I’ve been rock climbing pretty regularly since April (I was gifted a membership at a rock gym on my birthday). I’ve really enjoyed the sport to say the least and have been very fortunate to have more experienced climbers as friends. I have learned a lot.

My first pair of shoes were the Evolv Defy(s). A great entry-level shoe. Very comfortable. I got the clearance model for a steal (about $40) and decided to go with the cheaper shoe before I knew whether or not I would enjoy the sport. Less durable rubber, sloppy footwork and five months later and my shoes had two decent sized holes in the toes.

After shopping around a bit, I decided to go with the La Sportiva Miura VS for my next shoe. I had heard pretty great things about them and they came highly recommended. After my first day climbing in them, I am really satisfied with the mixture of comfort and performance this shoe has. I sized them down one half-size from my street shoe size and they’re plenty snug, with lots of toe power.

If you’re ever in the market for climbing/adventure gear, I recommend Backcountry. Their customer service is out of this world and they have really knowledgeable staff willing to give you advice if you get in touch with them.