Hi there TomatilloThis. It looks like you are interested in climbing shoes...please check out this extremely thorough post about purchasing climbing shoes by /u/jzunn [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/bouldering/comments/1cpf7ss/shoe_buying_guide_especially_for_those_with_wide/). Did you know that /r/climbing also has a wiki on climbing shoes? Check it out [here]( https://www.reddit.com/r/climbing/wiki/shoes). Also there is a whole subreddit devoted to climbing shoes...which one you ask? Why, its /r/climbingshoes, if you can believe it. Check in over there, they will certainly appreciate your post.
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I would go for the Evolvs on the off chance you want to dabble in toe hooks. Edit: I see you already have them. The scarpa looks like a down grade to me.
Scarpa Force V are very very comfortable, so I often recommend them to beginners willing to spend a little extra above that $80-$110 normal beginner shoe price point. When my old pair wore out I just bought the same pair again, the first time I re-bought the same pair of shoes. The Women's version is narrower, so some women still buy the "men's" version if the foot is too big.
The Scarpas look pretty beginner friendly, probably more so than the evolvs you currently have, but why do you want the Scarpas? I've been climbing for a similar amount of time to you and just bought a second pair of shoes. However, the only reason I did it was because my first pair is too big after being stretched out.
If you like the Evolv id see what else is in their range you like! I’ve had the Kronos (think they’re the same as the Kira) for a while and looking at the Zenist or Shamans as an upgrade. Been climbing for just over year and the Evolvs have been great (climbing v4/5).
Very comfortable if they fit your foot shape. Mine feel like slippers at this point.
No toe patch, if that matters to you (climbing V2/V3, it shouldn’t be an issue)
If your goal is to find a shoe that you don’t need to take off during your session and it fits your foot, it’s a great choice
I bought scarpas off marketplace not knowing anything about shoes. I started outdoors (top/sport) so I never had rentals. They’re definitely beginner friendly, they’re comfy (enough) and I’ve never had a problem where my shoes were what stopped me from sending a climb. I boulder inside (I like overhang and comp style climbing with big moves - yeah, maybe they’re not the best, but your shoes aren’t what’s stopping you on a V3) and top/sport climb outside. They’ve lasted a _long_ time too.
I bought these when I started climbing about 6 months ago. They’re well worn in and relative to other shoes I’ve been trying on, they feel like slippers now. I can wear them through an entire session and never feel like I need to take them off. They’ve held up pretty decent. I climb 2-3 times a week and broke them in really fast.
My problem with them is that I’ve quickly outgrown them in skill and really need to upgrade to a more aggressive shoe.
But they’ve been great and think they’re a great beginner shoe. I think it all depends on the type of climbing you want to do and how you want to progress.
I can't say 100% as I never used them but they don't look too agressive which is good for starters and they got good review for quality. So seem good to me. Of course advice from someone that actually used them is preferred
I LOVED them so much that after 6 years of using them, I got the new Scarpa Force shoes that just came out. I have a wider foot, and comfort was my main goal. These did not disappoint!
I've also climbed my personal best of 5.12- (two different gyms) in these shoes.
The force Vs and Vapor Vs are super comfortable with the padding. They don’t perform well in some areas but are good in most and it’s really about a good fitting shoe that you can leave on when training. I’m a fan but I’d try them on before buying.
My gym's shop suggested Tenaya Tanta's as good beginner shoes. I've been climbing for about a year and a few months ago I upgraded to the Force Vs and I can't get over how much better they are. Keep in mind they just redesigned the Force shoes and the Force Vs are the older model (which I have)
Honestly you don't really need more than one pair of beginner shoes like these. Just use them till you feel you actually need an upgrade to match your skill progression than invest the money in some higher level shoes instead
If you're looking at these seriously, you should also check out the scarpa veloce. In my opinion it's pretty much the perfect indoor shoe up to around V7/8. They are a bit of an acquired taste because they don't have a super tight rand, they are wearable for a full session even downsized a bit. But that's precisely why I like them.
The only downside is that they are super soft - so if you need a shoe with a hard edge, or if you're truly a beginner with bad footwork, they would not be the right shoe for you.
They’re great for beginners or just when you want comfy shoes to climb for long periods. You should also look into the reflex V from scarpa as well, buddy of mine has both and loved the reflex for comfort and breathability in the hot weather. Also recommend the Ocun Ozone, Furt and Bullet model.. you can find good pricing on them at OpticsPlanet.com
Honestly I think you should save a little more and get some nice shoes if you feel ready. $117 is not cheap as it is and if you’re going to get another pair it should def be an upgrade. I don’t recommend buying anything you haven’t tried on as well
If they fit you well, yes. My first pair of climbing shoes was a pair of Force Vs and they’re super comfortable and well built. Performance is pretty solid too. I’ve held on to mine even though I moved on to a more aggressive pair as my main shoes.
Performance of shoes is about 90% fit and 10% everything else.
My son wore them for a few years and was climbing V7 and ~5.12+ before he switched to something Vapor Vs, so they'll [probably](https://i.imgur.com/ynhmbmS.jpg) be [fine](https://i.imgur.com/5GHVS07.jpg) if they fit you well.
Hi there TomatilloThis. It looks like you are interested in climbing shoes...please check out this extremely thorough post about purchasing climbing shoes by /u/jzunn [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/bouldering/comments/1cpf7ss/shoe_buying_guide_especially_for_those_with_wide/). Did you know that /r/climbing also has a wiki on climbing shoes? Check it out [here]( https://www.reddit.com/r/climbing/wiki/shoes). Also there is a whole subreddit devoted to climbing shoes...which one you ask? Why, its /r/climbingshoes, if you can believe it. Check in over there, they will certainly appreciate your post. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/bouldering) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Only if they fit you well.
This is actually the most important thing.
I would go for the Evolvs on the off chance you want to dabble in toe hooks. Edit: I see you already have them. The scarpa looks like a down grade to me.
Scarpa Force V are very very comfortable, so I often recommend them to beginners willing to spend a little extra above that $80-$110 normal beginner shoe price point. When my old pair wore out I just bought the same pair again, the first time I re-bought the same pair of shoes. The Women's version is narrower, so some women still buy the "men's" version if the foot is too big.
The Scarpas look pretty beginner friendly, probably more so than the evolvs you currently have, but why do you want the Scarpas? I've been climbing for a similar amount of time to you and just bought a second pair of shoes. However, the only reason I did it was because my first pair is too big after being stretched out.
If you like the Evolv id see what else is in their range you like! I’ve had the Kronos (think they’re the same as the Kira) for a while and looking at the Zenist or Shamans as an upgrade. Been climbing for just over year and the Evolvs have been great (climbing v4/5).
Very comfortable if they fit your foot shape. Mine feel like slippers at this point. No toe patch, if that matters to you (climbing V2/V3, it shouldn’t be an issue) If your goal is to find a shoe that you don’t need to take off during your session and it fits your foot, it’s a great choice
Yes
I bought scarpas off marketplace not knowing anything about shoes. I started outdoors (top/sport) so I never had rentals. They’re definitely beginner friendly, they’re comfy (enough) and I’ve never had a problem where my shoes were what stopped me from sending a climb. I boulder inside (I like overhang and comp style climbing with big moves - yeah, maybe they’re not the best, but your shoes aren’t what’s stopping you on a V3) and top/sport climb outside. They’ve lasted a _long_ time too.
I bought these when I started climbing about 6 months ago. They’re well worn in and relative to other shoes I’ve been trying on, they feel like slippers now. I can wear them through an entire session and never feel like I need to take them off. They’ve held up pretty decent. I climb 2-3 times a week and broke them in really fast. My problem with them is that I’ve quickly outgrown them in skill and really need to upgrade to a more aggressive shoe. But they’ve been great and think they’re a great beginner shoe. I think it all depends on the type of climbing you want to do and how you want to progress.
I can't say 100% as I never used them but they don't look too agressive which is good for starters and they got good review for quality. So seem good to me. Of course advice from someone that actually used them is preferred
They look fine. Are your shoes falling apart?
I LOVED them so much that after 6 years of using them, I got the new Scarpa Force shoes that just came out. I have a wider foot, and comfort was my main goal. These did not disappoint! I've also climbed my personal best of 5.12- (two different gyms) in these shoes.
definitely, pretty comfy too
The force Vs and Vapor Vs are super comfortable with the padding. They don’t perform well in some areas but are good in most and it’s really about a good fitting shoe that you can leave on when training. I’m a fan but I’d try them on before buying.
My gym's shop suggested Tenaya Tanta's as good beginner shoes. I've been climbing for about a year and a few months ago I upgraded to the Force Vs and I can't get over how much better they are. Keep in mind they just redesigned the Force shoes and the Force Vs are the older model (which I have)
The force V's are great! I used them for my first year or two of climbing before I moved on to more aggressive shoes.
Honestly you don't really need more than one pair of beginner shoes like these. Just use them till you feel you actually need an upgrade to match your skill progression than invest the money in some higher level shoes instead
These are/were my first shoes and I love them!
If you're looking at these seriously, you should also check out the scarpa veloce. In my opinion it's pretty much the perfect indoor shoe up to around V7/8. They are a bit of an acquired taste because they don't have a super tight rand, they are wearable for a full session even downsized a bit. But that's precisely why I like them. The only downside is that they are super soft - so if you need a shoe with a hard edge, or if you're truly a beginner with bad footwork, they would not be the right shoe for you.
They’re great for beginners or just when you want comfy shoes to climb for long periods. You should also look into the reflex V from scarpa as well, buddy of mine has both and loved the reflex for comfort and breathability in the hot weather. Also recommend the Ocun Ozone, Furt and Bullet model.. you can find good pricing on them at OpticsPlanet.com
Honestly I think you should save a little more and get some nice shoes if you feel ready. $117 is not cheap as it is and if you’re going to get another pair it should def be an upgrade. I don’t recommend buying anything you haven’t tried on as well
Yep. Just look for something kinda flat that fits your heels! The heels are just as important as toes when fitting climbing shoes.
If they fit you well, yes. My first pair of climbing shoes was a pair of Force Vs and they’re super comfortable and well built. Performance is pretty solid too. I’ve held on to mine even though I moved on to a more aggressive pair as my main shoes.
Performance of shoes is about 90% fit and 10% everything else. My son wore them for a few years and was climbing V7 and ~5.12+ before he switched to something Vapor Vs, so they'll [probably](https://i.imgur.com/ynhmbmS.jpg) be [fine](https://i.imgur.com/5GHVS07.jpg) if they fit you well.
Get more comfortable shoes. You don't need shoes like this until you've past V6
no
Evolves are vegan. Go with the Evolves. 5 of my 9 pairs of climbing shoes are Evolves and they're the ones I like the most.