Top Bouldering Shoe Brands for the Ultimate Climb

Bouldering, with its dynamic challenges and need for precision, requires footwear that offers both grip and comfort. Over the years, several brands have distinguished themselves by crafting high-quality bouldering shoes perfect for both novices and seasoned climbers. From time-tested classics offering exceptional durability to innovative newcomers prioritizing cutting-edge technology, the options are as varied as the terrains climbers explore. Whether you're scaling indoor walls or conquering outdoor crags, explore our curated list of the best bouldering shoes below.

Illustration of bouldering shoes

Best brands of bouldering shoes in 2025

La Sportiva

La Sportiva is a leading producer of high-quality bouldering shoes, known for its commitment to innovation and performance. The brand, which originated in Italy in 1928, has a rich heritage in footwear and is particularly renowned for its climbing shoes, including those designed for bouldering. La Sportiva's products often feature premium materials like Vibram® rubber, which, although costly, contribute to the shoes' exceptional grip and durability. The company's market presence is significant, with its online and offline distribution channels valued at substantial amounts, such as $481.4 million for the online segment in 2022. La Sportiva continues to expand its market reach, including the recent opening of a branded retail store in Boulder, Colorado, to better serve the U.S. market.

Scarpa

Scarpa is renowned as one of the top producers of bouldering shoes, known for their high-performance and comfortable designs. The Scarpa Drago, for instance, is aggressively downturned and highly asymmetric, featuring a PCB-Tension(tm) active rand and Vibram(r) XS Grip 2 sole, making it ideal for bouldering and steep sport climbing. With a price point of $209, the Drago offers a skintight fit and exceptional sensitivity, making it a favorite among climbers. The brand's commitment to innovation and quality is reflected in their products, which are forecasted to contribute to the climbing shoes market's growth, expected to reach $830.18 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.21% from 2022 to 2030.

Five Ten

Five Ten, now a sub-brand of Adidas Outdoor, is renowned for producing some of the best bouldering shoes globally, with a history dating back to its founding in California in 1985. The brand gained significant traction by 2011, becoming one of the top-selling climbing shoe manufacturers before being acquired by Adidas for $25 million in November 2011. Five Ten's C4 rubber compound is particularly celebrated for its versatility and performance in bouldering. The brand sponsors top athletes such as Shauna Coxsey and Dave Graham, further enhancing its reputation. With a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.21% in the climbing shoes market from 2023 to 2030, Five Ten continues to be a major player.

Evolv

Evolv is renowned as one of the best producers of bouldering shoes, offering a diverse range of stylish and performance-oriented footwear. Founded in the early 2000s, Evolv collaborated with rock-climbing legend Chris Sharma to develop the Shaman, a high-performance shoe that helped usher in modern rock-climbing styles. Evolv's shoes are known for their comfort and performance, with a significant portion of their lineup being vegan-friendly, catering to a wide range of climbers. The brand has seen substantial growth, contributing to the global climbing shoes market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.21% from 2023 to 2030. Evolv's commitment to innovation and sustainability has made it a favorite among climbers worldwide. Discover more about the best climbing shoe brands featuring Evolv.

Black Diamond

Black Diamond is positioned as a leading producer of bouldering shoes, known for its innovative and high-performance products. The brand has narrowed its focus to prioritize climbing, aiming to capitalize on the growing market, which is expected to increase by 11.5% soon. Black Diamond dominates in equipment categories, holding a 40%-50% market share in climbing gear such as helmets, carabiners, and harnesses. Their climbing shoes feature advanced technologies like Engineered Knit and molded midsoles, ensuring durability and performance. By focusing on core products, Black Diamond aims to achieve significant growth, projecting apparel sales to reach $100 million by 2027.

Tenaya

Tenaya is a renowned Spanish brand, celebrated for producing high-quality climbing shoes, particularly excelling in the bouldering segment. Founded in 1997 by Jose Luis Garcia Gallego, Tenaya shoes are handmade in Spain and have gained a strong following globally, especially for their performance and comfort. Models like the Tatanka and Ra are favored for their SXR Dynamics(r) Technology, which enhances efficiency, precision, and comfort without excessive downturns. Tenaya shoes feature 4mm Vibram XS Grip rubber, offering a balance between edging power and stickiness. With a focus on "Performance without the Pain," Tenaya has become one of the top three premium climbing shoe brands in the U.S. market over the past 12 years.

Butora

Butora is renowned as one of the best producers of bouldering shoes, specializing exclusively in climbing-specific footwear since its inception in 2013. Known for their comfort, precision, and innovative features, Butora shoes have garnered popularity across indoor climbing, competition, and outdoor rock climbing scenes. Their award-winning design, the Butora Acro, was named 'The Best New Climbing Shoe of 2016' by Rock & Ice Magazine. Butora's in-house manufacturing, including their proprietary NEO rubber, ensures high quality and performance. Their range covers various climbing types, including bouldering, sport climbing, and multi-pitch climbing. For more information, visit their About Us page.

Mad Rock

Mad Rock is a renowned brand in the climbing industry, particularly celebrated for its high-performance and affordable bouldering shoes. Founded in 2002 by Young Chu, a climber and innovator, Mad Rock has earned accolades such as the ISPO Outdoor Award for footwear in 2004. The company is committed to using the latest materials and technologies to meet consumer demands, ensuring quality, durability, and climbing enjoyment. With a growth aligned with the climbing shoes market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% from 2024 to 2031, Mad Rock continues to innovate and expand its product line. The brand's focus on value, quality, and affordability has made it a favorite among climbers worldwide.

Ocun

Ocun, a Czech brand, has established itself as a top producer for bouldering shoes, particularly with models like the Ozone, which excels in steep sport climbing and bouldering. The Ozone features an innovative 3-force system in the toe box, enhancing support on small edges and pockets, and utilizes Vibram XS Grip rubber for reliable performance. Despite using slightly older rubber technology, the Ozone maintains a competitive price point, often $30-40 cheaper than high-end alternatives. Its durability has been proven over three years of use in harsh conditions, requiring only one resole. Ocun's commitment to innovation and comfort makes their shoes a favorite among intermediate and advanced climbers.

Unparallel

Unparallel, founded in 2017 by the team that originally formed Five Ten, stands out as a premier producer of bouldering shoes, leveraging over 20 years of expertise in climbing shoe design and production. Their shoes, such as the Flagship Pro, are designed for high-performance climbing, featuring 3.5 mm of RS rubber and an aggressive downturn, making them ideal for overhangs and micro-edging. Notably, top climbers like Tomoa Narasaki and Tom Randall trust Unparallel shoes for their climbing endeavors. The brand maintains its production in California, ensuring high-quality and locally manufactured products. With a strong focus on innovation and performance, Unparallel continues to gain popularity among climbers. For more information on their history and products, visit their website.