Tips for Climbers: How to choose your climbing shoes
Climbing shoes are the cornerstone of any climbing enthusiast’s gear, so the choice of the right shoe to suit the characteristics and needs of the climber is crucial and depends on many factors, starting with the type of surface or wall most frequently climbed, your climbing style or experience level. Therefore, there is no definitive model, typology or brand.
However, in order to shed some light for climbing enthusiasts looking for new climbing shoes, the most practical thing to do is to first define the different types of shoes available, their performance and benefits. In this way, we provide the necessary tools so that everyone can answer themselves as to what type of shoe they need.
Symmetrical climbing shoes
These are the ones with an identical and completely straight last on both feet.
PROS
They provide great comfort in contact and support against the wall and against any surface.
CONS
They do not offer a high degree of precision in foot feel.
Who they are recommended for
For beginner climbers or for climbs of basic to moderate difficulty. With various lengths and with a focus on comfort rather than precision.
Asymmetrical climbing shoes
These are models that do not have a straight last and are designed so that all the force of the foot is directed towards the big toe. They need to be worn close to the foot to take advantage of their design
PROS
This asymmetrical arrangement favours a much better feel and precision of the climber’s foot than with symmetrical ones, especially in supports against reliefs or small surfaces.
CONS
They are more uncomfortable than symmetrical ones and therefore cause fatigue relatively earlier.
Who they are recommended for
They are best suited for those who climb difficult sections. Climbers with good technique and experience.
Soft climbing shoes
Their tissue is relatively soft, throughout the structure.
PROS
They allow a high sensitivity in the sole, which is indispensable for areas with overhangs or roofs.
CONS
They put too much strain on the foot and calf muscles when resting on very small surfaces.
Who they are recommended for
For those who work on roofed areas or areas with overhangs
Hard climbing shoes
Climbing shoes designed with tougher fabrics, instep and sole.
PROS
Their hardness helps to offload more weight on the structure of the shoe and delay the onset of calf fatigue.
Increased safety when walking on small edges.
CONS
Poor contact accuracy for certain movements.
Who they are recommended for
For technical climbers, who do very vertical climbs with high levels of difficulty.
Climbing shoes with flat soles
Currently all models on the market have a version or are manufactured with a completely flat sole
PROS
They have a very neutral and homogeneous behaviour and performance along the whole sole, with any part of the foot.
CONS
Poor precision and grip in the toe area and in certain situations or technical movements
Who they are recommended for
For most climbers, mainly beginners and intermediate climbers.
Climbing shoes with curved soles
Some manufacturers have developed models with concave curvatures on the soles of their climbing shoes
PROS
They provide more gripping capacity for movements on some overhangs or roofs.
CONS
None
Who they are recommended for
For expert climbers capable of performing these moves or climbing in overhanging areas.
