, and don’t have big heels, the Solution Comps are truly some of the best shoes you can buy.
Best comfortable indoor climbing shoes: Tenaya Mastia
Shape and downturn: Slight downturn, moderate asymmetry
Closure type: Velcro strap
Rubber and thickness: 3.5mm Vibram XS Grip
Stiffness: Medium
Fit profile: Best for long and narrow feet
What we liked: Amazing out-of-the-box comfort, precise toe, comfortable and breathable upper, stiffer design, narrow heel cup
What could be better: Rubber isn’t quite as sticky, sizing is hard to get right, closure system is simple
They’re stiffer than most of our other winners, but no other pair of shoes were as comfortable right from the get-go as the Tenaya Mastias. They’re a versatile pair that can perform well while bouldering, but lean more towards sport climbing.
Tenaya Mastia
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We got a pair of the Tenaya Mastias in a size EU 42, though we wish we got them in our typical size, an EU 41 or 40.5. Online reviews say that Tenaya actually tends to run a tad larger than other climbing brands like La Sportiva or Scarpa, so a 40.5 (1.5 EU sizes down from our street size) probably would have been a better fit.
Even though they’re too big for our tester, the toe box and heel of the Mastias feel great. The toe box is on the long and narrow end, similar to the La Sportiva Solution Comps. The heel, similarly, is narrower than most other shoes we’ve tried.
The attribute of the Mastias that blew all the other high-performance shoes out of the water was their comfort. Straight out of the box, we were amazed at how easy and comfortable they felt to climb in. And no, it’s not because they were too big. The uppers felt much softer and the entire shoe felt more forgiving and less like we had concrete blocks on our feet. They still got softer over time, but there wasn’t a need to break them in like every other advanced pair we’ve tested.
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The toe box of the Mastias comes to a pretty fine point, which makes them extraordinarily precise. Our footwork felt super dialed while wearing these shoes, especially on tiny footholds when climbing on vertical walls and slabs. The slight downturn means they’re less aggressive than shoes like the Scarpa Instinct VSR or Scarpa Dragos, which can sometimes be a good thing when you’re placing your feet in pockets or on blocked holds.
The Mastias shine while edging, but that doesn’t mean they can’t produce power. We didn’t feel as explosive as while wearing the Dragos, for example, but we were still able to channel a lot of energy through the toes of the Mastia. They aren’t the shoes we’d pick if the only type of climbing we like is overhangs and caves, but these versatile shoes can definitely hang with all but the most specialized options.
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The Tenaya Mastias are a stiffer pair of shoes than most other high-performance shoes we tested. Because of this and their precise toe box, they do really well on small edges. However, they still have a decent amount of sensitivity and can perform on slopey footholds and volumes, too. Are they the best pair for jumping from volume to volume and smearing? No. They’re definitely more tailored for sport climbing, but they still did well on friction-dependent boulders too.
While the Mastias use Vibram’s XS Grip, it isn’t the newest version of the rubber compound, and the rubber felt slightly slippery while testing. It wasn’t a huge difference, and they were still stickier than all the beginner shoes we tried, but we didn’t feel quite as confident as in shoes like the La Sportiva Solution Comps or the Scarpa Instinct VSRs.
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With a slight lean towards sport climbing, the Tenaya Mastias are a very versatile pair of shoes. Their best attribute is their edging prowess, but the sensitivity helps them perform on boulders too. They’re not the pair I’d bring if I was entering a competition and had to smear on volumes, but they get the job done on basically every other type of climb.
During the year we’ve climbed with these shoes, we haven’t noticed any durability concerns. They haven’t been one of our main pairs, so we haven’t climbed in them enough for the rubber to truly start wearing down, but we’ll keep an eye on their durability for future updates to this guide. So far, they don’t seem like they’re any more or less durable than other pairs on the market.
Best vegan indoor climbing shoes: La Sportiva Skwama Vegan
Shape and downturn: Slight asymmetry and downturn
Closure type: Velcro strap
Rubber and thickness: 4mm Vibram XS Grip 2 / S-Heel
Stiffness: Medium
Fit profile: Wide
What we liked: Wide fit, slightly stiffer than other shoes we tested, vegan build, powerful
What could be better: Takes a while to break in, upper isn’t very comfortable
Best for vegans or folks with wide feet, the Skwama Vegan shoes find a good balance of comfort and performance. They aren’t as downturned or asymmetrical as some other pairs and they have a similar profile as the Instinct VSRs. They’re stiffer and take longer to break in, but they’re a great option for climbers who are looking for vegan shoes that can do it all.
La Sportiva Skwama Vegan
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The La Sportiva Skwama Vegans have a flatter, less asymmetric silhouette than many of the other top-performing shoes we tested. Because of that, their sizing actually feels a bit bigger compared to other shoes. We tried a pair in size EU 40.5, which is typically as small as we like to go, but in the Skwama Vegans, we could have downsized another half size at least.
The toe box is slightly wider and longer than even the Scarpa Instinct VSRs, so if you have wide feet, this is probably the best-performing pair you’ll find that won’t make it feel like your toes are being crushed. Because of this roomy toe box, we found the Skwama Vegans to give a pretty comfortable climbing experience, all the while offering great performance too.
While the design of the shoe is pretty forgiving, the materials themselves require a lot of break-in time. There’s a lot of rubber and the upper materials feel stiffer than other pairs we tested, so we noticed these were more uncomfortable to wear for our first couple of sessions. You’ll definitely want to be prepared for at least a couple of weeks of uncomfortable climbing, where you’ll want to take these shoes off every 10 minutes or so as they fully break in.
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The Skwama Vegans aren’t as downturned or asymmetric as a performance-first pair like the Scarpa Dragos, however, they still hold their own on all sorts of climbs.
During testing, we were especially surprised when we wore them while board climbing. For us, that style of climbing is the best way to gauge precision and power out of a pair of shoes, because footholds tend to be small and you need a lot of power through your toes to maintain body tension and to launch during big moves. The Skwama Vegans performed really well on the board, and we didn’t run into any climbs—on the board or off—where they held us back.
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The Skwama Vegans are a bit stiffer than shoes like the Scarpa Instinct VSR and La Sportiva Solution Comp, which meant a slight decrease in sensitivity. They have thicker rubber and the upper is also stiffer, so we definitely noticed that we didn’t have as much feel while climbing in these shoes. However, they’re wrapped in Vibram XS Grip 2, which had us feeling confident on all types of footholds.
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Like many of our other winners, the Skwama Vegans are a really versatile pair of climbing shoes. We think they fall in a similar bucket as the original La Sportiva Solutions, and can perform on all types of climbs but lean slightly into the camp of sport climbing. They’re still soft shoes, but they have more rigidity than others we tested that can help you on longer routes.
We’ve climbed in the Skwama Vegans close to 10 times now, and we haven’t noticed any durability issues. As we continue to test this pair, we’ll keep a close eye on how fast the rubber wears and any other concerns.
Other indoor climbing shoes we tested
Scarpa Instinct VSR and Scarpa Instinct VSR LV
Shape and downturn: Moderately asymmetric and aggressive
Closure type: Velcro strap
Rubber and thickness: 3.5mm Vibram XS Grip 2
Stiffness: Medium-low
Fit profile: Best for shorter and wider feet
The Scarpa Instinct VSR are the best shoes we tested that didn’t claim a top spot in this story. They’re our pick for the best outdoor bouldering shoes, but they couldn’t quite beat out the competition for indoor climbing. They’re slightly softer than the La Sportiva Solution Comps and have a short and wide toe box similar to the Skwama Vegans. They have an excellent combination of edging and smearing performance that won’t disappoint, indoors or out.
If you want the Instinct VSR but have smaller feet, the Instinct VSR LV might be the shoes for you. They have a lower volume, skinnier heel, and come in a cool purple color. While technically not a women’s shoe, some retailers market as that and we have followed suit below.
If you have wider feet and you’re looking for a versatile, high-performance pair of shoes, definitely check out the Instinct VSRs. Learn more in our in-depth review of the Scarpa Instinct VSR climbing shoes.
Scarpa Instinct VSR and VSR LV
men's
Women's
The Scarpa Instinct VSR are soft and extremely versatile.
La Sportiva Tarantulace
Shape and downturn: Flat
Closure type: Laces
Rubber and thickness: 5mm FriXion RS
Stiffness: High
Fit profile: Long and narrow
The La Sportiva Tarantulace are cheap and comfortable, but we think you should get the Finales instead. The rubber on the Tarantulaces isn’t very sticky at all, and the laces feel bulky. If you can really only spend $100, go with the Scarpa Reflex VS.
La Sportiva Tarantulace
men's
Women's
The La Sportiva Tarantulace are comfortable, but not sticky.
Scarpa Helix V
Shape and downturn: Flat, slight asymmetry
Closure type: Velcro
Rubber and thickness: 3.5mm Vibram XS Edge
Stiffness: High
Fit profile: Neutral, slightly wide
These are a close competitor to the La Sportiva Finales, and provide a bit more performance than many other budget shoes. They have sticky Vibram XS Edge rubber, but we preferred the softer, more sensitive design of the La Sportiva Finales. They have a pretty similar—though stiffer—fit compared to the Finales, so if you’re interested in a decently low-cost pair with Vibram rubber but mostly rope climb, these are worth your consideration.
Scarpa Helix V
men's
Women's
They’re stiffer than the La Sportiva Finales.
Scarpa Reflex VS
Shape and downturn: Flat
Closure type: Velcro
Rubber and thickness: 4mm Vision
Stiffness: High
Fit profile: Neutral
If you’re only going to spend $100 on climbing shoes, make it on these. Their flat design is comfortable, and while the rubber doesn’t feel as good as the Vibram XS Edge on the Finales, it was slightly better than the other beginner shoes we tested.
Scarpa Reflex VS
men's
Women's
If you want to spend less than $100, these are the shoes to buy.
Black Diamond Momentum
Shape and downturn: Flat
Closure type: Laces
Rubber and thickness: Black Label rubber
Stiffness: High
Fit profile: Runs large, wide
These shoes are comfortable, thanks to their flat design and soft upper, but the rubber couldn’t compete with the other shoes we tried. They also felt massive for their size. We got an EU 40.5, which is typically as small as we go, and there was still a ton of dead space.
Black Diamond Momentum
Men's
Women's
The sizing of these shoes are a bit off and they’re slippery.
Shape and downturn: Flat
Closure type: None
Rubber and thickness: Stealth C4 rubber outsole
Stiffness: High
Fit profile: Best for average- to narrow-width feet
Nearly our pick for the best budget indoor climbing shoes, the Adidas Five Ten Niad Moccasyms are an excellent pair for the price. They’re flat and stiff, and require more break-in time than most other pairs, but they slip on and off easily and their rubber is surprisingly good. They didn’t claim a top spot because their stock is very low and we’re not sure if they’ll be restocked, so they might be discontinued.
Adidas Five Ten Niad Moccasym
These shoes are stiff and versatile, and a great budget option.
La Sportiva Katana Lace
Shape and downturn: Slight downturn and asymmetry
Closure type: Laces
Rubber and thickness: 4mm Vibram XS Edge
Stiffness: Very high
Fit profile: Slightly long
Many climbers love these shoes for sport, trad, and multi-pitch climbing. They have a very slight downturn and asymmetrical design, so they’re comfortable enough to wear all day but can still perform well. We liked how precise the toes were, but these shoes just didn’t fit our feet well. Our sizing was too big, so we got foot cramps multiple times while testing. If you’re interested in these shoes, just know they’re a very stiff pair, so they’re best for edging and long climbs, especially outdoors.
La Sportiva Katana Lace
men's
Women's
These are great for outdoor climbing, but too stiff for most indoor climbs.
Scarpa Veloce
Shape and downturn: Moderate downturn and asymmetry
Closure type: Velcro
Rubber and thickness: 4mm S-72
Stiffness: Low
Fit profile: Slightly short and wide
Some of the best shoes for indoor bouldering we tested, these super soft shoes were only outdone by the La Sportiva Mantras. We like the extra sensitivity and durability you get from the NoEdge technology, but if you want the precise edging ability in super soft shoes, go with the Veloces. Our only big concern with them is that we got a hot spot from taking them on and off during a couple of sessions.
Scarpa Veloce
men's
Women's
These soft shoes are a fantastic pick for indoor bouldering.
Shape and downturn: Moderate downturn and asymmetry
Closure type: Velcro
Rubber and thickness: 4mm NEO Fuse Sticky Rubber
Stiffness: Low
Fit profile: Slightly wide
If you like climbing shoes with lots of rubber, the Butora Gomis definitely deserve a look. They have a moderate downturn and asymmetry, making them great for bouldering and some sport climbing. They’re soft, sticky, and perform well, but we think that other shoes like the Scarpa Instinct VSRs and La Sportiva Solution Comps are a tad better. But if you try these on and they fit you better than those other shoes, you won’t be disappointed with the Gomis.
The sizing of Butora is definitely closer to your street shoe size. We got a US men’s 9, which is what we wear in sneakers, and they had a tight fit. We might have been able to downsize a tad more, but it probably would have been painful.
Butora Gomi
The Butora Gomis are an excellent alternative to our winners.
La Sportiva Skwama Lite
Shape and downturn: Slight asymmetry and downturn
Closure type: Velcro
Rubber and thickness: 4mm FriXion Black half-sole rubber with Delta-Cut design
Stiffness: Medium low
Fit profile: Wide
The La Sportiva Skwama Lites have a similar silhouette as the Skwama Vegans, but they have a slightly lower volume and rubber that isn’t quite as sticky. We loved the lower-volume fit, but for us, they weren’t as comfortable to wear as the Skwama Vegans because of it. The rubber wasn’t as sticky as Vibram XS Grip 2, but it performed surprisingly well. If you’re looking for an intermediate pair of shoes and don’t want to spend a fortune, these are really intriguing.
La Sportiva Skwama Lite
men's
Women's
The La Sportiva Skwama Lite are a great option for intermediate climbers.
What to look for in indoor climbing shoes
Fit and sizing
Shoes have to fit well to be effective.
The single most important feature of a pair of climbing shoes is their fit. To successfully climb, you need shoes that actually fit your feet. Too small, and you’ll barely be able to get the shoes on and they’ll be painful, but too big and your feet will slide around inside and you won’t be able to be precise at all.
What makes finding the right size for you even harder is that oftentimes, climbing shoes use European sizing. That system is more precise, so in the end it helps you get a better fit, but just keep a sizing chart handy so you know which shoes to try on.
The other headache-inducing aspect is that sizing can vary wildly between brands. Most climbing brands will tell you that you should downsize about one full US size from what you wear in street shoes. However, some brands build that downsizing in, so you can order climbing shoes in your normal size. That’s why it’s important to try on climbing shoes before buying them, especially if they’re from a brand you’ve never used before.
Shoe shape
Some toe boxes are narrow and some are wider.
Sizing is most important, but in second place is the shape of your shoes. You’ve probably heard a lot of terms like downturn, asymmetry, aggressive, and neutral. All of these words are talking about the shape of the shoes.
Starting with the most basic is a flat or neutral shoe. These are most similar to street shoes, and are typically best for beginners and multi-pitch climbers, because the neutral sole provides the most comfort.
Downturn refers to the amount a shoe’s toe points down, which makes it easier to use footholds on overhangs and steep terrain. Words like moderate and aggressive indicate how much downturn there is. If you’re not going on multi-pitch adventures, most intermediate and advanced climbers will probably like at least a moderate level of downturn.
Shoes like the Scarpa Instinct VSR and La Sportiva Skwama have a good but not excessive amount of downturn, making them very versatile. Aggressively downturned shoes, like the Scarpa Dragos, are best for super steep climbing, so you can use their toes to really dig into small holds when you’re upside down.
Asymmetry refers to the amount the toe box is turned in towards your center line. The more it is, the more power gets concentrated on your big toe where you push off. So basically, the more asymmetry, the more powerful a pair of shoes can be. However, this comes at the cost of comfort.
Rubber grip and thickness
Rubber thickness and grip can vastly affect your climbing.
There are tons of different rubber compounds on the market, and not all of them are created equal. Indoor climbers should be on the lookout for maximum grip and slightly soft rubber, because most of the time, footholds are bigger in gyms than outdoors. On bigger footholds, the softer compounds allow the rubber to mold into the plastic and get the most grip possible. If you only rope climb indoors, you might want a slightly stiffer rubber than if you’re mainly a boulderer.
The thickness of rubber can change how it feels to climb in a pair of shoes, making them stiffer or more sensitive. Competition-style boulders often require thin, sensitive rubber so you can feel exactly where your feet are and how much rubber you’re pushing into a volume. On the other hand, sport climbers might want thicker rubber to help support them on small holds.
Both softness and thickness have an impact on durability, too. Soft, thin rubber, which will provide the most sensitivity and grip, will wear down faster than stiff, thick rubber.
Upper materials
While rubber is probably the most important material in climbing shoes, that doesn’t mean you should ignore what the upper is made of. The most common materials are leather and synthetic microfibers. Both offer varying amounts of comfort and breathability. Leather is typically more breathable than synthetics, and they can fight off smells longer, too. However, leather can stretch more after they break in.
The amount of stretch a pair of climbing shoes experience depends on not only the material of the upper, but also on the amount of rubber. Because they have so much more rubber, a pair of Dragos will stretch a lot less than a pair of Finales, even if they had the same upper materials.
Heel and toe design
Toe rubber and a well-fitting heel can make hooks feel better.
Beyond the downturn and asymmetry of shoes, you should also take a look at the shape and design of the toe box and heel cup. Toe boxes can be long and narrow, like the ones on the La Sportiva Solution, or short and wide, like the Scarpa Instinct VSR. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, it just depends on your foot shape and preferences.
Indoor climbers and boulderers in particular will also want to take a look at the toe rubber patch. This piece of rubber can help make toe hooks feel a lot easier. Look for big patches with sticky rubber and some sort of texture or ridges for maximum grip.
Heel design is also critical, as indoor climbs can often be solved with an unobvious heel hook. Molded heel cups can help with hooking precision, because the harder material prevents squishing. Try on different shoes and tug at the heel cup to see if there’s any sliding. Depending on how big your heels are, different shoes will feel better than others. If all the heel cups feel too big, make sure to try low-volume or women’s versions, which often have narrower heels.
Ventilation
Busy indoor sessions can get sweaty, which is why having a breathable pair of climbing shoes can help fight off the funk. Leather is normally more breathable than synthetic options, but there are some lightweight shoes that are putting breathable uppers as a top priority, like the Scarpa Furia Air. If your feet get sweaty, it’s a good idea to pop off your shoes every once in a while to let everything air out.
Durability
Pay attention to the tip of the toe for damage.
You might think that climbing indoors helps your shoes last longer, but that isn’t necessarily true. Yes, the higher friction of rock can really tear through rubber, but plastic holds aren’t a joke either. Add high-friction walls that feel like sandpaper, and if you’re not careful, you can wear through a toe while gym climbing in mere months.
The best thing you can do for your rubber’s durability is work on your footwork. Sloppy feet that drag across the wall and holds deteriorate rubber faster, whether you’re indoors or out. You should monitor the very tip of your shoes’ toes, as those are the first places that will wear out. If your rubber is getting thin, it’s a great idea to send them off to get them resoled. Just be sure to send them in before you start wearing through the rand, which is the piece of rubber beneath the outsole that gives the shoe structure.
Ease of putting them on and off
When you’re climbing in a gym, the ease of taking your shoes on and off is more important than you think. If you’re taking them off before you belay or walk around to find your next project, you want the process to be simple and fast. If that’s a priority for you, look for slippers or shoes with a simple Velcro system. While the extra adjustability of laces is nice, it’s not always worth the time for indoor sessions.
Climbing shoe types explained
Shape and softness drastically changes how shoes feel.
Neutral: Neutral, or flat shoes are best for beginner gym climbers. They excel in comfort and edging on vertical walls.
Moderate: Shoes with a slight to moderate downturn are perfect all-around shoes for the gym. They can perform well on vertical terrain and in overhangs on both routes and boulders. They aren’t as comfortable as flat shoes, but you can wear them on every climb.
Aggressive: Aggressive shoes shine when walls get steep. Think cave climbing, boards, and overhung sport routes. They aren’t comfortable, but when you need precise footwork on high-angle climbs, you’ll want aggressive shoes.
Soft vs. stiff: Indoor shoes tend to be on the softer side in general, but there’s still a big range of sensitivity to choose from. Soft shoes are typically better for bouldering, because they can mold onto volumes, smears, and slopey holds better. Stiffer shoes are better for sport climbing, because they give your feet more support on long climbs and are better at edging.
Closure types: You can choose from laces, Velcro, and slippers when picking out your climbing shoes. Laces provide the most adjustability, but take the longest. Velcro is the most popular option because it’s quick to use but can still give you a solid amount of customizability. Slippers are popular for gym climbing because they can be taken off in an instant, but there’s no way to tighten or loosen them.
How to size indoor climbing shoes
Sizing indoor climbing shoes can be tough, because you want to balance comfort and performance. A lot of indoor climbers like to lean more towards comfort so they can keep their shoes on for longer in between climbs.
Climbing shoes should have a snug fit, but they shouldn’t be painful. The ideal fit is different for everyone, but we recommend finding a pair where your toes are curled slightly. If you’re shopping for your first pair and you want to prioritize comfort, you could go up a half size or so to ensure you can keep your shoes on during your entire session (they should still be snug). If you’re looking for the most precise pair, then downsizing for a tighter fit could be best.
There’s a lot of talk about downsizing shoes in the climbing world, and while it definitely can help, it is by no means a requirement to climbing hard. There’s a point where shoes get so small, that the little improvement in performance isn’t worth the discomfort.
Indoor vs. outdoor climbing shoes
Indoor shoes tend to be softer, while outdoor shoes are stiffer.
The main difference between indoor and outdoor climbing shoes is their stiffness. Indoor climbing shoes are typically a lot softer, because you’ll often be climbing on big footholds and volumes, where you want your shoes to be malleable so you can get maximum surface area.
The footholds on outdoor climbs can be a lot smaller, which is why you probably want stiffer shoes. More rigid shoes can help support your weight while balancing on tiny crystals, giving you more confidence while outside.
Because indoor and outdoor climbing ask different things from your shoes, it’s natural to want multiple pairs to fit your needs. We love having a pair of casual slippers to throw on while at the gym, then breaking out our tiny, aggressive shoes for outdoor projects. You also might want multiple pairs of shoes if you like to practice different disciplines of climbing. Maybe you love bouldering at the gym, but when you go outside, multi-pitch trad is your thing. Those two climbs require much different things from your shoes.
Care and maintenance
Keep your shoes clean and make sure to resole them.
Making sure your shoes stay clean and stink-free can help them last for years. After each session, it’s a good idea to knock any chalk or dirt off the uppers of your shoes. Inevitably, the soft upper materials will have some build-up, whether that’s from dirt, chalk, foot sweat, or all of the above.
Once your shoes are getting grimy, you can handwash them in warm water with a gentle soap. Use a soft toothbrush to really clean the interior of your shoes and let them air dry. Never put your shoes in the washing machine or dryer, because the heat and intense environment can damage the adhesives that keep the shoes together.
On top of keeping the uppers clean, the biggest maintenance issue you’ll run into is your rubber wearing out. Once the outer rubber has gotten really thin and begun to wear through to the rand (a piece of rubber beneath the outsole that gives your shoes structure and support), it’s time to get a resole.
If a simple Google search doesn’t yield any local resolers, ask your gym if they have a program. A lot of times, gyms will collect shoes and send them off to resolers and handle all the logistics for you.
FAQ
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Indoor climbing shoes should be tight, but not painful. Most indoor climbers lean towards comfort, so finding a pair of shoes where your toes are curled, not crunched, is a good guideline.
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Beginners can use aggressive shoes, but they really shouldn’t. Aggressive shoes are expensive, uncomfortable, and excel in steep overhangs. If you’re just learning how to climb, a more comfortable, flatter pair will help you progress better.
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Yes, indoor and outdoor climbing shoes are different. The main difference is their stiffness. Indoor shoes are softer so they can mold to big holds, while outdoor shoes are stiffer for support on small holds.
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Climbing shoes do stretch a little bit. The amount depends on how much rubber is on the shoe and the type of upper. Leather typically stretches more than synthetics.
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A Velcro closure or even no closure at all is the best for gym climbing. Slippers and Velcro shoes offer a quick on-and-off experience for downtime between climbs.
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Expensive climbing shoes are definitely worth it for indoor use. With technical shoes, you can practice technical footwork. Some people like to wear more casual, cheaper shoes while climbing indoors, and reserve their aggressive, expensive ones for outdoor projects.
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Yes, you can use socks with climbing shoes. It might look weird, but they do help absorb sweat so your shoes don’t get as stinky. The downside, however, is that if they’re too thick or slippery, your feet can slide around inside your shoes and you lose sensitivity.
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Indoor climbing shoes can last a long time if you take care of them. The thing that will wear down the fastest is the rubber on the toe. Depending on how much you climb, you can expect this to break down anywhere from six months to a year or two. Resoling can drastically expand the lifetime of your shoes.
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The best climbing shoes for sweaty feet are a pair that’s breathable. The La Sportiva Finales have an unlined leather upper that we found to be quite breathable. If you don’t want them to stink, it might be a good idea to wear socks with them, too.
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Don’t worry too much about finding the perfect shoes as a beginner. As long as you find a pair that’s comfortable with sticky rubber, you’ll be fine. Once you climb more and figure out what you like to do (bouldering, rope climbing, indoors, outdoors), then you can look into more specific and advanced shoes.
How we researched and tested
We tested all the climbing shoes included in this guide for months.
To find the best indoor climbing shoes, we climbed in 17 pairs for multiple sessions at various climbing gyms along the Front Range of Colorado. We wore every pair for at least two intense sessions, where we made sure to climb on all sorts of terrain including vertical walls, slabs, overhangs, and caves. We wore each pair while bouldering and rope climbing, and paid attention to how they performed on small edges, volumes, and everything in between.
When possible, we climbed on the exact same routes and problems to compare performance and feel. During each climbing session, we paid special attention to friction, comfort, edging, hooking, smearing, and more. We’d stand on volumes to test friction, walk around the gyms to judge comfort, do heel hooks and toe hooks to test their performance, and generally did as many climbing moves as we could in every pair of shoes.
On top of pure performance, we also compared the fit of each pair, and how easy they were to take on and off between climbs. While we have average-width feet, we paid attention to how wide or narrow each toe box was, and how they scrunched our toes.
- Multiple sessions per shoe at Front Range gyms
- Vertical walls, slabs & caves
- Comp-style boulders & rope climbs
- Same routes & problems across shoes
- Some shoes worn for up to two years
- Friction on volumes & smears
- Edging on small holds & credit-card edges
- Heel & toe hook performance
- Comfort & ease on/off between climbs
- Durability & rubber wear over time
Why you should trust us / About the author
This guide’s author, Kai Burkhardt, has been an avid climber for a decade. His true love is outdoor bouldering, but he learned how to climb in gyms. He’s spent many years projecting indoor boulders and sport routes alike, and he’s worked at multiple climbing gyms, too. Over the years, he’s tested dozens of climbing shoes, ranging from $99 beginner pairs to high-end performance shoes with price tags above $200. He’s learned a lot about how design, softness, and so much more can impact how climbing shoes feel.
Find more reviews by Kai Burkhardt here.
