Intermediate Climbing Shoes are some of the most under reviewed and most overlooked type of rock climbing shoes on the market today.
If you consider yourself an intermediate climber you have probably been climbing for at least a year and have gone through your first beginner's rock climbing shoes. Your foot should have developed more strength and your footwork should be getting better.
This is a great point in your climbing career to upgrade to a more aggressive and better-performing shoe.
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Please see the table below for our top picks. If you want more information about these shoes and why we picked them keep reading.
| Rank | Shoe | Closure System | Rubber | Best Use | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Sportiva Maverink Climbing Shoe | Slipper | Vibram XS Edge 3mm | Onsight Climbing | |
| 2 | Five Ten Anasazi VCS | Velcro | Stealth C4 4.2mm | All Around | |
| 3 | La Sportiva Skwama | Velcro Slipper Hybrid | Vibram XS Grip 2 4mm | Bouldering | |
| 4 | Tenaya Iati | Velcro Slipper Hybrid | Vibram XS Grip 3.5mm | Moderate Bouldering | |
| 5 | Scarpa Men's Vapor V | Velcro | Vibram XS Edge 4mm | Sport Climbing | |
| 6 | La Sportiva Katana | Velcro | Vibram XS Edge 4mm | Moderate Sport Climbing | |
| 7 | Five Ten Rogue Lace | Lace | Stealth C4 4mm | Multi-Pitch Climbing |
What to Look for in Rock Climbing Shoes
The main qualities you should look for in an intermediate rock climbing shoe are the following:
- Comfort
- Performace
- Price
Getting a proper balance of these 3 main features will ensure you get the best intermediate climbing shoe!
Performance will include both the shape/design of the shoe and the rubber on the sole. Intermediate shoes need to be more aggressive than beginner climbing shoes but not overly aggressive. The rubber will also need to be upgraded to ensure you stick more footholds. One thing to consider is that better performing shoes often don't last a long as starter shoes because of the softer (aka stickier) rubber that is used.
Price is important to some and less important to others. If you are on a budget, you might just have to shop around and try to find a sale or wait for the right time of year to buy. If you are less concerned about price, you will still want to get yourself a high-value shoe. That means that the quality level of the shoe must be proportionate to the cost. Just because a shoe cost a lot of money doesn't make it good.
Transitioning to a More Aggressive Shoe
Getting ready for your first pair of aggressive (non-neutral) shoes is an exciting time for a climber.
You are starting to progress through the grades and push your physical limits. As a climber, we are very limited by our finger strength. This is typically the first thing that someone will train when they want to climb harder.
What is so often overlooked is the need for proper technique and footwork.
Aggressive shoes are designed with one thing in mind, performance. The shape and design of the shoe force your toes into a precise point which is both accurate and powerful. This will not only help you climb harder but also teach you how to climb with proper technique.
Although aggressive shoes are great for performance, they also lack in comfort. Modern-day shoes have done a lot to fix this but it does still take some getting use too. Going from a completely flat (neutral) shoe to a super aggressive shoe is not ideal. It is a good idea to slowly progress to more and more aggressive shoes during your climbing career. As an intermediate climber, a moderate or slightly aggressive shoe with only medium to high asymmetry would be fitting.
Understanding Different Climbing Shoe Closures
Footwear closure is basically the system used to keep the shoe on your foot. This is typically lacing for the majority of street shoes. However, climbing shoes are very different from your average shoes. Many times, the closure system can be the selling point of a shoe.
Lace-ups
Lace-ups are the most common and widely used type of closure system for shoes. That being said, they are not an overwhelming favorite in the climbing community. Laces have many benefits, but also come with some drawbacks, let's list them out.
Pros
- Best fit and most adjustability
- Simpliest design and most proven
- Least likely to fail
Cons
- Harder to put on and take off
- Laces can get in the way while climbing
- People often climb with shoes untied
Lace-up shoes are best used for Multi-Pitch climbing and longer Sport routes.
Slip-ons
Slip-on shoes are shoes that don't have any closure mechanism. Don't be fooled, these are not your dad's slippers. Climbing slip-ons are designed to use the geometry of the foot to fit like a glove and stay put while climbing.
Pros
- Super easy to put on and take off
- Very comfortable design
- Great sensitivity and minimalist profile.
Cons
- Heel hooks can be tricky
- No adjustability
- Fewer models to choose from
Slip-on shoes are good for anything. Crack Climbing and Intermediate Bouldering is ideal.
Velcro
Good old hook and loop closure! Velcro shoes are a blend between lace-up and slip-on shoes. They are also the most popular type of shoe among climbers. Velcro shoes can often be a hybrid of slipper and velcro. These are most commonly found when there is only one velcro strap on the shoe.
Pros
- Easy to put on and take off
- Great performance and comfort
- Good adjustability
Cons
- Velcro and wear out
- Straps can come undone during climb
Velcro shoes are very popular in all facets of climbing. Everything from Sport Climbing to Bouldering to Indoor Climbing.
7 Best Rock Climbing Shoes for Intermediate Climbers
Note: all the following shoes are our picks for the best intermediate climbing shoes. If you don't see your favorite shoe listed below hit us up in the comments and tell us why you think it should make the list.
#7 Five Ten Rogue Lace Climbing Shoe
Rubber: Stealth C4 4mm
Best Use: Multi-Pitch Climbs
The Rogue Lace is ideal for long days of climbing. The neutral shape of the shoe makes it good for crack climbing as well as face climbing.
#6 La Sportiva Katana Climbing Shoe
Rubber: Vibram XS Edge 4mm
Best Use: Moderate Sport Climbing
The La Sportiva Katanas are a great introduction to a performance climbing shoe. The Katanas have the ever popular Vibram XS Edge and a great overall construction.
They are probably the most comfortable shoe on the list, they allow your foot to get used to a downturned shoe without making you feel like a ballerina. At a price that won't break the bank, you really can't go wrong with these shoes!
#5 Scarpa Men's Vapor V Climbing Shoe
Closure: Velcro
Rubber: Vibram XS Edge 4mm
Best Use: Sport Climbing
These shoes are ideal for Sport Climber's looking to push it to the next level.
With the Vibram XS Edge rubber and Power Band Closure, these are a perfect segway into more advance bouldering shoes. They are not particularly cheap but they will last long enough to make them worth it.
#4 Tenaya Iati Climbing Shoe
Closure: Velcro Slipper Hybrid
Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 3.5mm
Best Use: Moderate Bouldering
The edge is super crisp and the toe is nasty sharp and precise. The Iati's use a thinner variation of the Vibram rubber that is found on many of the top ranking La Sportiva and Scarpa Models.
If you are looking to take it to the next level, make sure to get a pair today!
#3 La Sportiva Unisex Skwama
Closure: Velcro Slipper Hybrid
Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 2 4mm
Best Use: Bouldering
La Sportiva is arguably the best climbing shoe manufacturer and their intermediate climbing shoes are top notch as well. The Skwama will make you climb stronger with their P3 Patent System, Vibram sole, and Elite level design.
The Skwama is not only great for men but it is also the best women's intermediate climbing shoes as they come in a unisex design. Perfect for all the lady crusher out there!
These shoes can be had at a steal right now so get them while you still can!
You really can't go wrong with a pair of La Sportiva's and their Skwamas are no exception!
#2 Five Ten Anasazi VCS Climbing Shoe
Closure: Velcro
Rubber: Stealth C4 4.2mm
Best Use: All Around
While not overly aggressive these shoes offer great performance on everything from slabs to hard roof pulls. This sturdy design has been an all-around climber's go-to for many years and that won't change anytime soon.
The Five Tens are also some of the most comfortable shoes on the market, even when compared to beginners shoe models. You really can't go wrong with the Anasazi's.
#1 La Sportiva Maverink Climbing Shoe
Rubber: Vibram XS Edge 3mm
Best Use: Onsight Climbing
Seriously though they are made with La Sportiva's patented No Edge Concept.
At first glance, you might think that these shoes are complete garbage. This is absolutely not the case.
The La Sportiva Maverink is the ideal shoe for the intermediate climber.
The shoe is soft and flexible to help develop muscles in the feet.
The Maverink's No Edge Concept also helps newer climber place feet with less precision. This is due to the rounded edge taking up more surface area. Imagine barely missing the edge of the foot jib on a conventional shoe, your foot would pop right when you weight it. This is because friction is not the main thing keep your foot on the wall.
That's where the No Edge Concept comes in. It makes sure that the most rubber possible can be placed on each and every foothold. Learn more from La Sportiva here.
Most Versatile
The Scarpa Vapor V are good for just about anthing! Make sure to get them while you still can.
Best Rubber
If Sticky Rubber is what you want then the Five Ten's are the way to go! Make sure to get a new pair now.
Best Performance
Jump on the No Edge Concept train. You will be the talk of the gym. Outperform the competition!
Owner and Operator of Every Last Rock. He is dedicated to spreading the Stoke about all things climbing. Often found Bouldering around the US and obsessively training.