Our verdict
Wearing the Black Diamond Momentum unravels the path toward ascents where comfort and breathability come in spades. Sporting this durable climbing shoe also unlocks the gateway to a superbly grippy ascent to the top. But this shoe is hardly a perfect knockout as its restrictive width puts a dent in its rather stellar resume. Yet the Momentum is still an impressive BD piece, with its excellent set of climb-focused qualities.
Pros
- Comfortable confines
- Exceptional breathability
- Phenomenal durability
- Top-notch traction
- Great beginner shoe
- Reassuringly stiff
- Grippy
Cons
- Too narrow
- Cramped feeling
- Deforms quickly
Who should buy the Black Diamond Momentum
updated Jun 6, 2023:
- highly recommendable beginner shoe for climbers for both indoor and outdoor events
- intermediate and advanced climbers who are into bouldering, slab, sport, crack, all-around climbing activities
Delivers midfoot-to-heel cushioning
The Black Diamond Momentum is a rock climbing shoe for entry-level climbers providing them with a balanced performance, whether indoors or outdoors.
It has zonal support, stretch, and sufficient breathability thanks to the brand-exclusive Engineered Knit Technology.
The Momentum comes with a grippy outsole
Underfoot sensitivity in this BD offering is possible thanks to the shoe’s soft-flex midsole. It is paired with the footgear’s grippy outsole to deliver a safe and comfortable climb.
The Momentum from BD is a neutral rock climbing shoe. It delivers all-day comfort as it is built around a flat last. Its overall profile gives users the capability to engage in multi-pitch ascents.
Eastern Mountain Sports
This climb-centric offering from Black Diamond is too narrow, according to a few owners who have tried it. A user complains about the cramped feeling in the toe section.
Based on a review, the Momentum deforms quickly.
Beginner-friendly footgear
Black Diamond’s Momentum is designed primarily for slabs and less-steep terrain. It is a beginner-friendly footgear that provides adequate performance for bouldering and sports climbing.
It allows wearers to pull off edging and toe-jamming maneuvers in comfort. The Momentum from Black Diamond is a rock climbing footgear for both men and women. It is engineered around a straight last for extended comfort.
Gives the right amount of stretch
The Engineered Knit Technology with which it is built gives just the right amount of stretch at key points for a comfy fit. A secure and personalized lockdown, on the other hand, is brought forth by the gear’s Velcro closure.
The Black Diamond Momentum provides comfort and extra sensitivity underfoot with its hard-wearing soft-flex midsole. It is made of Pebax, enabling the shoe to retain its shape adequately.
In this category, the Momentum takes the cake for being about 30 grams lighter than its rival
Its construction gives climbers the capability to have adequate performance in dealing with cracks and ascending slabs with as much comfort as possible.
A heavy-duty rubber outsole (at 4.3 mm thick) is what grants wearers adequate sticking power in the BD Momentum. Its molded engineering, which is inspired by the way Black Diamond designers make their carabiners, offers consistent grip performance minus the bulk.
Sturdy and comfortable
According to the manufacturer, they are able to control the rubber’s recipe, heat, thickness, pressure, and geometry through the construction process they use.
The advantage of this method is that every mold is able to fit together. They can modify the consistency, weight, and thickness to amplify the sturdiness, performance, and comfort.
Delivers support
The Momentum’s upper is virtually made entirely of synthetic knit fabric (also known as Engineered Knit Technology). It is lined with microfiber on the inside to bolster its in-shoe comfort while minimizing stretch.
It also delivers support to the vital areas. BD engineers designed it to place the durability in crucial sections.
Protective and secure
A sturdy rand covers its front half that gives the climber added protection and security when performing toe jams and maneuvers. What keeps the heel snug in this shoe, on the other hand, is the footgear’s tensioned rearfoot rand.
Its lockdown system consists of two adjustable Velcro (hook-and-loop) straps. Also coming in twos are the Momentum’s heel pull loops.
Black Diamond Momentum vs. La Sportiva Solution
The Momentum is among Black Diamond’s more well-known shoes among climbing fanatics. As such, it gets pitted often against shoes from other brands.
One of these non-BD shoes is the La Sportiva Solution. The following points can give you better insight into their differences:
Downturn. The Black Diamond Momentum is a neutral rock climbing shoe recommended for.
This means each can handle different climbing purposes, with the Momentum being a footgear intended for vertical ascents. The Black Diamond Momentum, on the other hand, is great at scaling overhangs.
Upper. The Momentum’s upper is synthetic as opposed to the Solution’s leather confines. When it comes to randing, only the Solution has some at the forefoot for toe-hooking situations.
Black Diamond Momentum.
Outsole. Same brand only La Sportiva Solution uses a Vibram outsole. It has a thickness of 4 mm, 0.3 mm less than the BD Momentum’s rubber outsole.
The one seen in the competition, however, is engineered only at the forefoot, while the one in the featured shoe covers the entire underside of the foot.
Price. The clear winner in this head-to-head is none other than the Black Diamond Momentum. Indeed, its retail price is about $90 less than the La Sportiva Solution.
Weight. Great beginner shoe.
