Climbing shoe

Climbing shoes are shoes that are used in climbing and mountaineering.

Properties

These shoes have a particularly good adhesive friction or grip and give the wearer thus good grip when climbing. Since when climbing the most power comes from the legs, one must not underestimate the benefits of climbing shoes. The climbing shoe not only has the advantage of a high friction value, but also allows the use of climbing techniques as Heelhook or Toehook.

Used the climbing shoe mainly sport climbing (rock climbing, indoor climbing ), alpine climbing and bouldering. It also comes in more difficult climbing routes used. Unlike mountain boots that are more suitable for hiking or mountain climbing, climbing shoes have a soft sole and usually sit very close to the foot. Today, especially shoes are used, which are available as lace-up shoe with velcro fastening and a slipper. The main difference to the hiking boot is the type of foot strain. When climbing shoe stabilize the foot to the maximum load of the toes is sought, in contrast to other shoes.

Since the main burden lies on the toe tip of the big toe when climbing and bouldering in the normal case, is guaranteed by the shape of the shoe and a possible narrow and airless seat optimum power utilization and support of the foot muscles. This allows the kicking of very small edges and a high pressure on a small area to bring ( toe ). In conjunction with the high friction of the rubber produces a secure standing position.

A pronounced bias force of the toes is increased, and thus the pressure is increased to the steps, which in turn enables a better grip. For extremely small passages in the vertical and slightly overhanging terrain preloaded shoes are aggressive suitable, but too much preload can also mean a disadvantage in the overhang.

Size selection & number of Climbing Shoes

In general it can be said that fitting shoes are used in increasing difficulty (eg in sport climbing or bouldering ) close. Experience has shown that it is sufficient for beginners, a (subjectively ) choose fixed climbing shoe that is not already causing pain during the fitting. To be able to select a best possible climbing shoe, the toes can become active clenched.

Climbing Shoes can be stretched by their use. Affected by this effect are mostly climbing shoes from natural leather. Advanced climbers take this into account when purchasing the shoes. Independend of it they usually have several pairs of climbing shoes that they use depending on the existing level of difficulty or special requirements. Another possible reason is that in multi-pitch routes only in a cable length of the tour offers a much higher degree of difficulty there than in the other pitches. A possible variation of the climbing shoe is expedient here.