Climbing and Mountaineering Shoes Statistics

Top climbing and mountaineering shoe stats

• Climbing footwear sales as of 2023 are at US$581.80 million, which is forecasted to increase to US$830.18 million by 2030.
• This projected figure is based on a CAGR of 5.21% between 2022 and 2030.
• Mountaineering boots come in 3 boot grades: B1, B2, and B3.
• 41 brands across the world manufacture mountaineering boots.
• Virtually 70% of these brands are of European origin.
• The projected 2023 mountaineering crampon sales are at US$1.33 billion.
• 134 different mountain climbing crampons were manufactured back in 2015.
• Based on 2015 data, automatic crampons were the most produced in the same year.
• Steel is the most widely used material in mountaineering footwear crampons.

Climbing footwear worldwide sales

• As of 2023, global revenue in climbing shoes sits at US$581.80 million.
• It is forecasted to increase at a 5.21% CAGR until 2030.
• By the end of the protection period, climbing footwear global sales are expected to reach US$830.18 million.
• That’s roughly a 50% sales growth from the 2023 worldwide revenue.
• In 2022, climbing footwear was valued at US$552.99 million globally.

Mountaineering boot grade stats

• B1 mountaineering boots are semi-stiff, 3-4 season boots.
• They are compatible with C1 crampons, which usually come with 10 points/spikes apiece.
• Stiffer than B1 models, B2 mountaineering boots are ideal for mid-grade ascents.
• These boots work well with 12-point C2 crampons.
• B3 mountaineering boots are intended for technical climbs and extreme elevations (up to 8000m and beyond).
• They are designed to take C3 crampons, which commonly have 14 spikes.

Single and double mountaineering boots stats

• Single mountaineering boots are ideal for climbs of up to 5000m.
• They are usually the go-to on spring-weather ascents.
• Double mountaineering boots are for verticals beyond 5000m, giving extra protection in adverse weather conditions.
• Double mountaineering boots have removable liners.
• Those with integrated gaiters, whether single or double, can be used up to around 6500m.

Mountaineering boot brands

• As of 2023, there are 41 active mountaineering footwear brands.
• Europe has the most number of mountaineering boot manufacturers at 35.
• 18 or 50% of these European mountaineering bootmakers hail from Italy, including La Sportiva and Scarpa.
• North America has 3, including The North Face from the United States and Arc’Teryx from Canada.
• Lavan, an Iranian company, is part of the 3 known mountaineering boot brands in Asia.

Mountaineering crampons global revenue

• As of 2023, worldwide revenue in mountaineering boot crampons sits at US$1.33 billion.
• This figure is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% by 2030.
• At the end of the 2017-2030 forecast period, global mountaineering crampon sales are projected to reach US$1.81 billion.
• Based on the 2023 numbers, the 2030 projected revenue translates to a sales growth of roughly 36%.
• In 2017, global crampon sales broke through the 1 billion mark at US$1.02 billion.

Production of mountaineering footwear crampons

• As of 2015, an average of 8 crampon models were made across major brands.
• Grivel produced the most number of mountaineering boot crampons at 21.
• CAMP came in second, manufacturing a total of 15 different crampon models.
• Black Diamond, Petzl, and Austri Alpin each produced 13.
• The least amount of crampon SKUs manufactured was 1, a number shared by both Climb X and Rock Empire.
• Edelrid’s 3 crampon models can be switched between hybrid and automatic modes.

Mountaineering crampon models by binding type

• 36.4% of mountaineering crampons available as of 2015 were automatic (step-in) crampons.
• Semi-auto ones or C2 crampons were at 33.6%.
• About 28.6% of available crampons in 2015 were universal/strap-on crampons.
• Only 1.4% of crampons manufactured were bolt-on types.
• These percentages are based on 140 different crampon models.

Mountaineering crampon material stats

• 109 or 80.1% of the manufactured mountaineering crampons as of 2015 were made of steel.
• About 16.9% or 23 crampon models made of aluminium were produced in the same year.
• The massive difference between steel and aluminium points to the longevity and practicality of the former despite the weight savings offered by the latter.
• A combination of steel and aluminium was used in only 2.9% of the produced crampon in 2015.
• That’s a total of 4 unique hybrid SKUs.

Mountaineering boots FAQS

Can you use mountaineering boots for hiking?

• For trail pursuits, regular hiking shoes and boots are ideal.
• That said, B1 mountaineering boots, while stiff, can be used for short hikes along the approach, which is more about convenience since you don’t need to switch.
• They’re heavier than most trail and backpacking boots, so hiking in them for extended periods can lead to leg muscle strain.

What is the difference between hiking and mountaineering boots?

• Mountaineering boots are more solidly built and rigid than most mid-top hikers, making them heavier but stabler and more protective on mountainous terrain.
• Their stiffness allows strap-on crampons to gain a firmer hold of the shoe; regular hiking boots have a level of upper flexibility that makes them incompatible with C1 crampons.
• Mountaineering boots are built for technical climbing, while hiking boots are generally used for lower-elevation adventures with little to no ascents involved.

Is it worth buying mountaineering boots?

• While they can be quite expensive (averaging around $450), mountaineering boots are valuable and irreplaceable on technical climbs, especially on steep and higher-elevation ascents.
• Compared with other footwear types, mountaineering boots are considered a serious investment.
• In light of that, renting mountaineering boots might be the way to go for the curious.

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