Boreal Unisex's Joker Plus Sneakers

Product Information

Revised tongue construction is lighter, more breathable and retains its shape and positioning through the additional elastic in the closure. To give that price some context we then looked at all of the products available from Go Outdoors in the Climbing Shoes category. We found 27 items in total. What’s the price of Climbing Shoes?

Another factor that can be a great indication of product quality is the brand. Brands like Boreal are of course extremely well known, especially for Climbing Shoes. I'll begin with the things that are similar or the same, then go on to the design features and materials that set the shoes apart from each other. There’s so much information available online when we’re shopping now, that it’s easy to find lots of detail about products like Boreal Alpha Men’s Climbing Shoe. This is of course really helpful, but there’s almost too much information available, so it’s important to know exactly what you’re looking for. The Mocc is a flat-lasted, moderately assymetric shoe. In terms of width and volume it sits somewhere in the middle. It could even be on the narrower side, but as someone with a wide foot I haven't found this to be a problem, because the unlined upper gives around the shape of your foot. As a result of this, I have found that they are - once worn in - an extremely comfortable shoe.

By streamlining the key features, Alpha provides a durable, comfortable and great value shoe for any newcomers to the sport. Alpha features the same super-comfortable semi-asymmetric last as the top-selling Joker model. A low tension rand means there is less unwanted pressure on the foot and the shoe retains shape over time. The unlined microfibre upper feels comfortable next to the skin straight from the box.

The Beta has been designed with the indoor climber in mind. This shoe is for someone that has recently started climbing, but - as is the indoor way - is looking at climbing a little harder than, say, someone who'd started their outdoor apprenticeship. The Joker has historically been Boreal's offering in this department, but the advent of indoor bouldering has changed things, with newer users immediately climbing steeper and more technical terrain. Hence what was previously good for beginners is now a little different, depending what they're looking to do. The Joker are at the broader end of the spectrum, so accommodate wider feet nicely. Volume-wise they sit somewhere in the middle, which is a blessing given that this then allows them to fit quite a range of feet, as the volume can easily be adjusted from high to low courtesy of either the lacing or the velcro closure. If you're after something a little narrower and lower volume then Boreal produce a women's model, which would potentially provide a solution - irrespective of whether or not you're actually a woman. The stiffer Quantic is well designed for edging, while the softer Quantix SF is more secure on smears Differences between the Quantic and Quantix SF When it comes to sizing, we went down a single UK shoe size, which equated to something I could wear out the box without any discomfort. This isn't the shoe you want, or need, to start down-sizing in, because if it's something more technical that you're after then buy something more technical. Throughout use it feels like they give up to half a size, but if anything this only adds to the comfort. As with the Dharma and Synergy, I took my Satoris in an EU 44 and wear a street size EU 45. Overall the shoe fits really well: the heel is snug, the forefoot has a nice close fit, my toes are right at the end of the shoe and there's no movement inside. However, as I mentioned, the toe of the shoe doesn't quite work for me so do take my sizing advice with a pinch of salt - perhaps a tighter pair would give a better fit at the toe. The lined synthetic uppers of the Satori haven't stretched much at all, up to half a size at most, so I wouldn't size them too tight in the hope that they'll stretch out. Like the Dharma and Synergy, the Satori is fairly high volume. A female (aka low volume) version is also available.Other examples exist, but given that these are relevant and recent they hopefully goe some way to countering your claim and should allay anyones fears that just because a brand pays us money it doesn't grant them free license to a good review. While both models are shod with 3.5mm soles of Vibram rubber this is where the similarities end. Firstly, they use different rubber: the Quantic uses XS Edge while the Quantix SF uses XS Grip 2. Unsurprisingly, XS Edge is designed to be slightly firmer, which should help the Quantic hold micro edges. Meanwhile the XS Grip 2 is focused primarily on friction so is slightly softer. The soles and rands on both pairs are wearing well and, noticeably, having had the Quantic (with XS Edge) for a number of months longer than the Quantix SF, its edges are still really sharp and feel great on little edges. I've used them a lot on quarried limestone where edging is the norm and they have been superb. The Instinct S uses Scarpa's FJ last, which differs slightly (but not significantly) from the FV last used in the Instinct VS and VSR. Overall I'd say that if those two shoes fit you, so too will the Instinct S. Size-wise I'm exactly the same in all three models, so you shouldn't have to change sizes either (which makes things nice and easy). I definitely do not find the Alpha broad, at all. I think it's fair to say I've always felt Boreal shoes come out narrow. Perhaps it's partly a toe profile thing in this instance, and the fact I down-sized clearly hasn't helped, but on me they are very close throughout, so much so that I cannot imagine a size larger feeling suddenly wide in comparison.

The Joker's flat last, relaxed heel, and semi-asymmetric toe profile are another key to its success, because this is an extremely forgiving combination. There's no trying to force your foot into something radically bent or downturned, with a heel that aggressively digs into your achilles. The Joker are a supremely comfortable and adaptable pair of shoes that are capable of fitting a wide array of foot shapes and sizes. Personally I find the Maestro a bit on the soft/flat side, which is the same issue I have with the Anasazi (which I've always wanted to like, but never got on with). I've got pretty high arches, so tend to prefer something a little more downturned and have used a blend of La Sportiva Katana Lace, La Sportiva Otaki, Scarpa Instinct VS, Scarpa Instinct Lace, and Scarpa Boostic over the past few years. When it comes to edging the Boostic really does take some beating, but it's definitely at the higher volume end of the spectrum - particularly when compared to the Katana Lace - which also has a fantastic edging performance. The new Vapour V uses Scarpa's 'FR' last, which is the lowest volume in the range. When it comes to width it's realistically on the regular to narrow end of the spectrum. The sizing is - I am happy to say - in line with other Scarpa models, which is usually one (European) size down from your street shoe size. It's nice to have shoes that I trust completely for climbing but don't want to pull off the instant I finish. They really do combine performance and all-day comfort

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Choosing the right size climbing shoe is the most difficult aspect of buying climbing shoes online - a pair of shoes that fit well will improve performance more than any other bit of equipment you own, and so getting the right size is important. As per my comments on Zenith Quattro within the relatively recent review of the Boreal Beta and Beta Eco, it wasn't - in my opinion - the grippiest; however, it was, in turn, much more durable. You can't have everything and Boreal have designed that compound with longevity in mind.