Fitting rock shoes

[Superslogger]

I wnt out to buy some 'sticky soled' rock boots. I tried on five pairs but couldn't find any that were comfortable. The bloke in the shop said that if they are a good fit, they should be uncomfortable, which sounds a bit stupid to me. In the end I didn't buy any. Does anybody know of some rock shoes that are comfortable when correctly fitted?

[ken_nerve]

For rockclimbing? If so, the bloke is right maybe he should have said it in a different way. A rough guide is one size smaller than your normal shoe size. You're supposed to arch your feet when you climb, so you get one size smaller to help you use the footholds better by maintaining the arch of your feet.

[Ollie]

He's absolutely correct when he says they should be uncomfortable. The whole point of rock shoes is they 'fit' your feet, so you get the best contact with the rock. This allows you to do things like grind in against the rock, or use the smallest of footholds.

The best bet is to get the closest to being comfortable ones, but that are still 'too small'. Then cut your toenails, and wear them round the house occasionally so they start to mould properly to your feet.

[Digby]

The best bet is to get the closest to being comfortable ones, but that are still 'too small'. Then cut your toenails, and wear them round the house occasionally so they start to mould properly to your feet.

I'm sure it must be the same as with ballet shoes - not that I would know. :cool:

[Hillwalker]

This really does depend on the amount of time you want to spend in rock shoes at a time, and what standard of climbing you are wanting to enjoy. Not everybody wants to climb at the top of the 'E' grades.

Because I teach and supervise groups I would not ever consider wearing rock shoes that were smaller than my ordinary day wear, if I am keeping them on for up to six hours at a time the have gotta be comfy!

If I am climbing big mountain crags with good holds and protection, I will wear comfy shoes again, every time.

If you aspire to be a rock gymnast on really difficult bouldering walls and crags with miniscule holds, then the tighter the shoes the better so you can virtually feel every irregularity on the rock. But be prepared to be in agony and remove them to recover after every ascent!

[insane_climber]

if ur wearing them all day ie. instructing, full day session at wall or crag of on a multi-pitch you need ones which fit but are comfortable, for high graded climbs you want ones which pinch your toes a bit but not so urin a lot of pain, but would only wear them for the climb.
if you want a pair of all round boots rock pilars are gd and are quite comfortable