Black Diamond Focus
Black Diamond
Stiff, slightly downturned sport shoe with dual-velcro closure. Thick 4.3mm injection-molded NeoFriction Force rubber and a full midsole create a rigid edging platform. Leather upper with knit tongue for breathability. Stabilizer rands on both sides improve precision. Best on vertical-to-slightly-overhanging terrain where stiff support matters more than sensitivity.
Best For
Best for sport climbing on vertical and overhang terrain. Aimed at intermediate to advanced climbers.
Strengths & Trade-offs
Strengths
- Stiff platform for sustained vertical edging
- Durable 4.3mm injection-molded rubber
- Printed toe rubber for hooks without bulk
- Stabilizer rands improve lateral precision
- Works whether you're pulling on plastic or stone
Trade-offs
- Low sensitivity - thick rubber dampens feedback
- Painful break-in period
- Heel fit can feel sloppy
Sizing & Fit
Half size down from street shoe. Leather upper stretches about half a size with use.
Fit profile: medium width, standard forefoot volume, medium heel, suits egyptian toe shapes.
Expect roughly half a size of stretch; moderate break-in.
Stiffness
Measured stiffness: 0.79 on our 0-1 scale (0 = softest). It is among the stiffest slightly downturned shoes we track; the Scarpa Vapor (0.72) is a softer alternative in the same downturn class.
Specifications
| Brand | Black Diamond |
| Model | Focus |
| Closure | Velcro |
| Feel | Stiff |
| Downturn | Slight |
| Asymmetry | Moderate |
| Rubber | NeoFriction Force (injection molded) |
| Rubber Thickness | 4.3mm |
| Weight (pair) | 499g |
| Vegan | No |
| Kids | No |
Prices
| Retailer | Price |
|---|---|
| hardloop.de | 90.90 EUR |
| 8a.de | 108.99 EUR |
| bananafingers.co.uk | 114.66 EUR |
Cheapest current offer: 90.90 EUR at hardloop.de, 48% below the 175.00 EUR list price. 3 shops currently stock it (90.90 to 114.66 EUR).