Climbing Shoes - The Lowdown

What makes a great Climbing Shoe and which one should I get?

Different Types of Shoes

When we talk about climbing shoes we generally have 3 categories: 

1: Specialized Performance

SCARPA’s Specialised Performance line is perfect for climbers in search of outstanding performance who require very soft, sensitive, precise and flexible climbing shoes, even for small edges or to simply ensure adequate grip, with pairs suitable for various disciplines, including: cliff climbing, bouldering and indoor climbing. 

2: Precision

SCARPA’s Precision line is perfect for those in search of climbing shoes that offer a good balance between support and precision and are suitable for long-term use. Precision-line pairs are great for cliff climbing and multi-pitch climbing. Their slightly angled shape ensures excellent performance without sacrificing comfort.

3: Relaxed Fit

SCARPA’s Relaxed Fit line was developed to provide the perfect climbing shoes for beginners, indoor training and multi-pitch climbing. Combining comfort and technology, these pairs are either flat or slightly angled in shape for an easy fit and maximum convenience, even after multiple uses. 

What is a good sole?


A good sole can be the difference between sending your project and sipping into a heep of pain.

The easiest thing to do is look out for the Vibram logo. Vibram is universally known as the best producer of high-end soles. And you can be guaranteed a grippy and almost sticky shoe if you see that logo.

Is high or low volume for you?


A low volume shoe is not a smaller shoe but the same shoe for a different type of foot. The low volume has a more tapered front toe box and a narrower heel cup which fits some people a lot better than the base version of the shoe.

The Low volume shoe has slightly softer rubber making it a bit more sensitive then the base shoe. The slight differences in shape allow some people to fill all dead spots that they might have in the Base shoe.

Specialized Performance

Presicion

Relaxed Fit

Good Fit


The fit of a Scarpa Climbing Shoe is very important. You need the correct fit to be able to get the full potential performance out of the shoe.

You dont want a shoe to be to small otherwise your toes will push over the edge of the front of the shoe and then the top of the shoe would hit the wall first and that will make a hole really quickly.

You also dont want a shoe that is to big becuase then you will have air bubbles and that will cause the shoe to bend in weird ways not giving you the top performance tht the shoe can offer.

What is a good fit?

Our Current range of Shoes

scarpa Drago - bouldering climbing shoe

Drago

Specialized Performance

Known around the world as one of the best bouldering competition shoes the Drago was built to boulder hard. Its slipper construction makes it a beast at toe hooking and smearing. The shoe has also been popular in sport climbing when the routes get steep. 

Scarpa south africa - Instinct VS rock climbing shoe

Instinct VS

Specialized Performance

The most popular Scarpa bouldering and sport climbing shoe in South Africa at the moment the Instinct VS thrives on steep, technical terrain. This high-end climbing shoe can be considered as a slightly stiffer sibling of the Drago.

drago low volume rock climbing shoe

Drago LV

Specialized Performance

Known around the world as one of the best bouldering competition shoes the Drago was built to boulder hard. Its slipper construction makes it a beast at toe hooking and smearing. The shoe has also been popular in sport climbing when the routes get steep. The LV (low-volume) version features a smaller heel and midfoot construction as well as a softer rubber composite.

instinct vs womans sport and boulder climbing shoe

Instinct VS Women

Specialized Performance

The most popular Scarpa bouldering and sport climbing shoe in South Africa at the moment the Instinct VS thrives on steep, technical terrain. This high-end climbing shoe can be considered as a slightly stiffer sibling of the Drago. The LV variation of the shoe features a smaller heel and narrow midsole.

the Booster rock climbing shoe

Booster

Specialized Performance

The Booster is a fully synthetic climbing shoe designed for edging and smearing. This high-end shoe is best for sport climbing. This shoe features all the high-end materials that the Furia Air features.

scarpa climbing shoes - vapor v mens rock climbing shoe

Vapor V

Precision

The most versatile rock climbing shoe from Scarpa. The Vapor V is designed for precision, making it perfect for small edges on vertical or steep sports routes. it is also comfortable enough to be a great shoe for sending hard trad on table mountain!

 
womans vapor v rock climbing shoes

Vapor V Women

Relaxed Fit

The low-volume version of the Vapor V. The most versatile rock climbing shoe from Scarpa. The Vapor V is designed for precision, making it perfect for small edges on vertical or steep sports routes. it is also comfortable enough to be a great shoe for sending hard trad on table mountain!

 
reflex indoor sport climbing shoe

Reflex

Relaxed Fit

The Reflex V beginner climbing shoe offers support and comfort for climbers who want to get into the sport. The Reflex climbing shoe is also used by high-end gyms as their rental shoe.