best inexpensive beginner shoe?
|
Looking to get some shoes for a school program for kids. Money is scarce. They are old enough to take adult sizes. I'd like to get the most durable shoes. Some of the kids also climb pretty hard and do a lot of bouldering so it would be good if the shoes climbed well. Velcro entry would also be good but not necessary. |
|
i've got no experience with them, but i suggest Evolv Royals, they've got extra thick rubber and rands and aren't very expensive. |
|
I got two pairs of shoes (Pontas and five ten something lace-up), I can send them to you if you don't mind them being used and a little smelly. |
|
MadRock usually has last year's model shoes for cheap on their website. Frenzy or Flash are decent shoes if they have your size. |
|
A proven good ALL AROUND (beginner) shoe is Five Ten "Spires". Plus they have the added benefit of already have C4 on them. |
|
La sportiva tarantulas are a pretty good starter shoe |
|
I think the Evolv Defy is a nice balance of performance, simplicity, and cost. I've climbed hard (for some definitions of hard) in them, and they are WAY better than either the equivalent Mad Rocks or the Evolv Rental Shoe (Un)Spectacular. You can usually find the Defy's on sale for ~$60. Or you could see if they'll cut you a deal because it's a youth program. Or you could try to find your local Evolv rep and buy some old demo shoes. |
|
+ 1 on the defys. |
|
All of the shoes mentioned above are great suggestions. I bought a pair of La Sportiva Nagos recently and they have been treating me very nicely on vertical and less than vertical routes. |
|
"I liked evolv's defy model. I thought they were comfortable, performed very well, and lasted a long time. However, the stink was unbelievable"
VERY common for Evolv shoes. I refer to it as the "Vomit factor" and no other shoe company has it as bad. |
|
It's true. Mine were rank. I thought it was just me though. Nice to know others had the same problem. |
|
ive never had much problem with the hyped evolve stinkiness |
|
If you're truly short on cash, check area gyms for used rental shoes. The gym I worked for used to sell them off every season for between $15-30 per pair, at varying levels of wear of course. You might even be able to score donations by setting up a used-shoe drive. |
|
"one thing to note about the sportivas is that they have a delamination problem .... if you get a nago/miura/katana theres a good chance the rubber will peel from the toe before its worn out ... and its not a "footwork" issue"
They are #1 in delamination's and have been for many years. |
|
Thanks for the tips, guys. Seems like there are a bunch of options. |
|
Locker wrote:A proven good ALL AROUND (beginner) shoe is Five Ten "Spires". Plus they have the added benefit of already have C4 on them. Why have beginners slipping and sliding away with for shit rubber when you don't have to? ;-)+1 on the Spires,,are they still an all leather shoe? Mine have stretched out a few extra sizes, so be prepared to wear socks in them after they start to 'grow' on you. |