How to Pick Climbing Shoes

Climbing shoes are one of the most vital pieces of equipment you can own when rock climbing, and are probably one of the earliest purchases you will make when you pick up the sport of rock climbing. Climbing shoes come in a variety of styles and price ranges. Picking the right climbing shoe is a balance between the terrain you normally climb on and the budget that you have to spend. Here is how to pick climbing shoes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Budget to Purchase Climbing Shoes
• An Idea of Your Typical Climbing Conditions

How to Pick Climbing Shoes

1. Call your local sporting goods stores in order to find a location that sells climbing shoes. Climbing shoes are very distinctive and not all locations have them in stock, so picking up the phone will save you a lot of time.

2. Consider the conditions you normally climb in. If you are mostly climbing on trails, a comfortable, well-fitting shoe is all that is required. If you typically do indoor climbing on a rock wall, a slip-on climbing shoe with a flexible sole works best. If you climb on steep cliff faces, you’ll probably want a stiffer climbing shoe with sticky rubber soles.

3. Try the shoes on. Slip-on shoes should be easy to slip on and off, yet also be form fitting so it will feel like you have no shoe on at all. Lace up shoes should be able to be laced up very snug against the foot, yet also have the ability to relax to a looser fit when needed.

4. Consider your budget. Climbing shoes can get to be very expensive, very fast. There is usually a cheaper version of any climbing shoe available, so don’t feel like you have to bust your budget to get quality equipment.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can afford it, it is a good idea to get both firm lace-up climbing shoes and flexible slip-on climbing shoes, so that you are prepared for any climbing conditions.

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