Sport Products
If youre serious about rock climbing, investing in a good pair of climbing shoes is essential. There are countless options out there, and choosing the right ones can be overwhelming. Today, we'll take an in-depth look at one of the most popular models on the market: the Scarpa Veloce Men's Climbing Shoes. These versatile shoes have gained a reputation for being reliable performers across various climbing disciplines from sport to trad and bouldering. Scarpa is renowned for producing high-quality footwear, and the Veloce continues this tradition with its innovative design and durable construction. But are they really worth all the hype? Lets dive in and find out. In this review, we'll cover everything you need to know about these shoes, including their features, comfort level, performance on different types of rock, durability, user reviews, pros & cons, and finally, our verdict!
The Scarpa Veloce Men's Climbing Shoes boast a sleek and modern design that immediately catches the eye. The upper is constructed from microfiber leather with breathable mesh panels strategically placed to enhance ventilation and reduce sweating during long climbing sessions. This combination provides excellent abrasion resistance while keeping your feet cool and dry. They are available in both velcro and lacing options, offering varying levels of adjustability (more on that later). One of the standout features is Scarpa's innovative heel design. The Veloce incorporates a padded rand along the back of the shoe, which not only adds comfort but also enhances edging precision by providing better leverage when hooking your toes onto small holds. This thoughtful detail sets them apart from many other climbing shoes on the market. The Vibram XS Edge rubber outsole is another key design element contributing to their impressive performance (more on that in the "Grip" section). The lacing system ensures a snug, secure fit around your foot and ankle without any pressure points or hot spots. Key Design Features:
When it comes to climbing shoes, comfort is a subjective topic. What feels comfortable to one climber might be unbearable for another. However, the Scarpa Veloce Men's Climbing Shoes strike an excellent balance between performance and comfort. The microfiber leather upper conforms well to your foot after a few sessions, gradually breaking in without sacrificing too much sensitivity or precision. The padded tongue and collar add extra cushioning around the ankle and top of the foot, while the Vibram XS Edge rubber provides a surprisingly comfortable feel underfoot despite its stiffness. Although they are not known for being super soft, they are considerably more forgiving than many other high-performance climbing shoes. Comfort Highlights:
Durability is another area where the Scarpa Veloce Men's Climbing Shoes excel. The microfiber leather upper is incredibly resistant to abrasion, standing up well to repeated use on rough rock surfaces. The Vibram XS Edge rubber outsole boasts excellent longevity, resisting wear and tear even under heavy foot traffic. This durability makes them a worthwhile investment for climbers of all skill levels. The reinforced heel area also contributes to their overall robustness, preventing premature breakdown in this high-stress zone. While they are not completely indestructible (no climbing shoe is!), the Veloce's construction ensures they will last much longer than many other models on the market. Durability Breakdown:
The Scarpa Veloce Men's Climbing Shoes feature a Vibram XS Edge rubber outsole, which is renowned for its exceptional grip on both indoor and outdoor surfaces. This sticky rubber provides unparalleled friction against rock, allowing you to confidently stick even the smallest holds. It excels on both steep overhangs and technical face climbs, making it an excellent choice for versatile climbers who tackle various terrain types. The aggressive tread pattern further enhances traction by providing more surface area contact with the rock. Whether you're edging, smearing, or hooking your toes into cracks, these shoes will keep you firmly planted on the wall. They perform particularly well on granite and limestone, but also hold their own on sandstone and other challenging surfaces. Grip Performance:
The Scarpa Veloce Men's Climbing Shoes are designed to be versatile all-around performers. They strike a great balance between stiffness and sensitivity, making them suitable for both technical face climbing and powerful bouldering problems. The stiff midsole provides excellent support while maintaining enough flexibility to allow precise footwork on smaller holds. The aggressive edging profile allows you to confidently hook your toes onto tiny edges without fear of slipping off. This is particularly helpful when working steep routes or boulders where precision is crucial. The velcro version offers a more secure fit and quicker adjustment between climbs, while the lace-up option provides greater customization for climbers with unique foot shapes. Performance Highlights:
The Scarpa Veloce Men's Climbing Shoes have garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews from climbers across the globe. Many users praise their exceptional comfort, durability, and grip on a wide range of surfaces. Here are some snippets taken directly from customer feedback:
The Scarpa Veloce Men's Climbing Shoes typically retail between $160 - $200 USD, depending on the retailer and colorway. While this is certainly not cheap, it is in line with other high-performance climbing shoes of comparable quality. Given their exceptional durability and versatility, they represent a worthwhile investment for serious climbers who want gear that will last for years to come.
The Scarpa Veloce Men's Climbing Shoes are a top-tier option for climbers seeking a versatile, comfortable, and durable shoe that can handle everything from sport routes to bouldering problems. Their innovative design, exceptional grip, and long lifespan make them an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced climbers alike. While they may not be the softest or most sensitive shoes on the market, their performance and value for money are hard to beat.
The Scarpa Veloce is a versatile climbing shoe designed for both indoor and outdoor use. They offer performance on technical routes, edging, and cracks while maintaining comfort during extended sessions thanks to their sensitive rubber sole and comfortable fit.
Yes, the Scarpa Veloce can be an excellent choice for beginner climbers. Their moderate downturn and comfortable fit make them suitable for learning essential climbing techniques without causing excessive discomfort or pain.
Scarpa's sizing tends to run slightly smaller than other brands. We recommend ordering a half-size up from your normal street shoe size, especially if you have wider feet. Try them on with thin climbing socks for the most accurate fit.
The Scarpa Veloce is incredibly versatile and performs well in both disciplines. Their sensitivity makes them great for precise footwork on small holds, while their edging capabilities are excellent for steep routes.
The upper of the Scarpa Veloce is constructed with Lorica microfiber, a synthetic leather that's durable and breathable. The sole is Vibram XS Edge rubber, renowned for its stickiness and durability.
After climbing, brush off any loose dirt or chalk from the shoes. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the exterior. Avoid immersing them in water or using harsh chemicals as this can damage the materials.
While not necessary for indoor climbing, wearing thin climbing socks is recommended for outdoor use and extended sessions to protect your feet from abrasion and moisture buildup.
The lifespan of your Scarpa Veloces depends on how frequently you climb and the type of terrain you tackle. With proper care, they can easily last a year or more for occasional climbers.
Scarpa offers both men's and women's specific models of the Veloce. The main differences are in the shape of the toe box and heel cup, which are designed to accommodate gender-specific foot shapes.
No, do not put your Scarpa Veloces in the washing machine! This can damage the rubber soles and adhesives holding them together.
The Vibram XS Edge rubber offers excellent sensitivity, allowing you to feel small holds and edges with precision. This makes the Scarpa Veloce an ideal choice for technical climbing.
Yes, like all leather or synthetic leather climbing shoes, the Scarpa Veloce will stretch slightly with use. However, this is minimal compared to full-leather models.
While technically possible, we do not recommend it as doing so can damage the rubber soles and shorten their lifespan. Climbing shoes are specifically designed for performance on rock surfaces.
Scarpa's sizing tends to run slightly smaller than other brands. We strongly advise trying them on or ordering a half-size up from your normal street shoe size, especially if you have wider feet.
You can purchase the Scarpa Veloce online through various climbing equipment retailers and websites like ours! We offer competitive prices and fast shipping to get these shoes in your hands quickly.
Wear them around the house for short periods, gradually increasing the time you wear them each day. Try wearing thin socks to help stretch them out without causing blisters on your feet.
While they are versatile enough for various disciplines, Scarpa Veloces are not specifically designed for trad climbing. They lack the stiffness and durability required for prolonged edging on small holds or long cracks.
The Scarpa Veloce weighs approximately 17 ounces (482 grams) per shoe, making them relatively lightweight for their performance level.