Starting out in climbing can be expensive, and choosing the right shoe can feel overwhelming. For beginners, the most important thing is to find a pair of climbing shoes that balances comfort, affordability, and durability.
The main principle we emphasize is comfort. Make sure your shoes fit well: not painfully tight, but snug enough to give you support. If they’re uncomfortable, you won’t enjoy climbing, and that’s the whole point, right?
Climbing shoes use tight rubber rands to create tension, focusing power through the toes and feet. Different tension levels suit different styles, crack, face, or steep climbing.
A comfort fit has minimal tension for longer wear and for feet not yet accustomed to being snugly bound, making it ideal for new climbers. Toes rest at the end with a slight curl, balancing comfort and all-around performance—a true “jack-of-all-trades” fit.
Here are some beginner-friendly, budget & neutral climbing shoes under $150 CAD that we stock and recommend excellent options that balance performance, comfort, and value. When you are ready, you should also explore our more aggressive bouldering shoes, but let's start here:
From La Sportiva
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Finale (Men’s & Women’s) – $144.95: A versatile all-arounder beginner climbing shoe with comfort and precision. Featuring Vibrum XS Edge rubber, the Finale is equally great for gym or outdoor climbing.
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Tarantulace (Men’s & Women’s) – $119.95: An affordable entry-level climbing shoe featuring a more durable rubber, which will prolong their life making them ideal for new climbers in the gym.
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Tarantula Boulder (Men’s & Women’s) – $129.95: A step up in performance for indoor bouldering. Featuring a velcro closure system, a more flexible sole and rubber on top for toe hooking.
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Tarantula Junior – $99.95: Designed for young climbers, combining comfort and adjustability. (View our Kids Climbing Shoes)
From Scarpa
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Helix (Men’s & Women’s) – $149.00: A flat-lasted, super comfortable shoe that excels in long sessions and is often considered one of the best beginner climbing shoes for trad or gym climbing.
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Reflex VS (Men’s & Women’s) – $108.95: Breathable and easy-on with Velcro closure, perfect for gym training and indoor climbing.
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Origin (Men’s & Women’s) – $139.00: A soft, comfortable, entry-level shoe that’s forgiving yet capable.
Climbing shoes under $150 are a great way to get started, but keeping them in good shape matters just as much as choosing the right pair. Practice good gym etiquette by slipping them off between burns and avoiding walking around in them, this saves rubber and keeps the stench at bay. Let your shoes dry out between sessions and store them somewhere cool and airy, not stuffed at the bottom of a damp pack. All of these models can be resoled, extending their life and saving you money.
Climbing Shoe Fit Guide
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