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Climbing Shoe Buying Guide

Rock climbing is all about footwork, so choosing a pair of climbing shoes may be the most important move you make. They should be a supportive, sticky second skin. Wearing rock shoes, your feet are able to gain purchase on the very smallest edges, or smear to grip the rock even where there are no edges at all. A good pair of climbing shoes will help you climb to the maximum of your ability or ambition while leaving you free to enjoy every second on the rock.

Construction

Lasting

The vast majority of modern rock shoes are slip lasted. This means they are built around a foot shaped mould which creates a more natural and ergonomic shoe. Slip lasted shoes are lighter and more sensitive than the more traditional board-lasted models. Manufacturers put an enormous amount of time and resources into getting the right last for a particular shoe and many brands have an array of different lasts available from flat, straight profiles up to very downturned and asymmetric models. For easier climbs a straight profile will be the most comfortable option while boulder problems and sport routes demand more extreme models.

Materials & Stretch

The kind of material used to make a climbing shoe is key in determining how it performs. As you climb and exert force through the shoes (particularly with hot and sweaty feet) some materials will be stretched. This is common with leather uppers which can grow by around a size. Some shoes employ a lining inside the leather to help retain the original fit but even then you may get an overall softening effect that can move the apparent fit up by half a size. To solve this some manufacturers use non-stretch materials, such as Lorica. This won't stretch at all so you can rely on the original fit staying throughout the lifetime of the shoes. Hybrid designs just use Lorica over the toes to prevent stretch in that crucial area.

Rubber

In the same way that brands make careful choices on the last and materials used to create a shoe for a particular purpose, they may choose different rubbers to achieve different performance characteristics. As a general rule it is a compromise between durability and friction. Beginners' shoes usually prioritise durability, so that the rubber lasts a long time even when it may be scuffed regularly. Some beginners' models will even have an extra millimetre or two of rubber at the toe to give extra longevity. These harder compounds will tend to provide superior edging power, retaining their shape under pressure. Stickier rubber will smear really well but is more prone to wear and thinning around the toe.

Closures

Lace

Ankle to toe lacing gives you fine-tuned control, with the ability to tighten or loosen along the whole length of the shoe and therefore to achieve the most comfortable and supportive fit.

Hook-and-loop (eg. Velcro®)

A hook-and-loop system gives fast, efficient closure and opening. It's particularly useful for bouldering, allowing you to get a good tight fit in use and then to remove them quickly when resting.

Slipper

Elastic gussets make it super quick and easy to get slippers on and off. Provided the slipper fits well you can get excellent performance with none of the faff associated with laces or hook-and-loop.

climbing shoe fasteningsclimbing shoe fastenings

Fitting Climbing Shoes

COMFORT

  • Ideal for: Beginner climbers; all-day comfort on multi-pitch climbs.
  • Design: Flat and straight-lasted for comfort. They often use a very durable rubber. The midsole is usually medium-stiff to give a supportive platform.
  • Fit: When starting out it’s important not to be seduced into getting a tight ‘technical’ fit. Fit shoes so that your toes touch the end, slightly curled but not crammed in.

When starting out the best way to improve your climbing is simply to climb. Very tight shoes (the kind that make you wince when you stand up in them) are simply going to put you off climbing and make you regret splashing the cash on them! Therefore go easy on your feet; choose an all-round style and fit it so that your toes touch the end, slightly curled but not squashed. You will climb better and longer with a comfortable fit.

comfort climbing shoescomfort climbing shoes

All ROUND

  • Ideal for: Improving climbers moving up the grades; multi-discipline all-rounders.
  • Design: More asymmetric and sometimes slightly downturned. Angled heels load power onto the toe. Thinner, stickier rubber and more flexible midsoles give better sensitivity.
  • Fit: Improving climbers will appreciate the extra precision and edging power you get from snug fitting shoes and a slightly crimped toe position.

As time goes on and the routes ticklist gets longer you may wish to move on to a more technical rock shoe and perhaps a more precise fit. This is a good time to think about the kind of routes you climb. If it's all multipitch trad routes then stick with a stiffer, supportive shoe and a reasonably comfortable fit. If you're specialising in bouldering it may be worth considering a tighter fitting, Velcro closure shoe.

All Round climbing shoesAll Round climbing shoes

PERFORMANCE

  • Ideal for: Experienced climbers at the top grades; high-performance specialists.
  • Design: These shoes are asymmetric and downturned, putting the foot in a ‘talon-like’ shape which allows force to be exerted on micro-edges, overhangs and roofs.
  • Fit: Go for a precise fit that puts maximum power on minimal holds. Heel fit is also important, especially on boulder problems that call for heel-hooking.

At the top end, rock shoes tend to be designed for specialist performance in certain disciplines. Some are very downturned and intended for prehensile sensitivity on bouldering roofs and overhanging sport routes. Others may be stiffer and skinnier for precision on technical walls where accurate edging is called for. The heel will usually be aggressively angled, a design that locks your foot in the shoe and forces toes into the toe box. 

Performance climbing shoesPerformance climbing shoes

Women & Kids

Female-specific models have reduced volume down the length of the shoe. They may also be lower at the ankle and slimmer in the heel. The overall feel is generally less roomy and these models can be just as good for men with low volume feet. Kids don't have to miss out either! Junior models are designed with one simple hook-and-loop strap. They also have a heel adjuster which can be used to change the length of the shoe, a practical touch that extends use for growing feet.

Tips For Trying On Climbing Shoes

A badly fitting pair of rock shoes can really put you off climbing but getting the right fit is very difficult to do on the internet. Therefore we recommend you visit a store and try a range of different models to get the right shoe and size for your needs.

If you haven't worn rock shoes before, come with realistic expectations of what climbing shoes should feel like. The likelihood is they will not be the comfiest things you have ever worn. However, they should also not be overly tight, especially for beginners. Make sure your toes are at least touching the end (and ideally are slightly curved) so that you will be as close to the rock as possible.

  • Shoes made from unlined leather will stretch with use (up to a full size).
  • Non-stretch synthetic materials or lined leathers should stay true to the original size.
  • Lacing gives precise adjustment down the length of the foot. Hook-and-loop (e.g. Velcro) tabs are quicker and easier to adjust. This is especially good for tight-fit bouldering shoes, allowing easy removal between problems.
  • Whether lace or Velcro, make sure there is scope for tighter adjustment, in case the uppers stretch over time.
  • Keep an open mind on size. You may need to go up or down from your usual street shoe size, depending on the brand and fit required.
  • Feet swell slightly through the day, so try rock shoes in the afternoon or after a walk. Remember you’ll be wearing them without socks.
  • Ensure shoes are laced or fastened securely to eliminate dead space. Focus on the forefoot, but aim for a snug heel as well.
  • Check that the shoe’s heel cup contours comfortably around the ankle bone and doesn’t dig into the Achilles.
  • Test shoes in-store. Stand on holds or edges using different parts of the foot, including the big toe, inside forefoot and outside forefoot. Check they feel stable, with no rotation around the foot.
  • Rock shoes perform best when fitted snugly, but remember the old Five Ten motto: Pain is Insane! Don’t fit them too tightly; modern rock shoes will give you the performance without the pain.

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