Undoubtedly Alex Honnold is amongst the most famous climbers.
He got the coveted Oscar-winning documentary “Free Solo” because of his fearless solo ascents.
He enjoys unlimited sponsorship opportunities and has a highly inspiring climbing resume.
Alex Honnold may not have stuck dynos like Sharma or climbed the amazing grades of Ondra.
Still, he has projected rock climbing sports into the global spotlight.
If you are curious about what climbing shoes does Alex Honnold wear, you will get all the details here.
We scoured Alex’s all climbing records.
We even made a sincere effort to look back into his splendid career.
Finally, we managed to maintain the most accurate records of his climbing kicks.
An Italian company La Sportiva sponsors all of Alex’s events.
For the last 15 years, this company has been designing every shoe worn by him. His choice of shoes depends on what he is climbing.
Like every serious climber, several factors influence his choice.
The rock type, size, and climbing style determine which specific shoe model he will choose.
He has used quite a lot of different shoes.
We have shortlisted a few of our favorite Alex Honnold climbing shoes with famous ascents where he used them.
List of the 4 Climbing Shoes that Alex Honnold Wears
Alex Honnold’s four favorite climbing shoes are listed below.
- La Sportiva TC Pro
- La Sportiva Miura
- La Sportiva Solution
- La Sportiva Skwama
1. FOR BIG WALLS Alex Honnold Wears La Sportiva TC Pro
- A favorite lace up rock climbing shoe designed for vertical edging, crack climbing and all-day support and comfort.
- Unique mid-height cuff with padding in the ankles provides extra foot protection in wider cracks. Perforated leather upper and ventilated, padded tongue increase air flow for better breathability and...
- Pointed, moderate to large downturn with medium-high asymmetry ideal for Trad climbing. High stiffness for support with low sensitivity. A medium volume shoe.
- Vibram XS Edge rubber compound for the ultimate edging performance. The updated rubber rand pattern increases durability and performance.
- Durable ECO Leather upper uses metal-free tanning for lower environmental impact. Microfiber lacing and tongue reinforcement help reduce shoe weight.
Last update on 2024-12-19 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
Alex used TC Pro shoes for the Nose speed record, Fitzroy Traverse, and Freerider Free Solo.
Let’s hope you remember his crazy free solo of El Capitan.
In case you have a keen sense of observation, you might have noticed the make of his shoes.
He extensively used these shoes for his training.
He was also wearing the pair in the final Freerider ascent in solo style.
These are also the signature shoes of Tommy Caldwell.
Yosemite climbers prefer TC Pro to tackle the treacherous world of vertical granites.
You can find endless micro edges, slabs (what is slab climbing?), and cracks on El Cap.
These climbing shoes feature a super stiff and comfortable design, perfect to wear them while rappelling.
La Sportiva TC Pro has an ideal design to excel on the relentless terrain of this ascent, they are part of the best crack climbing shoes list.
Alex did not use these shoes only once. Alex wore TC Pro for several Big Wall adventures.
Both Tommy and Alex relied on TC Pro to complete the Fitzroy Traverse, break the speed record on The Nose, and many more.
2. TOP ALL-AROUNDER for Alex Honnold is La Sportiva Miura
- FAST LACING SYSTEM - Quick-pull lacing harness allows for precise regulation of inner volumes; Wrapping the foot snugly for excellent support, fit, and comfort
- ADVANCED CONTROL - A grippy 4mm Vibram XS Edge rubber sole and a highly tensioned Slingshot Rand that transfers power to the toes let climbers smear, hook, and edge like pros; Asymmetric build is...
- CLIMB IN COMFORT - From the gym to the crags, the classic leather upper is soft yet supportive; Moisture-wicking Dentex lining keeps feet dry and comfortable all day long
- BUILT TO LAST - The indoor/outdoor Miura is constructed from industry-leading materials for high performance and durability; 1.1mm LaspoFlex forefoot midsole is lightweight and is designed for maximum...
- TIPS FOR BUYING - Rock climbing shoes are designed to fit differently than other footwear; Be sure to reference the La Sportiva size chart in the product images for more accurate sizing; The fit...
Last update on 2024-12-19 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
Alex used the La Sportive Miura shoes for The Moonlight Buttress solo, Too Big to Flail, and Half Dome solo.
Miura helped Honnold scale some of the big ascents.
It is the second most used shoe after the TC Pro.
Miura is amongst the most versatile climbing shoes available out there.
It is the top all-around climbing shoe that everybody loves.
Miura shoes use the Vibram XS Edge technology for downturn performance.
It creates still shoes that can perform equally well on edges as well as overhangs.
That is why Honnold became a big fan of La Sportiva Miura shoes.
Throughout his career, he has used both the Velcro and the Lace versions for his noteworthy ascents.
Alex Honnold started his career in 2008 with his solo on Half Dome.
He used Miura lace to conquer his first ascent.
Some of his other ascents worth mentioning are El Sendero Luminoso and Wet Lycra Nightmare.
In these two ascents also, he trusted the Miura climbing shoes.
He also donned the Miura shoes for his notable boulder issues at the Too Big to Flail and The Mandala.
There is enough proof of his trust in Miura. You can even find Honnold tackling the Yosemite boulders.
3. FOR BOULDERING Alex Honnold Wears La Sportiva Solution
- A high-performance rock climbing shoe purposely built to provide the solution for modern bouldering problems and challenging climbs.
- Laser-cut leather and microfiber uppers to reduce stitching and bul Lined only in the toe box and arch areas for comfort without sacrificing feel.
- Pointed, large down-turned performance fit with high asymmetry for slicing and dicing where needed. Overall, a sensitive climbing shoe with medium stiffness and volume for top performance.
- Wrapped in sticky Vibram XS Grip rubber with a molded 3D heel cup. The patented P3 (Permanent Power Platform) technical randing system delivers power to the sole and retains the downturned shape of...
- A single-strap, slipper design provides a precision fit while the highly adjustable Fast Lacing System lets you tailor the quick closing hook and loop closure for a highly personalized fit.
Last update on 2024-12-19 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
Alex used the La Sportiva Solution climbing shoes for The Arrested Development.
The Solution shoes are perfect for overhung climbing.
It is the only shoe in the La Sportiva range that is a clear choice for many for this purpose.
La Sportiva was amongst the first ones to bring shoes like Solution for modern performance.
It ranks among the best aggressive shoes ever made.
The Solution with menacing looks still maintains this position with several innovative features.
The Solution climbing shoes remain one of the favorite Alex Honnold climbing shoes since the beginning of his career.
It is his preferred choice for bouldering.
Recently, he used the Solution for his first-ever ascent of Arrested Development.
Alex mentions that the Solution is ideal for both heel and toe hooking.
It is rare for a shoe to be good at both types of hooking.
Honnold used these shoes for almost every style except tread climbing.
You can see Honnold on Instagram taking the Solution Comp for a spin.
We are looking forward to seeing him doing something more spectacular with these pairs in the future.
4. FOR INDOOR CLIMBING Alex Honnold Wears La Sportiva Skwama
- A performance rock climbing shoe that offers the comfort of a slipper coupled with the snug fit of a hook and loop closure, the Skwama promises precision and performance whereever you climb
- Microfiber and leather construction offers both durability and breathability. Rubber toe cap ensures confidence on the most technical toe hook maneuvers.
- P3 System rand design delivers power to the sole and maintains the down-turned shape. The innovative split-sole construction allows the sole to spread when weighted, reducing edge deformation.
- 4mm Vibram XS Grip2 rubber sole guarantee maximum grip and adaptability to holds. Patented S-Heel for optimal heel hooking and heel cup fit. Sticky rubber toe patch for toe hooks and scums
- Single hook and loop closure system for easy on/off comfort and a precise fit. 2 heel pull-tabs for easy on/off as well as hooking to a carabiner.
Last update on 2024-12-19 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
Alex uses La Sportiva Skwama shoes frequently but not as much as the others.
Still, it is not rare to catch him with these.
According to my opinion, La Sportiva Skwama has a super soft profile.
That is why Honnold primarily uses these climbing shoes for gym climbing.
For records, we have some photos of Alex using the Skwama climbing shoes for a little soloing in The Red Rock.
We are yet to spot him with these shoes in a mega event. Perhaps we may never spot him with Skwama.
The reason is that TC Pro inspires more confidence due to its uncompromising stiffness than softer shoes like Skwama.
What Is the Size of Alex Honnold’s Climbing Shoes?
He prefers the size 8.5 US (46 inches) in the Solution and TC Pro models.
He wears a size of half-inch more than his EU sizes for longer climbs to ensure additional comfort.
What Are Alex Honnold’s Approach Shoes?
His approach shoes are TX2 from La Sportiva.
They are breathable and lightweight shoes, offering the famous Vibram mega grip.
They are a favorite of several climbers because of their resilience and reliability.
Read our two guides about the best approach shoes.
Final Thoughts on What Climbing Shoes Does Alex Honnold Wear
We spent quite a few days looking back on Honnol’s career and his preferences. We have
noticed that he has used about every performance shoe made by La Sportiva.
He has a diverse collection ranging from super soft no edge shoes to super stiff ones.
He seems to like super soft Futura and Genius a lot. Still, it is rare to spot Alex with Kataki, Otaki, or Katana shoes.
