Five years. This is how long the designers at Black Diamond have been working to create this unique line of climbing shoes. As climbers themselves, the designers and engineers wanted to make the best gear for other climbers. "What we really wanted to create was a unique, start-from-scratch design," says Kasey Jarvis, VP of Design at Black Diamond. That's why the designers started from zero and teamed up with long-time shoe designer Linh Nguyen—a veteran of the climbing industry

While in the past the material of climbing shoes has largely remained unchanged, leather—synthetic leather if it's cheaper—and rubber, Black Diamond wanted to introduce new versatile materials in their shoe line.

"We're not winning by cooking with the same ingredients," explains Kasey. "We're winning by changing the recipe."And what Black Diamond found was that new, cutting-edge materials could be brought into a traditional world of manufacturing.

Which shoe is ideal for you? Check the chart and all shoe details below:

3 Facts from Linh Guyen - Technical Designer at Black Diamond - about the new line of climbing shoes:

1. Each application of material is directed by the intended use of the shoes. The Aspect uses German sourced leather as for an all-day shoe on longer terrain, one needs shoes that are more robust. Contrary to a pair of shoes that one would wear in the climbing wall, for which latest asian made knitted polyesters and microfibers offer the breathability you want.

2. We are the only brand with their factory producing rubber on premise, at the site where we build the shoes. This offers advantages from quality control to rapid material testing. Not many brands have the luxury of control over the rubber that they use for their rock shoes.

3. We started our design and development process with our shoe factory. In fact, we could not have differentiated ourselves with our shoes without the help of a partner factory who pays a great deal of attention to detail and one who shares with us the importance of innovation same as the love to climbing.

Momentum – the entry level shoe

Available in a Men's and Women's version.

While the Momentum climbing shoe was built with ultimate comfort in mind it excels in performance. With Engineered Knit Technology for exceptional breathability and innovative proprietary molded rubber, the Momentum is the perfect entry-level climbing shoe for all day comfort at the gym or crag.

Aspect – the trad climbing machine

Built to handle endless splitters of the Creek, cragging days at City of Rocks and the notorious slabs of Little Cottonwood Canyon, the Aspect is an engineered trad climbing machine. Designed with fine, durable leather, our innovative proprietary molded rubber and an Engineered Knit Technology tongue, this flat-lasted, slightly asymmetrical lace-up is perfect for plugging gear at the cliff.

Shadow - overhanging sport routes and hard bouldering

The dream shoe for steep, aggressive climbing, the Shadow is a downturned Velcro shoe built for pulling HARD. Featuring our extra-sticky Fuse molded rubber with added friction strips for better toe-hooking, and a durable microfiber upper combined with our Engineered Knit Technology tongue, the Shadow is ready to send your project.

Momentum Kids - support and breathability

Designed for the young crushers of the world, the Kids' Momentum climbing shoe was built to provide unparalleled comfort. With Engineered Knit Technology for exceptional breathability, and innovative proprietary molded rubber, the Momentum is the perfect entry-level climbing shoe for all day comfort.