Among other equipment that a rock climber may need, what you wear on your feet is one of the most important ones if you’re looking for a successful climb.
And if you’re one of those climbers who are having trouble with finding the best climbing shoes for wide feet, then you’ve come to the right place.
Having a big pair of wide feet may feel like a curse when you're trying to get your footing on that small nook on the rock wall, but if you have proper wide climbing shoes, then they may instead feel like a blessing in disguise.
Wide Climbing Shoes Sizing & Fit
If you're a rock climber, the difference between being able to latch onto a narrower foothold and missing it by centimeters can be a matter of life and death—that's if you're doing some free rock climbing.
You might be looking for the best pair of wide or extra-wide climbing shoes on the market to fit for your next climb.
This Is What You Should Look For
- Make sure that your toes should be touching the end of the toe-box in your shoes. This is contrary to what most people hear about shoe-fitting.
- The heel should also be secure and not slip out.
- The shoe should also feel tight around the side and midfoot.
10 Best Climbing Shoes For Wide Feet (2022)
Brand | Skill Level | Width | Rating | Check Now |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Evolv Shaman Climbing Editor's Choice | Intermediate/ | Wide | 100% | |
2. Scarpa Instinct VS High Performance | Advanced | Wide | 99% | |
3. Five Ten Gambit VCS Budget Friendly | Beginner | Wide | 95% | |
4. La Sportiva Oxygym For Women | Intermediate/ | Wide | 98% | |
5. Butora Acro Shoes Most Comfortable | Intermediate/ | Wide | 97% | |
6. La Sportiva TarantuLace | Intermediate | Wide | 95% | |
7. Scarpa Instinct VSR | Beginner/ | Wide | 94% | |
8. ClimbX Crush For Beginners | Beginner | Wide | 95% | |
9. Five Ten Anasazi | Intermediate | Wide | 93% | |
10. La Sportiva Women's | Intermediate/ | Wide | 95% |
1. Evolv Shaman Wide Climbing Shoes
Best Climbing Shoes For Wide Feet (Editor's Choice)
Our top choice on the market for the best climbing shoes for wide feet would be, without a doubt, the Evolv Shaman Climbing Shoes. If you’re a climber and you need a little extra space, these shoes can be your saving grace in function and comfort.
Design
These shoes are designed with microfiber material, with a snug feel to keep your feet breathable and comfortable. The toe of the shoe also has a rubber material, which is fantastic for sticking your grip on the wall or in nooks in actual rock.
Not only is it distinctly nice looking for appearances, but it also has the perfect build for protection. You can feel assured that you're protected against piercing injuries from a wrong step here or there, which can often happen during climbing.
This edition also has been upgraded in performance and engineered comfort with synthetic material and unstretchable material that won’t get looser as you use it. These shoes are designed for those long climbs.
2. Scarpa Instinct VS Wide Climbing Shoes
High Performance
The Scarpa Men's Instinct VS Climbing Shoe is a perfect fit (literally) if you’re looking for a high-performance pair of climbing shoes for your wider-than-average feet.
Design
Best known for its comfort level, the Scarpa Men's Instinct VS Climbing Shoes are not only fitting but also function.
These shoes are designed with 100 per cent textile material, making them extremely comfort-friendly—and if you have wide feet, you may know how hard that can be to find!
What makes these shoes different from others on the market? They’re much softer than others, which raises its comfort level to the max.
It is also quite versatile in its design. This means that you can either wear it stylishly while rock climbing—and you can also rock them on a gym floor while doing functional training for climbing.
3. Five Ten Gambit VCS Climbing Shoes
Budget Friendly
On the other hand, the Five Ten Men's Gambit VCS Ankle-High Leather Rock Climbing is a great budget-friendly option (contrary to the prior option). Made to fit even the smallest of budgets, this shoe is great on your wallet and your feet.
Design
Designed with high-quality microfiber polyester, the Five Ten Men's Gambit VCS Ankle-High Leather Rock shoes will give you comfort and protection. Especially when you have wider feet, comfort is the frosting on the cake when it comes to functionality.
The shoe also has an Ultrathin Stealth HF rubber sole which is great for grip and easy edging while rock climbing.
The shoes also have an increased elasticity on the sides of your toes, which means you can do all the beginner or expert maneuvers you need to do without having to worry about slipping your grip. It also has an extra Velcro brand strap for easy in and out.
Designed for all levels, you'll love the budget friendly aspect—especially if you're not really sure if you want to keep with rock climbing, to begin with. Reliable and durable, it can be with you in the beginning and stay with you until the very end of your time rock climbing.
4. La Sportiva Women's OXYGYM Wide Climbing Shoes
For Women
The La Sportiva Women's OXYGYM Climbing Shoe is a next-level shoe for the women who know how to climb—and like to look good doing it!
Design
The shoe is designed with a layered WashTex fabric that not only has an attached first layer of internal breathable fabric so your feet stay as dry as possible, but the material also does its best in keeping the shoe clean and hygienic.
This moisture-wicking pair of shoes are very comfortable and can last you a long time—which is great if you’re an avid climber and need it for extended use.
Getting in and out of the shoe is also a cinch, with its patented hook and loop closure system, giving you the option to adjust the size so it can fit you perfectly. Versatile in design to climb both indoor and outdoor, the AirTex Silver lining is great to keep things fresh and sweet-smelling.
5. BUTORA Acro Climbing Shoes
Most Comfortable Climbing Shoes
Okay, who wouldn't want to rock the "most comfortable" rock climbing shoes?
This wide foot shoe is designed for those aspiring climbers who just need a bit more room. Specifically designed for steep sport climbing and bouldering, this shoe is made out of soft synthetic material for optimal comfort.
Design
The BUTORA Unisex Acro Rock/Indoor Climbing Shoes also are non-stretchable, designed with an upper of natural leather, which is great for an adjustable fit but not too loose.
If you’re looking for a high-performing shoe that won’t leave your feet aching after a climb, these shoes are perfect. Designed with a wide fit, these shoes have a high-tensioned heel that can give you superior edging in performance when climbing.
The design also includes a hook and loop strap, which can allow for easy on-and-off usage when you’re quickly getting in a climb then need to rush off about your day.
6. La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Climbing Shoes
The fast lacing system provides for specific regulation of the inner volume. This allows you to wrap your foot snugly to provide excellent comfort, fit and support.
La Sportiva Men’s Tarantulace Performance Rock Climbing Shoe gives you an all-round performance. If you are an intermediate climber, this shoe is for you. This is because it is designed to help you edge, hook and smear like a pro.
Design
The rubber soles are designed with a sticky FriXion RS, the heel rand is made of aggressive rubber and the build is a low-asymmetry RN45. All these will enable you to grip on the edges without any cramping or pain but with great sensitivity.
The upper is made of unlined leather making the shoe comfortable and soft and can be used from the crags to the gym. The tongue is lined to enhance breathability and control moisture. The overlays are made of synthetic leather to provide the right amount of support needed.
La Sportiva Men’s Tarantulace Performance Rock Climbing Shoe is made of high-quality materials to last longer and provide the stability climbers need. The midsole is made of the 1.8 mm LaspoFlex and the sole is made of the 5 mm FriXion RS.
7. SCARPA Instinct VSR Climbing Shoes
For Light Climbers
If you are a lighter climber, this shoe is definitely for you. It is a more supple version of the Instinct VS.
Design
SCARPA Instinct VSR Climbing Shoes fits snugly at the forefoot top and designed with Vibram grip2 rubber making it suitable for hard climbing as it sticks to the rocks like glue. It also has a sock-style fit, form-fitting and asymmetrical finish to provide great support for climbing.
This climbing shoe is designed for high performance and is part of the SCARPA footwear collection for climbing, skiing, hiking, trail-running, mountaineering and other outdoor activities.
The Bi-Tension Active Rand and the rubber toe patch offers high toe hooking power allowing you to grip edges comfortably.
8. Climb X Crush Lace Wide Climbing Shoes
For a Variety of Foot Shapes
The Climb X Crush Lace provides for high performance and more custom fit hence suitable for the different shapes of feet.
Design
The ankle cuff of the crush is padded like a pillow and the footbed has a foam lining and is made of organic hemp that doesn't have an odor.
Also, the padded tongue of this shoe has a breathable mesh and the last is comfortably shaped. The construction of this rock-climbing shoe is of the highest quality. Its exterior features quick straps that are contoured comfortably with a rubber tight grip.
It also has a sticky heel wrapped with rubber, integral eyelets, external heel tabs with dual entry as well as the superior X-factor rubber. All these for comfortable and stable climbing.
9. Five Ten Anasazi Moccasym Climbing Shoes
The Five Ten Men’s Anasazi Moccasym Climbing Shoe is one of the best performing, high-friction climbing shoes currently on the market.
Design
Renowned for making footwear for adventure sports in dangerous locations, Five Ten have delivered again with the Anasazi Moccasym.
Constructed from 100% split-grain leather and made in the USA, the Anasazi Moccasym contains a great blend of comfort and durability, which are essential elements for a good climb.
The rubber sole of the Anasazi Moccasym is the product of 30 years of research and development by Five Ten to find a market-leading rubber sole that can handle the demands of indoor and outdoor climbing. The precision and excellence that goes into the Anasazi Moccasym design, is just one of the reasons why elite athletes frequently choose this brand.
While the Anasazi Moccasym is best suited to experienced climbers due to their great versatility over a range of climbing surfaces, the shoes can also be used by beginners as they will quickly strengthen the relevant foot muscles needed to be a competent climber.
10. La Sportiva Women's Climbing Shoes
The La Sportiva Women's Climbing Shoes are one of the leading women’s climbing shoes currently on the market that also compatible for climbers with wide feet.
Design
Known for their superior all-round performance, La Sportiva Women's Climbing Shoes are targeted at intermediate climbers who aspire to become advanced-level climbers.
Whether you want to improve your smears, hooks are edges like professional climbers, the La Sportiva Women's Climbing Shoes can give you the edge to achieve your goals.
In addition to great performance, the La Sportiva Women's Climbing Shoes deliver in comfort and durability. Whether you are climbing indoors or outdoors, the unlined leather upper which features a classic design is remarkably soft while the tongue lining creates breathability for the feet.
The LaspoFlex midsole, FriXion RS sole and TarantuLace used to construct the La Sportiva Women's Climbing Shoe are all premium range, high-quality materials which guarantee long-term durability. This ensures the purchase of the La Sportiva Women's Climbing Shoes is a long-term investment which yields great value.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Wide Climbing Shoes
A good pair of climbing shoes should be one that is fitting, allows you to feel the rock and feels like a second shoe. Climbing shoes should not be as comfortable as trainers but they need to be snug.
The toe box of the climbing shoes should be filled and your toes even. Consider the following factors when choosing the best wide climbing shoes:
Material
Shoe uppers are either made of synthetic or leather. Most high-performance shoes are made of synthetic, and many vegan and vegetarians prefer these shoes. Shoes made of leather provide the easiest care such as deodorizing.
- Lined leather — when a shoe has lined leather, its stretch is reduced to almost half. Sometimes to reduce the cost and the stretch, manufacturers line the toes only.
- Unlined leather — shoes with unlined leather stretch to full size to a point where your toes touch the end of the shoe. Note that shoes made of full leather tend to fade colors to your feet.
- Synthetic – shoes made of synthetic slightly soften up with use and stretch less, hence the fit doesn't change much. Uppers made of perforated synthetic give more than the solid fabric. Some materials enable the feet to wick away sweat and breathe.
Closure
- Lace-up – this style is very versatile as you can loosen the laces for walk-off routes or when your feet swell up and get hot. To bump up the shoe’s performance during a climb or a difficult pitch, you can crank down at the toe.
- Strap – they provide a superior on or off convenience. They are ideal for gym climbing and bouldering.
- Slip-on – also known as slippers, these shoes have elastic closure systems that have the lowest profiles and the greatest sensitivity of any shoe. Slippers are good for training as your feet get stronger quickly and they do not have stiff midsole and sole. They are good for moving into thin cracks because they have a low profile due to lack of laces and straps.
Durability
It is important to find a climbing shoe that is lasting and worth your money. A durable climbing shoe is one made of leather material or synthetic that lasts longer. Check other customer reviews about the shoe to know how long it lasted.
Fit & Comfort
Getting the right fit for your climbing shoes will enable you to climb longer and harder. Climbing shoes should be snug to be comfortable but not painful.
Flexibility & Shoe Outsole
The thickness and type of rubber affect the climbing performance of the shoe. All climbing shoes have their outsoles made of rubber to offer good grip, but some rubbers can be stickier and softer than others.
Stickier rubbers offer better grip for climbing on slabs while firmer rubbers offer better support and edging for your feet. Thicker soles are very durable and offer good support for edging and are suitable if you are a beginner as you improve on your technique.
Thinner soles are better when you have mastered your technique and want to have a better feel of the rock.
Final Words
Our verdict on the best climbing shoes for wide feet are the Evolv Shaman Climbing Shoes. This shoe delivers high-levels of comfort, breathability and performance for all levels of climbers on different surfaces, all of which are important for climbers with wide feet.
You must do your research before committing to climbing should be catered to wide feet. Run through the checklist in the buying-guide and you will be well-placed to purchase a great product.
What’s up guys! It’s Tim here. Finding the right footwear for wide feet can be a challenge. And I know this from my own experience since I wear E or EE shoes. And that’s why I decided to start Wide Feet Gear. I want to help people with wide feet to find perfect shoes, boots, skates or cleats so they can look and feel great. Cheers!