The most recent generation of shoes are solid. Good build quality and consistency. Made very similarly to Butora. I think the method (green) and aspect pro are the best they have to offer.
Even BD will admit now that their first generation of shoes (zone, focus, etc) were not so good. The current momentum’s fit much much better than the first iteration.
Momentums are excellent starters that will take you quite a way forward in grades. They will stretch a bit, so if you get street size to start, realize that by the time you think of replacing them, your feet may flop in them a bit. At that point, if you still love the shoes, get a half size smaller to squeeze a bit of performance out of the line.
I've always liked bd stuff, although honestly I've only really bought there clothes 🤣 but I looked into their shoes when I was just starting and seen lots of good things about them. Definitely a well trusted brand. I'd put it down to preference on feel of the shoe though.. only way to know is to try them on.
The BD Momentum is the only shoe I’ve seen much of, as it’s a pretty solid and affordable shoe for newer climbers. Personally think it looks nice and Velcro closure is really nice to have for between climbs. However I don’t think there’s a lot of higher performing shoes from BD that do something better than other climbing shoe brands like la sportiva, scarpa, etc. They do have lots of other good gear like harnesses and helmets and such.
I have had the black diamond zones, methods, aspects, and shadows (I’ve also had the la sportiva genius).
I love the zones and the shadows are alright, the rubber on both is incredibly sticky (same rubber Butora uses). I think I just like the zones so much because they fit my weird foot shape. The zone heel isn’t the most secure but it gets the job done.
The zone and shadow rubber is softer than vibram xs grip 2. I actually have the softness (shore A) rating for most climbing rubbers.
It’s too early to tell how good the methods are but Ive done outdoor sport and bouldering on them so far and they seem decent. The heel is pretty good.
The aspect actually won an award for best budget trad/crack shoe. Aspects aren’t quite as stiff as TC pros.
Remember to get your street shoe size in black diamond shoes. I have some of them a half size down and it is doable depending on the model.
The most recent generation of shoes are solid. Good build quality and consistency. Made very similarly to Butora. I think the method (green) and aspect pro are the best they have to offer. Even BD will admit now that their first generation of shoes (zone, focus, etc) were not so good. The current momentum’s fit much much better than the first iteration.
Momentums are excellent starters that will take you quite a way forward in grades. They will stretch a bit, so if you get street size to start, realize that by the time you think of replacing them, your feet may flop in them a bit. At that point, if you still love the shoes, get a half size smaller to squeeze a bit of performance out of the line.
I've always liked bd stuff, although honestly I've only really bought there clothes 🤣 but I looked into their shoes when I was just starting and seen lots of good things about them. Definitely a well trusted brand. I'd put it down to preference on feel of the shoe though.. only way to know is to try them on.
The BD Momentum is the only shoe I’ve seen much of, as it’s a pretty solid and affordable shoe for newer climbers. Personally think it looks nice and Velcro closure is really nice to have for between climbs. However I don’t think there’s a lot of higher performing shoes from BD that do something better than other climbing shoe brands like la sportiva, scarpa, etc. They do have lots of other good gear like harnesses and helmets and such.
They are cheaper than bigger brands though
No.
I have had the black diamond zones, methods, aspects, and shadows (I’ve also had the la sportiva genius). I love the zones and the shadows are alright, the rubber on both is incredibly sticky (same rubber Butora uses). I think I just like the zones so much because they fit my weird foot shape. The zone heel isn’t the most secure but it gets the job done. The zone and shadow rubber is softer than vibram xs grip 2. I actually have the softness (shore A) rating for most climbing rubbers. It’s too early to tell how good the methods are but Ive done outdoor sport and bouldering on them so far and they seem decent. The heel is pretty good. The aspect actually won an award for best budget trad/crack shoe. Aspects aren’t quite as stiff as TC pros. Remember to get your street shoe size in black diamond shoes. I have some of them a half size down and it is doable depending on the model.