Killer Kicks

" I manhandle brand-new rock shoes before wearing them: caress, squeeze and even smell them. When I first groped the high-performance laced-up called the Millet Yalla ($129; milletusa.com), I balked at their downturned yet very stiff toe – two characteristics rarely seen in the same toe box. I was skeptical. But once I started climbing, I was amazed at how well the stiff-but-grabby combo worked. On vertical faces, I stood on tiny edges with confidence; on steeper-than-45-degree terrain, I could grab and hook features almost as well as if I were wearing a slipper. The rigid forefoot broke in after just a few pitches, softening just enough to offer both support and sensitivity. And for me and my wide, hairy feet, they fit perfectly: tight yet comfortable (The lacing system allows for lots of adjustment, but the narrowest feet may swim in the wide-laced Yalla). The synthetic upper - lined only in the toebox- feels like soft leather, yet holds its shape over time. The Yalla is one of the few bouldering and sport climbing shoes that truly masters a wide variety of climbing styles."

Chris Weidner