Sizing climbing shoes correctly is difficult. And I mean mad difficult. No matter how you go about it, you’ll eventually end up asking yourself these three questions when considering climbing shoes: how do they fit, how should I size them, and how much do they stretch? Because as we all know, no two climbing shoes fit exactly the same. A shoe from one brand will often fit drastically different than a shoe of another brand. Most of this confusion can be blamed on the last of a climbing shoe. Different shoe manufacturers use different lasts, which heavily determines the size and shape of the toe box, heel, and footbed. How annoying, right? So, to help in your quest to find the perfect shoe, I made this handy sizing guide on how to size the 40 most popular climbing shoes. Hope it helps!

How to Size the Most Popular Climbing Shoes of 2019



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The recommended sizing suggestions are based off of true street shoe size and are not 100% accurate. However, they’re a good kick in the right direction if you size according to the volume of your feet. As always, try shoes in-store for the most accurate fit. OR, you can order a few pairs of similar sizes online if free returns are available.

Size accordingly to your needs. If you want the utmost performance, size towards the high end sizing suggestions. If you favor comfort more, size towards the low end.

Low volume versions of men’s shoes will have a narrower toe box and a lower volume heel cup to fit those with smaller feet.

High volume shoes will have a larger toe box and heel cup that will often fit wider and larger feet more comfortably.

Most European shoe brands consistently run a good deal larger, which is why it’s recommended to downsize on all of them.

The recommended sizing suggestions take into account how much the shoes will stretch. If a pair of shoes will stretch a good deal, it’s okay if your shoes are reasonably painful at first. They will eventually mold to the shape of your foot with time.

painful at first. They will eventually mold to the shape of your foot with time. The recommended sizing suggestions also take into account the intended use of the shoes. Flat-soled shoes will be presumed to be used for all-day comfort (therefore a more comfortable fit), while bouldering shoes will be presumed to be used for performance (therefore a tighter fit).

Signs of a perfect fit include no extra space in the toes (but not painfully curled), no deadspace in the heels, no hot spots, and adequate room for the width of your feet.

You can downsize shoes with laces a bit more than slippers or velcro shoes since the laces allow you to adjust the volume as you see fit.

Learn the ins and outs of choosing climbing shoes correctly. You’ll want to consider the type of climbing you’ll be doing, the closure system, the materials used, the shape of the shoe, the rubber, and more.

Sizing Suggestions Based On: