Choosing your first pair of climbing shoes can feel confusing. There are dozens of models, different shapes, and a completely different sizing approach compared to everyday footwear. But finding the right pair doesn’t need to be hard.

This simple guide breaks down how to choose climbing shoes, how they should fit, and what style is right for your climbing level—whether you’re starting in the gym, heading outdoors, or building your bouldering skills.

1. Choose the Right Type of Climbing Shoe

There are three main categories of climbing shoes. Each one performs differently depending on the terrain and your experience level.

Neutral (Best for Beginners)

• Flat, relaxed profile

• Most comfortable for longer sessions

• Durable and supportive

• Ideal for learning footwork in the gym or on outdoor slabs

Moderate

• Slight downturn

• Increased precision

• Works well for slabs, vertical climbing, and mild overhangs

• Ideal for progressing climbers

Aggressive

• Deep downturn

• High tension through the heel

• Perfect for steep bouldering and overhangs

• Not designed for comfort or long sessions

If it’s your first pair:
→ Start with neutral shoes for comfort and confidence while learning technique.

2. Fit Is the Most Important Factor

A well-fitted climbing shoe can instantly improve your footing, precision, and performance. A poorly-fitted one will hold you back.

A good fit should feel:

• snug but not painful

• toes lightly curved, not crushed

• no dead space in the heel or under the arch

• evenly tight—no sharp pressure points

If your toes lie fully flat, the shoe is too big. If you feel burning pain, it’s too small.

Check the heel

• It should stay secure when you pull against it

• No bubbling, slipping, or squishing

Proper fit makes climbing easier, safer, and far more enjoyable.

3. Pick a Shoe Shape That Matches Your Foot

Climbing shoes come in different shapes, and matching these to your foot helps comfort and performance.

Toe Box Shapes

Low vs High Volume

• Narrow feet → low-volume models

• Wide feet → high-volume models

This is one of the biggest predictors of all-day comfort.

4. Choose by Where You’ll Be Climbing

Different climbing styles benefit from different features.

Indoor / Gym Climbing

• Velcro closure for quick on/off

• Durable rubber for high wear

• Neutral or moderate profile

Outdoor Sport Climbing

• Stiffer shoe helps edging on small footholds

• Moderate downturn increases precision

Bouldering

• Slight downturn (even for beginners) improves toe hooks and steep movement

• Velcro or slippers for easy removal

Trad / Multi-Pitch

• Comfort and support come first

• Lace-up neutral shoes are ideal

5. Understand Stretch, Rubber & Materials

These factors impact comfort and longevity.

Leather Shoes

• Stretch half to a full size

• Great for comfort and molding to the foot

Synthetic Shoes

• Hold their shape

• Minimal stretch

• Good for precision

Rubber Thickness

• 4–5.5mm: durable, supportive, beginner-friendly

• 3–4mm: sensitive, performance-focused

Beginners generally benefit from thicker, more durable rubber.

6. Choose a Closure System That Suits You

Lace-Up

• Most adjustable

• Best for long routes or technical climbing

Velcro

• Quick and easy

• Ideal for the gym and bouldering

Slippers

• Very soft and sensitive

• Better for experienced climbers

7. How to Break In Your Climbing Shoes

Even the best-fitting climbing shoes often need a little time to soften and mold to your foot.

Expect 2–5 sessions to break them in.

Here’s how to break them in comfortably and safely:

Wear them around the house

• Short periods only

• Helps warm and shape the shoe without stress on your feet

Climb easy routes for the first few sessions

• Let the shoe soften gradually

• Don’t force them into hard boulders straight away

Use socks for the first few wears (optional)

• Helps ease pressure points

• Useful for stiffer leather models

Avoid “extreme stretching” hacks
Hot water, heating shoes, or force-stretching can damage or warp them.

If they still hurt after 5–7 sessions…
They’re likely too small or the wrong shape for your foot.

8. Try Multiple Sizes — Sizing Isn’t Standard

Every brand fits differently. You might wear a 40 in one brand and a 38 in another.

Best practice:

• Try several sizes

• Don’t obsess over the number on the label

• Fit and comfort matter more than size

If shopping online, many climbers order two sizes and return the one that doesn’t fit.

9. When to Upgrade Your First Pair

Once you’re climbing more confidently, you may want to upgrade when you feel:

• you’re slipping on tiny edges

• you want more sensitivity

• you’re climbing steeper terrain

• your current pair is fully worn down

Most climbers move from a neutral shoe to a moderate shoe as their skills progress.

Final Tips for Choosing the Right Climbing Shoes

If this is your first pair, remember:

• Neutral shoes are best for learning

• Fit is everything

• Match the shoe shape to your foot

• Choose based on how and where you climb

• Avoid painful shoes—they do NOT make you climb better

The right climbing shoes give you confidence, better footwork, and a more enjoyable climbing experience right from the start.