Climbing shoes

Key Points

The Importance of Choosing the Right Climbing Shoes

Climbing shoes are essential in climbing. They protect the feet, help prevent injuries and improve safety. They are the first piece of gear to invest in for practicing regularly. In addition to shielding the feet, they provide maximum precision on footholds and enhanced grip on rock. There are various types of climbing shoes, and several factors must be considered to make the right choice. These include your shoe size, but also your foot shape, your skill level (beginner, intermediate or expert), and the type of climbing you do (bouldering, crag climbing, multi-pitch, indoor, etc.). At Glisshop, we prioritise brands known for the care they put into crafting their climbing shoes. This is how we make a rigorous selection of models for men, women, and children's climbing shoes from La Sportiva, Black Diamond, Five Ten, Scarpa, Millet, Ocun, EB, Mad Rock, Tenaya, Red Chili, and more. We also offer vegan models from the French brand EB, for those looking for shoes made without animal-based materials. Our aim is to offer shoes that suit all levels and climbing styles, featuring both new releases and iconic models. At Glisshop, you’ll also find a complete collection of thin and breathable climbing socks, selected from the top climbing brands on the market.

Rock Shoe Buying Guide for Women, Children and Men

To help you choose your climbing shoes, we answer the most common questions climbers ask. Since not everyone can visit a shop to try them on, we aim to provide as much information as possible to help with your purchase. This guide explains how to identify the right shoe based on your needs and climbing style. To find out more, check out our complete guide to climbing shoes.

How to Choose the Right Size Climbing Shoes?

You often hear that you should go down half a size, or even a full size, from your regular shoe size to improve precision and performance. This is partially true. Some brands even recommend going up to 2 sizes smaller than your usual shoe size. However, some manufacturers like EB have developed true-to-size shoes. If you usually wear size 8 and want EB climbing shoes, just go for size 8.

Soft or Stiff Model?

The stiffness of climbing shoes is an important factor that affects performance. Both soft and stiff shoes have their pros and cons. A soft shoe is ideal for lighter climbers, those who favour sensitivity over power, overhang enthusiasts, and indoor bouldering fans. A stiff shoe, on the other hand, is better suited to heavier climbers, those tackling long routes, and those climbing slabs or vertical walls.

Choosing Climbing Shoes According to Foot Shape

Certain foot shapes are better suited to particular types of climbing shoes. While the asymmetry of a shoe allows for greater toe-tip precision and the downturned profile enhances toe hooking, these features can be very uncomfortable for someone with a straight foot and a low arch. Some climbing shoes have the toe box centred over the big toe—these are called asymmetric shoes. Others have the toe box centred over the second toe and are considered non-asymmetric.

Which Climbing Shoe for an Egyptian or Greek Foot?

The Egyptian foot, where the big toe is longer than the second toe, is best suited to an asymmetric shoe. The Greek foot, where the second toe is longer than the big toe, is better matched with slightly asymmetric shoes. You can start with this guideline and then refine your choice based on your preferences and goals. However, someone with a Greek foot can absolutely wear asymmetric shoes for bouldering if they’re willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort for better performance.

Choosing Climbing Shoes According to Discipline

Choosing the right climbing shoe also depends on your preferred discipline and the level of steepness you plan to tackle. Glisshop helps you identify the key elements to consider in order to refine your choice.

Which Climbing Shoes for Indoor or Outdoor Bouldering?

In bouldering, climbers usually prefer softer shoes. Lace-up shoes are typically avoided in favour of Velcro-strap shoes. Since lace-ups take longer to put on, they’re not ideal for climbers who like to take off their shoes between boulder problems. Foot comfort is an important factor. It’s easy to tolerate a shoe for the few minutes it takes to climb a boulder problem. However, discomfort becomes a bigger issue in a 30-metre route or a multi-pitch climb with several belay stations.

Which Rock Shoes are the Best for Multi-Pitch Routes?

As mentioned above, single-pitch and multi-pitch climbing involve wearing your shoes for longer periods than bouldering, where you can easily take them off between attempts. The longer the climb, the more important comfort becomes. The steepness of the wall you’re climbing is also a critical factor. On overhangs, opt for a soft, downturned shoe that allows effective toe hooking. On slabs or vertical faces, go for a stiffer shoe with lacing that extends down to the toe for enhanced precision and the ability to put maximum pressure on small footholds.

What About All-Round Models?

Some models, such as those in the Momentum range from Black Diamond, offer great versatility for both indoor and outdoor sport climbing. This model provides intermediate stiffness, features a straight shape, and includes a grippy rubber sole that ensures excellent reliability on all types of holds. It also prioritises comfort with a soft toe box and a woven upper with a soft lining for exceptional breathability.

What Are the Differences Between Lace-Ups, Slippers and Velcro Shoes?

When choosing a closure system, Velcro shoes are usually the preferred option for indoor climbing, especially for bouldering. They are easier to take off regularly to give your feet a rest.

There are also slipper-style climbing shoes, which are generally soft and fit very close to the foot. Be careful to choose them very snugly, as they provide less support due to their elasticity. This type of shoe is a good option, for example, if you do bouldering, are a beginner looking for comfort, or if you are an experienced climber seeking maximum feel, particularly in the toe area.

For outdoor climbing and especially for sport or multi-pitch routes, lace-up shoes can be a good choice. They offer greater precision and can be adjusted perfectly to the shape of your foot, which improves comfort.

Climbing Shoes for all Budgets

At Glisshop, we offer a complete range of climbing shoes, including models that cater to smaller budgets, such as the Easy Up from Millet, or the Mojo and Electron models from EB. For climbers looking to move up in performance without breaking the bank, the EB Guardian 3.0 offers one of the best performance-to-price ratios on the market!

Which Climbing Shoes Are Best for Beginners?

Entry-level climbing shoes are often perfectly suitable for beginners. The models mentioned in the previous paragraph are ideal for getting started—except for the EB Guardian 3.0, which is slightly too technical for someone just starting out.

At Glisshop, we advise newcomers to choose shoes that don’t put their feet under too much strain. We recommend avoiding shoes that are too asymmetric or overly downturned. These may be particularly uncomfortable if you're not yet used to wearing climbing shoes.

Climbing Shoe Care Tips

Below, we offer a few tips to help you look after and maintain your climbing shoes, so you can make them last as long as possible.

How Can I Loosen My Climbing Shoes Slightly?

This isn't strictly a care tip, but rather a little trick to help you improve comfort. It’s common to hear that climbing shoes are not very comfortable—in fact, many people find them downright uncomfortable at first. To avoid pain during your first sessions, you can wear them at home while relaxing on your sofa, watching a film or reading a book.

How to Clean My Climbing Shoes?

All climbers know that climbing shoes can quickly become a breeding ground for bad odours and bacteria. For proper hygiene—and to avoid stinking out the climbing gym—it’s important to clean your shoes regularly. They are made of various components that can be damaged by extreme temperatures, such as the rubber sole or some parts of the upper. It is therefore essential to avoid putting them in the washing machine. For proper maintenance, each part should be cleaned in a specific way, as follows:

• Cleaning the upper: hand wash using soapy water (e.g., Marseille soap) and a soft sponge. Do not scrub too hard. Let them air dry at a stable temperature and out of direct sunlight. You can dab them with a dry cloth to speed up the drying process.
• Cleaning the inside: the most frequent operation should be cleaning the interior of the shoe. Place two teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda inside your shoes and shake them so the powder is evenly distributed. Bicarbonate absorbs moisture and neutralises bad odours. Ideal for daily care after each session. Don’t forget to shake out the powder before putting your feet back in.
• Cleaning the sole: a simple clean with a soft sponge and clear water is enough.

Where and When Should I Resole My Climbing Shoes?

Resoling climbing shoes can greatly extend their lifespan. The rubber sole is the part that wears out the fastest. Be careful not to wait until there's a hole at the toe before taking them to be resoled—it might be too late. Every city has its own go-to spot for resoling climbing shoes. It’s very likely that you’ll find one near you.