What kind of shoes can you rock climb wit? they need to be rock climbing shoes, can they be tight swim shoes?

Answer 1

The bottom, edges and toes of climbing shoes are soled with "sticky" rubber. It's not sticky to the touch, but behaves different on the rock under pressure. Kinda like high friction rubber, soft so it grips, but hard enough so that it doesn't shred
Climbing shoes are as a rule tight fitting, very tight in the case of slippers, a bit less tight in the case of a board lasted all day multi pitch shoe. (board lasted means a stiff sole for better edging support for longer strenuous climbs)
climbing shoes force you toes to a slightly curved point, for better control. the more you climb, the more you will rely on your legs and core for strength. good climbing shoes help utilise the contact point of this aspect.
I have used 5.10 shoes for a long time, but there are more makers.

that said, you can climb in lots of things. I have seen world class climbers climb very difficult routes in their running shoes! A good stiff soled boot is not bad for lots of climbing, just too stiff for smearing etc.
I would be very wary though of swimming/water shoes. They tend not to be constructed very roubustly and might fly off or destruct at a bad time.

Answer 2

It's not about the tight fit...it's about the edge and/or grip of the sole. Swim shoes may look like climbing shoes, but the sole is totally different. Climbing shoes have a hard sole with a lot of traction. Some have a sole better designed for smearing and some have really hard edges and toes made for getting into cracks.

You can climb in just about any shoe. Sneakers are a good substitute if you can't get rock shoes. I used sneakers for years and if you climb in a gym they're not bad. Vans worked really well for me in gyms.

If you shop around you can get a decent pair of rock shoes cheaper than you can get a new pair of running shoes.

Answer 3

I've been climbing for more than 12 years, but I've never heard of climbing in swimshoes.
Just get regular climbing shoes. I like SCARPA, but lots of people use FIVEten or BOREAL, LA SPORTIVA...there are so many. The climbing shoes should be tight, but too tight. You have to count on it that the shoes will stretch a little. Depens if they are leather shoes or synthetic, a good shop keeper should tell you...

Answer 4

as a lot as a particular factor, the tighter your shoe is the more suitable ideal grip your ft may have on the wall (rather at the same time as smearing), regardless of if very reminiscent of with ski boots you sacrifice convenience for the sake of administration. finally, how tight your shoes are is an argument of inner most selection. i might want to recommend no longer wearing socks, although, because doing so necessitates a higher shoe. Do be prepared to get some blisters, regardless of the truth that.

Answer 5

It depends on how serious you are about taking on tough climbs, 5.10 and up. They're almost impossible without good rock shoes. From 5.11 on up, almost all the footholds depend on the rubber sole's excellent grip on rock, and you just can't get that with ordinary sports footwear. It'd be like asking if Indy 500 cars can get by with truck tires.

Answer 6

one of the best climbers I knew always climbed barefoot. He reckoned feet had evolved for climbing, so why cover them up. He was, of course, a nutcase, but is still climbing I hope.