• Why fit is important
• How to choose a rock climbing shoes
• How small they should be
• Shoe stretch
• Symmetrical and asymmetric climbing shoes

There are many different varieties of climbing shoes to suit many different types of climbing activity. When making a choice there are certain things you should determine first of all. The choice of footwear depends entirely on your sphere of activity. If you choose to climb only on indoor walls and to boulder, a light and snug-fitting pair of slipper-style rock shoes is adequate. This type gives a high degree of sensitivity in feeling the holds on which you place your feet. This is advantageous to an experienced climber but the benefits may not be appreciated fully at beginner level. Slipper style shoes do not offer much in the way of support and protection for the feet, so if you intend to climb on more adventurous rock you will need to consider this factor and choose something more robust.

The sturdier and more supportive the shoe, the less sensitive it will be to standing on tiny edges or smearing holds. Fortunately, the greatest diversity of climbing shoe design is found in the range of shoes intended for the widest application.

High performance shoes are used more in competition and over tricky routes and difficult terrain. They provide a better level of performance when a specific climbing technique is required and are usually low cut to reduce weight and give increased flexibility. They’ll usually fit tighter than a normal shoe to improve climbing control and allow you to feel closer to the rock’s contours and curves.

As with clothing, not all styles or models will fit all shapes and sizes of feet. It is important to try on as many different climbing shoes as you can. Even so, finding a shoe that is comfortable in the shop does not mean that it will be comfortable out on the crag. Climbing in hot conditions for hours at a time encourages feet to swell, and though shoes will stretch a little with use, they might become uncomfortably tight. Very painful feet are not usually conductive to pleasurable climbing experiences.