Our review of the Five Ten Anasazi Lace climbing shoes will reveal one simple truth; they are rigid enough for edging and, at the same time, soft for smearing.
All these, blended with excellent toe jams and an accurate big toe, make the Anasazi lace climbing shoe incredible all-around footwear for all climbers.
Also known as the Pink Lace-up, this shoe has been in the market since the 1990s.
However, with the remarkable improvements through the years, it can still compete with other modern climbing shoes.
Priding itself in a medium-stiff construction and potent edging platform, the Pink Lace-up is engineered for tricky footwork on steep terrain; therefore, we put it through a series of tests.
What we like about Five Ten Anasazi Lace climbing shoes:
- The pink lace-ups are among the best high-performance climbing shoes we’ve tested and are ideal all-around climbing shoes.
- The upper is made using Cowdura faux fabric, which is handy in maintaining the comfort and durability of this climbing shoe but with minimal stretch.
- Incorporating the Stealth C4 rubber makes this shoe sturdy and tacky and delivers traction on plastic and different types of rocks.
- Cowdura Polyester Upper
- Cotton Textile Lining
- Form fit heel and stiff midsole for support
Last update on 2023-09-29 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
What we don’t like about Five Ten Anasazi Lace climbing shoes:
- The Anasazi lace is a comfortable, aggressive shoe; therefore, it is not downturned enough for climbers looking for aggressive climbing shoes.
- The tensioned heel cup makes this climbing shoe a bit difficult to wear and take off.
Five Ten Anasazi Lace Feature Highlights
Our favorite crack shoe, possibly an overall shoe.
It’s comfortable, works well in the cold and heat, and jams wonderfully.
Five Ten Anasazi Lace Feature Toe Box
The Pink lace-up is a somewhat asymmetric, averagely downturned climbing shoe.
It is made with a spacious toe box that lets the front part remain flat and has a medium-rigid midsole.
So what does this mean? The Pink Lace-up is supportive, providing stability and power on the edges.
Besides, it is versatile enough for slabs and smearing when sized up or when you break in.
This makes the Anasazi lace better than most soft climbing shoes, such as the La Sportiva Skwama, which does not offer the support necessary for accurate edging.
However, they do better toe-in on vertical terrain.
What’s more, this climbing shoe allowed us to feel the small holds underneath our feet.
- Cowdura Polyester Upper
- Cotton Textile Lining
- Form fit heel and stiff midsole for support
Last update on 2023-09-29 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
Five Ten Anasazi Lace Feature Heel
It would be negligent to review the Anasazi Lace and not talk about the heel.
It has an exceptional heel cup and tensioned rand system, and these two are the reason behind its impressive performance.
The heel has a comfortable fit, and this is blended with the tensioned rand, which focuses your weight towards the forefoot.
This mechanism has an incredible version of La Sportiva’s P3 technology, and it makes this climbing shoe a unique edging beast.
Also, some of our testers found that the heel digs excessively into the ankle, and the tensioned rand was not tensioned enough for their liking.
The Anasazi lace-up features the “Cowdura” fabric applied across the foot on either side, leading to reduced seams and a simple change from the rand to the upper.
This fabric is incorporated to hold up the leather’s breathability and comfort while reducing stretch.
This also helps it to keep its original shape, compared to most leather climbing shoes.
When it comes to versatility, the Anasazi Lace is exceptionally versatile.
It features a shoelaces closure mechanism which means you can adjust the fit to your liking.
Moreover, whichever terrain we were on, the laces never felt uncomfortable due to the marginally reinforced tongue.
Even though the Pink lace-up performed well on almost every adventure we were on, we found that on more challenging and steeper boulder issues, we needed to switch them for other stiff high-performance shoes since they are better than the Pink Lace-ups.
At one point, we tested them on a long adventure, and we felt that they were relatively comfortable and had knife-like precision on all the routes we climbed.
This climbing shoe is also ideal for belays, and the level of comfort they provide, even on all-day adventures, is terrific.
- Cowdura Polyester Upper
- Cotton Textile Lining
- Form fit heel and stiff midsole for support
Last update on 2023-09-29 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
Five Ten Anasazi Lace Feature Rubber
The Five Ten Anasazi Lace climbing shoe features the infamous and most preferred blend of rubber, Stealth C4.
This rubber compound from Five Ten is extremely tacky, and it climbs decently on everything, such as gym plastic, desert sandstone, Yosemite granite, and river-polished schist.
On the other hand, it does give up a marginal amount of rigidity and durability.
Nevertheless, it delivers exceptional grip on any surface.
It is a bit complex to compare it with some of the best rubber compounds from Vibram, which are integrated into most La Sportiva and Scarpa climbing shoes since there is a lot to consider.
However, we think that the Stealth C4 rubber compound could rank somewhere between the tacky and soft XS Grip2 compounds and the more rigid and robust XS Edge.
Therefore, on a climbing shoe like the Anasazi Laces with a rigid midsole, the C4 provides a highly reliable edging platform and does not give up any traction.
- Cowdura Polyester Upper
- Cotton Textile Lining
- Form fit heel and stiff midsole for support
Last update on 2023-09-29 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
Five Ten Anasazi Lace Feature Comfort and Fit
For a long time, Five Ten have produced climbing shoes with a heel that is not entirely comfortable, and this is according to the climbing shoes we’ve tested.
However, most of these issues have been tackled with the Anasazi lace, which has a reduced-volume heel.
The Pink lace-ups can effortlessly be sized up for comfort during long adventures or downsized for a tight fit during single-pitch climbing adventures.
The faux lining is impressively comfy for single pitches, though not quite during hot weather.
This is because the Pink Lace-up has difficulty breathing, which reduces comfort.
This climbing shoe has a distinctive shape which might not work for all climbers.
For those climbers with wide and high-volume feet, this might be the climbing shoe for you.
It delivers high levels of comfort and performance, which is what you require from any climbing shoe.
Fortunately, when it comes to sizing, you can size them up half a shoe size more than your usual street shoe size for comfort during all-day adventures.
Also, you can downsize them half a size less than your average shoe size to get that tight fit required for high performance.
But, downsizing it will sacrifice a bit of comfort.
Remember that this climbing shoe is made using faux fabric, which will stretch minimally compared to leather climbing shoes.
Lace Provides a Familiar, Secure, and Reliable Fit, Climb after Climb.
You probably know someone who has stockpiled the Lace-up in anticipation of a chance on “To Bolt or Not to Be.”
To help out, we made the classic shoe even better.
STEALTH C4 toe rand, new heel construction, and a lined Cowdura™ synthetic upper that fits like a glove all provide the familiar, secure, and reliable fit, climb after climb.
Five Ten Anasazi Lace Climbing Shoes FAQ
What makes the Five Ten Anasazi Lace a popular choice among climbers?
The Five Ten Anasazi Lace is a popular choice among climbers because it offers a precise fit, a durable and sticky rubber sole for good grip on rocks and walls, and a comfortable yet snug design that allows for maximum performance and sensitivity while climbing.
It is also known for its versatility and ability to perform well on various types of climbs, from cracks to slabs to overhangs.
How does the Stealth C4 rubber sole on the Five Ten Anasazi Lace contribute to its performance?
The Stealth C4 rubber sole on the Five Ten Anasazi Lace contributes to its performance by providing excellent friction and grip on various surfaces, including rock, plastic, and wood.
This allows climbers to have better control and precision in their footwork, making it easier to maintain balance and apply pressure when needed.
The rubber compound is also durable, ensuring that the sole can withstand prolonged use and remain effective over time.
How does the fit of the Five Ten Anasazi Lace compare to other climbing shoes on the market?
According to various online reviews and forums, the fit of the Five Ten Anasazi Lace is known to be snug and precise, with a narrow toe box that may not be suitable for climbers with wider feet.
The heel cup is reported to be secure and comfortable, which is important for technical climbs requiring heel hooks.
Overall, the fit of the Anasazi Lace is considered to be comparable to other high-performance climbing shoes on the market.
What are the key features of the Five Ten Anasazi Lace that make it suitable for both indoor and outdoor climbing?
The key features of the Five Ten Anasazi Lace that make it suitable for both indoor and outdoor climbing are:
- Stealth C4 rubber sole: This sticky rubber provides excellent grip and allows for precise foot placements on both indoor and outdoor terrain.
- Lace-up closure: The lace-up design allows for a customized and secure fit, essential for indoor and outdoor climbing.
- Stiff sole: The stiff sole provides support and stability for edging and smearing on various surfaces, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor climbing.
- Synthetic upper: The synthetic upper is durable and breathable, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor climbing.
- Durable construction: The Five Ten Anasazi Lace is made with high-quality materials that are built to withstand the wear and tear of everyday climbing.
Can the Five Ten Anasazi Lace be used for other outdoor activities besides rock climbing?
Yes, the Five Ten Anasazi Lace can be used for other outdoor activities besides rock climbing, such as hiking, trekking, and scrambling.
However, its sticky rubber sole is designed specifically for climbing and may not provide the same level of traction on other surfaces.
How does the lace-up design of the Five Ten Anasazi Lace provide a more customizable fit compared to other climbing shoes?
The lace-up design of the Five Ten Anasazi Lace provides a more customizable fit compared to other climbing shoes because it allows the wearer to adjust the tightness and tension of the shoe in different areas of the foot.
This is particularly important for climbers who require a snug and precise fit for optimal performance.
With the ability to adjust the laces, the Anasazi Lace can be customized to provide a comfortable and secure fit for a variety of foot shapes and sizes.
Are there any downsides to the Five Ten Anasazi Lace that users should be aware of before purchasing?
Based on online reviews and feedback from users, some downsides that have been mentioned include a tight and narrow fit that may not be comfortable for all foot shapes, a break-in period that can be longer than other climbing shoes, and a relatively high price point compared to other similar climbing shoes on the market.
Try on the shoes before purchasing to ensure a proper fit, and consider personal preferences and budget when deciding on a climbing shoe.
What type of rubber is used on the sole of the Five Ten Anasazi Lace, and how does it perform on different types of rock?
The Five Ten Anasazi Lace uses Stealth C4 rubber on the sole, which is known for its excellent friction and durability.
It performs well on a variety of rock types, including granite, sandstone, limestone, and even polished surfaces.
The rubber is also known for its ability to stick to small edges and pockets, making it a popular choice for sport and trad climbing.
To Summarize: Five Ten Anasazi Lace Review
The Five Ten Anasazi Lace climbing shoe is designed to be an all-around climbing shoe for crack and face climbing.
When it comes to vertical Granite, this climbing shoe is also perfect.
From sticking to small crystals, handling fragile jams on tiny V-slots and cracks, to smearing and maneuvering tricky corners, the Pink Lace-up is undoubtedly a versatile and handy partner.
The moderate-stiff construction, tacky C4 rubber, and a highly tensioned rand offer you the support and confidence required for the most challenging footwork.
Even though the Five Ten Anasazi Lace climbing shoe does well in technical climbing, it is also a solid all-around climbing shoe that you can use in the gym.
They are not quite suitable for bouldering since taking off and wearing them takes a lot of time.
The lacing system is quite a handful, and it makes getting them on and off rather complicated.
This climbing shoe is the perfect combination of comfort and functionality.
Also, if you’re on a budget, the Pink Lace-up is the shoe to go for.
Hopefully, this Anasazi Lace review is helpful!
- Cowdura Polyester Upper
- Cotton Textile Lining
- Form fit heel and stiff midsole for support
Last update on 2023-09-29 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
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Last Updated on March 25, 2023 by Roger
