Selecting Rock Climbing Footwear: A Guide
Rock climbing, a thrilling and physically demanding sport, offers a variety of disciplines, each requiring a unique approach when it comes to footwear. In this article, we explore the best climbing shoes for trad climbing, a style that involves climbing on natural rock formations with traditional protection.
## Key Features for Trad Climbing Shoes
For beginners embarking on trad climbing, comfort and support are paramount. A flat or slightly downturned sole is ideal, as it aids in jamming feet into cracks, a common technique in trad climbing. A stiff midsole provides the necessary support and stability for longer climbs, while a relaxed fit ensures comfort during extended wear. Laces offer a customizable fit, which can be beneficial for beginners who may need to adjust the fit during climbs.
## Recommended Shoes
Some top recommendations for trad climbing shoes include the La Sportiva TC Pro, known for its excellent performance on slabs, techy face climbing, and cracks. The Scarpa Veloce offers a more comfortable fit with a relaxed toe box, making it suitable for beginners tackling various climbing styles. The La Sportiva Katana Lace, while more aggressive, is a good choice for trad routes that require a bit more precision, such as thin finger cracks.
## Tips for Beginners
Fit is crucial in trad climbing shoes. They should fit snugly but not too tightly, as comfort is key for long climbs. Trad shoes can be stiff at first, so it's important to break them in properly. Consider the type of terrain you'll be climbing on. For slabby or crack climbing, the TC Pro is a great choice. For more vertical or technical routes, the Katana Lace might be better.
## Other Considerations
Rock climbing is a broad discipline with four main styles: gym climbing, bouldering, sport climbing, and trad climbing. Each style may require a different type of shoe. For instance, bouldering calls for an aggressive downturn, soft construction for sensitivity and flexibility, and a Velcro closure.
Climbing shoes come in three types of closure: lace-up, Velcro, or slipper. Lace-up shoes offer the most precise fit and can accommodate a wide range of foot shapes. Velcro shoes are easy to put on and remove, making them ideal for gym climbing and bouldering. Slippers are characterized by an aggressive downturn, uber-soft construction, a single Velcro strap near the ankle, and large patches of toe and heel rubber.
## Popular Climbing Shoe Brands
Popular climbing shoe brands include Black Diamond, Boreal, Butora, Evolv, Five Ten, La Sportiva, Mad Rock, Red Chili, Scarpa, Tenaya, Unparallel, and others. Each brand has its own style, branding strategy, affiliated athletes, claims to fame, and pitfalls.
## Resoling Your Climbing Shoes
Resoling, or replacing the worn-out sole of a climbing shoe, should occur as soon as the sole starts to break through, usually at the tip of the shoe, right under the big toe.
In summary, for trad climbing as a beginner, focus on shoes with a relaxed fit, laces for customization, and a stiff midsole for support. The La Sportiva TC Pro is a top recommendation for its comfort and performance on slabs and cracks. Happy climbing!
If you're venturing into the world of trad climbing, don't forget that comfort and support are crucial for a successful journey. For instance, the La Sportiva TC Pro, with its flat sole and comfortable fit, performs exceptionally well on slabs and cracks. Or, if you're a beginner seeking a more accommodating shoe, the Scarpa Veloce, with its relaxed toe box, might be the right choice for you as you explore different climbing styles.
