Cheap Climbing Shoes
One thing to consider when buying climbing shoes is their application. Climbing in a rock gym is much less abrasive than climbing on real rocks, so if you climb outside frequently then you will need a more durable shoe which means more money. However, if you climb primarily in a rock gym then you really should go with some cheap climbing shoes.
Cheap Climbing Shoes
My first pair of climbing shoes were Madrock Flash shoes. I bought them because I had just started climbing an knew that most of my time would be spent in the gym and I didn’t have a lot of money to blow. They cost only $75 and lasted me over three years. In fact the only reason I got rd of them was because I wanted a more aggressive shoe to fit better with my current climbing level. That’s barely $20 per year.
I liked the shoes for several reasons. They were comfortable and convenient with velcro in stead of laces, they were versatile in that they were useful for both bouldering and top roping, and they preformed very well on the rocks. They had a lot of stick in the rubber and plenty of heel and toe curve.
The only thing I didn’t like about the shoes is that they are not aggressive enough for my taste. I would definitely recommend these cheap climbing shoes as a starter pair, and once you’ve grown a little and know where your climbing will be focused, you should move on and spend some money on a pair that is right for you.