Does REI sell climbing shoes?
Daniel Martin
Updated on February 26, 2026
Also to know is, how much do climbing shoes cost?
You will pay $4-5 to rent rock climbing shoes at an indoor climbing gym. If you are looking to buy your own climbing shoes, you will pay as little as $40 for starter shoes, and up to $150 for professional shoes.
One may also ask, what type of climbing shoe should I get? If you're a beginner climber, look for a shoe with a thicker sole. It will last longer as you work on your footwork technique and it will also provide more support so your feet won't tire as quickly. Thinner soles are usually about 3 – 4mm thick. They're generally best for smearing on slab routes.
Likewise, people ask, where can I buy cheap climbing shoes?
Quick Answer The Best Cheap Climbing Shoes
- La Sportiva Finale. View at REI.
- Five Ten Anasazi Lace. View at REI.
- Mad Rock Drifter. View at Amazon.
- Scarpa Helix. View at REI.
- Evolv Defy/Elektra. View at Amazon.
Should your toes be curled in climbing shoes?
Generally, for sport/bouldering/gym shoes, look for a fit where all your toes are touching the front and are slightly curled in your shoes. If you're looking for a crack-climbing slipper, your toes need to be flat, but should still be touching the edge of the shoe.
Related Question Answers
Should you wear socks with climbing shoes?
Most people wear socks because that's what they are used to OR because their shoes don't feel comfortable or that they fit right without them. If you just prefer to wear socks in your climbing shoes for comfort - that's totally fine.What shoes does Alex Honnold wear?
What Rock Climbing Shoes Does Alex Honnold Use?- Alex Honnold often wears La Sportiva TC Pros which are the Tommy Caldwell signature shoes.
- He used to wear the La Sportiva Miura a lot - including on his free solo of the Half Dome in Yosemite.
- He also uses La Sportiva Solutions when training at home and bouldering.
How long does it take to break in climbing shoes?
If I wear them indoors, then it won't take long at all (they stay on for up to 4 hours at a time). If I save them for outdoors only, then they can take 6 months to become comfy. That is 6 months, of only putting them on for specific climbs, and only for a short time!Should I buy climbing shoes?
Like everyone else said, it is definitely worth getting a pair. You don't need, or even want, to get really expensive shoes until you've been climbing for a while, though. Those higher end shoes tend to have thinner rubber which wears out faster (especially when you haven't developed good footwork technique).Are Climbing shoes supposed to hurt?
No pain, no gain “Climbing shoes are supposed to hurt” – this little pearl of wisdom is just as untrue as it is persistent. Yes, your climbing shoes should be relatively tight at first, especially if you buy a pair that is supposed to stretch after a few hours of climbing.Should climbing shoes be tight?
Yes, your climbing shoes should be relatively tight at first, especially if you buy a pair that is supposed to stretch after a few hours of climbing. But, the shoes should never make your feet hurt, especially if you've had a chance to break them in over a period of several weeks!What are the best climbing shoes for beginners?
Best Beginner Climbing Shoes of 2020- La Sportiva Tarantulace. BEST FOR: VERSATILITY.
- Five Ten Anasazi MoccAsym. BEST FOR: CRACK CLIMBING.
- So iLL Street. BEST FOR: BOULDERING.
- Scarpa Helix. BEST FOR: ALL DAY WEAR.
- Black Diamond Momentum. BEST FOR: OUT OF THE BOX COMFORT.
- Butora Endeavor. BEST FOR: WIDE FEET.
- TENAYA Ra. BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND PERFORMANCE.
- evolv Nighthawk.
Do Black Diamond Momentum shoes stretch?
Fit and Sizing Black Diamond sizes their climbing footwear the same as street shoes—if you're a size 8 in your approach shoes, you'll likely wear a size 8 in the Momentum. The knit upper of the shoe is designed for minimal stretch, and the microfiber liner further mitigates any “give” in the toe box.What shoes are best for rock climbing?
Now that you know what you should be looking for, here are the best of the best when it comes to climbing shoes on the market today:- Butora Endeavor.
- La Sportiva TC Pro.
- Five Ten Anasazi Lace.
- Butora Acro.
- Evolv Shaman.
- La Sportiva Genius.
- Tenaya Masai. Downturn: Moderate.
- La Sportiva Otaki. Downturn: Moderate.
How do you size La Sportiva Otaki?
Runs true to size with other Sportiva models, I usually size 1/2 to a full down from my standard euro fit depending on what I'm going for in the shoe.Should you buy climbing shoes a size bigger?
Beginners should wear their shoes half a size to one full size smaller than their street shoe size, more or less irrespective of their climbing discipline.When should I buy aggressive climbing shoes?
Often, the perceived need for a more aggressive climbing shoe can reflect both a need for more toe grip or more flexibility and need to hone your climbing skills further. When you get to the point where you're ready to tackle challenging overhangs, an aggressive shoe will give you an advantage.How tight should aggressive climbing shoes be?
Yes, your climbing shoes should be relatively tight at first, especially if you buy a pair that is supposed to stretch after a few hours of climbing. But, the shoes should never make your feet hurt, especially if you've had a chance to break them in over a period of several weeks!How do you break in new climbing shoes?
Yes it's weird, but it works.- Lace up your new shoes. Take your new rock-climbing shoes out of the box.
- Get into a hot shower. That's right.
- Walk around with the shoes on your feet.
- Stuff the shoes with newspaper.
- Repeat as needed.
- Remove all of the packaging from your new shoes.
- Freeze your shoes.
- Let your shoes thaw.