Reddit reviews La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoe - Women's

Does your local gym not have shoes on sale? Usually they stock a good variety of shoes and you can try them on. (I've had gyms even let me step on rock with try-on shoes).

Climbing shoes aren't buy it for life and they will get worn down. As a beginner with little technique, that chance that you'll wear down your shoes faster increases. Which is why most people recommend getting the Defys as a cheap, getting into the sport shoe. I think I blew out my first pair in less than a year.

I've had good luck and bought all my shoes at around the $40 mark. I have size 6 feet (and I wear size 5-5.5 in climbing shoes) and a lot of shoes come into clearance since not many people wear that size. I've tried on countless shoes and still have trouble finding one that I really like. I would probably try to find shoes that you can try on, but if you have to order online, order from a site that has good returns. Amazon has some climbing shoes and a good return policy.

Sorry that I don't have really great advice. Shoes are super subjective. Oh, also, if you might go outdoors, you might want an all day shoe or something comfortable.

Anyways, you wanted recommendations. Here are some that we've tried and seen around the gym.

• La Sportive Nagos - My boyfriend wore these shoes for a while and really seemed to like them. They're a step up from Defy's, but make a good beginner shoe. They're made of leather so you don't get that Defy stink and will stretch a bit to accommodate your foot.
  
  
• La Sportiva Mythos - Super popular shoe. I see these everywhere around the gym. I have a pair that I picked up from a used gear sale and it didn't work out for me, but they work well for a lot of people. Keep in mind that these stretch out like crazy, I think a full size or two, so order smaller than your street size.
  
  I tried to think of more, but I'm kind of stuck. I personally really like Scarpa shoes and La Sportiva just doesn't fit my foot well. So even though La Sportiva is super popular in the US, I can't wear them.
  
  Good luck.