Getting Your First Pair of Climbing Shoes

So you're ready to get your first pair of shoes for climbing. The question is what pair of shoes should you get? A lot of people will start out by finding some cheap climbing shoes (here) in order to save money and that's actually fine. However, the most important thing to consider when buying these types of shoes is fit. Unlike street shoes where you want them a little bit loose, with shoes made for climbing, you want them tight. When I say tight, I mean tight enough where you feel like you have to take them off every twenty minutes or so. Many climbers take theirs off after every climb.

You will typically be able to find shoes online for a cheaper price than in the stores but before you buy online, you will want to make sure you know what the right size for you is. The best way is to visit an REI store or any store that sells a variety of bouldering shoes. Try on a few different brands and models that are within your price range and note the sizes for each one. You'll notice that not all brands agree in terms of size and this is why you want to try out the shoes before getting them. Once you find a couple that fit you well, you can then go home and find them online.

Remember that since you're new to climbing, you will likely wear out your shoes in under a year. This is due to having poor footwork and scraping it against the wall or rock. The first part of the shoes to go is usually right under your big toe since that's what you'll be placing on the rock most of the time. Later on, you may want to go for a more expensive brand and what you can do instead of buying a new shoe when the soles wear out is to just get the resoled.