7 Best Climbing Shoes For Women in 2023
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Why trust us
With the steady rise in popularity of climbing as both a thrilling pastime and a competitive sport, it’s no surprise that empowered women like you want in on the fun. That said, you need to be in the right shoe, which is why we’ve come up with this space just for you.
What you see on here are the best climbing shoes for women in a variety of categories. These must-haves we’ve rounded up after testing over 150 pairs of climbing shoes. There’s more than enough for you to choose from in this selection—from the finest all-rounder to the most formidable steep rock shoe.
How we test climbing shoes
What you are about to unravel are women-specific climbing shoes that can elevate your game, whether on rock or wall. We’ve formed this insightful list using this approach:
- For us to be unbiased with our reviews, we buy women’s climbing shoes using our own money.
- We climb in each pair for days, both indoors and outdoors.
- Our reviews on the best women’s climbing shoes reflect hundreds of opinions from expert senders and regular climbers alike.
Every reviewed climbing shoe is then given a 0-100 rating or CoreScore. This RunRepeat-exclusive scoring system helps us determine the climb-worthiest of them all.
Best climbing shoes overall for women
La Sportiva Skwama
93
Superb!
What makes it the best?
The Skwama is an excellent climbing shoe for longer sessions of hard bouldering and rope climbing at the gym or crag. The shoe provides quality support while retaining the flexibility to give you a superior sensitivity in all of your climbs. The Skwama is a rare find with its combination of superb comfort and performance.
Pros
- True to size
- Snug fit
- Excellent heel and toe hooking
- Comfy for a performance shoe
- Durable
- Short break-in period
- Flexible
- Suitable for gym and crag
Cons
- Less breathable
- Expensive
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Free shipping
$199
Backcountry
Free shipping
$199
REI
Free shipping
$199
Outland USA
Free shipping
$199
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$199
Best women's climbing shoes for beginners
Scarpa Helix
91
Great!
What makes it the best?
Performance-wise, the Scarpa Helix is a delight to the climbing community. Its utterly pleasing comfort, grippy outsole, and spacious toe box also make it highly recommendable for entry-level climbers. That said, the rock climbing shoe in question is said to be too stretchy for some.
Pros
- Provides immense comfort
- Roomy toe box
- Awesome stickiness
- Plush multifold
- Recommended for beginners
Cons
- Too stretchy
- Lack of durability
- The shoe’s blue upper bleeds
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Backcountry
Free shipping
$50
Amazon
Free shipping
$76
Outland USA
Free shipping
$125
Eastern Mountain Sports
$125
REI
Free shipping
$129
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$129
Best women's climbing shoes for trad climbing
La Sportiva Miura
90
Great!
What makes it the best?
Very few climbing shoes are as capable, as comfortable, and durable as the Miura. If you climb outdoors or are serious about getting into climbing outdoors, then you should strongly consider trying on a pair of La Sportiva Miura.
Pros
- Extremely versatile
- Great for crack climbing
- Very Comfortable
- Durable
- Stiff but sticky rubber
- Stands the test of time
- Good value
Cons
- Not very breathable
- Take a while to dry
- Leather will eventually become uncomfortably stiff
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Amazon
Free shipping
$115
Eastern Mountain Sports
$135
Backcountry
Free shipping
$189
REI
Free shipping
$189
Outland USA
Free shipping
$189
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$189
Best women's climbing shoes with moderate downturn
Scarpa Instinct VS
92
Superb!
What makes it the best?
The Scarpa Instinct VS is absolutely superb when it comes to technical surfaces and overhang climbing in the gym or on real rock! Small ripples, tiny dimples, and pockets become bomber footholds in this shoe. And your feet somehow stay relatively comfortable considering the performance you get from them.
Pros
- Secure fit
- Very comfortable
- Superior edging ability
- Great for heel and toe hooking
- Suitable for the gym or the crag
- Durable
Cons
- Not for smearing
- Too painful for crack climbing
- Not breathable
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$185
Outland USA
Free shipping
$199
Backcountry
Free shipping
$209
REI
Free shipping
$209
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$209
Best women's climbing shoes for intermediate climbers
La Sportiva Solution
92
Superb!
Pros
- True to size
- Secure fit
- Great for heel and toe hooking
- Excellent on technical face climbing
- Suitable for gym and crag
- Durable
- Can be resoled
Cons
- Not for multi-pitch climbing
- Less support for crack climbing
- Expensive
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Outland USA
Free shipping
$136
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$199
Backcountry
Free shipping
$199
REI
Free shipping
$199
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$199
Best value
Evolv Kronos
90
Great!
What makes it the best?
To sport, the Evolv Kronos means to be seen in a remarkably comfortable shoe whose edging prowess is nothing short of spectacular. Donning this heel-secure climb-centric offering also translates to ascents where surface grip takes center stage.
Pros
- Incredible comfort
- Amazing edging performance
- Secure fit
- Superbly grippy outsole
- Worth to buy
- Performs well on slabs
Cons
- Narrow toe box
Most popular climbing shoes for women
La Sportiva Finale
87
Great!
What makes it the most popular?
An incredible rock climbing shoe awaits those who would don the La Sportiva Finale. Indeed, sporting this impressive piece leads to ascents where comfort comes in full force. This true-to-size beginner shoe also inspires climbing confidence as it possesses tons of sticking power. The Finale is a capable La Sportiva offering whose qualities and value for money might just be enough to turn naysayers into believers.
Pros
- Incredible comfort level
- Absolutely beginner-friendly
- Super-sticky rubber
- Accurate sizing
- Fantastic in cracks
- Reasonable asking price
Cons
- Bleeding upper
- Extended break-in period
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Outland USA
Free shipping
$89
Eastern Mountain Sports
$109
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$129
Backcountry
Free shipping
$129
REI
Free shipping
$129
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$129
Comparison of the 7 best climbing shoes for women
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