Side by Side Comparison of: Mad Rock vs Climb X

I've been climbing for over twenty years now, both indoors and out, mainly vertical, some overhung stuff, mainly 10's and 11's lately. I guess I'm a casual fitness climber, not a super hardcore competitive type.I had an old version of this same shoe, used it for everything, and absolutely loved it. But finally, my old ones wore out. I used to work at a gear store, have tried most everything over the years, and I know a thing or two about climbing shoes and how they are supposed to fit.In my quest for a new shoe, I tried every single shoe at my local gym, then every shoe at REI, most of which were over $150. Nothing fit. I put my old shoes back on, and didn't want to take them off. I was ready to spend any amount to get a good pair of shoes. I don't know what's going on with shoe design lately, but half of what I tried on was simply not wearable. I started thinking about re-soling my old ones, but the leather's going on top because I sometimes drag the tops of my feet, so that wasn't an option... I started getting desperate, climbing in an ancient pair of lace-ups...Finally, I ordered a pair of these. Heaven. A painful sort of heaven, but heaven. I wear a 9.5 or a 10 (US) in street shoes, sometimes a 10.5. I got this shoe in a 9.5, like my old ones. Yes, they are quite tight out of the box, and my toes knuckle pretty sharply. It hurts a bit to walk around the house in them. That's how climbing shoes fit. If they're not just a bit painful at first, they're too loose. But these are painful in exactly the right way; they compress the foot all over, and make contact absolutely everywhere. There are no pressure points or loose spots, just perfection, a complete suction fit. I can keep them on for about twenty minutes before it gets unbearable, which is about right for new shoes. They'll stretch a bit, and be good for an hour, later on.The price is just a bonus; I was ready to spend $200 if I had to. Instead, I bought shoes and a new harness for $100. Thanks, Mad Rock! Also, thanks for making these black and grey. Some of us lived through the neon '80's, and have no desire to revisit that palette...I haven't even taken them to the gym yet, and I'm already really happy. These have pointier toes than my old ones; looking forward to how they work. But it's all about the fit... Check these out first, is my advice. At the price, and especially with free returns, it's literally impossible to go wrong.[Edit to add: After a few months at the gym, these have relaxed, a little. They're still a bit tighter, pointier, and more performance oriented than my old ones, and that's fine. I do have to take them off every half hour or so. Pretty ideal, I'd say. Give these a try.]

I think my feet are to blame, but it seems like I wear a 12.5 on my right foot and a 13 on my left. The left foot feels a tad bit smaller than the right - other than that, great beginning climbing shoe.

Excellent, fit was spot on. I wear a 15 American sizing in Nike sneakers. Their 15 was nice and snug, the correct fit for rock climbing

Great for indoor climbing.

Great first shoe! I've worn it for a whole week now (3 times to the gym) -- which isn't long, I know -- but it's been absolutely great so far. I wear size 9.5 or 10 sneakers normally, and when I was getting rentals at the gym, I used sized 10 with socks of normal thickness. These fit exactly like those rentals I was wearing (WHEW).

Shoes are great. I wear a 9.5M. I ordered three sizes trying to get it right. I could live with 11.5 (barley), with my toes pretty scrunched. I decided on a 12 so that I could walk around the gym without limping. It would save the average person a lot of time and hassle if this company would size the shoes normally.

It's honestly a 4.5, but given that's not an option, it's closer to a 5 than a 4. They are small, but if you order by your EU size, you'll be pretty close.

Cheapest out there but work really great, have worn them once on rock and about 5-6 times at the gym, are in great condition as of now, also they look awesome!And amazon's 1day shipping is really amazing!Also you have to order one entire size more than your usual running shoes:-reebok size 8.5climbx size: 9.5

I'm giving this a 3 for right now until I use this but I wanted to comment on the size because I was very unsure when I ordered these.I haven't been rock climbing in years but going this weekend, noPro video camera here, but I wear a size 8.5 normally and probably have about an inch to spare in my shoe. I ordered 3 sizes because I had no idea what to buy based on reviews and the 8.5 seems to be very snug fitting [which is what I think you want?] and the 8 was outright painful. I just looked and laughed at the 7.5 box. If these stretch at all they will still be snug but somewhat comfortable I assume.I will update with more later...Later:So I have climbed a few times with these now indoors and outdoors and have to say no complaints. The area around the big toe is smaller so there isn't a lot of room but they seems to be stretching and they aren't as painful now. That or I'm doing a good job at killing the nerves in my feet. Anywho, after using them a few times I feel at least for a first pair of climbing shoes these are great and you can't go wrong.

These climbing shoes are fantastic and I love them! They are the first pair of climbing shoes I've gotten, and i couldn't be happier. I listened to the previous reviews and went a half size higher than my normal climbing shoe, which is a half size higher than my everyday shoe size.

Just note this is WOMENS sizing and runs small. I am usually a 9 and ordered an 8.5 thinking it was mens but had to return. The 9.5 fit perfectly. Shoes are great for a solid price.

Excellent grip when on the walls, really hold me up better then the other shoes I've used and not bad for comfort even before breaking them in

Some variability in production quality -- the toe one the left shoe split after a couple days of use. The shoe was still quite usable despite this problem so I kept them since I'm a fan of this particular make and model. Some of the leather/suede panelling has degraded recently after about 5 months of usage (an hour or two 2-3x per week) but the shoe is still structurally sound.

I just got these so I can't speak to their durability, by I wear size 14 in regular shoes, I bought size 15 and they fit pretty small. Rock shoes are supposed to be pretty snugly so I would recommend buying a full size above your regular shoe size.

My husband was renting size 13's at his rock climbing place. I ordered 13's and he has to wear them without socks, but he's fine with that. He was wearing socks with the renters. He wanted to keep them though.

I've had these for about a year. Got them for a good price and just for starting off when climbing. Feels fine when climbing and easy to put on. For more serious climbers maybe try the most expensive brands they are worth it.

I wear a size 13 regular shoe, size 15 climbing shoe, but these 15's are still a little too tight. I know they're supposed to be tight, and these are still a pretty good starter shoe. It's mainly my big toes that get jammed.

Hi, I bought these from backcountry for $50. It's the cheapest on the internet by at least $20. Free 2 day shipping, too! I received the shoes and they are beautiful. After 2.5 months of regular indoor bouldering the leather upper is starting to separate from the sole. I think that's rather flimsy. When these do go unfunctional I'll buy La Sportiva Mythos because I heard great things and I'm expecting them to be of higher quality.In regards to the fit, understand that these do not stretch! I wear a size 8.5 in Sperry top-siders which are known to run a half size smaller than normal. For these Mad Rocks I bought a size 9.5 Men and according to their size chart that's a 42.5 in Euro.I never felt like these were cheap quality shoes. The look and feel of everything was quality, but they are still breaking down and I feel that I'll move to a more "serious" brand next.

returned because they were too small-- bought locally instead

These are really good gym shoes and decent on outside slab routes. All around good beginners shoe. Easy to clean, easy on and velcro closures are quick too. Rubber is holding up well after 9 months. Still has some edge left. I think it has been a really good value.

I love the shoe but it was too small. Usually I read the reviews and they say too small order a size up but that's usually with clothes and I need a size down anyway. I should of listened. Order a size up. All in all the shoes is still great.

I am a beginner climber so these shoes work well for me. I have owned them for almost 4 months and go climbing twice a week and they function as expected. Great shoes for a beginner climber.

These shoes are exactly what we expected--they are a nice intro shoe for occasional climbers. These have only been used indoors, but have held up well over the last couple of months. We climb once or twice a week. Good shoe at a good price.

just to help future buyers, I wear a US M 10.5 in everyday's shoes and got these a 12.. fit well for bouldering

Seems like a great climbing shoe. Only problem the size is smaller then expected. I went a half size up and it feels like it's 2 sizes to smalls.

Own this shoe before. Ordered the exact same size as before and they are a full size too big

I wear woman's 9 and I had to order their men's 9 to barely fit. Quality is decent for the price you pay (I paid $53).

Fit larger than I expected. Sat on them a little too long, and ended up having to take a loss on these. They work well for climbing though despite being a little large; I just started climbing with socks on to make up for the extra shoe room.

Seems like a good shoe for the price but I bought a whole size up and my toes are still curled in the shoe. Will return and get 2 sizes up...

I bought these for my boyfriend. They have to be tight, but there was an odd hardened section of rubber over the toes of one of the shoes that made them impossible for him to use. Fortunately, our son, who wears a 13, is able to use them with socks to cushion this.

GREAT BRAND of rock climbing shoesI bought these for my boyfriend for christmas .. they where just to small

I bought this for my son who loves to boulder. The quality is great however the sizing is WAY OFF! He usual wears a 7.5 in mens or a 9 in Womens so I bought a 9 based on reviews. They didn't come close to fitting. I returned them and bought a 10. STILL SMALL. I am sending them back for an 11!! I'm hoping those will fit.

My shoe size is between 8.5 and 9. I bought the 10.5 size in these shoes based on what size I wear at the climbing gym. I kinda wish I would have picked 11 now. Other than that I really like them.

As everyone else has said, these run small. I am normally a 9, but had to keep sending them back to get the fit I need. So basically I went from a 9 to an 11. Still tight but hope they loosen into what I want.

It looks good and is easy to slip into.The main problem is that it runs way too small for the described size(felt at least a full size smaller) and the soles seem a bit inflexible.

These are a size too small

way too small, nowhere close to actual shoe sizes

Didn't fit. Too small usually a men's 10.5 so I ordered an 11 and still too small.

The toe curves upward when I was told good bouldering shoes' toes curve downward. This was my first purchase and it was a mistake.

Great climbing shoes, sizing runs extremely small. I emailed them asking what size to order if I am normally a women's size 9 in climbing shoes. A 6.5 was recommended. After reading reviews of how they run small I decided to order an 8. They were so small I couldn't get my foot all the way in them. I returned them and ordered one size up and they fit much better.

I wear a women's 7 to 7.5 street shoe, so I ordered Men's size 6.5. It was so small I couldn't even get my foot into the shoe, so I returned it. Other than that, the quality of the shoe seem to be made well, and return shipping was easy.

I am a skier, and ski boots 2 sizes too small near 100 days a year, thats jamming your foot into hard plastic much too small. That said I have only climbed 6 times, bought these at my exact size , 9.5, after reading the reviews thinking everyone was just whining as they are obviously made for beginners (like me ). Somilar to skiing you assume people just think the foot wear is too small.But seriously, I bought exactly my normal shoe size, and these feel about 3 sizes small. It is messed up, and that coming from someone who enjoys tight shoes.If you buy these shoes, they seem decent for the price, just buy them 1 size large. seriously. If you ski and buy even your own size I would consider you a chump, but These are smalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll. Its crazy, Im not sure I can climb in them. Must return, but pissed, I really need to stop buying things online....Buy locally!

I am not much a fan of ClimbX and my suspicions were reassured when I ordered these. It's simply worth it to spend a little more money and get a better shoe.

Very narrow especially in the front foot area including toes. The length is short. Normally I wear a 10 1/2 and bought these in an 11 as with most of my climbing shoes I go a little larger. These were extremely painful and not possible to wear more than a minute. I will go to a store and try on shoes to find a pair that work.

I am wearing size 9, ordered these in 10 but I cannot fit my foot in them. They are more like 7-8 so add 2-3 sizes when you order.

These shoes were fairly cheap, so I didn't expect them to last long or be the best. That being said, do NOT waste your money. The fit is fine, but the grip on these shoes is worthless. The first two times I wore them indoor top-rope climbing (at nice gyms) they kept slipping off the rocks – even the larger, textured rocks. Just spend your money elsewhere on a lace-up shoe, or put in a couple more dollars and get a better brand. Thanks to these shoes I'm out 50 bucks, not including what I'm going to have to spend for new shoes. Don't waste your money, don't waste your time, pretty much don't make the same mistake I did.

Starting off with the free shipping costs $5.48 and yes I see these run small but I ordered a size 15 because that's what I wear and these are more like an 11 or a 12. They're also labeled size 50 in euro which is even larger than a 15us

Not even close to the correct size. So far from the correct size I am insulted. Do not buy.

These run very small! I am a size 10.5 and got an 11 for safe measures. I swear they feel like a 9. My big toe has to be bent to fit in the shoe.

If you are a bigfoot, like me, don't even waste your time with these, extremely disappointing. I have a size 15 and I couldn't squeeze my feet into these if you paid me a million dollars. If I had to guess I would say they are equivalent to about a size 12 when advertised as a 15. Don't waste your time or $$.

Do not buy these shoes, the grip is atrocious, every route I tried to climb, I ended up slipping off the footholds. One time I slipped and slammed my knee and wasn't able to walk for a few days

Way too small, does not match up to US sizing at all.

Order half size bigger than my street shoes 11M. Way to small. Returned them. Ordered next size up 12M. Still way too small. They don't go any bigger. Disappointed.

After owning these shoes for six months of light climbing (two months of which I was not doing any climbing) the rand started to delaminate and the rubber on the toes was splitting. Was unable to contact seller for a refund.

These shoes are terrible! Gave them to my husband for Christmas & now it is May & we need to replace them. They have split all around the toe.

Insanely small. I had a pair of La Sportiva slippers that were size 9, from when I was a teenager, and they fit more comfortably than these in a size 11. I hate these shoes. The sizing is ridiculous. They look like they are well made but when I order a size 11 I expect something that will fit a person who wears a size 11 not something made for an alternate universe where all the shoe sizes are 3 sizes smaller than they are in this universe.

Tiny shoes that are way too small for the size you ordered. I'm usually a 10 in climbing shoes and I ordered an 11, they were small enough to make my toes go numb an hour into bouldering. Would not order from this company again!

These climbing shoes arrived as expected but were sized so very small, My husband Had to return them. Thank you