Rock Climbing ShoesChoosing the right pair of rock climbing shoesGeneral use rock climbing shoes are usually boots and combine medium hardness, convenience and longevity offering versatile but medium performance on all kinds of rock. They are quite comfort for big mountain routes and crevices. Click here to see which is our recommended store
Their evolution are the short for general use which
provide more sensitivity and accuracy, flexibility and friction.
The models which are specially designed for sport
climbing are manufactured strictly for maximum performance in small
routes of great difficulty. They fit very tighly on the foot and
have soft sole for perfect friction and great sensitivity at the
front part. They are very tiring and tough for the foot. Buy them
only if you are at an advanced level and are seeking for the perfect
shoes.
The selection of shoes has great importance because they are the only piece of equipment which really helps you climb. If you are a begginer you need a comfort model for general use with good fit. One size smaller than your regular everyday shoes is enough. Care of rock climbing shoes before and while climbing Before the shoes are transported from the factory to the stores they are brushed with sandpaper. Before you use them you may brush the edges with a sandpaper between 60 and 80. Always be careful because at some parts the sole is only 1.5-2 mm thick. The moment before you start climbing make sure that the sole is clean, especially if for some reason you walked earlier while you wearing your rock climbing shoes. If you step into mud on some part of the route you must wipe it out(even on your trouser-leg). When you put the shoes on and you tighten them be careful to place the tongue -or the rubber- right and not create any folds or wrinkles. If you don't do that you will experience pain and damage their shape. For safe and comfortable fit try to tighten the laces with unvarying tension from the bottom to the top. Care of rock climbing shoes after climbing Do not leave your shoes exposed to high temperature for days. For example don't forget them in the car under the windshield. Before you store them or if you are going to use them after sometime brush them carefully with a wire brush of medium hardness. Move the brush towards only one direction. After that wetten a piece of cloth with water or alcohol and use it to clean them. If you follow this procedure their friction will certainly be better. In case you want to store them for a longer period of time fill them with pieces of newspapers and tighten the laces. You don't want them to lose their form and have their performance decreased. Take the papers out the moment before you start climbing. Do not put your shoes in the same bag you carry the other pieces of equipment. They might lose their form or an object wear a hole in them. The best thing you can do is to buy the special rock climbing shoes bag to carry them. Click here to see which is our recommended store
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The models which are special for
small footholds, crevices have harder soles for better support. The
short shape provides sense of comfort, mobility to the ankle and
flexibility. Of course they are inferior as fas as friction is
concerned. These rock climbing shoes are ideal for conglomerate
places and very suitable for crevices and long mountain routes.
Specially for the narrow crevices prefer boots which cover and
protect the ankle.
Finally there are also the
"slippers" which are like socks made of thin leather with climbing
rubber glued underneath. They provide maximum sensitivity and
perfect friction and are ideal for climbing walls, with additional
advantage that they are easy to put them on and take them off. They
are although extremely soft for the begginer, who can use them on a
next level when his technique will be better and his/her soles
stronger.