Overview
As most of you already know, I’ve been publishing in-depth information about climbing shoes for years now (see full post list at the bottom)
Before you read anything about these shoes, I’d highly recommend you check out my best climbing shoes under 150$ post if you’re a newbie.
Finding the right pair of climbing shoes can be a game-changer, especially for climbers with wider feet. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to discomfort, pain, and even limit your climbing performance. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top 5 climbing shoes specifically designed for wide feet, covering their key features, pros, cons, and sizing recommendations to help you make an informed decision.
La Sportiva Skwama
The La Sportiva Skwama is a versatile climbing shoe known for its wide toe box and soft, sensitive design, making it suitable for a variety of climbing styles, from slabs to overhangs. Its excellent sensitivity and adaptability to multiple terrains make it a top choice for climbers with wide feet.
Pros:
- Excellent sensitivity
- Adaptable to multiple climbing terrains
Cons:
- May be challenging to resole
Availability: Available in both men’s and women’s versions.
Sizing Guide
- Street Shoe Size: Down 1-1.5 sizes from your regular shoe size
- Performance Fit: Down 2 sizes for aggressive performance
- Breaking-in Period: Expect 3-5 climbing sessions for full break-in
- Width Profile: Medium-Wide forefoot with stretch potential
- Notable: P3 platform maintains downturn even after break-in
- Stretch Factor: Expects 1/3 to 1/2 size stretch in leather portions
Scarpa Veloce
The Scarpa Veloce offers a relaxed performance fit, featuring a spacious toe box and exceptional comfort, making it an ideal choice for gym climbing sessions. Its highly comfortable, breathable, and vegan-friendly design caters well to climbers with wider feet.
Pros:
- Highly comfortable
- Breathable
- Vegan-friendly
Cons:
- Not optimal for heel hooking
- Velcro strap may be excessively long
Availability: Available in both men’s and women’s versions.
Sizing Guide
- Street Shoe Size: Same as street shoe size for comfort, down 0.5 for performance
- Performance Fit: Down 1 size maximum
- Breaking-in Period: Minimal break-in required (1-2 sessions)
- Width Profile: Wide forefoot with high volume design
- Notable: Synthetic upper maintains size over time
- Stretch Factor: Minimal stretch (0.25 size maximum)
Evolv Shaman
Designed by renowned climber Chris Sharma, the Evolv Shaman is tailored for wide feet, featuring a “Love Bump” midsole that reduces dead space under the toes, enhancing power and comfort. This high-performance shoe is a great option for climbers with wider feet.
Pros:
- High performance with a focus on comfort for wider feet
Cons:
- May be over-engineered for basic gym climbs
Availability: Available in both men’s and women’s versions.
Sizing Guide
- Street Shoe Size: Down 0.5 size from street shoe
- Performance Fit: Down 1 size maximum
- Breaking-in Period: 4-6 climbing sessions
- Width Profile: Wide forefoot with spacious toe box
- Notable: Split tongue design helps accommodate high volume feet
- Stretch Factor: Minimal stretch due to synthetic upper
Butora Acro
The Butora Acro is an aggressive, downturned shoe designed specifically for wide feet, excelling in steep sport climbing and bouldering. Its secure fit with Velcro straps and extended rubber toe for toe hooks make it a top choice for climbers seeking a high-performance shoe for wider feet.
Pros:
- Secure fit with Velcro straps
- Extended rubber toe for toe hooks
Cons:
- May be less comfortable for prolonged wear
Availability: Available in both men’s and women’s versions.
Sizing Guide
- Street Shoe Size: Down 1 size from street shoe
- Performance Fit: Down 1.5 sizes for aggressive performance
- Breaking-in Period: 5-7 climbing sessions
- Width Profile: Wide throughout with extra toe box room
- Notable: Comes in wide-specific last
- Stretch Factor: Minimal stretch (0.25 size maximum)
Five Ten Anasazi VCS
The Five Ten Anasazi VCS is a versatile sport climbing shoe with a flat profile, accommodating wider feet while performing well across various climbing styles. Its excellent edging and smearing capabilities make it a reliable choice for climbers with wide feet.
Pros:
- Excellent edging and smearing capabilities
Cons:
- Limited performance in toe hooking
Availability: Available in both men’s and women’s versions.
Sizing Guide
- Street Shoe Size: Down 0.5-1 size from street shoe
- Performance Fit: Down 1.5 sizes maximum
- Breaking-in Period: 3-4 climbing sessions
- Width Profile: Medium-Wide with accommodating forefoot
- Notable: Synthetic upper maintains shape well
- Stretch Factor: Very minimal stretch due to synthetic construction
Verdict: Which Wide Climbing Shoe Should You Choose?
After thoroughly testing and comparing these climbing shoes designed for wide feet, here’s our verdict for different climbing scenarios:
Best Overall: La Sportiva Skwama
- Perfect balance of performance and comfort
- Versatile enough for various climbing styles
- Superior sensitivity without sacrificing fit
Best for Gym Climbing: Scarpa Veloce
- Exceptional comfort for extended training sessions
- Breathable design perfect for indoor climbing
- Beginner-friendly with easy on/off
Best for Performance: Butora Acro
- Ideal for advanced climbers needing aggressive performance
- Excellent for steep terrain and technical climbing
- Superior toe-hooking capabilities
Best Value: Five Ten Anasazi VCS
- Great all-around performance at a reasonable price
- Durable construction
- Versatile enough for different climbing styles
Best for Comfort: Evolv Shaman
- Innovative “Love Bump” technology for comfort
- Well-suited for long climbing sessions
- Excellent for intermediate to advanced climbers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do climbing shoes come in wide?
Yes, many climbing shoe manufacturers now offer specific models designed for wide feet. Brands like La Sportiva, Scarpa, and Butora produce shoes with wider toe boxes and more accommodating fits. Some brands even offer the same model in both regular and wide versions, allowing climbers to choose the best fit for their foot shape.
Are Scarpas good for wide feet?
Yes, Scarpa is known for producing climbing shoes that accommodate wider feet well. The Scarpa Veloce, in particular, is designed with a more relaxed fit and wider toe box. However, not all Scarpa models are equally suitable for wide feet, so it’s important to try different models or read specific reviews for wide-footed climbers.
Are tighter shoes better for climbing?
While climbing shoes should fit snugly, extremely tight shoes aren’t necessarily better for climbing. The ideal fit should be:
- Snug but not painful
- No dead space in the toe box
- Comfortable enough for your intended climbing duration
- Appropriate for your climbing level and style
Beginners often benefit from more comfortable fits, while advanced climbers might prefer tighter fits for specific types of climbing.
Why do climbers wear smaller shoes?
Climbers often wear smaller shoes for several reasons:
- Better Sensitivity: Tighter shoes provide better feedback from the rock or wall
- Increased Precision: A snug fit allows for more accurate foot placement
- Power Transfer: Less dead space means better power transfer to small holds
- Performance on Overhangs: Tighter shoes prevent the foot from sliding forward on steep terrain
However, it’s important to note that “smaller” shouldn’t mean “painful.” Modern climbing shoes are designed to fit snugly while still being functional and relatively comfortable