What types of shoes are there and how to choose them?

For climbers, both professionals and beginners, it is important to remember that safety comes first. There is always a risk of falling when climbing and descending on difficult vertical trails. To make walking on the rocks more convenient, rocks were created. Due to the special design of shoes, athletes easily overcome routes of varying difficulty.

Those wishing to do real mountaineering should forget about sneakers with soft soles. Before moving on to training, you should take care of the right equipment. First of all, you will need to purchase rocks, which are used to move along vertical surfaces with a variety of relief. Typically, models may differ in the following parameters:

• rigidity;
• material;
• fixation method;
• aggressiveness.

A distinction should be made between mountaineering and rock climbing, as they require different footwear. For example, climbers can safely choose options with a straight shoe and a very dense sole. They perform well on simple routes in the mountains. When choosing, you must take into account the size of the foot. They wear such shoes only over socks.

Climbing shoes are characterized by an aggressive last with anatomical features. They can often squeeze the leg a lot and be smaller than the size of the foot. Such shoes are worn on a bare foot so that the grip is as good as possible.

Climbing shoes must be suitable for a specific task. That is why professionals have several pairs of shoes available at once. The more aggressive the model, the greater the control over movement efforts. However, it must be borne in mind that such shoes cannot be worn for a long time, so as not to harm the foot and cause pain.

• Comfortable climbing shoes are recommended for beginner mountain climbers. It is most appropriate to use them on artificial climbing walls and soft mountain landscapes. As a rule, they are equipped with lacing to better wrap around the foot, taking into account its characteristics. It is important that the size of these shoes matches the size of your feet. In these shoes, the entire foot receives the load, since the stress is evenly distributed. The bottom of such models will be soft or medium hard. Of the features, it should be noted that there is no bend and a flat, flat promontory.

• The versatile rock shoes were designed for different conditions. This option is suitable for both beginners for training and experienced climbers on simple routes with several ropes. The great advantage of these models is that they reduce pain if the foot gets stuck in the gap.

• Sports shoes feature a small bend in the soleto keep the foot as sensitive as possible. This is also influenced by the small thickness of the lower part of the shoe. The symmetrical cape allows toes to be brought together and is characterized by average comfort. These shoes can be used for indoor training, multi-pitching, short routes with one rope and overhangs. Most often, one size less is chosen than regular shoes.

• For difficult trails, where there are various elements, you should choose shoes with a strong bend in the sole. In this case, the cape should be tight and with asymmetry towards the heel. It should be borne in mind that such models are very uncomfortable and cannot be worn for a long time.

• Climbing shoes designed for walking on routes with a large number of slots, are distinguished by an anatomical sole or a strongly curved last. Sometimes the shape of the last can resemble an eagle's beak. The cape in such models is pointed in the form of a wedge. Usually these shoes are taken a couple of sizes smaller in order to better feel the rocky relief.

Among the numerous manufacturers of climbing shoes, it is worth choosing the most popular. Practice shows that it is their models that are distinguished by their reliability and durability.

• The La Sportiva brand appeared back in 1928. The most famous products of the company are the Futura shoes, designed for routes with increased difficulty. The sole of the shoes is made in one piece, which increases the sensitivity to unevenness. There is a high-speed lacing system.

• The Spanish firm Boreal has been producing climbing equipment since 1975. The Satori model, created for bouldering, attracts special attention. These shoes are equipped with laces and Velcro at the same time, which ensures optimal fit. This option can be used for difficult terrain types, as well as ceiling passages.

• The American brand Evolv entered the market only in 2003. The shoes of this company are especially popular for the sensitive block. This makes them ideal for long trails, climbing walls and rock climbing.

• Italian manufacturer Zamberlan For over 80 years, it has been delighting climbers with comfortable and carefully thought-out footwear. The special pride of the company is the three-layer outsole with a hard middle layer, which provides maximum stability on uneven terrain. High quality allows you to take your size, as the shoes fit perfectly on the foot and do not stretch over time.

• Five Ten appeared on the market in the 80s of the last century. Since then, the American brand has released a variety of climbing shoes, among which the overhanging models are especially famous. Their outsole is only 2 millimeters thick.

Before choosing climbing shoes, it should be borne in mind that models may differ for men and women. This is due to the peculiarities in terms of physiology. For example, in girls, the heel is less pronounced and has a smaller size. In this case, to avoid injury, the climbing shoes are made narrower at the back. They also have less stiffness in the midfoot.

Climbing shoes for men are made with a widened and thickened insole. Moreover, the laces are long and thick. As for the colors, it is less diverse than the models for women. Choosing children's options for shoes, you should give preference to fixing in the form of Velcro.

Climbing shoes should always be chosen based on individual parameters. Sometimes shoes designed for the opposite sex may be the best option. Often, manufacturers do not make gender divisions, dividing all models only into narrow and wide ones.

Before you buy climbing shoes, you should decide on the routes and the complexity of the ascents. For example, for training you should choose flexible options, and for tracks with small holds - with increased rigidity. For a climbing wall in a gym, shoes with a soft sole are well suited, and aggressive models for routes with slits.

The first parameter by which any shoe is selected, including climbing shoes, is size. You should choose sports models in a special store, where there is a professional consultant and the opportunity to try on. The physical feel of the shoes on your feet will determine how comfortable they will be. The diminutiveness of the leg should be taken into account, since the width of the model depends on this.

You also need to pay attention to the completeness of the rise. Not all materials stretch well, so it is important to take this parameter into account. When fitting, it is necessary to check the fastening elements. They should be long enough for the leg to be well fixed.

Leather shoes with two-piece soles will stretch well, which is not the case with lined synthetics. This should also be taken into account, since if the shoes stretch too much, you will have to wear a thick sock to avoid injuring your toes. Particular attention should be paid to the fit of the heel. It is optimal if the distance between the foot and the edge of the shoe is as small as possible, but at the same time the clamps should not be felt.

Sometimes you will find recommendations that climbing shoes should be a size or two smaller. This is only relevant for professionals. For beginners, it is better for them to opt for their current size. It is good when climbing shoes wrap your leg tightly, but do not squeeze.

Choosing the right shoe fixation is important to overcome areas of any difficulty with maximum comfort and injury-free. Each option has its own characteristics and it is important to consider them when choosing.

• With Velcro, the shoes are easy and quick to put on and fasten. Models with this fixation are presented for both beginners and professionals. It is very convenient to use it on difficult trails, for bouldering, on rocks. However, it should be borne in mind that over time, the clasp grip will decrease, and the boots will unfasten on their own at any time.

• It takes a long time to lacing, but at the same time ensures the most snug fit of the shoe to the foot. If unpleasant sensations appear, then changing the tension of the laces makes them easy to adjust. This option is suitable for all athletes.

• An elastic band is the easiest and fastest way to fix it. With it, the shoes can be quickly removed and put on. However, shoes with an elastic band do not always fit tightly, which can lead to slipping of the foot out of it. After a certain period of time, the elastic is stretched.

The block is selected taking into account the complexity of the track. For example, the most aggressively curved models are used when you need to place your feet very accurately on the terrain. Most often, rubber is chosen for the manufacture of the sole, which has a high grip coefficient. Many manufacturers have their own developments that improve these parameters of the shoes. When choosing, you should consider the options for soles on rock shoes.

• Direct are characterized by high density and lack of deflection. As a rule, such models are matched to size. They are able to provide convenience for a long time. At the same time, it is not always possible to feel the relief in full.

• Bent have a small thickness and slight bend. The cape may be slightly asymmetrical. A versatile option for a variety of routes, as it has good grip and slight inconvenience during wearing.

• Bent with a strong bend can be recognized by the asymmetrical nose. A beak-shaped form is often found. This allows you to achieve the correct positioning of the leg.

In addition, the load will be distributed evenly over the surface of the foot. However, prolonged wear will lead to seizures.

Professionals recommend having several pairs of shoes available in order to choose the optimal ones for a particular landscape. For beginners, the best shoes are the size and the half-bent sole. As a fixation, you should pay attention to models with Velcro.