The Phoenix made first flight when Mad Rock began in 2002, and now it's back with modern upgrades fit for ambitious rock climbers. Its subtly downturned, slightly asymmetrical profile puts solid pressure on your big toe as you tiptoe through micro-footholds on vertical routes, and it holds its own when the climb gets steeper than that. The Phoenix is remarkably stiff for solid support, and Science Friction 3. 0 rubber ensures traction on plastic as well as rock.