What are the most popular climbing shoes competition climbers wear
The most important gear determining a climber’s performance is his climbing shoes. This is why climbers are very particular when selecting climbing shoes. And manufacturers have spared no effort into shoe designs. With competition climbing fast becoming mainstream manufacturers are sponsoring comp climbers to showcase their newest shoes. Of course, top climbers will attract big sponsors. We will take a look at what are the most popular climbing shoes competition climbers wear.
La Sportiva
By far the most popular climbing shoe brand that comp climbers wear. La Sportiva has sponsored some of the top competition climbers in the world such as Adam Ondra, Olympic Gold medalist Alberto Gine Lopez, Jakob Schubert, Brooke Raboutou and many more.
These are the La Sportiva climbing shoes worn by elite comp climbers during competitions.
Solution Comp
La Sportiva
Solution Comp
The Solution Comp is a soft, precise, very elastic and reactive shoe developed thinking of the movements of climbers on the volumes that today characterize indoor structures. The lacing is precise and quick thanks to the Fast-Lacing system. The XS-Grip2 sole provides maximum grip for a precise and safe climb. Solution Comp: the solution is in the name.
La Sportiva
Solution Comp Women’s
The La Sportiva Solution Comp Women’s is a soft, precise, very elastic and reactive shoe: developed thinking of the movements of climbers on the volumes that today characterize indoor structures. It has a lock–harness construction for perfect binding of the foot. The XS-Grip2 sole provides maximum grip for a precise and safe climb.
Solution
La Sportiva
Solution
The La Sportiva Solution is a rock shoe developed for bouldering. This shoe has the most innovative technology to overcome the boulder move. The upper uses Lock Harness System® technology. It hugs the foot and combines with the unique deep heel-cups to ensure maximum flexibility when hooking, on in cuts and overhangs.
La Sportiva
Solution Women’s
The La Sportiva Solution women combine the technical features already present in the Solution model. Additional features specifically dedicated to the female foot, such as lower structural rigidity and enhanced wearing comfort. A revolutionary rock shoe developed specifically for bouldering.
Futura
La Sportiva Futura
La Sportiva Futura allows the foot to come into closer contact with the rock surface. Thus enhancing foot sensitivity and allowing a greater, homogenous push on the hold. With the No-Edge construction, climbing becomes more fluid, instinctive and harmonious. The Fast Lacing System is quick, precise and easy to pull on. Futura: the “No-edge” climbing shoe.
Theory
La Sportiva
Theory
The La Sportiva Theory Men’s is an indoor performance shoe designed for perfect adaptation to the new forms of indoor-climbing holds. The shoe’s extreme sensitivity combined with high dynamism. It allows for unprecedented spreadability on holds making it particularly suitable for use in the gym.
Scarpa
Scarpa has a wide range of climbing shoes. However, when it comes to competition climbing the only Scarpe shoe model you’ll see on climbers’ feet are the Drago or Drago LV. One of the most popular climbing shoes comp climbers wear.
Drago
Scarpa
Drago
The Scarpa Drago is aggressively downturned and highly asymmetric, with a forefoot wrapped in sticky rubber. Meticulously crafted and refined to perform at the highest level on demanding boulders and steep sport routes.
Drago LV
Scarpa
Drago LV
The Scarpa Drago LV is a low-volume version of one of the most iconic shoes in the SCARPA line. The shoe features the incredibly sticky Vibram® XS Grip 2 which is perfect for standing on volumes, slippery polished edges and smears which is one of the many reasons you see this shoe on the World Cup circuit so often.
Adidas – Five Ten
Five Ten had been a brand synonymous with climbing. After Adidas acquired the company, many Five Ten classic climbing shoe models were reinvented along with the introduction of new performance-specific models.
There are many amazing comp climbers in the IFSC World Cup circuit. However, the most famous comp climber of all time will have to be the one and only Janja Garnbret. The climber with the most number of IFSC World Cup and World Championship wins and the first woman to win Olympic gold in the sport climbing. Janja is an Adidas-sponsored athlete and her shoe of choice is the Five Ten Hiangle women’s.
Hiangle
Five Ten
Hiangle
The Five Ten Hiangle is regarded as one of the more comfortable top-end shoes due to having less asymmetry compared to other models. This shoe is an entrance into wearing a more aggressive shoe, but it will still give you the performance needed to reach the highest of grades.
Five Ten
Hiangle Women’s
The Five Ten Hiangle Shoes are built for high-precision footwork. Enhanced rubber heel coverage gives you more friction on technical heel hooks. The divided split outsole offers optimal arch support and flexibility so you can adapt to any angle terrain with confidence at the gym or crag.
Hiangle Pro
Five Ten
Hiangle Pro
The Five Ten Hiangle Pro Climbing Shoe is a shoe that every climber looking to push their level either in competition climbing or steep hard bouldering and sport climbing will want to have. Features the famous C4 rubber that is second to none when it comes to standing on slippery volumes, smearing or standing on tiny polished edges.
Tenaya
Alex Megos is one of the strongest climbers who had sent numerous hard routes graded 9a and above. He is also one of the most popular climbers competing in the IFSC World Cups. Alex Megos has been competing in Tenaya climbing shoes for many years. Below are the Tenaya shoe models that Alex competes in.
Iati
Tenaya
Iati
The Tenaya Lati is designed for maximum efficiency the Iati climbing shoes give you more resources and more precision in every movement. Constructed using a combination of leather and microfiber.
Evolv
Colin Duffy is an Evolv-sponsored climber. He started competing in IFSC World Cups in 2021 at only 17 years old. Colin qualified for Toyko 2020 Olympic Games and at 18 years old had already won his first IFSC World Cup Gold in both bouldering and lead climbing. His Evolv shoe of choice for competition climbing is the Shaman.
Shaman
Evolv
Shaman
The Evolv Shaman is a modern cambered shoe designed for climbers who challenges themselves with different types of climbing. Equally home on overhanging gymnastic and steep routes that require precise footwork.
Unparallel
One of the most dynamic boulderers competing in the IFSC World Cup. Tomoa Narasaki has been wowing spectators with his out-of-this-world gymnastic climbing moves. Flashy parkour style on dynamic boulder sequences is one of Tomoa’s trademark bouldering abilities. The shoe he wears for competitions is the Unparallel Flagship. Unparallel had designed a signature shoe for Tomoa call the TN (Tomoa Narasaki) Pro.
Flagship
Unparallel
Flagship
The Unparallel Flagship is an all-around climbing shoe. It is designed for precision footwork, and outdoor routes, and is great for toe hooks in competition climbing. The shoe features a toe cap made of durable high-friction rubber and a simple, yet durable, one-strap closure system that provides a secure fit.
Unparallel
TN Pro
The Unparallel TN Pro is the fully tested signature model by Tomoa Narasaki. Complete with a slingshot heel design for sensitive heel hooking, the outside of the heel is wrapped in RH rubber for exceptionally stable heel hooks.
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