If you are interested in rock climbing then that’s great, and honestly, it’s a great sport, but on the other hand, you do know the fact that one wrong move can make rock climbing very dangerous for you. Especially if you don’t have the proper rock climbing shoes, then things can get pretty dangerous for you, and the chances of slipping and falling increase too. The point is that yes, you do need to buy quality rock climbing gear, but the most important thing that needs your attention is your shoes. Something like the scarpa drago is a good option.
Especially if you are someone who is climbing the rocks for the first time, then you need to get beginner climbing shoes instead of professional ones. Yes, you read it right, there are even different types of rock climbing shoes, which is why today we are here to tell you about some of the must-knows when buying these shoes so that you can spare yourself from all the confusion and hassle of buying a perfect first pair of climbing shoes.
There are many different types of climbing shoes to get. The most important part is you need to make sure that it’s the right fit and the right type of shoe for the type of climbing that you do.
Why are climbing shoes important?
Climbing shoes are important because they get your foot with more contact to the wall and the holds.
Imagine climbing a brick wall, your tennis shoe will keep slipping off the tiny edges but with climbing shoes, you will be able to get your foot in those tiny edges. That’s why climbing shoes have such sharp rubber edges.
When you get climbing shoes you need to make sure that they are tight but not too tight. If the shoes are too tight, then you can probably injure your foot. If they are too big on your foot then you would not have enough strength on your foot. The key is you want it to be snug, not painfully tight.
Picking the right closure system for your shoe is very important. There are three main types of closures: slip-ons, Velcro, and lace-ups.
Slip-ons are great for short climbs and multi-pitch rock climbing because you’re constantly taking them off.
Lace-ups are good for any type of climbing and longer routes to give you good support.
However, most people go for Velcro because it gives you very good support, and it is easy and quick to take it on and off.
Related Read: Butora Acro Climbing Shoe Review (From Real Climbers)
How to Pick your Climbing Shoes
1- Buying at a popular mountain shop
You need one experienced salesperson and some experienced staff when you are buying your first pair of climbing shoes. As said earlier, you cannot take any risks with the quality of your shoes, or else you can fall victim to a serious injury. So, make sure to head to a reputable mountain shop where they sell mountain climbing gear and shoes. At such shops, you can even try the shoes on and check if they fit perfectly or not.
2- Buy an all-purpose rock shoe
As a beginner, you will obviously climb on all different terrains and mountains, so it’s better to start with an all-purpose rock shoe. All all-purpose rock shoe comes with a stiffer sole, and it also covers your ankles etc. So that you don’t get injured with the scrapes. Also, this will help you experiment with your foot, and you’ll know how you are comfortable so make sure to buy beginners climbing shoe first and then shift to the pro ones.
3- Rock shoes always stretch
Usually, the rock shoes stretch and once you start wearing them, they start opening up horizontally but if you are buying the rock shoes that have rubber bands and lining then know that these shoes won’t stretch no matter how many times you wear them. In short, before making a purchase, just be careful and try the shoes on first, see if they are too hard on your feet or if they are causing pain. If yes, then don’t buy that pair, no matter how good they look. Remember, your comfort comes first, and you don’t want to destroy your feet just because the shoes look good to you.
4- Do a test run
Go to a climbing gym and test your shoes first on the shoe demo area. This will help you know whether the shoe is perfect for your feet or not. You can even talk with the company’s shoe rep, as he/she can help you decide the type of shoe you want that will fit your feet perfectly.
Conclusion
These are some of the things you need to know before buying climbing shoes. Again, climbing rocks is a great thing and yes it’s a healthy activity too, but if you really want to get the best out of it then make sure to invest in a perfect pair of rock climbing shoes.
