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La Sportiva Speedster

$132

Ideal Uses: Steep bouldering, cavey sport, gym.
Bottom Line: Extremely sensitive slipper for high-end overhanging climbs.

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Five Ten Copperhead $124.95 Ideal Uses: Cracks — all shapes/sizes, trad. Bottom Line: Premium crack-specific shoe, average at everything else.

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Five Ten Project $144.95 Ideal Uses: Super-steeps, boulders, gym. Bottom Line: Exceptionally sensitive steep specialist. Too soft for face climbs.

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Evolv Royale

$79

Ideal Uses: Beginners, all-day comfort, moderate multi-pitch.
Bottom Line: Great price for a starter shoe. Not performance oriented.

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Evolv Optimus Prime

$125

Ideal Uses: Every angle from vertical to horizontal, on rock and plastic.
Bottom Line: Excellent heel and toe hooking. Vacuum fit for wide, high-volume feet.

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Edelrid Tornado $110 Ideal Uses: Faces and edging, from slab to just past vertical. Bottom Line: Performance all-arounder with a Euro flair.

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Edelrid Raven

$130

Ideal Uses: Hard redpoints, super steeps.
Bottom Line: Subtle performer with an adjustable, new-school closure.

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Boreal Sol $99 Ideal Uses: Multi-pitch, all-day comfort. Cracks, edging. Bottom Line: Above average on slabby to slightly overhanging rock. Comfortable.

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Boreal Blade

$139

Ideal Uses: Vertical faces to super steeps.
Bottom Line: Excellent edging/tech-face shoe, especially once broken in.

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Acopa Legend

$159.90

Ideal Uses: All-around trad, beginner to expert.
Bottom Line: Stiff, solid shoe for cracks/edging.