One of the most important things you can do before committing to bouldering as a sport is to get hold of a good pair of bouldering shoes for beginners. The shoes will make a huge difference to your ability to grip holds on the wall.
Why Shoes Matter More Than Trainers
Bouldering shoes are different from trainers as they have a sticky rubber sole with grips on the bottom to hold onto the textured holds on the wall, and a very snug fit to allow you to feel the wall of the bouldering through your shoes. Trainers on the other hand have too much cushioning and have a flat sole with grippy rubber on the bottom, but this does not allow for the same level of grip on small holds as a bouldering shoe, and your feet will tend to slide off.
Getting the Fit Right
A good fitting bouldering shoe will have no dead space inside the shoe, particularly in the toe box. Your toes should be flat or curled slightly at the end of the shoe. Some discomfort in the shoe is to be expected but sharp pain that increases as the session goes on means the shoe is too small.
Flat Shoes Are Better for Beginners
Bouldering shoes come in 2 different shapes; flat (neutral) and downturned (aggressive). For a beginner the flat shape is more suitable as they are more comfortable for longer sessions and are more versatile for the majority of moderate routes you will complete. The more aggressive downturned shape is best left for when you have become more proficient at bouldering and have improved your technique.
Hire a Pair First
A large number of bouldering walls now hire out bouldering shoes on a per session basis – ideal for first time buyers to test out the fit of a number of different makes and models of shoe, before committing to buying a pair that could cost anywhere from £50 to £90 per pair.
For Bouldering Near Me, visit https://www.270climbing.com/bouldering/.
Look After Your Shoes
Allow your shoes to air after every session, and don’t store them near direct heat – the same goes for leaving them in your car boot, as rubber deteriorates fast. Shoes can be resoled but only if they are well-fitting so it’s worth putting in the effort to get this right in the first place.
Remember that a good fit is more important than brand and take time to try out a few different pairs before committing to a purchase.
