When it comes to choosing climbing shoes, it’s not a decision you want to get wrong. A well-chosen shoe is your ally on the ...

La Sportiva introduced the Mantra climbing slipper in 1999, and its No-Edge outsole was groundbreaking. The outsole under the big toe continued around the inside edge of the shoe to become the rand.

But in practise, many climbers have more than one pair of shoes to cater for particular climbing styles – ie stiff or sensitive soles. Contrary to popular belief, there are no known scientific studies ...