I have a checkered history when it comes to ‘walking’ boots. My general motto has been to avoid them whenever possible, opting for trail shoes since a pair of saturated, old, cheap, leather tramping boots savaged my feet back in 2013.

Finding the right #1 choice climbing shoe is tricky. You want something that fits your foot well enough to be worn performance tight, but isn't so uncomfortable you can't climb properly. And you want that shoe to be able to perform well enough at the variety of climbing shoe manoeuvres that you can put it on before trying to flash or onsight a route—without worrying there is going to be a key smear, heel hook or small edge that it isn't going to handle.