What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying:"I put the Blackbird climbing shoe through a full sport climbing day on limestone and the carbon Pebax midsole gives you edging power that you would normally only get from an aggressively downsized shoe, without the toe compression that makes you want to take them off after every pitch. The Alcantara forefoot and integrated heel catch both performed exactly as advertised on small pockets and heel hooks well into the evening session."Six years of development is a long time to spend on a single shoe, and the SCARPA Blackbird climbing shoe makes every one of those years count. Whether you are projecting a technical sport route, working through a bouldering session, or linking pitches on a long multipitch, this shoe was designed to keep your feet performing at their best well past the point where most precision shoes start demanding a break. The groundbreaking carbon-enhanced Pebax midsole is what makes that possible, delivering the edging stiffness and front-pointing power of a high-performance shoe without forcing you into an aggressively downsized fit that punishes your toes on longer efforts. The construction layers technology in every direction. Up front, M50 rubber wraps the toe rand with SCARPA's softest and most elastic compound, conforming naturally to the curve of your toes and improving hooking performance on overhanging terrain. Vibram XS Grip 2 covers the forefoot sole for the friction and sensitivity you need on friction moves and technical smears. The Z-Cord lacing system and surrounding band lock the foot in with precision, while the PAF heel construction redistributes force away from the Achilles tendon for better comfort on long days. The integrated heel catch combines two handcrafted rubber compounds into a single molded shape that grips reliably when the route demands it.