TrainerSpotting: Five Ten Kirigami Climbing Shoes After a Year of Indoor Use

The Five Ten Kirigami caught my attention when I spotted them in a friends car. He wears them for indoor climbing. He has owned them for about a year and likes the Velcro closure, the feel of the sole on climbing holds, and the overall fit.

TrainerSpotting: What Did I Spot?

The idea is simple: when I spot an interesting pair of athletic shoes in the real world, I take a closer look at what they are, how they’re being used, and, when possible, ask the person wearing them what they actually think.

This time, the shoes were a pair of Five Ten Kirigami climbing shoes.

I asked my friend about his experience wearing them. He has used the Kirigami for indoor climbing for about a year, which gave me considerably more to work with than simply looking at the shoe and reading its specifications.

Quick Look at the Five Ten Kirigami

The Kirigami has a neutral shape which make it an interesting option for climbers who want grip without immediately jumping into a more aggressive shoe.

What Does the Owner Think After a Year?

My friend’s experience is especially useful because he can compare the Kirigami with two other pairs of climbing shoes.

He previously bought a pair of Scarpa climbing shoes that were uncomfortable enough that he eventually gave them away. By contrast, he says the Kirigami’s snug fit has remained manageable. As he put it, all climbing shoes feel tight, but these “have not felt too bad.”

That doesn’t mean they fit like everyday sneakers. It means they haven’t caused the same level of discomfort as his previous shoes.

The Sole Feels Malleable on Climbing Holds

One of the more interesting things he mentioned was the feel of the sole.

He describes the Kirigami sole as feeling somewhat malleable underfoot. In his experience, that allows the shoe to conform better to climbing holds and makes it easier for him to feel secure when placing his feet.

There’s a balance with climbing shoes between stiffness and sensitivity. A softer-feeling shoe can allow the climber to feel more of what’s underneath the foot, while a stiffer shoe may offer different advantages when standing on very small edges.

For the indoor climbing he does, he likes the feel of the Kirigami.

Why He Prefers Velcro to Laces

Before using the Kirigami, he wore a pair of Black Diamond climbing shoes . His main complaint with those shoes is the lace closure, which he finds slower to put on and take off.

The Kirigami’s Velcro straps make changing shoes quicker, especially during breaks between routes. That convenience is one of the main reasons he prefers the Kirigami over his older pair.

How Do They Compare With His Previous Climbing Shoes?

His experience gives us an interesting three-shoe comparison, although it shouldn’t be interpreted as a head-to-head performance test.

Five Ten Kirigami

These are his current shoes. He has used them for about a year of indoor climbing, likes the strap closure and sole feel, and considers the fit manageable for a climbing shoe.

Scarpa

He found the particular Scarpa shoes he bought too uncomfortable and eventually gave them away.

That’s his experience with that pair rather than a judgment on Scarpa as a brand. Fit in climbing footwear can be extremely individual.

Black Diamond

His older Black Diamond shoes are still usable. He doesn’t necessarily consider them poor performers; he simply finds their lace closure slower and less convenient than the Kirigami’s straps.

He also viewed his particular Black Diamond pair as more of an entry-level option. Again, that’s his perception of the shoes he owned rather than a statement that all Black Diamond climbing footwear is entry level.

Who Might Like the Five Ten Kirigami?

Based on the shoe’s design and my friend’s experience, the Kirigami could be worth considering if you’re looking for a climbing shoe with a relatively straightforward, neutral design.

The Velcro closure may appeal to climbers who want to get their shoes on and off quickly.

His experience also shows why fit matters so much with climbing footwear. Two shoes designed for the same sport can feel completely different once they’re actually on your feet.

What I Learned From Spotting These Shoes

I could have looked at the Kirigami online and written about its rubber outsole, closure system, and intended use. But I wouldn’t have known that my friend had used them for about a year, found them easier to tolerate than his previous Scarpa shoes, preferred the faster strap closure to his Black Diamond laces, and liked the malleable feel of the sole on indoor holds.

Those are the details I find much more interesting when looking at athletic footwear in the real world.

For him, the Five Ten Kirigami offers a useful combination of a neutral shape, manageable fit, quick adjustment, and a sole that provides the feel he wants on climbing holds. He says he would buy them again, which is a strong endorsement after a year of use.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Five Ten Kirigami

Are Five Ten Kirigami climbing shoes good for beginners?

The Kirigami has a neutral design and Velcro closure that may make it approachable for newer climbers. As with any climbing shoe, fit is especially important, so trying them on before buying or purchasing from a retailer with easy exchanges can be helpful.

Are Five Ten Kirigami shoes comfortable?

Comfort is individual, especially with climbing shoes. My friend says the Kirigami fit snugly but haven’t felt excessively uncomfortable. He found them easier to tolerate than a previous pair of Scarpa climbing shoes.

Do Five Ten Kirigami shoes use Velcro?

Yes. The Kirigami uses a strap closure rather than traditional shoelaces. My friend prefers it because he finds the shoes quicker to put on and take off than his older lace-up pair.

Are the Five Ten Kirigami good for indoor climbing?

The pair featured in this TrainerSpotting has been used for indoor climbing for about a year. The owner likes the sole’s malleable feel on indoor holds and continues to choose them for climbing.

Do softer climbing shoes grip holds better?

A softer or more flexible shoe can provide more sensitivity and allow a climber to feel the surface beneath the foot, although the ideal amount of stiffness depends on the type of climbing and personal preference. My friend likes the somewhat malleable feel of his Kirigami soles because he feels they work well against indoor climbing holds.

Would the owner buy the Five Ten Kirigami again?

Yes. After about a year of use, he says he would buy them again. See current Five Ten Kirigami pricing and availability on Amazon.