While you can use almost any shoes when you are caving, you must have the right shoes when entering a cave. Fortunately, a few shoes are designed for caving, and they offer more grip than some of the others. So if you wonder What Are the Best Shoes for Caving, we aim to find them for you.
The best caving shoes are lightweight and have excellent grip. Since caves tend to be slippery and you will often find yourself in precarious situations, your shoes will need to bail you out in many of these situations. They need to be insulated, and the shoes need not be too expensive to make them more affordable for all cavers.
As you might have seen, there are tons of these caving shoes on the market today. However, the article aims to identify some of the top options. If you don’t like the options we have selected, you can use the buyer’s guide. The small buyer’s guide will show you all the features you need to consider before buying a pair of these shoes.
What Do You Need To Look For When Buying A Caving Shoes?
Before simply buying any shoes, a couple of features make some of these shoes stand out against many of the others. Since caving can be dangerous, we aim to find the best caving shoes possible. The following features can help you find some of these shoes. We have also used the guide in selecting some of these shoes.
Durability
One of the first things to keep in mind is durability. It will be very frustrating if the shoe breaks while you are in the cave. Synthetic leather is one of the top materials considered for durability. However, real leather can also be used, but keep in mind that using leather for your shoes can be very expensive.
Flexibility
These shoes force your feet to bend, and you will need to place your feet in specific positions. It will be much easier for you to have a shoe that can be bent to fit into some of these holes. The flexibility will also make the shoe more comfortable to grip, and you should have a grip around every part of the shoe to ensure safety.
Outer Soles
The outer soles are the most important part of the shoe, and when you have a comfortable outer sole, you should ensure that it can grip. Lug rubber is the best option due to the combination of durability and grip. However, using softer forms of rubber might deteriorate over time, and it might not be as effective for caving.
Inner Sole
Once you have sorted the grip and the durability, you need to look at the inside of the shoe. The comfort level will give you more confidence and ensure that you can easily climb when you need to. There are various forms of inner soles, but EVA is one of the best materials. It will mold to the shape of your feet for a better fit.
Shape
Finally, when you look at caving shoes, many of the climbing principles also apply, and you will notice that these shoes have been shaped. First, you can find the neutral shape, which has a flat bottom. Next, however, the moderate options are curved slightly more. Finally, the aggressive shoes are heavily curved, but they have mostly dedicated climbing shoes.
Top 5 Caving Shoes/Boots
Once you understand the different features, it is slightly easier to find the right caving shoes. We have selected a couple of the best caving shoes that you can choose from. In the following section, you will find some of these shoes, and these shoes can be changed and designed to make them more comfortable:
Hi-Tec Bandera Mid-Rise Waterproof Hiking Boot
Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon
Pros:
- Leather design
- Hardened outer sole
- Insulated design
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Bulky
Bottom Line: If you are only hiking in the cave, the Hi-Tec Bandera Mid-Rise Waterproof Hiking Boot is one of the top options. The boot is lightweight and is made from durable leather construction. In addition, the unit features an insulated design, and it has a hardened outer sole that will make it more durable.
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Hiking Boot
Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon
Pros:
- Solid leather design
- Ergonomic fit
- Numerous colors
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Expensive
Bottom Line: The Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Hiking Boot is one of the most comfortable options. Yes, it might be a bit more expensive, but the unit is available in numerous colors, and it is lightweight as well.
Asolo Stynger Gore-TEX Hiking Boot
Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Flexible design
- Water-resistant
- Includes Gore-Tex
Cons:
- Expensive
Bottom Line: If you like taking on colder caves, you might want to consider the Asolo Stynger Gore-TEX Hiking Boot. The shoe is lightweight and has been constructed from fabric and suede materials. The inner Gore-Tex is perfect for insulation, and it will ensure that you have inner protection.
Columbia Men’s Drainmaker Iv Water Shoe
Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Flexible shoe
- Breathable
- Water-resistant
Cons:
- Lacks support
Bottom Line: If you don’t like the bulk of having a boot, you can look at the Columbia Men’s Drainmaker Iv Water Shoe. These shoes are lightweight, and they can flex as much as you need them. In addition, they are water-resistant and breathable. The shoes are not that expensive, but they are state-of-the-art to give you value for your money.
KEEN Men’s Arroyo II Sandal
Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon
Pros:
- Water-resistant
- Made from durable Nubuck leather
- Affordable
- Multi-directional traction lugs
Cons:
- Open design
Bottom Line: We have selected the KEEN Men’s Arroyo II Sandal as one of the top options on the market today. It is made from durable Nubuck leather. However, it does not have any protection for your feet. The shoes are lightweight and comfortable. We would recommend them for the affordability and the value they offer.
Caving Shoes Guide Summary
If you like caving and you want to spend hours safely caving without any issue, you might want to consider one of the above-mentioned shoes. We have carefully selected these to make your life easier. However, you can also use the specific features, making it possible to find your own caving shoe.
Need Gear to Go Caving or Spelunking?
If you are planning a caving adventure, you want to make sure that you have the right gear. Check out our beginners guide for caving equipment.