Vim

neon yellow/black

(24 customer reviews)

$156.65

No other slipper even approximates the performance of the Vim. Building upon a great last-from-the-past, the name of the game here is comfort that meets performance without sacrifice.  We decided to couple it with a stiff midsole and a beefed-up elastic closure system, creating a powerful tool that eats everything in its way, from overhanging rock to fiberglass slabs. The RS rubber outsole delivers the maximum amount of friction possible, ensuring that every edge or smear holds when the send is on the line.

International Sizing: SEE CHART

Description

FEATURES

  • 3.5 mm RS rubber sole
  • Extended toe rand rubber
  • Midsole stiffness: Medium-soft
  • Lined synthetic upper
  • Vegan

DATA

  • Approx. weight: 408 g (per pair)
  • Size: US 4-14 / EU 35.5-48.5
  • Fit: Aggressive downturn

COMPOSITION

  • Upper: SOLO Suede
  • Insole: SOLO Suede
  • Tongue: Elastic
  • Rubber: RS rubber

CLOSURE

  • Elastic

UP RS / REAL SUPREME

SHORE A65-70
[HARDNESS]
RESILIENCE11%
(REBOUND)
DIN ABRASION285
TOLERANCE+/- 5%
COMPOUND MIXINGCA, USA
CALENDAR ROLLUSA
SUPERIOR TECHNICAL RUBBER COMPOUND DESIGNED FOR STEEP ROCKS/HOLD AND ALLOWS TO PULL IN WITH THEIR FEET.
SUPERIOR FRICTION, IT CONFORMS TO THE MICRO EDGES AND CRYSTALS.

Additional information

Weight 14.4 oz
Dimensions 12.5 × 5.8 × 3.7 in
US size

4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14

gender

Men's, Women's

shoe type

Climbing

Rubber Click here to learn more about UP rubber
International Sizing Click here to compare shoe sizes by international market

24 reviews for Vim

  1. Blake Bankhead (verified owner)

    First off I will start by saying that these shoes are amazing. Everything you can expect, but better if you wore the yellow bananas. Break in period was quick and these shoes do have a bit of stretch due to the simple design. THAT being said, save the paper in the box and get your butter stick out, because while comfortable once ON your feet, they take the patience of saints and V4+ mono strength to get that heel on without bagging. Remember the old Teams? The Blue ones? It’s that heel. But after about 2 sessions the slipper design did loosen up to make putting on and taking off pretty casual. My street size is 10.5 and i took the full size down to 9.5 ( As recommended) and would say that with the stretch of the shoe that this was the right choice. Great shoe guys!

  2. Matt Gentile (verified owner)

    Amazing shoe! No break in time, the rubber is sticky and performed right out of the box. I’m always worried about heel tabs ripping but these have been holding up nicely for the past couple months. This has become my go to for everything steep, well done!

  3. Aaron Hjelt (verified owner)

    I’m in agreement with the previous 2 reviewers for most comments. This is an amazing slipper. There is very little to improve on. I’ll add a few more thoughts. The fit is much more refined than the V10, which allows a more accurate sizing. In other words, it isn’t necessary to cram your foot into the absolute smallest size to achieve the best performance. Because of the fit, materials, and rubber, a more natural foot position can be maintained. Which just comes with more comfort. The Vims do tend to cater to a mid volume foot, especially one with a high arch. The last the UP has developed, which is obviously based on a legacy of high performing shoes, rewards the climber who uses the foot similarly to the hand, with precision and awareness.
    Who/what is this shoe for? For my needs, it is the ideal gym shoe. Where I want precision, softness, slip on and off convenience, the Vim is perfect. I want my training shoe to be soft underfoot in order to develop strength and structure, but I also don’t want the shoe to be baggy. The Vim achieves this need. The RS rubber is sensitive, but it also appears to have enough durability to last.
    As for sizing, I sized the same as the black Teams, new Hiangles, Dragons, and Arrowheads. At 7.5, the Vims fit slightly larger (maybe 1/4 size) than my Regulus LV (9.0 womens or 7.5 mens equivalent). I wear an 8.5 approach/trail shoe). I could get my foot into a 7, but this would be self-defeating, in my opinion. Break-in was one gym session. They softened up significantly within this time.
    The rubber is amazing. I have been training with high reps on a wood hold system wall, and the RS rubber has given me the confidence to implement larger (potentially higher risk for injury) moves into my routine.
    Finally, the value of this slipper is incredible. Do not hesitate.

  4. Bryan Ebert

    Incredible slipper. Does well on all terrain. This with a pair of Up Moccs will get you up anything you could want to climb.

  5. ywzmatt (verified owner)

    Fits well, great sensitivity and perfect softness for bouldering. Only problem is it is incredibly difficult to get on, much moreso than similarly fitting shoes from other brands, and the stitching for the pull loops is already fraying and seems to be of rather low quality. Will probably knock off another star if the pull loops actually rip, but for now I am leaving it at 4.

  6. chris b

    My absolute favourite shoe of the range so far. Have been trying the Regulus, Leopard, Sirius and the Vega, but nothing comes close to the performance of the Vims on steep terrain. Got these a half size down of the other models (cause it´s a slipper). I was also surprised how well these shoes heelhook despite being slippers (put a velcro on it and it would be absolutely perfect). And yeah, the rubber could be the stickiest one on the market right now. Big up Unparallel!!!

    PS: UP shoes are hard to get in Europe…

    cheers from Austria

  7. Kyle Blase

    These shoes seem great, but I would not recommend sizing down at all. I have a 10.5 in the up mocc and I could probably even go down to a 10 for a more aggressive fit. I got a 10.5 in these based on others recommendations to size down, but they are wayyyyy too tight. After 10 minutes of trying, I managed to get my feet in, but they were way too narrow and low volume for my foot. I ended up climbing 3 pitches in them and then vowing to never put them on again, because they were jacking up my feet with how tight they were. They seem like great shoes, but the tears prevented me from enjoying them. My street shoe is 10.5-11, and I would not be able to wear these in less than an 11. That said, I do have wide feet. I have a pair of regulus in size 11, and they are tight, but manageable and breaking in. Be careful sizing these down. I think even a size 11 would be extremely difficult to get on, but would likely be ok once on. So 4 stars because of the difficulty in getting on, and also the horrible yellow color. Please make these in a color that isn’t so ugly.

  8. Sam

    A phenomenal training slipper that has great elements of comfort, yet also provides an element of aggressive fit you’d normally see in your project shoes. And the heel!! Oh my, it doesn’t fall off when you heel hook your whole body weight. I love them. I recommend street shoe size or a half size down, both have worked for me so far. Just be prepared with having trouble getting them off your feet the first few sessions.

  9. Dan

    So I bought these six months ago, I was at best a 5.12 climber. I put these on for the first time and straight up on sighted a 5.12c! I felt like a superhero high off cocaine! 6 months later and they’re still my go to shoes. These are the bees knees! I’m tellin ya to get em. Slip em on, mmmmm that’s nice. No space in this. They were molded by the gods.

  10. ZB (verified owner)

    Favorite shoe by far.Bbeen wearing them since they came out. I mainly do overhung climbing which these are amazing for. I find my feet sticking to edges and smearing very well, first shoe I’ve wore that can do both this well. Very comfortable shoe doesn’t fell bulky but it’s not a sock. Awesome fit, lasts a long time, I feel like a samurai.

  11. Joshua

    I followed the first two feedback on this page, to downsize in 1-full size. I am size 42 (street size) and order 41 on the Vims. I managed to squeeze in using the plastic sock technique. To be completely honest, It wasn’t the most comfortable shoe, or maybe it needs more breaking-in time. Overall good design, beautiful colour.

    If I was to order again, I’ll order the same street shoe size for comfort fit and a half size down for performance fit.

    3-star for good shoe design.

  12. Jonathan Pang (verified owner)

    Street shoe size 9.5
    Vim size 9.5

    These are my new go to indoor climbing shoes, primarily bouldering. I was hesitant about slip ons, these being my first pair, but I wanted a more comfortable, sensitive, and versatile shoes. First impressions, the rubber was extra sticky, almost no break in period, and slipped on like a glove straight out of the box. I went for my street shoe size because for training and everyday climbing, I wanted to be comfortable and not worry about jammed toes or taking the shoes off every 10 min. Super happy with that choice. The flexibility of the sole is great for all sorts of climbs, but its still more downturned than normal slippers so great on overhangs. Even after a month, the shoe hasn’t stretched much either.

    In terms of toe hooking and heels, while I do reserve another pair of shoes for mega projects/outdoors climbing, for my purposes, climbing volume and training, its perfect for that. Slight give in the heel when pulling super hard, but again, if I wanted peak performance, I would have gone with a 9, or even 8.5. Overall, this is exactly what I wanted out of the Vims, will be buying again.

  13. Tyler (verified owner)

    I just got these and have climbed in them only once, but I’m pretty happy with them so far. I always wanted a pair or v10’s, so I’m stoked UP is making these and I’m even more stoked that they seem to have done a great job. I find the fit of these very comparable with the Grey and blue hiangles. I wear 13 in both and 13 tamoa’s, which are a little baggy on me. For my feet, which fit the hiangle very well, these fit great. The toe box feels good, the heel locks in great for a slipper, and the upper isn’t too baggy. I’m really looking forward to wearing these out. Thanks for the awesome shoes UP.

  14. Joshua Lebowitz (verified owner)

    OVERVIEW
    One of the first things I noticed about Unparallel were their simplistic, minimal designs that evoked an “everything you need and nothing you don’t” aesthetic that I found appealing. Once I realized the brand was founded by some of the original 5.10 guys and were made in the US I really started to investigate. The shoe that caught my eye the most was the Vim, the Unparallel update to the 5.10 V10/Teams. At the time I was looking for a soft training shoe that had an easy-on, easy-off closure system and would excel as a daily driver for bouldering.

    FIT
    Street shoe size +/- half a size depending on your instep and heel volume. I purchased the Vims in a size US 9.5 for a ‘performance’ fit, I could have easily purchased them in a 10 for more comfort and still gotten a lot of performance out of them. After the first few real sessions the shoe started to open up a bit (they were impossible to get on without plastic bags for the first 3-4 sessions). I’d say they probably stretch a little bit and but more so form to your foot shape more than anything. (For the record, my street shoe size is a US 9.5, I have a high-volume instep and heel, and I typically wear a 41-41.5 in La Sportiva.)

    EDGING / SMEARING / HEEL
    In my opinion, I’d give these a ‘poor’ rating for edging, but it’s not really what they’re built for. The Vim has almost no structure, and thus sacrifices edging ability. Where the Vim falls short at edging it more than makes up for in smearing ability. These things are wild, you have to try them for yourself to really understand how good they are, who needs foot holds anyway?

    One of the first things I’m asked by people who recognize the shoe is how it heel hooks for a slipper. I’ve never once had the heel slip. Ever. The elastic band that secures the shoe is durable and has maintained its strength/tightness after 7 months of use.

    DURABILITY
    The rubber that wraps the toe, sole, and heel are all constructed of Unparallel’s proprietary ‘Real Supreme’ rubber. The rubber’s durability isn’t terrible for a soft rubber shoe, but after 7 months of use it’s definitely time to start eyeing a replacement pair or resole. As mentioned above in the smearing note, Unparallel’s ‘RS’ rubber is very, very sticky. The elastic band closure system has maintained its strength/tightness and still feels secure around my foot and all pull tabs remain intact with no signs of failure or weak points.

    The only area where I ran into a durability issue was the Vim’s synthetic upper lining. The stitching connecting the lining around the interior upper of the shoe to the footbed has come undone in multiple areas of both shoes, but it hasn’t caused any structural or comfort issues yet.

    CONCLUSION
    Probably the best shoes I’ve used thus far for my style of climbing. The Vim is far from a ‘quiver-killer’ shoe, but does what it’s designed to do really, really well. If you have another stiffer, edge focused shoe to pair with the Vim you’d be set to tackle any problem.

  15. Shane (verified owner)

    Sizing for the shoe was a struggle, I read a lot of reviews with varying results. Some people say a full size down from street shoe, some say half size, with my experience I learned that this shoe is true to size. I was able to get my foot in a full size down and a half size, but they were not stretching on the area around the ankle. My feet are quite durable from downsizing so much with other shoes, so I didn’t think these shoes would be an issue, but I had a different issue then the toes just hurting. Since the shoes were so tight the elastic by the knuckle of my ankle was so tight it would dig into the knuckle, it’s was something I’ve never thought about before. Fantastic rubber and the heel is surprisingly effective especially for being a slip on!

  16. Alsonfx (verified owner)

    Great shoe for all around climbing. I’ve used these for bouldering, sport climbing, and gym climbing. They handle well in all terrains and are an amazing shoe. They climb better than my old V10s and are a must have in your shoe quiver.

  17. Jake Kruse (verified owner)

    Been climbing in my Vims for about a month, pleased with the shoe so far. I wear a US 13 street shoe, and went with the same size for the Vims. Happy I did not size down, the fit is good. Could maybe squeeze in to a half size down, but seems unnecessary. The rubber is really good, and I find the shoes excellent for grabbing small footholds in steep terrain. Great for board climbing and other similar style problems. So far I prefer the shoe for bouldering, as the heel feels like it starts to slip a bit over the course of longer routes. As other reviews have said, the shoe is not a “quiver killer” but it is awesome in certain situations. I also love the color and looks of the shoe, has to count for something?? Style matters! Would definitely recommend.

  18. Sam Trimboli (verified owner)

    Sizing these UP shoes has been a little frustrating. After so many years of sizing down two whole sizes in all brands, including 5.10, it’s hard to believe that ordering your shoe size or close to it can be correct advice, but it totally is!!
    I just got these in a size down (10.5) from street shoe size and they were just about impossible to put on.(plastic bags, screaming, pulley injury-the whole 9) I hesitated to climb in them and lose the ability to return them, but the lack of inventory currently convinced me to give them a try. Once wrestled onto my foot, they feel great. Like really great. Maybe the best shoe I’ve worn. Surprisingly supportive for a slipper and ridiculously grippy.
    I will definitely try a half size up when UP tackles these supply chain issues and gets some more inventory.

  19. bpfoley89 (verified owner)

    I’ve been wearing them for 4 months and they’re fantastic.
    The sizing is similar to Evolv if you need a comparison, and I went a half size down for an aggressive toe from my usual flat toes.
    Its been some of the most durable rubber in a shoe that I’ve had, and that’s surprising given that the sole is flexible enough to fold like a hotdog bun.
    I’m looking forward to getting a different pair of shoes from UP though, since these did not feel good in a crack climb I was attempting a month ago. The flexibility didn’t give me what I need.
    5’11” | 280lbs | 27.5cm Foot length | 10.3cm forefoot width | 7.8cm Heel | Vim size 13.5

  20. Konnery Vigil (verified owner)

    My new go-to shoe for anything steep or technical. The toe hooks with this shoe are locked in. Some of the most sticky rubber available and an aggressive downturn, get this shoe if you want to impress your gym bros in the boulder cave or crush 12s in Rifle

  21. bmxmike32

    Heel hooks 10/10
    Grab 8/10
    Edging 6/10
    Toe Hooks 8/10
    Smearing 8/10

    Street size 10.5, Vim size 10.5(comfort fit). They break in really quick and feel comfortable, I suggest .5 down size for performance fit. Don’t be scared how they feel out of the box as they give a lot after a break in. I thought they are super tight at my street size, don’t be scared to downsize(0.5). Love these shoes for overhang on gym routes.

  22. durzum4

    I bought these shoes around a year ago now, and I have to say, they are incredible. I got them because my gym was having a little discount, and they fit incredibly well straight out of the box, so I went for it. First off, they are insanely comfortable. I am a men’s 12 and got these in an 11, and they were perfect from when I got them. The upper loosened after a few sessions, removing the barely noticeable hotspots I had completely. The only issues I have are as mentioned, the heel is hard to get into, so if you’re taking these off after every climb maybe not the best. However, I use them as a training shoe, and have them on for 1 hour+ without problems. The other issue I found is the inside sort of loosened after a few months. The cloth got a bit baggy and there was some movement. But since I had them relatively tight, it wasn’t that big of an issue. I would still recommend 100%.

  23. Jorgeclimber

    Amazing! Tennis 41.5, Vim 40 perfect. The heel is gorgeous.

  24. hammidb (verified owner)

    Street shoe size 10. Vims size 10.
    Third pair of Vims. First two were from two years ago. They were both so hard to get on. After several months, blew out the pull tabs. Putting them on was not a pleasant experience, it was actually painful. However, the climbing performance was worth it. Sticky and durable rubber, wide toe box, Heel and toe hooks are solid.
    I noticed several improvements with this most recent pair. Seems they have made it easier to get in/out of them. Also noticed, they added some stitching to the inside pull tab. Should help to reduce the blown out pull tab issue. Stoked on the improvement of these. Now they are perfect!

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