Wearing climbing shoes is like wearing gloves for your feet, giving you a better grip on the surface so you have more power to propel yourself up the wall. Climbing shoes also provide comfort and protection for your feet, keeping them from getting sore and tired.
There are many different types of climbing shoes available, but all of them have a few basic characteristics in common. They all have a stiff sole, a tight upper and an asymmetric shape for better fit. Some climbing shoes are designed for specific disciplines like bouldering or indoor rock climbing.
Let’s take a look at the 10 benefits of wearing climbing shoes, from being safer on the wall to being more efficient in your workout.
10 Benefits of Wearing Climbing Shoes
1. Protects your feet from the sharp rock surface
Climbing shoes offer protection for your feet in the form of plastic and metal. They function like a hard shell, which protects the soft skin on top of your feet against any sharp rocks.
This is especially important for climbers who climb outdoors, or those who have to walk quickly from crag to crag. Your climbing shoes will protect your feet from dirt and debris that can get stuck in between the toes, causing blisters and sores.
2. Improves your grip
The surface of your climbing shoes is deliberately rough, keeping you from slipping and sliding. This also makes them comfortable to stand on because they have better grip.
The texture is important for boulderers who are climbing on very steep surfaces. The rubber material sticks to such surfaces, giving you better power to pull yourself up the wall. It also helps you climb in more damp conditions when other climbers slip off the wall.
3. Provides better flexibility
Although climbing shoes provide you with a firmer grip on the surface, there is sufficient flexibility in the material. This is important because it keeps you from being injured by too much pressure on your feet.
For indoor climbers and sport climbers who are climbing on more stable, flat surfaces, this improves their performance. It helps them to do more complex movements and reach out to difficult holds.
4. Improves your balance
The asymmetric shape of climbing shoes is designed to fit the contours of your foot. Most climbers have a slight imbalance on both sides of their feet, or they put too much pressure on one side. This can cause ankle, knee and lower spine problems.
The asymmetry in the rubber sole of climbing shoes reduces the imbalance in these areas, giving you more balance. This improves your performance and safety when you climb, climb harder and get better at it faster than before.
5. Relieves pressure on the tendons and muscles in your feet
Climbing shoes are designed to fit your feet like a glove. You will have to make sure that the forefoot, mid-foot and heel have enough room for your toes, but not too much or too little. The perfect fit will allow you to make optimum use of your muscles and tendons when you climb.
You will be able to push off from any surface with better power, and push with more force towards the wall. This gives you better balance on the wall, improving your overall performance as a climber.
6. Improves your performance and comfort
A good fit for your climbing shoes helps you get the most out of your climbing session. You will be able to climb harder, faster and higher than before, without worrying about discomfort from your feet.
The snug fit also makes it easier for you to reach out to a distant hold or spot on the wall. It helps you take advantage of the best hold on the wall without having to worry about slipping off.
7. Keeps your feet dry
Climbing shoes have rubber in the sole, so they are good at keeping your feet dry and comfortable. They also serve as a buffer between the ground and the inside of your climbing shoes. This prevents dirt, grass and other debris from getting in between the toes.
They also help you climb in wet conditions without slipping or sliding on a slick surface. Climbing shoes with good traction stay put even when it is slippery at the bottom of a climb.
8. Helps you avoid slipping and falling
When you climb, it is important that you have a solid grip on the wall. Climbing shoes come with a number of rubber textures on their soles to give you better grip. They also help reduce pressure in your feet as they keep your feet firmly planted on the rock.
They are designed to fit the contours of your foot so that pressure is evenly distributed around your ankle, knee and lower back. This helps you climb better and prevents injury.
9. Keeps your feet warm and cozy
Climbing shoes keep your feet warm when it’s cold outside. This can be especially useful if you are climbing outdoors.
The snug fit is also cozier and more comfortable, making you feel like walking and climbing in slippers. The material that makes up climbing shoes has a good insulating quality. You will be able to climb longer without having to worry about getting cold feet or feeling a chill from the surface.
10. Gives you more power
You will get a better performance when you climb with climbing shoes than without. The rubber sole provides better grip, which is important for indoor or sport climbers who can’t see where their feet are placed on the wall. It also helps prevent slipping and destabilizing the wall when you are trying to climb with good form.
To Sum Up!
Climbing shoes are also an integral part of a climber’s overall gear. You will have to have the right size for your climbing shoes, and make sure that the shoe fits well.
As a climber, you should consider adding climbing shoes to your climbing equipment. They help reduce injury and improve performance so you can get better at climbing in no time. It is especially important for indoor or sport climbers who don’t get a lot of practice climbing outdoors.