About ChoosingClimbingShoes
We're a passionate group of climbers based in San Francisco who wanted to create a resource that we wished existed when we first started climbing.
Our Mission
ChoosingClimbingShoes was born from a simple observation: our friends kept asking us which climbing shoes they should buy. With so many options available and each shoe offering different features for different climbing styles, finding the perfect pair can be overwhelming.
We created this platform to demystify the process of choosing climbing shoes. Our goal is to help climbers of all levels—from beginners stepping into their first pair to advanced climbers looking for specialized performance shoes—find exactly what they need to elevate their climbing experience.
Through comprehensive shoe data, honest reviews, and price comparison tools, we aim to be the definitive resource for climbing shoe selection.
Our Approach
We've developed sophisticated price monitoring infrastructure to track prices across multiple retailers, ensuring you always get the best deal. Each shoe in our database has been thoroughly researched and categorized based on its performance characteristics.
We don't just list specs—we translate technical information into practical recommendations based on:
Climbing Style
Whether you're bouldering, sport climbing, or tackling multi-pitch routes, we help you find shoes that match your climbing discipline.
Experience Level
From comfortable beginner shoes to aggressive performance models, we guide climbers of all levels toward appropriate choices.
Terrain Specialization
Different shoes excel on different terrain. We break down performance on slabs, vertical walls, and overhangs.
Foot Shape Considerations
Finding shoes that match your unique foot shape is crucial. We provide guidance on sizing and fit.
Meet the Team
We're a small team of climbers with over 20 years of combined climbing experience across bouldering, sport climbing, and traditional climbing. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, we spend our weekends at local crags and climbing gyms testing gear and improving our skills.
Alex Chen
Founder & Lead Developer
Boulderer with a passion for shoe design and web development. Has tested over 30 different climbing shoe models.
Maya Rodriguez
Content Director
Sport climber and former shoe demo coordinator. Expert at explaining the nuances of shoe performance and fit.
Jamie Kim
Data Analyst
Trad climber and data enthusiast who built our price comparison engine and performance metrics system.
Join Us
Have feedback, suggestions, or want to contribute? We'd love to hear from you! Check out our Contact page to get in touch with our team.