Beginner's Guide to Choosing Climbing Shoes

Walk into any climbing gym and you'll see shoes that are aggressively downturned, uncomfortably tight, and designed for climbers tackling tiny footholds on hard routes. It's easy to assume that's what you need, but a beginner's shoe should prioritise comfort and stability. The right pair will help you build good habits, stay focused on your climbing, and leave you looking forward to your next session.

This guide covers what actually matters when choosing your first climbing shoes - shape, closure, material and fit - plus where Black Diamond, La Sportiva and Scarpa fit into that decision. If you already know your size range and just need brand-specific guidance, see our climbing shoe sizing guide.

Shoe shape: go flat, not downturned

Climbing shoes come in three broad shapes, and the difference matters more than almost anything else when you're starting out.

• Neutral (flat): The shoe sits flat, your toes lie naturally, and the last is symmetrical or close to it. This is the beginner shape - comfortable for long sessions, easier to learn footwork in, and forgiving if your technique isn't dialled in yet.
• Moderate (slightly downturned): A gentle camber that starts to concentrate power over the big toe. Fine once you're progressing, but not where you should start.
• Aggressive (strongly downturned): Built for overhangs and hard bouldering, with an asymmetric shape and serious heel tension. Genuinely uncomfortable to learn in, and unnecessary until you're climbing at a level where you actually need that precision.

A firmer, slightly stiffer sole is also worth prioritising early on. It gives your foot more support while you build the calf and foot strength climbing demands, and it's more forgiving of imperfect foot placement than the thin, soft soles built for advanced sensitivity.

Closure type: velcro wins for most beginners

• Velcro (hook-and-loop): Fast on, fast off - ideal if you're bouldering or climbing indoors, where you're taking shoes on and off constantly between attempts and at belay stations.
• Laces: Give you the most adjustable, precise fit, particularly useful if your feet are hard to fit or you need to loosen off mid-session as your feet warm up and swell. Less convenient if you're pulling shoes on and off all evening.
• Slip-on (slippers): Low-profile and sensitive, but with no adjustability. Not the easiest starting point while you're still working out what fit you like.

For most people starting out at an indoor wall, velcro is the practical choice.

Material: leather or synthetic

• Leather uppers mould to your foot over time and breathe well, but they stretch - sometimes close to a full size on unlined leather, less on lined leather. Buy slightly snug and expect them to relax.
• Synthetic uppers hold their shape and barely stretch, so what you try on is close to what you'll get. They're also easier to care for.

Either works fine for a first pair. If you're unsure whether a shoe will still fit in three months, synthetic is the more predictable choice.

Getting the fit right

Climbing shoes should never fit like everyday trainers, but as a beginner comfort matters more than squeezing into the smallest size possible. Your toes should sit at the end of the shoe without dead space, gently flat or slightly curled, with no sharp pain and no numbness. If a shoe hurts standing still in the shop, it will hurt far more after twenty minutes on the wall and pain changes how you climb, not just how you feel.

As a general starting point, most beginners end up around half a size to a full size down from their everyday street shoe size, though this varies by brand and model. For the full breakdown by brand and experience level, see our climbing shoe sizing guide.

Where our stocked brands fit for beginners

• Black Diamond: Known for flatter, more comfortable fits, with entry-level models that offer extra room through the toe box—ideal if you're looking for comfort over aggression.
• La Sportiva: Their introductory-level shoes are built with a more rigid, supportive structure specifically for climbers just starting out, and can generally be sized closer to your everyday shoe size than their performance range.
• Scarpa: Known for a true-to-size, slightly roomier fit even across their range, which makes them a popular pick for climbers who find other brands too aggressive from the outset.

All three are in stock in our Dublin store and online — see the full climbing shoe range to compare.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Buying too technical, too soon. An aggressive, downturned shoe won't make you climb better as a beginner — it'll just be uncomfortable and won't teach you anything a neutral shoe can't.
• Sizing down too aggressively. Chasing the tightest possible fit before you have the technique to use it just means sore feet and shorter sessions.
• Choosing on looks alone. Every brand's last fits differently. What looks good on a shop shelf or on your favourite climber isn't necessarily right for your foot.
• Not trying shoes on properly. Feet swell during the day and during exercise, and no two brands' size charts match exactly — trying on is the only reliable way to know.

Get fitted in our Dublin Store

Sizing charts and shape guides get you close, but the only way to know for certain is trying shoes on. Our Dublin team can fit you across our Black Diamond, La Sportiva and Scarpa range and help you pick the right shape and closure for how you're planning to climb. Heading in with a harness on your list too? Check our climbing harnesses while you're at it.

FAQ

What's the best type of climbing shoe for a beginner? A neutral or flat shoe with a slightly stiffer sole. It's more comfortable for longer sessions and more forgiving while you're still learning footwork, unlike aggressive, downturned shoes built for advanced, overhanging climbs.

Should I get velcro or lace-up climbing shoes as a beginner? Velcro is usually the more practical choice for beginners, especially if you're climbing indoors or bouldering, since you'll be taking your shoes on and off frequently between climbs.

Do beginner climbing shoes need to be tight? They should be snug with no dead space around the toes, but not painful. Beginners should prioritise comfort over an aggressively tight fit — that trade-off is for more advanced climbers chasing maximum performance.

Can I use the same climbing shoes for indoor and outdoor climbing? Yes, a neutral, all-round beginner shoe works for both indoor walls and easier outdoor routes. You likely won't need a specialised shoe until you're climbing more demanding terrain.

How much should I expect to pay for a first pair of climbing shoes? Beginner-focused models are generally the most affordable in a brand's range, since they use simpler constructions and materials than performance-focused shoes. Our team can point you to the right price point in-store based on how often you plan to climb.