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Parts and Features of Rock Shoes

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There are many types of rock climbing shoes available in the market today. When looking for and comparing rock climbing shoes, it is important to know the features shoes can have and understand how they work.

Know the different rock climbing styles and determine what attracts you most. In general, a certain climbing surface calls for a specific kind of shoes. Wearing the pair which is designed for a particular type of climbing can help improve your performance.

Beginners should not to buy shoes that are too tight. If they are, you might concentrate on your pain than climbing. This will surely irritate you. When these shoes stretch, you can always compensate by adding socks. This will greatly improve the learning curve. Of course, there will come a time that you will start needing more foot control and you will want shoes that are designed for that control.

Rock climbing shoes should generally fit tight around your feet. How tight is determined by what you are doing and how much pain you can stand. Your toes should curl up a bit in the front of the shoe and should not wiggle. This makes your foot that much more powerful for edging and smearing. However, it makes rock climbing shoes a bit uncomfortable.

When you buy shoes, ignore the size on the box since every shoe company uses different lasts (hand-carved feet where the shoes are built around) that have little or no correlation to each other. Some companies figure you will wear a rock climbing shoe that is one size smaller than your street shoe size. But others make the adjustment in the factory, so rock climbing shoe and street shoe sizes are the same. Since they are designed differently, always try on several brands.

Be aware that unlined leather rock climbing shoes stretch about 1/2 inch in size with wear, so buy them snug. Lined leather shoes don't stretch, since they will conform to your foot after several outings. Synthetic shoes won't stretch at all. The fit you have in the store is the one you'll have to live with.

Finding the right rock climbing shoes for your feet can be a lengthy and expensive process. Many outdoor stores are well stocked if they carry two different models and many carry none at all. There are numerous manufacturers making rock climbing shoes for all types of climbing and for every style of foot. Sizing these boots can be near impossible if you don't live near a climbing destination with a well stocked store.

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