La Sportiva Finale is one of my favorite climbing shoes.
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).
I thought that a post devoted specifically to climbing shoes under $150 would be helpful for most of you.
Before you read anything about these shoes, I'd highly recommend you to check out my La Sportiva Genius vs Futura and Scarpa Drago vs Furia S post if you're at least an intermediate climber, and if you're looking for various types of climbing shoes (especially La Sportiva), you might want to check my 11 Best La Sportiva Climbing Shoes post.
I know, when it comes to finding a good pair of climbing shoes, it can be difficult to find something that is both affordable and quite performing.
BUT, I'll be directly honest with you guys; climbing is not a cheap sport.
In short, these shoes are usually very basic ones in exchange for their low prices. It means that many of these cheap climbing shoes generally have low quality, durability, and performance. BUT, it's a great opportunity to develop your climbing skills if you're a newbie. Though, I did my research for you and listed some of the best climbing shoes under $150.
- La Sportiva Finale: This shoe (my favorite) is one of the famous beginner climbing shoes. It offers a great balance of precision, support, and comfort. It's great for gym climbing (which I suggest starting with if you're a newbie). It's also made with durable leather and synthetic upper that will hold up to regular use.
- Scarpa Origin: This shoe is also a great option for beginners, as it offers a comfortable and supportive fit. It's also made with a durable and breathable synthetic upper and features a flat profile (it's great for slab climbing).
- Black Diamond Momentum: Imagine that there's a shoe that offers a balance of support, precision, and comfort and is a great all-around option with that price! It's made with breathable and durable synthetic upper and features a flat profile also that's great for sport climbing and bouldering.
- Evolv Defy: This shoe is also massively popular with beginner climbers for its affordable price tag and entry-level performance. It offers comfort and quite a good sensibility in the beginning with a durable and breathable synthetic upper.
- Tenaya Tanta: This shoe is great for beginner and intermediate climbers. It offers a moderately downturned toe box and velcro closure system which is quite adaptable to different widths of feet. I can say that one of the perfect climbing shoes in which to improve your climbing skills.
Before going into details, you might want to check some of these climbing sizing charts, collection structures, and more;
La Sportiva Finale
Going to climbing with my LS Finale
La Sportiva Finale is a climbing shoe that is specially designed for beginner climbers.
Its precise and adjustable (because of the laces) fit, comfort and durability make it an excellent choice for those just starting out in the sport of climbing.
The durability of Finale is coming from its rubber and the upper leather.
The rubber comes with a 5 mm Vibram XS Edge with tensioned heel rand and powerhinge for high-end edging performance. The high durability comes out when the Vibram XS edge meets 5 mm thicknesses. The Finale's versatility is one of its most impressive features of its.
The technology that the Finale has is the Permanent Power Platform (the P3). The Vibram XS Edge is known for its high-level durability and excellent edging features.
The leather upper of the shoes is made of high-quality suede leather that is designed to mold to the shape of the foot over time, providing a customized fit. It's also designed to be durable and withstand the wear and tear of climbing.
BUT, please don't forget this if you're a newbie;
It takes time to improve your climbing skills. During this learning time, you'll do lots of wrong footwork and it'll affect your climbing shoes. Therefore, the durability of the Finale is making it an ideal climbing shoe for beginners looking to improve their skills.
Also, you might want to check my La Sportiva Finale vs Tarantulace post.
La Sportiva Finale Sizing
The Finale is a comfortable climbing shoe for mid-volume and offers all-day comfort according to La Sportiva Quick Comparison Chart.
I'd recommend you can get your pair 1-1.5 sizes below your euro street size.
Specs
- Weight: 8.00 oz (226 g)
- Last: PN 45
- Fit: Tech with medium asymmetry
- Upper: Leather / Microfiber
- Lining: Unlined
- Midsole: 1.1 mm LaspoFlex with P3®
- Sole: 5 mm Vibram® XS Edge™
Pros
Cons
Scarpa Origin
First time with Scarpa Origin
Scarpa Origin is also a popular choice among beginners.
BUT, some advanced climbers can choose the Origin sometimes for multi-pitch climbing because of its comfort, flat profile, and asymmetric toe-box.
It comes with 5 mm Vison rubber which is designed to deliver a balance of performance and resilience to the demands of new climbers' unpracticed feet.
Also, I'd like to mention its technology which is PAF;
- The PAF stands for Pressure Absorbing Fit.
- It's about the heel system, so active randing system.
- The heel system with the PAF helps both spread the force of the heel tension and increase the fit of the heel.
You might want to check the assembly of the Origin, if you wonder how it affects the heel and Scarpa's assembly upper (1), insole (2), active randing (3), and sole (4).
Also, I'd recommend you to check Scarpa's Climbing Collection Structure and Scarpa's Family Tree, and you might want to check my Scarpa Origin vs Helix post if you want to look at different beginner climbing shoes from Scarpa.
Scarpa Origin Sizing
Scarpa Origin is for medium volume and center-shaped shoe toes. AND, they can stretch plenty!
I'd recommend you can get your pair 1-1.5 sizes below your euro street size.
Specs
- Weight: 7.6 oz (215 g)
- Upper: 1.8 mm Suede
- Last: FFX - Flat, Slightly Asymmetric
- Symmetry: Slightly Asymmetric
- Closure: Strap
- Midsole: Nylon 1.4 mm 3/4 length
- Sole Rubber: 5 mm Scarpa Vision®
Pros
Cons
Black Diamond Momentum
I generally use BD Momentum if I stay all-day
The Black Diamond Momentum climbing shoe boasts a unique design that combines Engineered Knit Technology for the upper fabric, providing stretch where it's needed, support where it matters, and exceptional breathability.
The shoe also features a micro-fiber liner at the front for added comfort and to minimize stretch. The rubber used on the sole of the shoe is molded, rather than cut from one sheet, for optimal weight, consistency, and comfort.
Designed for all-day comfort on moderate routes, boulders, or gym sessions, the Momentum also has a soft flex midsole for added sensitivity, making it a great option for entry-level climbers.
It comes with 4.3 mm NEO Fuse rubber which is built for durability and molded for optimal consistency and performance.
Black Diamond Momentum Sizing
I'd recommend you can get your pair 0.5 size below your euro street size.
Specs
- Weight: 7.8 oz/ 221g
- Fit: Comfort
- Shape: Straight, mild asymmetry
- Downturn: Neutral (Flat)
- Sole Thickness: 4.3 mm
- Stiffness: Soft
- Closure: Velcro
- Upper: Pacific (front), Dentex (back), Engineered Knit Technology (synthetic mesh)
Pros
Cons
Evolv Defy
Evolv Defy
The Evolv Defy climbing shoe is also popular among beginner climbers.
It's designed and constructed with performance in mind, the Defy features a synthetic upper and a VTR rand (toe cap) for durability, as well as a comfortable fit.
The Defy also features a unique heel cup for added heel hooking power.
It comes with 4.2 mm Trax high friction rubber which provides a balance of stickiness and sensitivity.
Also, its midsole comes with MX-P (1 mm sensitive half-length midsole). Therefore, the combination MX-P and VTR rand provides the Evolv Defy climbing shoes with grip and durability.
Evolv Defy Sizing
I'd recommend you can get your pair 0.5 size below your euro street size. Don't worry, you can break in this shoe at least 2-3 sessions.
BUT if you're looking for comfort go with the same size or half size up from your street size.
Specs
- Closure Style: Velcro
- Profile: Asymmetrical
- Sole: 4.2 mm TRAX© High Friction Rubber
- Rand: VTR rand
- Upper: Synthetic (perforated Synthratek Upper)
- Lining: Nylon
- Midsole: MX-P: 1 mm sensitive half-length midsole
Pros
Cons
Tenaya Tanta
After a good session with my Tenaya Tanta
Let's talk about my final choice of climbing shoes under $150.
The Tenaya Tanta is also a great choice for beginner climbers, as well as for anyone looking for a comfortable all-around climbing shoe.
Tanta's slightly asymmetric lasts, low downturn, and padded tongue provide a comfortable fit for extended periods of use. Also, it comes with a 4 mm rubber
The sole is designed to offer the perfect balance of support and sensitivity, making it suitable for a wide range of climbing styles, from bouldering and indoor climbing to outdoor climbing. The Tanta is an ideal climbing shoe for leisure climbers looking for a great balance of comfort and performance at an affordable price.
It's a way to go climbing shoes if you're a newbie. On the other hand, it's also a good second climbing shoe if you're more than intermediate.
Tenaya Tanta Sizing
I'd recommend you can get your pair full size below your euro street size. If you're looking for a comfortable fit.
BUT, you might want to check Tenaya Climbing Shoes Size Guide, if you want to go details.
Specs
- Uppers: Microfibre
- Closure System: Velcro
- Tongue: Padded bellows tongue
- Lining: TXT treated cotton
- Insole: Multi-layer Stretchtex
- Midsole: 2D PLT 10
- Sole: RUBBER 4mm
- Weight: 340 gr.
