*This post contains affiliate links.

Part of being a more sustainable vanlifer and dirtbag means choosing products that are better for the planet.  That’s why I’ve been doing a lot of reading on vegan rock climbing shoes and other ethical and eco friendly climbing gear. This is the start of a whole lot more to come!

Whether you’re just a beginner or seasoned in the art of sending the gnar, these ethical climbing companies are working on phasing the traditional microsuede leather out of production. Instead, they’re establishing a new route to both high quality, durable climbing shoes that also don’t come at a cost to any living creature. 

Leather is just a bad material on two fronts:

1. IT’S UNETHICAL: Around 1 billion animals are killed yearly for sole purpose of leather production. Personally I’m trying to make my climbing gear a little more cruelty free! On the human side, tannery workers are constantly exposed to over 200 dangerous chemicals (like arsenic and cyanide) which research has linked to all sorts of serious health conditions.

2. IT’S UNSUSTAINABLE: Leather is technically a natural fiber, meaning it IS biodegradable…but it takes hundreds of years to do so. Since the tanning process is so chemical laden it still isn’t good for planet when it eventually does (not to mention all the direct chemical runoff from production). Plus, there’s an environmental trade off between leather that’s more ethically sourced (i.e. doesn’t demand the direct killing of an animal but rather uses byproducts if the meat industry). This supports and promotes the livestock industry, which is responsible for a huge percentage of greenhouse gas emissions. 

For that reason, non-leather climbing shoes are the better alternative, both ethically and sustainably. Though if you are set on certain brands of climbing shoes that make almost solely leather ones (La Sportiva and Scarpa, namely), see if they have any vegetable chrome-free leather tanned ones. For instance, Scarpa’s Maestro Mid Eco climbing shoes.

Read on for a complete list of all vegan leather rock climbing shoes in current production.

But first, remember to keep currently shoes in circulation as long as possible. If the rubber is worn, but the upper is good, have them resoled. You can even encourage others to resole by getting them a resole gift card, one of our favorite gifts for rock climbers.

Navigation for Vegan Rock Climbing Shoes

Beginner Vegan Climbing Shoes

Intermediate Vegan Climbing Shoes

Advanced Vegan Climbing Shoes

All-day Comfort Vegan Climbing Shoes

Kids Vegan Climbing Shoes

VEGAN CLIMBING SHOES FOR BEGINNER CLIMBERS

La Sportiva Oxygym

• MSRP: 89.95

• Material: WashTex synthetic stretch-knit upper

• Rubber: FriXion RS

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for: Introductory gym climbing

Find them here: La Sportiva / REI / Backcountry / Amazon

Black Diamond Vegan Momentum

• MSRP: $94.95

• Material: Synthetic Engineered Knit upper & hemp footbeds

• Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 2

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for:  Introductory gym climbing

Find them here: Black Diamond / Backcountry / REI / Amazon 

Evolv Elektra

• MSRP: $79.95

• Material: Synthratek VX upper

• Rubber: TRAX High Friction 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for: Beginner to intermediate bouldering and all-around climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon / EMS / Moosejaw

Evolv Defy

• MSRP: $89.95

• Material: Synthratek VX and full rubber upper toe casement

• Rubber: TRAX High Friction

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for: Beginner to intermediate all-around climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Outland USA / Amazon / EMS / Moosejaw

Evolv KRONOS

• MSRP: $130

• Material: Synthratek VX

• Rubber: TRAX SAS High Friction

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for: Beginner to intermediate all-around climbing

Find them here: REI / Amazon / Outland USA / Moosejaw

Mad Rock Remora

• MSRP: $94.95

• Material: Syn Flex synthetic upper and footbed

• Rubber: Science Friction 3.0

• Closure: Slip-on

• Downturn: Slight

• Best for: Beginner to intermediate all around climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon 

Tenaya Inti

• MSRP: $149.95

• Material: Synthetic Microsuede and cotton lining

• Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Slight

• Best for: Beginner to intermediate all-around climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon / Moosejaw

Tenaya Tanta

• MSRP: $98.95

• Material: Synthetic Microsuede and cotton lining

• Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Slight

• Best for: Beginner to intermediate all-around climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon / Moosejaw

So iLL MOMOA PRO /PRO LV

• MSRP: $139.95

• Material: Padded synthetic upper

• Rubber: Dark Matter

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for: Beginner to intermediate all around climbing and those who like sick kicks in bold colors

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon 

ClimbX Gear Icon

• MSRP: $49.95

• Material: Synthetic stretch knit upper and neoprene tongue

• Rubber: XX Factor

• Closure: Velcro

• Best for: Beginner climbers on a budget

Find them here: Amazon

VEGAN CLIMBING SHOES FOR INTERMEDIATE CLIMBERS

Evolv Kira

• MSRP: #129.95

• Material: Synthratek VX upper

• Rubber: TRAX High Friction 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Moderate

• Best for: Intermediate bouldering and roped climbing

Find them here: REI / Amazon / EMS / Outland USA / Moosejaw

Evolv Shakra

• MSRP: $159.95

• Material: Synthratek VX

• Rubber: TRAX SAS 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Intermediate to advanced all-around climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon  / Outland USA / Moosejaw

Evolv Supra

• MSRP: $130

• Material: Synthratek VX

• Rubber: TRAX SAS High Friction

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Moderate

• Best for: Intermediate to advanced all-around climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Outland USA / Amazon / Moosejaw

Five Ten Quantum VCS

• MSRP: $169.95

• Material: Synthetic Microsuede

• Rubber: Stealth C4

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Moderate

• Best for: Intermediate all-around climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon / Moosejaw

Mad Rock Weaver

• MSRP: $99.95

• Material: FloKnit synthetic upper 

• Rubber: Science Friction 3.0

• Closure: Velco

• Downturn: Moderate

• Best for: Intermediate all around climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon 

Mad Rock Lyra

• MSRP: $104.95

• Material: Tek Flex synthetic upper

• Rubber: Science Friction 3.0

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Slight

• Best for: Intermediate all-around climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon 

Mad Rock Lotus

• MSRP: $118.95

• Material: Syn Flex synthetic upper and footbed

• Rubber: Science Friction 3.0

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Moderate/aggressive

• Best for: Intermediate bouldering

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon 

Mad Rock Haywire

• MSRP: $124.95

• Material: FloKnit synthetic upper 

• Rubber: Science Friction 3.0

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Intermediate to advanced gym climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon 

Tenaya Masai

• MSRP: $149.95

• Material: Synthetic Microsuede and cotton lining

• Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 

• Closure: Lace

• Downturn: Moderate

• Best for: Intermediate to advanced sport climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon / Moosejaw

Tenaya Ra

• MSRP: $149.95

• Material: Synthetic Microsuede and cotton lining

• Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Intermediate all-around climbing

Find the men’s version them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon  / Moosejaw

So iLL Street / Street LV

• MSRP: $149.95

• Material: Synthetic upper

• Rubber: Dark Matter 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Moderate/ aggressive

• Best for: Intermediate to aggressive bouldering and steep sport climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon  / Outland USA

So iLL MAIN Street LV x Toms Shoes

This collaboration brought new designs to each company, drawing on the style and aesthetic of the other.  A portion of all proceeds are donated to Kevin Jorgeson's non-profit (1Climb) to provide underprivileged children with the opportunity to get into climbing.

• MSRP: $149.95

• Material: Synthetic upper

• Rubber: Dark Matter 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Moderate/ aggressive

• Best for: Intermediate to aggressive bouldering and steep sport climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon  / Outland USA

So iLL Runner / Runner LV

• MSRP: $129.95

• Material: Padded synthetic upper

• Rubber: Dark Matter

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Moderate

• Best for: Intermediate all around climbing and those who like sick kicks in bold colors

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon  / Outland USA

Scarpa Veloce

• MSRP: $139.95

• Material: Synthetic Microsuede upper

• Rubber: S-72 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Moderate

• Best for: Indoor bouldering and technical slab climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Outland USA / Moosejaw

VEGAN CLIMBING SHOES FOR ADVANCED CLIMBERS

Scarpa Furia Air

• MSRP: $199.95

• Material: Synthetic Microsuede upper

• Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 2

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Steep bouldering and competitive gym climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon / Outland USA

Evolv Agro

• MSRP: $164.95

• Material: Synthratek VX and full rubber upper toe casement

• Rubber: TRAX SAS 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Advanced bouldering with extra toe hooking friction

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon  / Outland USA / Moosejaw

Evolv Shaman

• MSRP: $159.95

• Material: Synthratek VX

• Rubber: TRAX High Friction 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for:  Intermediate to advanced bouldering 

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon / EMS / Outland USA / Moosejaw

Evolv Oracle

• MSRP: $174.95

• Material: Synthratek VX

• Rubber: TRAX SAS

• Closure: Lace

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Advanced roped climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon  / Outland USA / Moosejaw

Five Ten Quantum

• MSRP: $185

• Material: Synthetic Clarino

• Rubber: 4mm Stealth C4 rubber

• Closure: Lace-up

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: High level sport climbing and bouldering

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon

Five Ten Team

• MSRP: $144.95

• Material: Microfiber Polyester

• Rubber: Stealth HS

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Steep bouldering and competitive gym climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon / Moosejaw

Mad Rock Shark 

• MSRP: $119.95

• Material: Syn Flex synthetic and rubber upper

• Rubber: Science Friction 3.0

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Advanced bouldering on a budget

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon 

Tenaya Mastia

• MSRP: $189.95

• Material: Synthetic Microsuede

• Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Advanced bouldering and sport climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon / Moosejaw

Tenaya Oasi/ Oasi  LV

• MSRP: $179.95

• Material: Synthetic Microsuede and cotton lining

• Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Moderate/aggressive

• Best for: Advanced climbing for those with petite feet

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon / Moosejaw

Tenaya Manduka

• MSRP: $184.95

• Material: Synthetic Microsuede and cotton lining

• Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Intermediate to advanced all-around climbing

Find them here: REI / Amazon

Tenaya Tarifa

• MSRP: $179.95

• Material: Synthetic Microsuede and cotton lining

• Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 

• Closure: Lace

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Intermediate to advanced sport climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon / Moosejaw

So iLL The New Zero / New Zero Pro

The New Zero is named after Jason Kehl’s V13 of the same name, which at the time ushered in a new era of bouldering.  This shoe is designed to do the same.

• MSRP: $159.95

• Material: Ultra soft synthetic upper

• Rubber: Dark Matter

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Smearing on slab and ultra technical advanced climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Outland USA / Amazon 

So iLL Free Range / Free Range LV / Free Range Pro

• MSRP: $149.95

• Material: Synthetic upper

• Rubber: Dark Matter

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Aggressive

• Best for: Steep technical climbing and advanced bouldering

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon  / Outland USA

VEGAN CLIMBING SHOES FOR ALL DAY WEAR

Five Ten Siren

• MSRP: $144.95

• Material: perforated synthetic suede no-stretch Cowdura upper

• Rubber: Stealth ONYXX

• Closure: Lace

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for: Trad and multi-pitch climbing and all day wear

Find them here: REI / EMS / Moosejaw

Five Ten Anasazi Lace

• MSRP: $149.95

• Material: Synthetic Microsuede

• Rubber: Stealth C4

• Closure: Lace

• Downturn: Slight

• Best for: Trad/multi-pitch climbing and all day wear

Find them here: Backcountry / REI / Amazon  / Moosejaw

So iLL The One

• MSRP: $129.95

• Material: Synthetic upper

• Rubber: Dark Matter

• Closure: Lace

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for: Long ARC training at the gym and all day multi pitch climbing

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon  / Outland USA

VEGAN CLIMBING SHOES FOR KIDS

Black Diamond Kids’ Momentum

• MSRP: $59.95

• Material: Synthetic Engineered Knit upper & hemp footbeds

• Rubber: Vibram XS Grip 2

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for:  Introductory gym climbing

Find them here: Black Diamond / Backcountry / REI / Amazon /  EMS / Outland USA / Moosejaw

Mad Rock Mad Monkey

• MSRP: $44.95

• Material: Syn Flex synthetic upper

• Rubber: Science Friction 3.0

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for: Kids learning to climb

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon 

ClimbX Kids Icon

• MSRP: $29.95

• Material: Synthetic stretch knit upper and neoprene tongue

• Rubber: X-Factor

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for: Introducing kids to climbing on a budget

Find them here: Amazon

Butora Brava

• MSRP: $49.95

• Material: Synthetic microsuede

• Rubber: Butyl 5F

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for: Introducing kids to climbing and lots of color choices!

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon  / Outland USA

Evolv Venga

• MSRP: $48.95

• Material: Polyester mesh upper

• Rubber: TRAX SAS

• Closure: Velcro

• Downturn: Neutral

• Best for: Introducing kids to climbing and all-day comfort

Find them here: Backcountry / Amazon  / Outland USA

**This post contains affiliate links to support the continued creation of these van life guides. This just means that if you purchase something from one of the links above, I get a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Read more here or reach out with more questions.