Upside: A super-comfortable shoe with good support for long Yosemite routes Downside: Less sensitivity on the rock Rating: ^^^^ (4 out of 5 peaks) Ideal User: Versatile climbers I often have this Sybil complex on climbing days -- am I doing an easy multi-pitch trad, top-roping granite, leading conglomerate or busting out 10 routes in the gym? The new 2003 Climbalot is my shoe of choice right now because it's comfortable no matter where I go. It provides enough support in a crack, but is flexible enough for smears. I've heard rumors that you can wear these shoes all day long, but unless you buy something one size larger than you're used to, it's bunk. I wore them during the Climb For Life for ovarian cancer research and by the eighth route in a row my digits were screaming. The Climbalots slip on effortlessly and cinch up without wincing but I wouldn't want to stand around in them for five hours straight. It's a phenomenal shoe, however. You get an EVA padded heel wedge for comfort and support for cushy walk-offs (but it does make for slightly less sensitivity when doing those heelhooks or full-foot holds.) It gives sturdy support for optimal performance on most terrains; the unlined leather upper is comfortable against the skin. You also get a breathable mesh tongue, a relaxed sling shot rand that helps the shoe fit snuggly against the heel without achilles pain, and Stealth(r) C4 rubber soles -- one of the best rubbers on the market. They're hard enough for edging with tons of sticky friction. The dual pull-on loops are positioned in the correct spot at the heel so I could hold the heel cup open and slip the shoe on at the same time. On the downside, after a few hours of constant wear, I developed a hotspot on my heel where the loop is sewn into the leather. The rubber has started to delam around the top of my foot, but it's nothing a little shoe glue can't fix. Ultimately, few all-around climbing shoes have all these features and feel this comfortable out of the box at a price and style this attractive. MSRP: $104 For more information or products or visit FiveTen — Reviewed & Written by Jill Adler, MountainZone.com		CHOOSE U.S.A. Canada Austria France Germany Ireland Italy Spain Sweden Switzerland U. K. ALL ACTIVITIES ------- GORE-TEX garments ------- WINDSTOPPER products ------- GORE-TEX footwear ------- Accessories ------- AIRVANTAGE ALL ACTIVITIES city streets cycling fishing golf hunting motorcycle mtn. sports snowboarding running sailing skiing trek & trail paddle sports
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