I purchased the blue cliffs after trying on several models at the store. The cliffs lacing to the toe are great for climbers with wide feet. I find they provide plenty of grip for my (5-7, 5-8) climbs. I've only had the shoes a few weeks now, but they are the model used as rental shoes at the rock gym I go to. They seem to hold up pretty well to the rental use.

I am looking for a good pair of beginner rock shoes. I justed moved here from california, where i did a lot of mountaineering. Mostly Mt. Shasta. I have tried on a lot of stiles at the store and the cliffs are the most comftorable that i have tried. After reading your reviews i am worried about purchasing them even though they are so cheap(only 49.95) half off! are you people who are talking about the shoes falling apart. are you talking about the new blue shoe or the older yellow shoe? i think i will go ahead and by them for the price. i am glad that everyone says they stretch a lot because i am only 14.

Customer Service

Scheels all sport half price on most climbing shoes at least in my area

These were my first pair of rock climbing shoes. I really liked them for the first 3-4 months. but after bouldering and a little indoor top roping 3-4 times a week for at my local gym they show a LOT of wear that a resole won't help. The soles are peeling off all over on the front part of the shoe and inside edge is almost worn through. The worst part to me though is that the rubber that lines the sole and starts going onto the upper is also starting to come off the shoe in many places. I've not even had them a year now and they're not nearly as effective on small edges as they were when I first got them. I think they're a decent beginner's shoe, but if they all fall apart as quickly as mine did they should be much cheaper (as should most climbing shoes).

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5.10 spire - only some of the one's at the gym I work for have been around for 5 years with daily use and still don't show as much wear as my cliffs

These were my first pair of shoes. I bought them back in 96 and only just recently did the ruper on the toe split. (just above where the thick sole ends) these have been a great shoe and once I patch up the toe I plan to keep using them! The rest of you are lucky they changed the dye. These continue to turn my feet orange to this very day! (of course I just got a pair of 5.10 Mojaves so I guess orange is now my thing!) I reccomend this shoe highly to anyone who is looking for a high Quality climbing shoe. This is an all around good shoe for all purpose climbing.

Customer Service

Kirkhams's staff was very helpful in 1996 when I bought these. I don't shop there much anymore. I havn't been all that impresses with their climbing department or selection.

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5.10 Mocasyms, 5.10. Mojave

Like everyone else, these were my first shoes. They fit well at the shop, but stretched lots, which made it comfortable, but not really what i wanted for climbing. I don't recommend it for those w/ narrow feet, because for me I would tighten them down all the way and they still wouldn't fit. I can't say they edged well, and the sole is so thick you can't really feel the rock. Although it makes them last a while. I didn't wear the rubber thin, however they rubber began to peel after 6 months of climbing. Good starter shoe, but could be better.

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Red Chili Dos Equis

I just got the La Sportiva Cliff, and so far they work great! I tried on 4 pairs of shoes at the gym I go to, and I loved the Cliff. They are very comfy, VERY sticky rubber, and is a great beginner shoe. I would definitely reccomend this shoe. Its great!

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Black Diamond ATC Petzl Screw Lock Metolious Chal Bag

Great beginner shoe, good smearing, and really comfy. When I bought them, the salesperson "took into consideration" that I might undergo a huge growth spurt, because I am only 13 years old. BIG MISTAKE! Buy these super-tight 'cause they stretch a ton. Good shoe, but I had to return them for some correctly sized Boreal Spiders (got me up 1 climbing grade but rubber not real sticky).

Customer Service

REI is great, it took 2 days and about 20 shoes to find a good fit. Okay, sometimes I thought they were about ready to strangle me!

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5.10 Spires (sucky fit) Boreal Spiders (great shoe but rubber not very sticky)

These shoes are probably the greatest beginner shoes on the market in my opinion. If they fit right they can edge pretty well. The rubber is somewhat hard and taking some sandpaper to it gives it some grip. They will last a long time and they are as good outside as they are inside. They don''t do as well as they could on steep stuff but for a beginner shoe they''ll take you where you need to go.

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I have only used these a couple of times, once for climbing Half Dome with the cables down, and for bouldering around home. They are actually comfortable and very easy to learn with, I would recommend these to anyone who thinks they want to start climbing or bouldering!

Customer Service

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I BOUGHT THE CLIFFS AT NOMAD VENTURES, THESE SHOES ARE GREAT FOR BEGINERS. THEY ARE VERY COMFORTABLE AND RELIABLE. THEY ARE NOT VERY SENSITIVE BUT EDGE LIKE NO OTHER. THE SLIP LASTED SOLE IS VERY SUPPORTIVE. THE 5 MM SOLE IS GREAT FOR BEGINNERS BECAURE IT WILL LAST A LONG TIME BEFORE A RESOLE (BEGINNERS TEND TO WEAR THIER SHOES DOWN FAST FROM CHICKEN SCRATHING AND CHEESE GRATING.) THIS SHOE IS GOOD FOR BOULDERING, SPORT, AND PLASTIC PUSHING. I TOTALLY RECOMEND THIS SHOE. ESPECIALLY FOR THE PRICE.