Mad Rock ROVER Black

Very good budget shoes for beginner to intermediat

By: Ben on 31 August 2024

I am very happy with these new shoes. They are comfortable and have good performance. I bought the Mad Rock Rovers to replace my ancient, worn out 'everyday' climbing shoes and to preserve the rubber on my expensive pair of Tenaya Oasi's. The price was excellent. Not much more than a resole would have been, and they looked a bit more aggressive than the usual budget shoes. They fit very well out of the box at my street shoe size. On the first use I managed about half an hour on the wall before I needed to take them off and stretch my toes. One foot is a bit tight, one a tiny bit loose due to my feet being different sizes. But they are slowly stretching out, and the slightly looser one still feels very good. The width is pretty relaxed, and I could probably gave gone a tiny bit narrower, the big toe length being the limiting factor for my foot. I am very happy that the break in hasn't been unpleasant. I find the heel excellent. It is secure but not too tight. Fantastic for heel hooks. I like the ridges on the heel. I hardly need the straps to keep the heel in it fits so well. The rubber feels sticky and secure. It smears very well, and edges well. Both significantly better than my old shoes, and not much different from my Oasi's. There is plenty of ruber on the toe for toe hooks. The textured finish of the moulded rubber is interesting, but moulded one peice topbox might be harder to resole? So far (after 3 hours of use) the rubber seems to be lasting well and moulding in nicely. I'd recommend giving these a try. Especially if you have slightly wider feet. I think they would be a great first shoe for a beginner or intermediate climber. And a decent cheaper training shoe for intermediate to advanced climbers. It would be nice if they did a low volume version. I am really enjoying climbing in them.

(5)