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Below, you'll find extensive information on leading
Wall Climbing Shoes articles and products to help you on your way
to success.
Wall Climbing Shoes
As I mentioned in one of my previous articles, having specialty wall climbing shoes makes such a huge difference while you’re on the climbing wall. Regular running shoes or tennis shoes are bulky, making it difficult to get a footing in narrow climbing holds, and can actually make you lose your grip on the hold making you more prone to a fall. Wall climbing shoes will typically fit you differently than any other pair of shoes, and it’s best to know what to look for than to purchase the wrong pair and not be happy with its performance.
As with any kind of shoe, a wall climbing shoe’s performance is based off of its materials as well as other attributes. It’s best to look at the following factors as you begin shopping.
- Wall Climbing Shoe Design – Wall Climbing shoes with hook and loop closure are really easy to get on and off, which typically makes them better for indoor climbing walls. Or, if you prefer, there are also lace up shoes which will give you a tighter fit, and assist with the shoe stretching over time.
- Wall Climbing Shoe Cut – Wall climbing shoes which are cut ankle high are great for giving your ankles extra support while protecting it from scrapes and scratches, while lower cut shoes provide less support, but more freedom of movement.
- Wall Climbing Shoe Support – Wall climbing shoes with a stiff midsole will help to protect your feet as you climb by limiting the degree of flex that your foot will make during climbing, making it a bit more comfortable, while a more flexible midsole will help you to feel the climbing wall better and take advantage of smaller holds.
- Wall Climbing Shoe Toe Profile – Wall climbing shoes with a tapered and low profile toe box will enable your feet to get into areas they wouldn’t normally be able to, while a roomier toe box could be more comfortable in longer climbs.
Next, you will want to determine your climbing wall abilities, and to what you are going to be subjecting your wall climbing shoes. This will also help you determine what kind of wall climbing shoes will work best for you.
- All-Purpose Shoes – These shoes are designed to handle just about any kind of rock climbing and perform pretty well in all of them. It is one of the best type of shoe for beginners and indoor climbing wall usage.
- High Performance – These wall climbing shoes are built for high intensity climbing, which were specially created for the more advanced climbers in competitions and such. They will work for climbing walls, but are meant more for outdoor climbing, or the expert.
- Slippers – Slippers have very thin soles and hug your foot like a sock, or second skin. They are ideal for climbing walls.
Now that you’ve picked out which type of wall climbing shoe is for you, you’ll need to be sure that it fits you correctly. Here are some great fitting tips:
- Wear thin socks or liners to make sure you’re getting the best fit possible.
- Make sure your toes are not too cramped, making for future uncomfortable climbs.
- Most rock climbing shoes will stretch a bit over time, typically in width.
- A snug but not painful fit is the best to eliminate foot slippage.
Rain Heavily Damages Castleton Trail
8/21/08 - A cloudburst on August 7 has badly damaged the climbers? trail to the base of Castleton Tower, the iconic sandstone pinnacle near Moab, Utah.
New Route on Lower 48's Biggest Rock Face
8/15/08 - Kelly Cordes and Justin Woods made a one-day ascent of the rarely climbed north face of Mt. Siyeh in Glacier National Park, completing a new route with about 3,000 feet of loose technical climbing in just 11 hours.
Americans Complete ?Astroman of Peru?
8/14/08 - Dave Anderson and Brady Robinson have free-climbed the full version of Karma de los Condores (V 5.11+R) in the Ishinca Valley of Peru, completing a 14-pitch route that tops out at around 14,500 feet.
Sharma, Puccio win SLC Comp
8/11/08 - Chris Sharma and Alex Puccio won the Mammut Bouldering Championships in Salt Lake City on August 9.
Potter "BASE Solos" The Eiger
8/08/08 - Dean Potter has made a "BASE solo" (or FreeBASE) of Deep Blue Sea (5.12+) on the north face of The Eiger, Switzerland.
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