Climbing Shoes

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Climbing Shoes

Can you climb without climbing shoes?  Sure - in many places, your regular sneakers or hiking shoes/boots will work.  This is generally limited to climbing walls with screw in climbing holds or real rock walls up to maybe a 5.6 rating.  But for more technical climbing on both walls with artificial climbing holds and rock walls with natural features, climbing shoes make a huge difference and you may not be able to climb without them.

Which shoes do you get?  Well, pick ones that fit.  The only way you can know if a shoe fits is by trying them on.  Don't trust shoe sizes, because they are all over the place.  Go to REI or another climbing gear store and try on different shoes.  They should fit snuggly without socks on.

When choosing a climbing shoe, understand that they are are made with different bends.

Beginner Climbing Shoe Recommendation - If they fit:

• These are good up to 5.10 and V2 routes

  • Flat, comfortable and affordable

  • If you really get into climbing and start climbing 5.10 and V3 - you will need different shoes

• La Sportiva Tarantulace

• Black Diamond Momentum

• Scarpa Reflex V

• Evolv Defy & Elektra

• Butora Endeavor

• Five Ten Niad Moccasym