Intermediate shoes for narrow heels

Hey there folks,

I'm on the hunt for a new pair of indoor bouldering shoes, and I'm in need of some advice. My street shoe size is a US men's 12.5, and my current lineup consists of the Tenaya Ra in 12.5 and the Scarpa Vapor V in 11.5. They fit great in the toebox and midfoot, but I have problems with my heel slipping out on aggressive hooks. I'm pretty sure my narrow heel is the culprit, but I don't think low-volume shoes are the answer since the front of my foot is much wider. Plus, they're very difficult to find in my size.

So, I'm eyeing the evolv Shaman Lace in either a 12 or a 12.5. I've seen some good reviews online from folks with narrow heels, but opinions overall seem polarized. I'm also a bit wary of jumping into an aggressive shoe as a relatively new climber, though I've read they're more forgiving than most. Do y'all have any other suggestions?

One thing to note: I've tried on several different La Sportiva shoes, and none of them have worked for me at all. The bend in the shoe doesn't match up with the arch of my foot, and the toebox is way off, so they're somehow painful and baggy at the same time.

I appreciate any advice you have. Thanks!

Posted Oct 15, 2023, 5:45 PM UTC

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