Skwama Climbing Shoe (Men's)

The La Sportiva Skwama is a much-loved all-rounder, the kind of climbing shoe a climber can wear for almost anything. It's a soft, sensitive shoe, meaning the climber can really feel the rock or holds through the sole. That makes it great for smearing, which is pressing the shoe flat against the wall for grip when there's no obvious foothold.

This is a smart gift for an intermediate or experienced climber who wants one versatile pair instead of a closet full of specialty shoes. It works on plastic gym holds, on outdoor sport climbing (longer roped routes), and on steep, overhanging terrain.

It has a slightly downturned shape for performance but stays comfortable enough for regular sessions, and the grippy heel helps on heel hooks (latching the heel onto a hold on overhangs). At around $199, the Skwama is a flexible rock climbing gift that gives a climber confidence on the wall and gets used week after week.