With the help of a very knowledgeable and patient sales rep at my local Backcountry store, I tried on tons of different bouldering shoes after my beginner pair wore out. These felt great right out of the box and have been super fun to climb in, plus they look cool. Oh, and So iLL hooked me up with a coupon code because I have different size feet and bought two pairs, which I greatly appreciate.

One note, I did go up a half size from my street size for a snug but not painful fit.

So I have been using this shoe on and off now for the past 3-4 months. I’ve cycled it in with some other pairs to be able to compare. Other shoes I’ve used have been 5.10 HiAngles, Scarpa Instinct VSR, and La Sportiva Skwama. I think the shoe is very solid, the fit is great. I am usually size 10-10.5 for street shoes and most of the time end up getting 9.5 for my climbing shoes and that’s what I got in these. Rubber is good on them, heel fits well, no issue with any of the stitching inside of the shoe. There has been very little stretch to the fit for how long I’ve been using them, and probably only took 2-3 sessions until they broke in. I think performance wise they’re good, i liked them better than the Scarpas I mentioned, but still ended up preferring the 5.10 and La Sportiva’s mentioned. I’m not sure if it’s the symmetry of the toe box but I just had a slight disconnect from where my toe and the slight talon part of the shoe was making contact on the wall. I had a much easier time smearing/edging on the wall in the 5.10’s although these shoes were more comfortable. I definitely preferred them for when doing ropes/volume but when I needed to get the most out of a shoe they weren’t my first choice. Still tho it’s solid, and it’s definitely one of the best looking shoes I’ve used. I think for gym use it’s been fine and good for being in something comfortable while warming up/ramping up but not the shoe I grabbed for when I really wanted to send something. And while I did state I had them for 3-4 months I’ve probably only worn them maybe 10-20 sessions in total considering I’d alternate with other shoes to compare. I think if you’re looking for a shoe to cruise in and be comfortable these are solid, but I may look for a different model to have that better connection of where my toe is with the wall.

I've been climbing for 12 years and So iLL has been my go-to this whole time. This newest purchase, the Stays, are the best yet. I was a little worried about the new rubber but I immediately learned I have nothing to worry about. This thing does not mess around. It doesn't slip on smears or chips, it fits really well, and I've been able to outdo myself with these shoes. It's even -- dare I say -- comfortable. I will continue to support So iLL (as a customer) as long as they continue to support me (literally, on the wall)! Thanks for another great shoe.

My last pair of So iLL shoes were the Street and I liked them a lot. When it was time for new shoes I got these Stay models and they fit like a glove. Took me a few sessions to really break them in.

My street shoes size is a 10 and I got these in a 10.

Ordered a 10.5 it was way too small super tight, 11 would have been perfect. I’m a 10.5 and size to fit wasn’t actually correct.