Red Chili Corona
The Corona is a working stiff.
Unlock this article and more benefits with 25% off.
Already have an Outside Account? Sign in
25% Off Outside+.
$4.99/month $3.75/month*
Get the one subscription to fuel all your adventures.
- Map your next adventure with our premium GPS apps: Gaia GPS Premium and Trailforks Pro.
- Read unlimited digital content from 15+ brands, including Outside Magazine, Triathlete, Ski, Trail Runner, and VeloNews.
- Watch 600+ hours of endurance challenges, cycling and skiing action, and travel documentaries.
- Learn from the pros with expert-led online courses.
*Outside memberships are billed annually. Print subscriptions available to U.S. residents only. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details
RED CHILI CORONA $109
The Corona is a working stiff. Thanks to one of the most rigid soles of all shoes reviewed, this new shoe from Red Chili climbs well outdoors, especially on angles around 95 degrees. A low-volume, pointed toe-box provides precision footwork—your toes are scrunched together to work with the stiff sole as a single power point. The shoe is a bit down-turned, though its camber isn’t aggressive.
It took about four gym sessions to break the Corona in enough to feel like I could actually climb in them. They do soften up, though they are always painful to don first thing in the morning, when the shoe is cold.
Rubber swaths above your toes add grip to toe-hook moves—in fact, I was so caught off guard by how well the Corona grabbed the crux toe-hook on one of my projects that I fell off. The heel is also super stiff, which helps some heel hooks, but hurts in others.
The Corona, made in China, strikes a balance between an edging shoe and an aggressive one. If you are looking to get into the world of down-turned shoes, especially if your toes are weak, or you are a heavier person who needs support, the Corona is a great choice.
FIT: I wore a 44 Euro. I could squeeze my foot into a 43, but it was just too painful to actually climb in.