Editors' Choice 2018: Scarpa Chimera Review

Though we already included the Chimera in our 2017 shoe review, we’d have been remiss not to also feature it here, as it’s such an amazing, genre-specific tool for steep, bouldery terrain. One of the most radically downturned shoes of 2017/2018, with a marked asymmetric “banana” swoop, the Chimera still manages to be comfortable (for the genre). Soft, grippy, and with a hyper-precise toe, this shoe is a redpoint and bouldering machine—it focuses mad power into your big toe thanks to the Power Connection Band (an active randing system), and with a 3.5mm XS Grip 2 sole is insta-sensitive. For digging, scooping, hooking, scumming, divot standing, pockets, smearing, and all manner of steep jessery, this is one of the best, and best-crafted, shoes I’ve worn.

$210, scarpa.com

See more of our top gear picks in our 2018 Climbing Gear Guide: Editors’ Choice Awards.