All shoes do not fit according to their advertised size.
It is due to the different types of lasts companies use to make the shoes.
You need 1.5 to 2 sizes smaller for the La Sportive company shoes. Most climbers get Black Diamond climbing shoes of the actual size as they fit perfectly. Shoe material, downturn, and shape can also affect the shoe fitting.
You can save time and money by keeping the climbing shoe size comparison aspect of different companies in your mind.
A Comparison of the Fit of Popular Climbing Shoe Brands
When comparing the shoe size of different brands, we tend to compare sizes in various models of the same brand.
Most experts suggest avoiding this step because different models from the same company do not have size differences.
You can take the example of the La Sportiva company.
If the size nine of La Sportiva Tarantulace fits your feet, the TC pro model and other models of the same company will also fit your feet.
Every climber has a different preference for shoe tightness.
High-performance climbing and bouldering require shoes that fit tightly.
Climbers select relaxed-fit shoes for long wall climbing.
We will discuss a specific aspect of the shoe fitting.
It is a comparison of information from different brands.
You can look for climbing shoe sizes from various companies.
It is better to set a standard size range by wearing climbing shoes from one of the famous companies.
You can compare your shoe size with the other climbing shoe brands to fit your desired size more accurately.
- Black Diamond climbing shoes have an accurate size and are 0.5 sizes smaller.
- Tenaya climbing shoes are half to one size smaller than your proper size.
- Scarpa is also half to one size smaller.
- Red Chili and Ocun shoes are accurate sizes or half sizes smaller.
- Five Ten are also half to one size smaller than the accurate fit.
- Boreal shoe size is 0.25 to 0.5, smaller than true fitting shoes.
- Butora and Evolv are mostly of true size. You may get them in 0.5 sizes smaller than the true fit.
The shoe size should be the same for the same size number in all brands.
All companies follow the international standards of climbing shoe manufacturing.
You will see the difference when you check reviews from industry experts.
You can also go to the market and compare the fitting of different shoe sizes.
You will see size differences in shoes from many brands.
We prepared a list of brands that do not need size adjustments because they have a true size.
You can compare your climbing shoe size with the street shoes in these brands.
If you are wearing size nine street shoes, there is a high chance you need size nine climbing shoes from these companies.
- Black Diamond
- Red Chili
- Ocun
- Evolv
- Mad Rock
- Butora
You need a smaller size for some shoe brands because they may not fit your feet perfectly when you buy according to your street shoe size.
It is better to look for the exact size difference during climbing shoe size comparison.
You may need to get one or half sizes smaller when getting shoes from the companies on this list.
- Five Ten
- Tenaya
- Scarpa
This information is true for most climbers because most people have similar feet shape.
Some people have peculiar feet shape.
They cannot obtain benefits from most online guides.
They need to go to the climbing shoe store to find the shoe perfect for their feet.
Why Do Different Models of Climbing Shoes Fit Differently?
To understand the reason for the differences in the climbing shoes, you need to find the requirements of different types of climbing athletes.
Companies make different types of shoe models to meet the needs of different types of climbers.
A bouldering professional does not need the same climbing shoes as a high-rise wall-climbing professional.
Companies cannot meet the requirements of different types of climbers if they make shoes with the same shape and features.
There are differences in the needs of professionals at many stages of their careers.
A climbing athlete going to climb a V16 hardness-level climbing wall does not need the same shoes as the beginner climber.
When companies use different types of lasts to add features to the shape and design of climbing shoes, some differences in the shoe size appear.
A downturn is the most crucial factor contributing to shoe size variations.
Companies make shoes with an intense downturn for the bouldering professionals.
If shoes do not fit aggressively, the heel may come out of the shoes often.
It can cause accidents because the climber cannot rely on his shes.
The company may not make them extra small to avoid turning away people with low climbing experience.
They want to meet the needs of most climbers.
You are free to select a shoe size for your condition.
You may need to take half to two numbers of smaller shoes in professional bouldering.
These shoes are not comfortable.
Climbers do not care about shoe comfort as they wear these shoes for a bit of time.
Climbing performance is the most crucial feature for these athletes.
Another thing to look for in a climbing shoe is its symmetry.
You will get symmetrical and asymmetrical shoes in the market.
This difference in the shoe symmetry is due to the shoe’s last.
Companies have symmetrical and asymmetrical shoe lasts.
You may need a different model of shoes if your feet do not have a regular shape.
You can find out about shoe shape by wearing climbing shoes.
A climber with asymmetrical feet will feel more pressure at specific points on the feet.
The width of the shoes is also a crucial factor.
Men and women cannot wear the same type of shoes because women have smaller feet.
Women need narrow shoes.
They cannot wear the same shoes as men because men have wider feet.
You can find peculiar shoe ranges for women in most climbing companies.
Shoe width information can help in climbing shoe size comparison because all climbers do not have the same width at every point of their feet.
