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Ha. Get them fitted properly mate, don't buy them over the net. I'm a size 10 normal shoe but currently wear a pair of 8s for climbing. Have had 8.5s and a 9 before too.
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I was told to buy shoes 2 sizes smaller but to be honest they were pretty painful and I reckon I could've gone a size up - just make sure your toes are curled at the ends and if you can find a shop with a bouldering wall (or a climbing shop at a wall) try that to get the right fit.
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theres a climbing wall near where i live and have been meaning to join for a while, but ive never bought shoes for it. cheers for the advice. im a 10 so was thinking of just getting a cheap pair of 9s and seeing how they are
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Don't buy a pair you've not tried on! It takes an afternoon but go to all the big outdoors shops in covent garden and try on every brand and have a go on them on the shop climbing wall/racks etc. When you've worked out which pair are the best then just get em online for cheaper.
The whole 'buy a size smaller thing' doesn't always work and stubbing your toe in shoes that are too tight will finish your day in my experience. -
Like people have said you need to try different pairs on as different makes size differently, i've had size 8.5 up to 10s depending on model. rock and run have a good page that lets you convert your normal shoe size to the right climbing shoe depending on the make/model here: http://info.rockrun.com/articles/rock-shoe-sizing-guide.html
that said go to a climbing wall and hire shoes for the 1st few times and if you get the bug get some shoes then.
The people at the Rock On shop at Mile End wall are really helpful - not a massive range but enough (UrbanRock at the Castle has more models) but the guys are super helpful and you can stand on some holds to test -
just echoing the above. the make and model of the shoe makes a huge difference! the shape of your foot will also affect which shoe would be best for you, so it is definately worth going to a shop and spending some time with someone getting advice. the first pair i got i only went down half a size, but now i'm a size down. but in other makes i vary from 2 sizes down to the same size.
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Remeber they will be very uncomfortable to begin with, but will mould to your foot over time. And never wear socks with them.
Depends if they're suede or an artificial substitute. As a rule of thumb, suede will stretch about half a size over time and the artificial ones won't stretch at all.
If this is your first pair of shoes, buy something cheap -> midrange and go for comfort (without socks) over super tightness.
Oh, and if they feel a bit short, try tightening the laces / velcro. This can often make them feel longer and narrower.
PS This should probably be in Misc&Meaningless... :)
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Maybe they want the shoes for outdoor climbing?
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New climbing wall in S.E London
http://www.thereach.org.uk/Infoandprices.html -
More echo for the above general information. If you're just sort of staring to climb, get what fits and is comfortable.
start at your shoe size and work down if you feel like your foot is slopping about inside them. Your foot wants to be held firmly but you still want to be able to walk about and not have the toes curled too tightly together.The whole 'buy a size smaller thing' doesn't always work and stubbing your toe in shoes that are too tight will finish your day in my experience.
^^^^^This^^^^^It will be a little uncomfortable but should not be unbearably so.
Same as most things, there are specific shoes for different types of climbing. I'd disagree with the idea of trying on all the shoes in the shop. Just ask the person there what they would suggest for the type and level of climbing that you're doing.
Personally, I'd avoid shoes which are canvas lined. Yes they may be more comfortable initially but they tend to smell after a while. They tend not to stretch much if any.
Unlined shoes will stretch more (and smell less). -
http://www.nevisport.com/storedetail-5-product_id-352043
i used to wear these a size smaller then i was, fitted pretty well when i used to go climbing in a little rock climbing room in crystal palace centre.
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I just went through this today, I have really wide feet and always have problems with shoes. I tried on 7 pair of shoes the first time found one pair that I could get on. Today tried more on and ended up going again for the same pair that fitted first time but got a. Half size down and they seem bang on. This is half size smaller than I would in a normal shoe. All the ones the staff thought would work didn't but I put that down to my retarded foot shape.
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Climbing shoes - if you're new to it then go for something with a thicker stiffer sole, generally these would be a lace up "boot" style rather than slip-on slipper style. The latter offer more "feel" but if you're not used to it may not be much fun. Also they wear out faster that the former too as the rubber is thinner.
In terms of fit, unlike a street shoe where you want a 5mm or so gap in front of your toes, you foot should fill the shoe completely without being uncomfortable. There is no point in having crunched up toes as this doesn't help your climbing and, after half an hour you need to take the damn things off - not always practical if you're 150ft up on a multi-pitch route...
Expect to spend circa 40 to 50 quid. Generally there is no crap quality climbing gear.
Don't wear socks. Get used to smelly feet. No one takes it personally.
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Just pop into any good outdoors sports shop, the people will normally be happy to fit you up. Different shoes are different shapes, so a size 8 Red Chilis might not be the same as size 8 in any other brand.
I'm a size 9 and get 7.5's. They normally hurt a bit for the first few climbs but they stretch around your foot and become snug.
Once you know your size and model you can just buy the same one next time - mine normally last about 6-9 months depending on use.
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Don't get shoes too small! Indoors it's ok (but even then, I would still go for comfy ones rather than small 'technical' ones).
Once you go outdoors, unless you carry trainers or flip flops with you (more weight on your rack) you're going to be walking back down the side of a mountain in them - get ones that fit you, and don't let the shop people sell you ones that are a small size 'because that's what everyone gets'!
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get lace ups too..no velcro or slipper nonsense, most places should have some where to test the shoe, see how supportive it is on. expect the shoe to hurt, it doesnt get better but it is tolerable, if only for the sweet relief you get after a climb when you take it off.
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A list in no particular order:
-Get a flat soled shoe (downturned later), velcro or laces depending. Velcro is easier on and off but laces can tailor your fit better by differential tightening which you might prefer.
-Get the shoe that best fits the shape of your foot (ask for help if you can't see it), this makes for a comfortable shoe.
-If the assistant is giving advice that sounds like bollocks or s\he doesn't seem to care then ignore them and go with what feels best. Your instincts will take you a long way.
-Size wise aim so that your toes are touching the end of the shoe when your foot is OFF the ground (your foot gets bigger when standing on the floor and your are aiming to stand on small things so...).
-Don't buy the hype, the rubbers are different but at your level not significantly so.
-Oh and ignore the sizes on the box, they are just a starting point but essentially meaningless for such tight shoes.
-Avoid shoes which give you hotspots!
Hope this helps.
PS. Nothing wrong with wearing socks, people have climbed stupid hard with and without them so it is up to you what you want.
moog
Dirty_Harry
RikiBanger
edmundro
jimbo79
Sumo
mrs_socks
Seeds
CYOA
31trum
TheBrick(Tommy)
Daem
edric
Yan
Scrapper
NeilFairbrother
richoking
christianSpaceman
stretched_out_rider
Something_or_other.
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Anyone on here go climbing?
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i need to buy some climbing shoes, do you get your own size foot or do people tend to get a smaller sides so they fit better?