I have forever said that my absolute favorite shoe is the Dragon.  I was quite confident that would never change.  Until now, that is...

Over the past year I have fallen in love with the Blackwings.  At first I thought it was just a little crush, and I figured I'd revert back to my one true love, the Dragons.  But it seems this love affair is here to stay, because I can't keep the Blackwings off my feet.  

These shoes are versatile and reliable.  I love them for the gym because the velcro allows me to pop them off quickly, but also provides a surprisingly snug fit for a laceless shoe.  I have worn them for just about every climbing event I have attended over the past year, and they haven't failed me yet.  

Recently I have returned to my personal project, Freaks of the Industry.  Last season I relied on an entire arsenal of Five Tens, since a very tricky heel hook kept me debating as to which shoe is the best for the job.  Enter the Blackwing.  This year the heel hook has worked far more consistently than it did last season.  I have only worn the Blackwing, and it works like a charm, so long as I remember one piece of important beta: tuck the pull tag on the left heel.  I don't know why, but it makes all the difference.  

So, don't tell the Dragon, but I think I may have found a new "old standby."  Don't get me wrong, the Dragon will still hold a special place in my heart as my first true climbing shoe love.  But the Blackwing is undeniably amazing, and I love it for that.