I purchased these climbing shoes at the end of last summer and began wearing them on a few climbing trips as the spring season started. The rubber is impressively grippy, and the fit feels good for my narrow feet.
However, I’ve experienced a persistent issue with the heel construction. The stiff heel band presses uncomfortably into the back of my heel and Achilles, even during light approach walks. I tried removing the inserts, but the problem persisted. Over a long weekend trip where these were my only approach shoes, this has led to swelling and a raised ridge on the back of my heels, which is painful and has started to affect my ability to wear the shoes at all.
In hindsight, I wonder if a half-size up might have mitigated the issue, though the shoes feel like the right fit around the front and toe.
Overall, while these shoes are extremely grippy for a more involved approach, the discomfort around the heel limits their use for me, and I would caution others with similar foot types to try them on before buying.
Read More
