Vegan multipitch shoes

Essentially the title. I'm looking for shoes that I can wear all day that aren't made of leather and prefer laces. I've exhausted all the options available in my home city (Vegas) and buying shoes online, without trying them on, hasn't been working very well, either. I'll primarily be climbing sandstone, with some limestone mixed in for days after it rains. Moderates (7s-10s). Narrower men's shoes preferred since it's challenging to find my size in women's (street shoe size 43). 

I've had my eye on the Up Lace, but am nervous to order from Unparallel due to their less-than-stellar customer service. I've also looked at models from Ocun, Tulson Tolf and Tenaya. Anyone have any recs? 

Acopa is great and has a nice vegan lace up

I wouldn’t buy direct from unparallel, but if you can find your size thru a third party retailer, no reason not to go for it.

Aren’t all Evolv shoes vegan? You could look into their lineup.

Are all Tenaya vegan, or just certain models? Seems like the Masai could fit your criteria if it’s vegan—it is supposed to be pretty narrow I believe  

Up Lace is a great shoe, I got mine from Unparallel with no problems.

Evolv Yosemite Bum is one of the few vegan high top shoes I've found, and it also comes in a low volume version.

Five Ten NIAD Lace is a solid narrow lace up, although the sizing seems to be a little wonky compared to other brands.

Slim Pickenswrote:

I wouldn’t buy direct from unparallel, but if you can find your size thru a third party retailer, no reason not to go for it.

Aren’t all Evolv shoes vegan? You could look into their lineup.

Are all Tenaya vegan, or just certain models? Seems like the Masai could fit your criteria if it’s vegan—it is supposed to be pretty narrow I believe  

Another vote for the Tenaya Masai.

https://trango.com/products/masai?variant=31864849268841&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw_mMv_7DiAMVeijUAR1TFyz9EAQYBiABEgJdK_D_BwE

Vegan generally = petroleum 

I know we all choose what to take a stand on but just a thought

Some thoughts and reccs:

The UP Lace is a pretty sweet shoe and the LV version is quite narrow. Know that it is very soft despite what they claim and is more of a smedging shoe than and edging shoe for slab. Also my experience has found them to kinda fall apart by the time they are ready for the first resole, so not very long lasting. That said, it takes a while before the time to resole comes around. Also yes order from a 3rd party like bananafingers.

As someone else mentioned Acopa does have a well priced synthetic lace up. I have a few other pairs of acopa shoes and love them, they are absolute tanks. I have not tried the Shot specifically, but it will likely run more medium to wide rather than narrow and be nice and comfy. 

I am probably one of the only people you will find who has actually climbed in Tulson Tolf stuff haha. I had the Trad and Step 2. The Trad is really interesting because it has an EXTREMELY stiff midsole in the front of the shoe, but absolutely no support through the arch. The intention is that you will use your foot muscles and strengthen your feet, but as a bit heavier climber I always just kinda found them to be agony for a whole day of climbing. They do offer an X Hard version that should have more support. Fit wise they are medium to narrow and low volume. I did find the synthetic they use comfy. The stiff toe piece is also very very insensitive, it kinda feels like you are standing on a board, but they edge on a dime and fit into cracks well.

The Tenaya Masai is also a good option. That is the shoe I have the least experience with, but they are also on the softer side and quite narrow.

Someone above mentioned the Yosemite Bum, they are very wide and square in the toe box, maybe not what you want if you have narrower feet. 

Hope this helps at all! Feel free to ask more questions about any of these. 

Sam Ehmannwrote:

Some thoughts and reccs:

The UP Lace is a pretty sweet shoe and the LV version is quite narrow. Know that it is very soft despite what they claim and is more of a smedging shoe than and edging shoe for slab. Also my experience has found them to kinda fall apart by the time they are ready for the first resole, so not very long lasting. That said, it takes a while before the time to resole comes around. Also yes order from a 3rd party like bananafingers.

As someone else mentioned Acopa does have a well priced synthetic lace up. I have a few other pairs of acopa shoes and love them, they are absolute tanks. I have not tried the Shot specifically, but it will likely run more medium to wide rather than narrow and be nice and comfy. 

I am probably one of the only people you will find who has actually climbed in Tulson Tolf stuff haha. I had the Trad and Step 2. The Trad is really interesting because it has an EXTREMELY stiff midsole in the front of the shoe, but absolutely no support through the arch. The intention is that you will use your foot muscles and strengthen your feet, but as a bit heavier climber I always just kinda found them to be agony for a whole day of climbing. They do offer an X Hard version that should have more support. Fit wise they are medium to narrow and low volume. I did find the synthetic they use comfy. The stiff toe piece is also very very insensitive, it kinda feels like you are standing on a board, but they edge on a dime and fit into cracks well.

The Tenaya Masai is also a good option. That is the shoe I have the least experience with, but they are also on the softer side and quite narrow.

Someone above mentioned the Yosemite Bum, they are very wide and square in the toe box, maybe not what you want if you have narrower feet. 

Hope this helps at all! Feel free to ask more questions about any of these. 

I ended up ordering the Masai because I found them for a really good price with free shipping both ways (if they don't fit). 

How does Acopa sizing typically run? Same goes for Unparallel. 

The Yosemite Bum is the only one I've been able to try on since REI stocks a handful of Evolvs. I did find them wide, but they fit okay with thick socks. I couldn't justify the price, though, and I'm not really looking for something that high. 

Yes, it does help a lot! I wish there were stores with a better selection nearby so I didn't have to play the game of buy, try on and pay for return shipping. I couldn't even really find anything different in SLC when I went there a few weeks ago. 

bearded samwrote:

Vegan generally = petroleum 

I know we all choose what to take a stand on but just a thought

Industrial leather has a fair amount of impact as well aside from animal welfare concerns. CO2, land, water, toxic chemicals, it's got it all. Leather does last longer but sustainability wise, it's sort of a toss up between leather and synthetic.

rock climbing wrote:

Like you said leather shoes last longer and people would most likely resole them and that is why they are better for the environment. 

I've been using Evolv shoes with synthetic uppers for over 10 years now. Highest resole count is 4, but not because they fall apart, I just have a few extras and keep rotating them.

Sarah Rosewrote:

How does Acopa sizing typically run? Same goes for Unparallel. 

I've found they run true to size. My feet are US 11.5. My UP Uprise Pro are 11.0 and are just now tolerable (but amazing) after a heinous 6+ month break in, maybe could have gone 11.5. My JB's from Acopa are 12.0 and after their break in I'm considering an 11.5 next time. TN Pro 11.5 and Acopa Gama 11.5 are money. FWIW.

Tim FromMainewrote:

I've found they run true to size. My feet are US 11.5. My UP Uprise Pro are 11.0 and are just now tolerable (but amazing) after a heinous 6+ month break in, maybe could have gone 11.5. My JB's from Acopa are 12.0 and after their break in I'm considering an 11.5 next time. TN Pro 11.5 and Acopa Gama 11.5 are money. FWIW.

I actually just returned a pair of Uprise Pros that I downsized 0.5 because they were in great condition and dirt cheap. They left such a bad indentation on my big toe while sitting that I didn't even bother standing in them. They were also higher volume than I would've preferred. Saw a pair of Sirius the other day at a consignment shop, and they were tiny for the size. So, I wasn't sure if UPs were like Evolvs, and I needed to order larger. Quality on UP looks great, though. 

I haven't seen Acopas in the wild, so that's good to know. Thanks. 

Israel Rwrote:

Industrial leather has a fair amount of impact as well aside from animal welfare concerns. CO2, land, water, toxic chemicals, it's got it all. Leather does last longer but sustainability wise, it's sort of a toss up between leather and synthetic.

True, however the leather industry and in particular the part of it with strong ties to the outdoor shoe industry, has been making pretty big gains in terms of environmental impact.