As my first set of shoes, I have been pretty happy with the performance. As a climber with a football player build, I like the support that these shoes give. The rubber isn't as sticky as I would like. Don't expect to get these shoes for the $78 that I paid. First, they were on sale for about $95 and second, the cashier rung them up wrong. Even though I brought this to his attention, he gave me the lower price. He obviously doesn't work on commission. Considering the deal I got on them, I am quite happy.

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Tried on dozens of shoes before buying these. These fit the best by far.

Great all-round shoes. My feet are a little narrower, and I have high arches, and these shoes fit me very well. I bought them as tight as I could go WITHOUT bunching up my toes or feeling any pain. They were still snug enough to be uncomfortable, but not painful. Since then, they've stretched some, and now fit my feet PERFECTLY. As far as performance, as they are intended, they are great all-round shoes. Now that I'm getting into bouldering and sport climbing a little more, sometimes I wish they'd edge better (I'm considering getting a different shoe for that kind of thing), but overall I'm very pleased with them. One note I'd make - get them wet or cold, and they're useless until they dry... but then, what climbing shoes actually work well in the rain?

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These were my first pair of shoes. I have a very narrow foot, and picked these shoes based on fit alone, after trying every pair of shoes at REI. They are a great outdoor beginners shoe. But as noted in the other reviews are very stiff, and as such you can not feel much through them, so they are not very good at smearing. I have found them to be GREAT for edging though, as well as good for climbing cracks, so long as the cracks are not too narrow. They are to high profile to jam into narrower cracks. I have resoled mine once, and had FiveTen rubber put on, which I found to me MUCH stickier than the S-2 rubber that came on them. The place that resoled them told me it was not uncommon for people to bring in a brand new pair of Boreal shoes to have different rubber put on. 2 Star Value Rateing is due to high price.

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FiveTen Moccasyms, Zlippers, and Huecos

A nice set of shoes. there is a few problems though. They arent very good for smearing, cracks or gripping holds. Well, now that i think about it they look like bowling shoes so i better take up bowling instead of climbing

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Compared to Roxygen (the first shoe I got), it is a definite improvement. I just go them today, but the difference between the two is remarkable. Since the first snow in Vt was today, I ahv to wait for spring to try hem outdoors, and I can't wait

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Roxygen

I read other reviews here that say this shoe is wide, however I have a very narrow foot and still love these shoes. They were my first pair of shoes and I picked them based on fit and comfort, after trying on every pair of shoes I could find in 3 or 4 sizes. I have used them in all climbing environments except the gym and have been satisfied with them. They excell at edgeing and wide cracks. Are little insensitive for really great smearing but still work. I found the toe to be a little to high profile for narrow foot cracks or hand cracks. A great all round shoe!!

3 Star value rating becuase the tend to be rather expensive

Customer Service

The best customer service is never having to call them, which i never have :)

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Boreal Ace, Five-Ten Moccasym, Five-Ten Hueco

For wider mens feet with a 5-10 resole these can be the best all around performing shoe on the market.No stretch and a great heel fit with board lasted to help reduce pain in wider crack footings.
Toe could be a little more pointed like the 5-10 accent or anastazi tht also fits wider feet.
get past the s-2 hard rubber and climb up to 5-11 sport routes and any trad with the exception of thin finger/foot cracks.
friction is difficult with s-2 so a resole is recommended ASAP...
Daryl--

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First climbing shoe

As a relative newcomer to climbing what a difference climbing shoes make. The feeling of confidence that feet will stay on the rock is fantastic. I have wide feet and these were the only shoes I felt comfortable in. I tried about 20 pairs in the store looking for an exact tight fit. Toes must reach the end, other styles and makes just did not fit my foot.

A year later I am still very happy with the shoes, and my memory of the price is slowly fading, although I got them for $99 and saw other stores list at $130.

3 star value rating is because I was able to buy my daughter Reebok climbing shoes for $30. I know the price is high because the market is small but climbing shoe prices are crazy.

Customer Service

No experience with manufacturer.

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The Zephyr is alright, I was lucky enough to get a pair for $78 from REI Outlet with a coupon. They are really comfortable and while not meant to be a gym slipper, they are good enough for most footwork. they kick butt outside, where you're standing around alot and work good on cracks, smears, etc... without leaving you crying.

I do have a narrow foot, so this shoes is probably a touch too wide to buy again, but I'll definitely resole them until the leather falls apart.

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5.10 - ah the green shoe with neon green laces.

I bought the Zephyr's as my first pair of rock shoes. I was advised that this was a good beginer to intermediate shoe. It didn't take me long to figure out that in the gym, where most beginners are going to be, they don't provided enough sensitivity for good footwork on small or rounded holds. The shoe's midsole is much too stiff and the shape of the toe much too pointed. However, when you hit the outdoors, the shoes is exactly what a biginner, intermediate, or even advanced climber could use. It's solidly built so it'll last and comfortable enough for extended wear. So, if you're just starting out consider where you'll be doing most of your climbing. If you're going to be in the gym consider a much more sensitive shoe like Boreal's Lazer or Stinger. By the way, if you're in Canada you can probably get a pair of Zephyr's for $100Cdn plus taxes, which is a great deal if you're considering US$ exchange rates.

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I've tried a similar pair of beginner/intermediate shoes from FreeClimbing. Much more responsive for gym sessions and about 20% cheaper. They could make an ideal second pair just for the gym.