Vegan Climbing Shoes: The Best Cruelty-Free Options
In short: A climbing shoe is only vegan if the manufacturer explicitly labels it that way. "Synthetic upper" alone is not enough. Evolv has the widest range of labelled models, from the entry-level Defy to the high-performance Phantom. La Sportiva offers the Skwama Vegan.
Labelled vegan models compared
| Model | Vegan per manufacturer | Shape | Closure | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evolv Defy | yes ("100% Synthetic Vegan") | slight downturn | laces or Velcro | 215 g | beginners |
| Evolv V6 | yes | downturned toe | Velcro | 260 g | after your first pair |
| Evolv Phantom | yes ("vegan synthetic upper") | aggressive profile | laces | – | performance, rock |
| Evolv Zenist | yes | soft, sock-style upper | Velcro | 200 g | gym bouldering |
| La Sportiva Skwama Vegan | yes ("without animal-derived materials") | medium asymmetry, aggressive downturn | Velcro | 230 g | bouldering, sport climbing |
Weights are per shoe as stated by the manufacturer. Information as of October 2026.
What makes a climbing shoe vegan?
A climbing shoe is more than its upper. Animal-derived materials can hide in several places:
- Upper: Many shoes combine microfibre and leather. The La Sportiva Katana Lace, for example, has a microfibre and leather upper.
- Footbed and lining: Even with a synthetic upper, there may be leather inside. Red Chili lists a microfibre upper for the Voltage, but a suede leather footbed.
- Adhesives: Product pages rarely say which glues are used. That is why the manufacturer's explicit label matters so much.
Selection criteria: how to check whether a shoe is vegan
- Look for the label on the manufacturer's page. Evolv includes a dedicated "Vegan" field in the specs of many models. La Sportiva makes a separate Skwama Vegan model and states that it is made entirely without animal-derived materials.
- Read every material line. Upper, lining, footbed and tongue. If "leather" or "suede" appears anywhere, the shoe is not vegan.
- Don't rely on retailer copy. Retailers sometimes reproduce specs inaccurately. The manufacturer's page is what counts.
- Ask when in doubt. If there's no label, email the manufacturer and ask about the lining, footbed and adhesives.
After that, the usual criteria for any climbing shoe apply: fit, shape and use case. Synthetic uppers stretch less than leather; Evolv makes this point about the Phantom. A vegan shoe should therefore fit when you try it on. How to choose size and shape is explained in our guide to the best climbing shoes for beginners.
For beginners: Evolv Defy
Evolv describes the Defy as an entry-level shoe with a slight downturn and a bit more asymmetry than classic beginner models. According to the manufacturer it is 100% synthetic and vegan, weighs 215 g and has a 3.5 mm TRAX SAS sole. Evolv says the strap version is softer than the lace-up. There is also an LV model with 6% less volume for narrower feet.
The next step: Evolv V6
Evolv redesigned the V6 for 2026 and positions it as the next step after your first pair. It combines a wide split-tongue entry, a downturned toe and a full-length sole. The specs list it as "Vegan", and it weighs 260 g.
Performance: Evolv Phantom
Evolv designed the Phantom for technical climbing. The vegan synthetic upper sits on an aggressively profiled last and, according to Evolv, won't stretch much over time. It closes with laces and has a 4.2 mm TRAX SAS sole. You can get the Phantom at Bergfreunde.
Bouldering: La Sportiva Skwama Vegan and Evolv Zenist
According to La Sportiva, the main difference between the Skwama Vegan and the regular Skwama is the insole. It has medium asymmetry, an aggressive downturn, 4 mm Vibram XS Grip 2 and extra rubber over the forefoot for toe hooks. Evolv calls the Zenist its softest, most sensitive competition shoe, made for smearing and hooking on gym volumes. What else you need for bouldering is covered in the complete bouldering gear guide.
Not labelled: Tenaya Ra and Scarpa Veloce
Two popular models have synthetic uppers but are not labelled vegan on the manufacturer's page:
- Tenaya Ra: Tenaya lists a microfibre upper, cotton lining, Velcro closure and 4 mm Vibram XS Grip. There is no vegan statement. Ask Tenaya before you buy. You can find the Ra at Bergfreunde.
- Scarpa Veloce: Scarpa lists microfibre in the toe area and a 4 mm S72 sole, but no vegan status.
These shoes may still be free of animal products. It just isn't confirmed.
FAQ
Are vegan climbing shoes worse?
No, the label says nothing about performance. Evolv makes both beginner and competition shoes vegan, and La Sportiva offers the Skwama in a vegan version. The difference is the material: synthetics stretch less than leather.
Which brands make vegan climbing shoes?
Evolv labels many models as vegan in their specs, including the Defy, V6, Phantom, Shaman Pro and Zenist. La Sportiva has the Skwama Vegan. For other brands you have to check model by model.
Do vegan climbing shoes cost more?
Not necessarily. In La Sportiva's US shop the Skwama and Skwama Vegan cost the same. Price depends mainly on the intended use, not the material.
Is a shoe with a microfibre upper automatically vegan?
No. The footbed, lining or adhesives may be animal-derived. The Red Chili Voltage, for example, has a microfibre upper but a suede leather footbed.
Bottom line
Trust the manufacturer's label, not the word "synthetic". The Evolv Defy is the obvious vegan first shoe, with the V6 as the next step. For hard routes, look at the Phantom or the Skwama Vegan. For the wider comparison, see the 10 best climbing shoes of 2026 or our climbing shoe overview.
Sources: manufacturer information on the Evolv Defy, Evolv Phantom, La Sportiva Skwama Vegan and Red Chili Voltage.
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