Quality, well-fitting rock climbing shoes are one of the most important accessories for a rock climber. These shoes are specially designed to assist your feet in gripping the surface of the rock-face and gaining the steadiest possible footing. Choosing the best pair of rock climbing shoes for your needs may require you to visit several stores and try on dozens of pairs of shoes, but the time you spend finding the perfect pair of shoes will be time well spent.
Step 1
Decide the approximate length of your climbs. Tight-fitting shoes are best for short rock climbing sessions spanning approximately two hours or less. These shoes allow you to move quickly up the rock-face. Looser-fitting shoes are preferred for longer climbs because they allow extra space for your feet to swell as you climb.
Step 2
Shop for rock climbing shoes in the afternoon or evening. Your feet swell throughout the day; therefore, shoes that fit in the morning may be too small in the afternoon, especially towards the end of your climb.
Step 3
Evaluate the support of the soles of the shoes. Some shoes are stiff, whereas others are more flexible. Stiff soles offer your feet added protection, but flexible soles allow you to more accurately feel the surface of the rock and find crevices and footholds. Stiff soles are ideal for jagged rock-faces whereas flexible soles are preferred for smooth rock-faces.
Step 4
Determine your skill level. Beginner climbers often choose all-purpose rock climbing shoes. These shoes usually have firm soles and are high cut and offer ankle protection and stability. Advanced climbers often choose high-performance shoes. These shoes are typically low cut with flexible soles.
Step 5
Try on a variety of rock climbing shoes to determine the size and cut that is most comfortable. If possible, wear the shoes while climbing an indoor rock wall. This feature is offered at several stores selling rock climbing gear to allow you to determine which pair of shoes is most comfortable for climbing.
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