Five Ten
Five Ten Anasazi Pro
"The legendary all-rounder — Stealth C4 rubber, precise edging, comfortable for full days. The grandparent of modern climbing shoes"
Best Five Ten Climbing Shoes 2026
Five Ten is the iconic American climbing shoe brand, acquired by adidas in 2011 but still making the shoes that defined modern free climbing. The legendary Anasazi (now Niad), the bouldering-favorite Hiangle, and the all-day Quantum all rely on Five Ten's patented Stealth rubber — widely regarded as the stickiest climbing rubber ever made. We have tested the full Five Ten lineup from beginner Rogue VCS to performance Hiangle Pro for fit, performance, and durability.
We earn a small commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep BoulderingList free.
Five Ten
Five Ten Niad Lace
"Modern remake of the classic Anasazi Lace — flat-lasted, all-day comfort, ideal for trad and multi-pitch"
Five Ten
Five Ten Hiangle
"Aggressive bouldering shoe with full Stealth C4 wraparound — sticky enough for steep gym and outdoor projects"
Five Ten
Five Ten Hiangle Pro
"Pro-level Hiangle with stiffer sole and refined fit — built for hard sport and competition bouldering"
Five Ten
Five Ten Quantum
"Performance trad and sport shoe with all-day comfort — Stealth Onyxx rubber for slab and edging precision"
Five Ten
Five Ten Rogue VCS
"Beginner-friendly velcro shoe with Stealth rubber — comfortable entry point into the Five Ten lineup"
Five Ten
Five Ten Kirigami
"All-day sport climbing shoe with moderate downturn — bridges comfort and performance for intermediate climbers"
Five Ten
Five Ten Crawe
"Soft sensitive bouldering shoe — slipper construction, exceptional smearing, modern competition-ready design"
How to Choose Five Ten Climbing Shoes
Five Ten fits the widest of the three big brands. Five Ten's last is more generous through the forefoot than La Sportiva or Scarpa. If you have wide feet and have been frustrated by other brands, Five Ten is often the answer.
The Five Ten Range
Beginner / comfort: Rogue VCS, Niad Lace — flat-lasted, comfortable, sticky Stealth rubber from day one. The Rogue VCS is the most accessible Five Ten at around $130.
Trad / all-day: Niad Lace, Quantum, Anasazi Pro — comfortable for full days, precise edging, the foundations of American big-wall climbing.
Sport / all-rounder: Anasazi Pro, Quantum, Kirigami — moderate downturn, all-day comfort with serious performance. The Anasazi Pro is the daily driver of countless 5.13 climbers.
Bouldering / steep: Hiangle, Hiangle Pro, Crawe — aggressive downturn, sticky rubber, built for steep terrain and modern competition-style problems.
Five Ten Fit Notes
- Width: Widest of the major brands — best for medium-to-wide forefeet.
- Heel: Heel cups vary by model — Hiangle has a snug performance heel; Anasazi is roomier.
- Sizing: Most climbers go 0.5 size below street shoe for comfort fits, 1 size below for performance models. Five Ten shoes stretch less than La Sportiva.
Stealth Rubber
The reason Five Ten exists. Stealth C4 (most models), Stealth Onyxx (Quantum), and Stealth Mi6 (specialised) are all proprietary rubber compounds developed in-house. Many climbers consider Stealth C4 the stickiest climbing rubber in production — it grips smears, slopers, and rounded holds that other rubbers slip off. The trade-off: Stealth wears slightly faster than Vibram on rough rock.
History and Acquisition
Five Ten was founded in 1985 in Redlands, California. The original Anasazi (1990) defined a generation of free climbing — Lynn Hill's 1993 free ascent of the Nose was in Anasazis. Adidas acquired Five Ten in 2011 and continues to make the shoes under the same Stealth-rubber formula.
Budget Guide
- Budget ($120-140): Rogue VCS, Niad Lace
- Mid-range ($150-180): Anasazi Pro, Quantum, Kirigami
- Performance ($180-220): Hiangle, Hiangle Pro, Crawe
Common Mistakes Buying Five Ten Climbing Shoes
Underestimating Stealth rubber's stickiness. First-time Five Ten wearers often find the rubber feels almost grabby — perfectly normal. Smears that slip in other shoes hold in Stealth.
Buying Hiangle as a first pair. Aggressive shoes from any brand are wrong for beginners. Start with the Rogue VCS or Niad Lace.
Sizing as Scarpa or La Sportiva. Five Ten runs different — generally a half-size larger than equivalent Scarpa or La Sportiva models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Five Ten climbing shoes still made after the adidas acquisition?
Yes — adidas acquired Five Ten in 2011 and continues to make the climbing shoes under the same Stealth-rubber formula. The classics like the Anasazi (now Niad), Hiangle, and Quantum are all still in production. Some longtime climbers were nervous about the acquisition, but the shoes have stayed true to the brand's heritage.
What is Stealth rubber and why is it special?
Stealth is Five Ten's proprietary climbing rubber, developed in-house since the 1980s. The current formulations — Stealth C4 (most shoes), Stealth Onyxx (Quantum), and Stealth Mi6 (specialised) — are widely considered among the stickiest climbing rubbers in production. The trade-off is slightly faster wear than Vibram on abrasive rock, but the grip on smears, slopers, and rounded holds is unmatched. Many world-class climbers prefer Stealth specifically for its smearing performance.
Do Five Ten climbing shoes run wide?
Yes — Five Ten fits the widest of the three major brands (Five Ten, Scarpa, La Sportiva). If you have wider feet and Scarpa pinches, or if La Sportiva is a hard no, try Five Ten before assuming all climbing shoes will be uncomfortable. The Anasazi Pro and Niad Lace are particularly accommodating to wider forefeet.
What is the best Five Ten climbing shoe for beginners?
The Five Ten Rogue VCS is the most accessible Five Ten for beginners — flat-lasted, velcro closure, full Stealth C4 rubber, around $130. The Niad Lace at the same price is its laced sibling. Both let you experience the legendary Stealth rubber without the painful break-in of aggressive Five Ten models like the Hiangle.
What is the difference between Anasazi and Niad?
Same shoe, different name. Five Ten renamed the Anasazi line to Niad in 2021 (the original name had cultural appropriation concerns related to the Native American Anasazi peoples). The Niad Lace and Niad VCS are the modern continuations of the Anasazi Lace and Anasazi Velcro. Performance and fit are essentially identical — the rebranding was about respect, not engineering.
New to climbing?
Our guides can help you get started and make the right gear choices.
More Gear
🧗 Bouldering Shoes🤲 Chalk Bags🤍 Chalk🛡️ Crash Pads💪 Training Boards & Hangboards🩹 Climbing Tape🖌️ Bouldering Brushes👟 Rock Climbing Shoes🪢 Climbing Harnesses🔗 Belay Devices🧵 Climbing Ropes🔩 Quickdraws⛑️ Climbing Helmets🪨 Climbing Holds🔒 Locking Carabiners👖 Climbing Pants🧤 Climbing Gloves🎒 Climbing Backpacks🧶 Climbing Rope Bags🥾 Approach Shoes🏔️ Scarpa Climbing Shoes🇮🇹 La Sportiva Climbing Shoes⛰️ Mad Rock Climbing Shoes⬛ Black Diamond Climbing Shoes🇺🇸 Evolv Climbing Shoes🇰🇷 Butora Climbing Shoes🇨🇿 Ocun Climbing Shoes
Ready to Climb?
Got your five ten climbing shoes sorted? Find the best bouldering gyms near you.