A breathable all-arounder climbing shoe that punches above its (price) class.

Words & photos :: Todd Lawson

Although billed as a gym-first shoe, we decided to take them outside to see how they’d fare on some classic BC granite. First impression? If you’re new to the sport or just want something that won’t destroy your feet, walk this way. The Black Diamond Momentum is an impressively comfortable, do-it-all climbing shoe.

The Fit. The two (opposing) Velcro straps allow for super-quick pop on and off, which comes in handy when you’re climbing a bunch of pitches in a day. This is a shoe built for learning the ropes—literally—but it still manages to deliver when the terrain gets real. For me, one feature that really stood out was the suede leather footbed. During a hot and sunny three-hour sport-climbing session my feet stayed pretty happy the whole time—both on the rock and while belaying.

Black Diamond Momentum climbing shoes being tested by rock climber

The Feel. Gotta throw in some wow-factor here. They breathe really damn well. Apparently the secret to breathability is the high-tech upper—“engineered knit and microsuede for breathability and performance” that lets hot air escape while still supporting your foot where it counts.

The Grip. We tested them while sport-climbing on BC granite on a hot and sunny day in June. Smearing on the rock face felt confident: soft feel and ample flex—not ultra-sensitive, but enough to trust your footwork. The proprietary BD rubber probably won’t win any stickiness awards, and may not last as long as high-end shoes out there, but they felt strong enough to get the job done.

If you’re new to the sport or just want something that won’t destroy your feet, walk this way.

The Style. Who wants to wear ugly shoes? Thankfully the Momentums tick the “Good-Looking” box. Although looks won’t make you a better climber, they’re definitely nice on the eyes, which always helps.

The Price. They are quite possibly the best all-around shoe on the market today at this price point.

The Trade-offs? The heel cup rides a bit high—after three hours at the crag, we felt some pressure at the Achilles. And on steep outdoor smears, the rubber could use a little more bite.

The Bottom Line:

If you’re only buying one shoe this season, this is a damn good choice. Comfortable, good-looking, well-ventilated, and surprisingly capable for cragging and sport climbing sessions. Think of it as a beginner’s best friend—and a budget-friendly backup for seasoned climbers.

*Fit tip: most folks will want to go with street shoe sizing for comfort. Aggressive climbers or boulderers might consider going down half a size for a tighter, more performance-focused fit. Just be ready for a bit of a break-in.