REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Easy on and off
Highly adjustable
REASONS TO AVOID
Not the most durable
Lacks great performance
Mad Rock Mad Monkey Review
A good, comfortable shoe for the little ones to get into the sport, at a great price point
Credit: Mad Rock
Our Verdict
The Mad Rock Mad Monkey is a popular kids' shoe for many reasons. It has kid-friendly features, like the large hook and loop adjustment/closure that makes getting in and out a breeze. There are also great features for the parents, like the low price, and the dual tab adjustable heel that extends the life of the shoe by letting it grow with them. This shoe is a great all-around beginner climbing shoe in that it does all the things a beginner kid's climbing shoe should but not necessarily a whole lot more.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Mad Rock Mad Monkey | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $49 List | $51.75 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $120 List $67.96 at Backcountry | $44.19 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $50 List $49.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Inexpensive, easy on and off, highly adjustable | Adjustable heel strap, breathability, single pull adjustment, very comfortable | Superb edging, great crack shoe, great on steep rock | Good price, comfortable, easy on/off | Soft microfiber upper, EVA heel cushion, affordable, lightweight |
| Cons | Not the most durable, lacks great performance | Fabric is less abrasion resistant than synthetic or real leather, metal D-rings can cause pressure points and abrasion to straps | Lacks comfort for all day climbing, laces a bit time-consuming | Single lace tension strap can wear out quickly, adjustable heel sacrifices heel hooking rubber | Thin toe rand, poor at edging |
| Bottom Line | A good, comfortable shoe for the little ones to get into the sport, at a great price point | One of the best available, all-around comfortable shoes, that performs well for most applications including cracks, slab, and face | The aggressive downturned toe, combined with a supportive last, makes this shoe shine on vertical face and overhanging rock as well as cracks and technical slab | A good basic shoe that does just about everything well, but doesn’t excel in any one thing in particular | A comfortable shoe, great for beginners and casual climbers alike, with good performance at a great price |
| Rating Categories | Mad Rock Mad Monkey | Evolv Venga | Evolv Ashima | La Sportiva Stickit | Butora Brava |
| Edging (20%) | |||||
| Cracks (20%) | |||||
| Comfort (20%) | |||||
| Pockets (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (20%) | |||||
| Specs | Mad Rock Mad Monkey | Evolv Venga | Evolv Ashima | La Sportiva Stickit | Butora Brava |
| Style | Velcro slipper | Velcro slipper | Lace-up | Velcro slipper | Velcro slipper |
| Upper | Syn Flex | Polyester Mesh | Leather | Leather | Synthetic |
| Width Options | None | None | None | None | None |
| Lining | Unlined | Agion Antimicrobial | Unlined | Unlined | Unlined |
| Rubber Type | Science Friction | TRAX SAS | TRAX High Friction | Frixion RS | Butyl Butora F5 |
| Rubber Thickness | 3 mm | 4.2 mm | 4.2 mm | 3 mm | 4 mm |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
While the Mad Rock Mad Monkey isn't a top contender for performance, it has perfectly suitable performance for those just entering the sport. The shoes are comfortable and will not disappoint any of those kids with that monkey spirit. When the young climbers become more advanced, they can move up to a shoe that has higher performance.
Performance Comparison
These shoes are at home on the birthday party wall at the local gym, but can also hold their own outside on more adventurous terrain.
Credit: Adam Paashaus
Edging
These shoes are not our go-to pick for edging. They are more at home on beginner routes, which rarely require stepping up on small holds. Kids that work up through the sport and want to be able to stand on small jibs should check out our Editors' Choice, or one of the higher-performing Top Picks in our Best In Class article.
The Monkey just can't hang with the Venga on small face holds due to the super flexible sole and upturned toe.
Credit: Adam Paashaus
Crack Climbing
Easy and moderate cracks shouldn't pose a problem to the Mad Monkey. The shoe is pretty stiff laterally and has a neutral shape, so it will feel right at home on most slabby cracks. However, the upper isn't padded or lined, so when the terrain steepens, and the cracks sharpen, they don't make the best choice.
Pockets
With the aforementioned poor edging, the Mad Monkey is not destined to be a pocket puller's friend; it slightly redeems itself by having a relatively pointy toe that can get farther into pockets. Kids that have advanced to the point that they are pulling on pockets should take a serious look at one of the higher-performing options in the test.
Sensitivity
One would think that this flexible shoe would be pretty sensitive, but the forefoot of this shoe is so laterally rigid that it makes it hard to get feedback from the rock.
Comfort
This shoe runs on the large side, so most kids would need to go down a size. The comfort shouldn't upset any kids who are just getting into climbing. Depending on foot shape and volume, others may offer a better fit; most kids in the early stages will be able to get a good comfortable fit with the wide hook and loop adjustment, dual heel straps, and a synthetic suede that has some stretch to it.
The Mad Monkey is a great all around shoe for beginners and moderate climbers alike.
Credit: Adam Paashaus
Value
This shoe was a top candidate for our Best Buy but was slightly "edged" out. But don't let that steer you away from the Mad Monkey if the fit and price are right. One minor drawback to this shoe is the fact that kids at this level tend to have poor footwork, and the rand over the toes can take some real abuse. A thicker toe rand could extend the life of these shoes.
These Monkeys have seen better days but are also a few years old. Poor footwork and years of use have taken their toll.
Credit: Adam Paashaus
Passing these shoes down to a younger sibling doesn't always work out in practice, but they tend to hold up long enough for the kid to move up sizes.
Conclusion
We would have no reservations recommending this shoe to anyone young and just entering the sport. It's not the highest performing kid's shoe on the market, but it will get them into the sport at a great price, as the kid's climbing shoe market has expanded to offer a nice selection for them as they progress through the grades.
The dual heel strap lets the shoe grow with them.
Credit: Adam Paashaus
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Adam Paashaus
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