How to Buy Shoes for Bouldering

If you're at all serious about bouldering, you'll want to buy climbing shoes. Here's how to choose the right pair.

Things You'll Need

  • Athletic Tapes
  • Climbing Gear
  • Climbing Harnesses
  • Climbing Helmets
  • Climbing Ropes
  • Climbing Shoes
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Plan on spending between $80 and $140 for your first pair of shoes.

    • 2

      Buy regular rock climbing shoes with sticky rubber soles. You'll find a variety of styles for all levels of experience at outdoor stores.

    • 3

      Try on friends' shoes before making a purchase. Ask other boulderers which shoes they like the most.

    • 4

      Buy your first pair of shoes at a store so you can try them on. Avoid purchasing shoes over the Internet or via mail order until you're sure you've found a pair that fits well and suits your style.

    • 5

      Choose shoes that are snug around your entire foot. As a general rule, your climbing shoe should be about one size smaller than your street shoe.

    • 6

      Try on shoes at the end of the day when your feet are swollen and at their largest.

    • 7

      Feel free to ask for advice and help from a salesperson, but beware: If the salesperson doesn't climb, he or she probably won't have the faintest idea how climbing shoes are supposed to fit.

    • 8

      Try out your shoes on a practice climbing wall, if the store has one. Most stores will not accept returns on any climbing equipment - including shoes - so be sure you leave with a pair that you like.

    • 9

      Shop around for the best deals. Sometimes shoes are offered at huge discounts when new models come out or when stores try to clear their inventories.

    • 10

      Read shoe reviews in climbing magazines such as "Climbing" and "Rock & Ice." Different shoes are intended for different types of climbing (boulderers often prefer slippers to lace-ups for ease in getting the shoes on and off between climbs).