Most rock climbers are familiar with the dangers that can come from falling or slipping while scaling a wall or the face of a mountain. Less dramatic, but just as important, is the damage that the sport can do to a climber's feet. Climbing shoes can cause a climber's feet to sweat and crack, which can lead to conditions like athlete's foot. While a climber can't avoid sweat and cracking completely, taking the time to buy proper shoes, moisturize dry skin and letting feet air out can improve overall foot health.
Finding the Right Shoe
To maintain healthy feet a climber must start with a well-made and properly fitted pair of shoes. Shoes that are too tight or rub will only exacerbate problems with sweating and cracking. Have your shoes fit by a professional to ensure that you buy a pair that are right for your feet. When you try your shoes on, make sure that your toenails are cut short to ensure a proper fit. Your shoes should fit snugly, but not too tightly. You may have to try on several makes of shoes before finding a pair that fits your feet in both length and width.
Combating Sweat and Cracked Feet
Since you will be participating in a strenuous activity and not wearing socks, sweaty feet are an inevitable problem when it comes to climbing shoes. The trick is to minimize the amount of sweat that come in contact with the shoe and to air your feet out as much as possible. Only wear your climbing shoes when you are actually climbing. Wear a different pair of shoes when walking to and from the climbing site, preferably flip flops or sandals so you can give your feet a chance to air out. Wash your feet after climbing to remove any bacteria left by the sweaty shoes and rub in a good moisturizing lotion to stave off cracks. If you do notice cracks and calluses on your feet, rub off the dead skin with a foot sanding block on a regular basis.
Athlete's Foot
If you do experience excessive sweating or cracked feet while climbing you may develop a condition known as athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection often experienced by people who perform activities that make them sweat while wearing closed shoes. The condition is contagious, making climbers who borrow or rent shoes particularly susceptible. Symptoms of athlete's foot include redness around the infected area, itch, burning and painful oozing blisters. You can avoid developing athlete's foot by keeping both your feet and your climbing shoes as dry and clean as possible.
Proper Shoe Care
Taking proper care of your climbing shoes will help you to keep your feet healthy. Allow your climbing shoes to air out in a well ventilated place after climbing and place an aromatic cedar block in the shoes after use to combat fungus and odor. You may also consider wearing thin liner socks while climbing so that your sweaty foot does not come in direct contact with the shoe. Regularly wipe down the soles and linings of your shoes to keep them clean and free of fungus and mildew or odor left by sweaty feet.
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