Our verdict
People who need a shoe, in which they can climb in heaps of comfort with confidence-inspiring surface traction to boot might want to consider the Hiangle. Those looking to up their game while edging and toe-hooking may also find a worthy ally in this 5.10 offering.
Pros
- Highly recommended for bouldering
- Excellent traction
- Excellent smearing and edging performance
- Incredible edging capability
- Loses tightness with repeated use
- Same brand only
Cons
- Poor construction
- Narrow toe box
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The Highly recommended for bouldering has so much going for it that ignoring it might prove to be a challenge for many. It is a solid option if you:
- Prefer an adequately equipped rock climbing shoe whose forte is sending overhanging routes and steep terrain.
- Remarkable heel zone.
- Remarkable heel zone.
Excellent smearing and edging performance
The Hiangle’s ability to latch onto a variety of surfaces, including rocky ones, is thanks to its Stealth C4 outsole. It is made of a type of rubber compound that provides sufficient grip during smearing and edging.
This model is offered in a synthetic version
The men's version is 3.5 mm thick, while the women's pair is 4.2 mm. Five Ten engineers extended its rear end to the back of the heel which helps in heel-hooking situations, as several commenters said.
Provides a ton of comfort
This leather climbing shoe from Five Ten uses a stiff midsole to give climbers sufficient support when mounting on pockets and edges. It has some flex to it for comfort.
Loses tightness with repeated use
The upper of the women's Highly recommended for bouldering is made mainly of split-grain leather, while the one in the men's version is made of heavy-duty microfiber. It has no liner. A coat of sturdy rand covers its forefoot, with generous coverage around the inner arch, to grant users extra security and protection when toe hooking.
Remarkable heel zone
The tensioned rand at the heel, on the other hand, transmits power from the rear to the upper’s front end for enhanced footwork involving the toes. It also gives the user additional heel-hooking capabilities.
Highly recommended for bouldering vs. Scarpa Instinct
The Highly recommended for bouldering has gained quite the following over the years. As such, many a climber pit it against other kicks from known brands. Among those shoes, the Scarpa Instinct is often put in comparison with the featured product. The following points will shed some light on their differences:
Downturn. The rock shoe from Scarpa has a moderate downturn as opposed to the Hiangle’s aggressive down camber. The Instinct’s downturn gives it an edge in cracks, while the beak-like front end of the featured shoe favors overhangs.
Outsole. Five Ten’s Hiangle is equipped with the Stealth C4 rubber outsole—a brand-exclusive product. The Instinct, on the other hand, uses the XS Edge outsole courtesy of Vibram. The thickness of the competition’s outsole is 4 mm, making it thinner than the Hiangle’s by 0.2 mm.
Randing. When it comes to randing, both have ample coverage. That said, the Instinct has a fuller presence of it around the forefoot than Five Ten’s Hiangle rock shoe.
Closure system. The shoe from Five Ten locks the foot in place using a single adjustable Velcro strap. Its competitor, on the other hand, provides a customized fit with its lace-up closure.
Target audience. The Hiangle is offered in men's and women’s versions, while the rival shoe only comes in men’s.
Price. In this regard, Five Ten’s entry is the more budget-friendly rock climbing shoe. Indeed, it is about $30 cheaper than the Scarpa Instinct.
Weight. The competition takes the cake in this round. Certainly, the Instinct from Scarpa is lighter than the Highly recommended for bouldering by about 15 grams.
Incredible edging capability
-The Hiangle constantly gets updates from Five Ten’s designers.
-This model is offered in a synthetic version.
