Top-Tier Climbing Shoe Brands for Peak Performance

Climbing enthusiasts know that the right shoes can make a significant difference in both performance and comfort. With so many options available, identifying the best brands for climbing shoes can help streamline the decision-making process. Renowned names in the industry often offer a blend of innovative design, durable materials, and specialized features for various types of climbing. For those eager to find the perfect fit for their climbing style and preferences, a comprehensive list of top climbing shoe brands awaits below.

Illustration of climbing shoes

Best brands of climbing shoes in 2025

La Sportiva

La Sportiva, a renowned leader in the climbing shoes market, has been innovating for over 93 years, particularly from its base in the Dolomite mountain range in Italy. The company is known for its high-quality products, such as the TC PRO and Solution Comp models, and its commitment to sustainability, with its factory running on 100% renewable energy. La Sportiva's North American headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, further solidifies its global presence. The brand's focus on product innovation and quality has helped it maintain a significant market share, contributing to the global climbing shoes market's growth, projected to reach $1860.5 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 5.4% from 2024 to 2031. For more information about their climbing shoes, visit their website.

Scarpa

Scarpa is a leading Italian specialist in outdoor footwear, particularly renowned for its high-quality climbing shoes. In 2021, Scarpa posted a significant 22% year-over-year sales increase, reaching EUR134 million, with exports accounting for 82% of its revenues. The company's climbing shoes are designed to meet various climbing needs, including crags, indoor, bouldering, and multi-pitch climbing, and are highly regarded for their performance and comfort. Scarpa's products, such as the Drago model, are meticulously crafted with advanced features like PCB-Tension(tm) and Surround Rubber Tension (SRT) for optimal performance on demanding routes. The brand's commitment to innovation and quality has solidified its position as a top choice among climbers.

Five Ten

Five Ten, a renowned brand in the climbing shoe industry, was founded in California in 1985 and became one of the top-selling climbing shoe manufacturers worldwide by 2011. In November 2011, Adidas acquired Five Ten for $25 million, integrating it as a sub-brand of Adidas Outdoor. Known for its versatile C4 rubber compound, Five Ten actively sponsors top athletes and events in rock climbing and mountain biking. The brand continues to innovate, including the use of sustainable materials like ocean plastic and recycled polyester. Five Ten's products are highly regarded for their performance and comfort, contributing to the growing popularity of rock climbing globally. For more detailed information on Five Ten, visit their Wikipedia page.

Evolv

Evolv is a renowned brand in the climbing shoes market, known for its innovative and high-performance products. The brand introduced several notable models, such as the Evolv Nighthawk and Skyhawk, which feature all leather uppers and synthetic overlays for a secure fit, and the Evolv X1, designed for aggressive downturn and sensitivity, launched in 2018. Evolv's products are favored for their comfort, technical features, and durability, contributing to the brand's strong presence in the market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.21% from 2023 to 2030. The brand's commitment to innovation and customer preferences, such as the rise in online purchases, further boosts its market position. Evolv's diverse product line caters to various climbing styles, making it a preferred choice among climbers. For more details on their product launches, you can visit the WeighMyRack article discussing their 2018 launches.

Black Diamond

Black Diamond is renowned as a leading producer of climbing shoes, known for its innovative and high-performance products. The brand has a strong market presence, with nearly eight out of ten respondents naming Black Diamond as their top seller in hardware, and it dominates in categories such as helmets, carabiners, and harnesses with a 40%-50% market share. Black Diamond's climbing shoes feature advanced technologies like Engineered Knit and molded midsoles, ensuring durability and performance. The brand's focus on climbing has been a key strategy, with plans to grow the apparel segment to $100 million by 2027 and achieve steady 8%-10% growth in the future. Black Diamond's commitment to innovation and quality has solidified its position as a top choice among climbers.

Mad Rock

Mad Rock is a renowned brand in the climbing shoes market, founded in 2002 by a climber with a vision to create innovative, highly technical, and affordable rock climbing shoes. The company has achieved significant milestones, including winning the ISPO Outdoor Award for footwear in 2004 for its Hooker Lace and Hooker EZ designs. Mad Rock is committed to using the latest materials and technology to meet consumer demands, offering sophisticated designs at fair prices. The brand has sold over a million pairs of shoes and continues to innovate, with a focus on refinement and improvements to existing models. Mad Rock's products are popular globally, contributing to the market's expected CAGR of 5.21% from 2023 to 2030. For more information about the brand, visit their official website.

Boreal

Boreal is a pioneering brand in the climbing shoe industry, renowned for its innovative designs and high-performance products. Since the late 1970s, Boreal has been at the forefront of rock shoe development, introducing the legendary "Fire" rock shoe in 1979, which revolutionized climbing with its sticky rubber. The brand's IRS (Integral Rand System) technology, introduced in 1997, enhanced durability and resistance to deformation. Boreal's continuous production ensures that all models are consistently available and fresh, with most shoes being no older than three months old. Collaborating with top climbers, Boreal has helped push climbing standards, with many climbers reporting a full grade improvement by wearing their shoes. For more information, visit their official website.

Red Chili

Red Chili is a renowned brand in the climbing shoes market, celebrated for its high-quality and comfortable footwear designed for both rock and indoor climbing. Established over 25 years ago, Red Chili has evolved to meet the diverse needs of climbers, offering models like the Voltage LV and Charger LV, which are popular for their performance and durability. The brand's focus on innovation and comfort has contributed to the growing popularity of climbing shoes, especially among youngsters and female climbers, who are expected to drive significant market growth in the coming years. With the global climbing shoes market projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period, Red Chili remains a key player, particularly in regions like Asia Pacific, which dominated the market in 2017. Red Chili's commitment to providing the right gear for climbers has made it a favorite among enthusiasts.

Tenaya

Tenaya is a renowned Spanish brand that has been specializing in high-quality climbing shoes since the late 1990s, gaining significant global traction in recent years. Founded by Jose Luis Garcia Gallego, a veteran Big Wall climber, Tenaya has contributed to several climbing breakthroughs, including Josune Bereziartu's first female ascent of 9a and Ramon Julian Puigblanque's World Cup victories. The brand is known for its innovative SXR Dynamics(r) Technology, which enhances efficiency, precision, and comfort without excessive downturns. Tenaya's shoes, such as the Mastia and Ra, are praised for their performance on small footholds and overhanging terrain, making them a favorite among advanced climbers like Alex Megos, Jimmy Webb, and Chris Sharma. With a strong focus on quality and comfort, Tenaya continues to be a top choice in the climbing community. For a detailed review of their performance on climbing terrain, visit Tenaya Mastia Review.

Butora

Butora is a leading brand in the climbing shoe industry, renowned for its commitment to designing and producing high-performance, comfort-driven footwear. Since its inception in 2014 in South Korea, Butora has focused exclusively on climbing-specific footwear, avoiding diversification into other outdoor gear. The brand is celebrated for its proprietary NEO rubber, which is manufactured in-house to ensure maximum friction, durability, and longevity. Butora's shoes are designed to excel in various climbing environments, from sport climbing to bouldering, and are available in narrow-fit and wide-fit styles to cater to a wide range of climbers. The brand's innovative approach and customer feedback-driven design have earned it a strong reputation among climbers worldwide. For more detailed information, visit the Butora official website.