Tips
How to choose the
right shoes
W
hen it comes to climbing, the
right shoes can make or break you.
Squeezing your feet into the smallest
sizes possible – until your toes turn crippled and bent, and even start to take the
shape of shoes themselves – seems to
have become a bit of an obsession with
climbers. But does this really improve
your climbing? When choosing climbing
shoes, it’s important to remember comfort
comes first. After all, your shoes can
seriously affect your climbing; you’re not
going to want to climb if your feet are in
agony, which is why it’s important to get it
right.
Where is the best place to get
climbing shoes? It’s always advised to go
to a good climbing or outdoors shop such
as Cotswalds or Taunton Leisure. This
way, you will be given a range of different
types of climbing shoes, as well as advice
from the people who work there on size
or style. Always try before you buy. Sure,
you could get a great bargain on EBay,
but this won’t be any good if they don’t
actually fit.
Most climbers know that sizes
in rock shoes can be confusing. They
never seem to follow normal shoe sizes,
meaning it can be easy to end up with
a pair that doesn’t fit properly. This is
normally because climbing shoes go by
old shoe sizes, but also because they are
often made smaller than ‘street shoes’. It
is true – to an extent – that having slightly
smaller shoes can sometimes be helpful.
They can be easier on smaller holds you don’t want shoes so big you can’t
even feel the edge on your toes. However, unnecessary pain is insane. Your
shoes have to be comfortable else you’re
not going to find climbing enjoyable. Plus,
you don’t want shoes too tight; else they
can dig in at the ankles. Not to mention,
the health problems they can lead to,
such as toe deformities and bunions. This
is particularly dangerous for diabetics,
who have to be more careful with their
feet. Just remember: snug but comfortable.
Another thing to consider: which
style? Velcro or laces? Thick or thin
Photos (top to bottom):
‘La Sportiva’, Alex Indigo.
‘Solutions 1’, Chris Gehlen
‘Boreal’, Juliet Sawyer
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