Climbing shoes

No other piece of equipment will influence your climbing performance as much as climbing shoes. Their selection mainly depends on your level and climbing discipline. With the right shoes, you'll improve without having to suffer—at least in the beginning. All these products (11) are in stock on our online store or at the retail shop.

How to choose climbing shoes?

Why is choosing the right climbing shoes so important? The better you stand on the foothold, the more weight you can transfer to your feet, making climbing easier. However, climbing shoes vary in a number of parameters, and for beginners, the choice can be tricky. What should you consider?

Last and shape – The shape of the climbing shoe, also called the last, varies in asymmetry and profile. Straight and symmetrical shoes are suitable for beginners and multi-pitch climbing. Aggressively curved shoes are best for performance climbers.

Size – It’s not true that the smaller, the better. The size of climbing shoes primarily depends on the climber's experience and climbing discipline. Beginners should choose the same size as their regular shoes, while experts can handle shoes that are several sizes smaller.

Rubber – This is the sole made of extremely grippy material. The softer the rubber, the better it grips the rock, but it wears out more quickly.

Fastening – Shoelaces allow the most precise adjustment, while Velcro straps offer quicker on-and-off. Occasionally, you’ll encounter slip-on shoes, which must fit perfectly since they cannot be tightened afterwards.

Material – Climbing shoes are made from synthetic materials or leather. Synthetic shoes maintain their shape and don't stretch, but they tend to smell faster. Leather shoes will stretch slightly, which can contribute to more comfort, but they may lose their rigidity.

Stiffness – The midsole determines the overall stiffness of the shoe. Soft shoes are ideal for friction climbing and softer materials (sandstone). Stiffer shoes are better for small footholds and hard materials (granite, limestone).

Gender – Climbing shoes are typically made in unisex versions, but you will also find women’s and children’s models. These differ not only in available sizes but also in shape. Women’s shoes are usually narrower and softer to accommodate lighter climbers. Children’s shoes are designed to fit the anatomy of a child’s foot.

Discipline and terrain – For vertical walls, choose stiffer shoes with less curvature. For bouldering, soft and aggressive shoes work best. For multi-pitch climbing, comfort should be your priority.

Other parameters – Advanced climbers may also be interested in the design of the toe, heel, and pre-tensioning.

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