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Author: Wildfire Sports & Trek Date Posted: 24 February 2026
This guide simplifies choosing climbing shoes by breaking down fit, rubber stiffness, and shape. Expert Luc Baker provides tailored Scarpa recommendations to help beginners balance comfort and performance.
Choosing the right climbing shoes is critical for beginners to start climbing safely and comfortably however, it can be overwhelming getting a grip on the terminology and features that set one climbing shoe apart from the next.
It isn’t just about asking ‘What type of shoes are best for climbing?’. Your climbing shoes need to cater to your specific skill level and climbing style, whether you’re a beginner boulderer, an experienced outdoor rock climber or anyone looking to advance in the sport.
From understanding the difference between downturned and flat climbing shoes, to our top recommendations from Scarpa, one of the best brands of climbing shoes, Wildfire Sports & Trek has you covered from heel to toe.
Check out our beginner’s guide to choosing climbing shoes from our climbing expert Luc, below.
Hey guys, my name is Luc from Wildfire Sports & Trek, and I want to tell you about climbing shoes and how to find the best fit for you.
First off, we need to talk about what type of climbing you are aiming to do and what you want to achieve. We can split climbing into indoor climbing and outdoor climbing, and from there we can break it down broadly into endurance, slab and overhang climbing. While most climbing shoes can be used for all these types, there are properties better suited for each one.
Jump To:
How To Fit Your Climbing Shoes
Are Velcro Or Laces Better For Climbing Shoes?
Downturned Climbing Shoes vs Flat Climbing Shoes
Soft vs Stiff Climbing Shoes
Climbing Shoe Recommendations
The most important factor when choosing a climbing shoe is the fit. The fit is crucial at the toes and heels in order to make the best contact with the wall. While most experienced climbers will opt to size down their climbing shoes from their street size, we recommend that beginner climbers start with a more comfortable fit, where your toes may start curling at the tip of the shoe, but not hurt or restrict your feet.
It is important to get a climbing shoe that is snug because over time the rubber will stretch from wear, similar to leather, and you may find after a few months that your climbing shoes are looser or better fitting - this is called 'breaking in' your shoes.
Your climbing shoes should:
Climbing Shoe Tip: We recommend trying your climbing shoes on in person. Visit our Brisbane store or take advantage of our Try 2 Anything upgrade to find the right fit for you from your own home, with hassle-free returns.
Another factor when choosing the fit of your climbing shoe is laces vs Velcro. The two main differences to note are foot shape and the length of climb. If you are bouldering or climbing shorter sport routes, then Velcro is likely a better fit as they are quicker to take on and off and will give a tighter, even fit.
If you are a lead climber or someone with wider feet, you may prefer a lace-up climbing shoe. The laces allow you to adjust the width of the climbing shoe to fit your feet more comfortably, making them suitable for longer wear.
When choosing a climbing shoe, there are various options that can significantly impact your climbing experience, such as downturned and split-soled shoes, as well as the softness of the rubber.
Downturned climbing shoes have a more extreme shape to them than flat climbing shoes and are recommended for more experienced boulderers looking to project harder routes. They usually fit tighter and help you improve your heel hooks and your grip on smaller footholds.
Alternatively, flat or neutral climbing shoes are an ideal choice for beginner climbers and multi-pitch climbing. They provide a more relaxed fit for lasting comfort over longer routes or extended wear, and don’t require your toes to be tightly curled within the shoe.
Softer rubber allows for better sensitivity and flexibility, and helps you feel your foot placement on the rock clearly. This helps especially with smearing on the wall and slab climbing, where precise foot placement is essential.
Firmer rubber lasts longer, is more supportive, and can be more powerful, providing a more secure edge on the wall. However, they are less flexible when compared to soft-soled climbing shoes, which can limit your range. Firmer climbing shoes often benefit beginners and outdoor climbers who need more support and durability.
The sole of a climbing shoe can either have a split sole, like the Scarpa Drago or a solid sole, like the Scarpa Origin or Scarpa Force climbing shoes.
The main benefits of split soled climbing shoes are very similar to the benefits of soft climbing shoes. The split sole provides a very flexible, agile and lightweight experience. They are often used in bouldering as they are better for slab, overhang or dynamic movements.
Alternatively, the solid sole climbing shoes share a lot of the same benefits as the firmer climbing shoes. Solid soled climbing shoes are more supportive, have better power transfer and are more durable. They are often used in trad/crack climbing, long endurance climbing and for less steep technical climbing as they offer more support and durability.
You may notice some climbing shoes have letters after the model, such as L, V, S, R or LV.
For beginner boulderers, we recommend the Scarpa Force or Scarpa Reflex models with their firmer, supportive rubber, Velcro laces and solid sole. They will be long-lasting and reliable.
For more experienced boulderers, we would recommend the Scarpa Drago V or Scarpa Instinct VSR for a higher-performance climber shoe with a softer, downturned sole and great toe rubber.
For our outdoor climbers, we recommend the lace-up Scarpa Vapor or Scarpa Helix climbing shoes for their more comfortable fit and rigid sole for extended use.
If you were looking to try on any of the Scarpa climbing shoe models we've talked about, or needed any more information, contact our climbing experts at Wildfire Sports & Trek or visit our Brisbane store.
Shop our huge collection of women’s climbing shoes and men’s climbing shoes online in Australia to start your climbing journey today. Remember to subscribe to the Wildfire Sports & Trek YouTube channel for more friendly advice, expert tips and recommendations.
Luc is passionate about a wide range of sports and enjoys the outdoors. Located in Brisbane city, on weekends he escapes to the outdoors for climbing, running and hiking, always in search of his next challenge.
Luc has been working for Wildfire for over 2 years, with a belief in willpower and hard work, he brings a dedicated and positive attitude to all aspects of life that allows him to venture further into the outdoors.
