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Marketed as an everyday shoe for climbing enthusiasts, Black Diamond’s Circuit 2.0 shoes are more similar to a pair of Vans or Converse, rather than a technical hiking boot or shoe. This isn’t a shoe just for climbers; it’s a shoe for anyone who appreciates unparalleled all-day comfort married with a slick, minimalist urban style, which happens to be equipped with climbing-level smear power.
Sporting Black Diamond’s BlackLabel sticky rubber outsole and flat platform, this is a decent shoe for basic scrambling — whether in the city or the local boulder field —and the rubber toe cap offers added protection and durability. It’ll certainly hang with the very best Nike skate shoes and adidas skate shoes, too.
That said, the Circuit 2.0 focuses on comfort, not performance. Thanks to a remarkably soft, shock-absorbing footbed, my Circuit 2.0s have quickly become my go-to daily shoe. They’re the first shoes I pick when heading out shopping, to the gym, bar, or any other around-town activity. They absorb each step like a pair of the best cushioned running shoes, retaining the streamlined look of a skater model. The lightweight upper remains incredibly breathable, too. I’ve rarely sweated in these shoes, even when wearing thick hiking socks.
The Circuit 2.0 receives Black Diamond’s “ECO” label, meaning it’s made with one or more of Black Diamond’s targeted sustainability attributes (in this case, several). The shoe’s lining and footbed are constructed from 100% recycled materials, and the three individual loops that wrap around the heel — so that the shoe can be hauled or clipped to a pack — are also constructed with recycled webbing. The midsole (among the comfiest I’ve experienced) incorporates recycled algae as part of the Bloom initiative, which removes over-abundant algae from aquatic ecosystems, transforming it into renewables that can replace fossil fuel-based product ingredients. In BD’s words, “This transformative process simultaneously helps to clean and re-oxygenate water systems while preventing carbon emissions associated with decomposition.”
So, there’s a lot of value here from a comfort, style, and sustainability perspective. The one mistake some people could make with the Circuit is assuming Black Diamond’s claim that this is an “approach shoe” that will perform on trails. The Circuit 2.0 is not a hiker. The sticky rubber smears well and certainly can perform on the occasional short scramble or hike, but beyond that, they don’t bode well on a trail for a significant portion of time. It’s an around-town shoe, for jaunts to the bookstore, coffee shop, grocery, and so on. But in that capacity, it smashes the competition.
You could maybe find a comparable shoe for a slightly lower price point. But beyond that, I’m struggling to think of a single drawback with the Circuit 2.0s. Of all the shoes I’ve tested this year, these are my favorite “daily wear” model and one of the most comfortable men’s shoes. They’re well-cushioned, easy to slip on and off, and surprisingly breathable. I’ve worn them almost daily for three months now and have seen no signs of significant wear. I think I’ll be hitting the town in my Circuits for years to come.
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Owen Clarke is a lifelong outdoorsman and outdoor sports journalist. In addition to contributing to Footwear News, Clarke is an editor-at-large for The Outdoor Journal and Climbing House, and a regular contributor to Backpacker, Outside Online, SKI, Iron and Air, Trail Runner, and a variety of other outdoor publications. He also edits for the American Alpine Journal. He is an avid backpacker, climber, and motorcyclist and has logged miles on two feet (and two wheels) in mountain ranges from North Africa to the Andes to the Balkans. Clarke wrote this review of the Black Diamond Circuit 2.0 after testing the shoe for three months.
