Black Diamond Momentum Climbing Shoes

Black Diamond’s a force to be reckoned with in the climbing world, but they avoided crafting climbing shoes for a long time. In fact, when they finally announced the launch of their climbing shoes, which took a purported 5 years to develop, they quoted the Wu-Tang clan, saying, “I’m sorry it took so long, didn’t mean to make y’all wait. Good things take time to create.” 

At the low end of Black Diamond’s lineup of climbing shoes is the Momentum, a shoe with a slipper-like flat last, meaning it’s not the downturned, uncomfortable shape of a hooked, aggressive shoe. This makes it relatively comfortable and more tuned to the needs of beginners. The two-strap Velcro build is easily secured in place, and when the dogs are barking after a tough climb, two loops over the heel enable you to wrench it from your sweaty foot quite easily. The Momentum is recommended for slab climbing—sloped, less steep ascents—as opposed to vertical or overhanging rock, though progressing beginners will happily trust these comfortable shoes at the high end of their limits. 

Bottom line: Learning to climb is a tough road as it is, don’t make it tougher with a pair of shoes that cause your feet to cramp and blister. These shoes are comfortable, affordable, and perfectly suited for the needs of beginner climbers who are hoping to become intermediates.