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Rosemary Gallagher
September 03, 2013
This shoe is both too small, and fits as expected
If you're doing climbing shoes right you should love to hate them. They should go on tight first time, curl your toes, and make you whimper ever so slightly as you tie them up. Each time you take them off, let your feet uncramp and put them back on, you should curse the shoes, their makers, and the rubber Goddess who invented rock climbing.I usually wear an 8.5 and these are a 7.5. They have good grip even in dusty conditions. The toe is sturdy and can hook into even little crevices, and the arch support on this women's shoe is, I can't believe I'm saying this, comfortable.I hate them. They are AWESOME climbing shoes.
✔ Verified Purchase
Shoes looked as-if they were pre-worn somewhat
Box arrived torn and shoes looked like as-if already been pre-worn a little. Returned and re-ordered. Next order arrived roughly same shape, only slightly better, and for an extra cost.
✔ Verified Purchase
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Danielle M Nelson
March 29, 2017
Great climbing shoes!
These shoes are fantastic. These are my second pair of Scarpas, and I'm just as pleased as with the first. I think they'd be great for beginner-intermediate climbers (I consider myself intermediate). They have great grip and the fit is comfortable. HOWEVER, note that for me, these run small. Unlike most climbing shoes, I've always had to buy my true size when buying Scarpas. For these I actually sized up a half size. I'm assuming they'll continue to stretch a bit, but right now I could use about an extra quarter size for my left foot. Overall though, extremely happy!
✔ Verified Purchase
Good, flexible fit. Ran half size small for me.
Right after opening the box, I immediately reached for my phone to take photos.Right out of the box, these shoes were covered in chalk and fingerprints, and had debris on the soles.If the shoes were used, this should have been disclosed in the description and the price should have been adjusted accordingly.Edit:I gave these a try anyway on an indoor wall, and tried them alongside a pair of La Sportiva Tarantulace, and honestly I was hoping the Sportivas would work better, since I found them on sale.... Although the Sportiva Tarantulace seemed more like the proper size, I found them too hard and inflexible, and my feet were starting to hurt in the soles and arches. In comparison, this pair of Scarpa Helix seemed to conform/flex better and offer more comfort despite being too small.I wore them with thin socks (especially since there is a possibility of me returning them, I didn't want to wear them barefoot just in case because, well...ew) and there was a little pinching in the toes. I will try the next size up. For reference, I normally wear either 7.5 or 7. I ordered these in 39, equivalent to a 7.5 according to the box, but I think it will be worth trying the 39.5.I'm also a beginner climber: As of this review I've only visited my climbing gym a handful of times, and have only worn their rentals before. I'm told that as you advance, you want a much tighter fit, so perhaps they run true to size if this is your preference.I wiped them down with a damp cloth, and was able to remove the chalk, fingerprints and debris. Perhaps they were previously tried out with a few climbs, but not worn extensively.Edit:I went ahead and ordered these in 39.5/8, and gave them a test run, and it seems they'll work. It's still snug around my feet, but I have a little room. It may not be as tight of a fit as a more advanced climber would prefer, but I figured since I'm a beginner that I would opt for comfort for now.
✔ Verified Purchase
Excellent Choice
I work at a climbing gym and often wear our rental shoes. We have a few different brands of climbing shoes. Based off wearing different brands, I would say that the Scarpa Helix is true to size. I wear a 41.5. Now, weather you like your climbing shoes loose or crazy tight is up to you to decide but these shoes are true to size.The material is sturdy. My foot is comfortable in the helix bc they are not an extremely aggressive climbing shoe.They stick / grip really well.I enjoy lace instead of velcro bc as the shoe material stretches over time, laces will keep the shoe fitting tight wear as velcro will stretch and wear out with the rest of the shoe.In our gym, many of the teen climbing team wear the helix as an indoor shoe or have them as an additional shoe. Sort of the same way a photographer always carries a 35m lens in their lens case.
✔ Verified Purchase
Quality control
Fits well, however, the left shoe appears to have construction flaws as a piece of the material irritates the heel.
✔ Verified Purchase
A
Amazon Customer
October 25, 2025
Great Climbing shoes
These were a gift for my daughter. She climbs at college and these have helped her achieve her goals. She loves the way they feel on the wall or on a cliff!
✔ Verified Purchase
