Climbing is one of the most enjoyable activities appreciated by many people from all over the world. Like any other sport, to partake in this sport, you must have the right equipment for it. Climbing shoes are one of the most critical pieces of equipment that must be chosen carefully so that you can easily climb different routes and not damage your muscles and organs. If you intend to buy climbing equipment, including suitable shoes, here we will provide you with a guide for buying climbing shoes. visit: Travel to Iran with IranAmaze for more information on hiking and mountaineering sites.
Choosing the right hiking and climbing shoe is probably one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make when it comes to these activities. So you would want to make sure you’re not only picking a shoe that will be comfortable for your specific foot but also one that is durable and waterproof. This article will provide you with a guide to all types of hiking and climbing shoes.
Why buy non-professional hiking shoes?
For most people, shoes may not be a big deal and they may not have the knowledge of how to select the right shoe for them. For people who hike on a regular basis, shoe choice is a very important decision and should not be taken lightly. There are many factors to consider when selecting a shoe. First, the size of the shoe should be appropriate for their foot. It is important to ensure that if they are buying boots they can try them on before buying them. Second, they want to find shoes that will provide protection from scrapes, punctures, and burns.
Unfortunately, many people believe that hiking shoes are the same as sneakers that you use for daily walking. But in fact, climbing shoes are entirely different and professional shoes that are designed for rock climbing and difficult paths.
The two most important things to consider when choosing hiking shoes are how much support they offer and how much cushioning they provide. Support is how much the shoe can hold up under your weight, and how much it can help you balance. Cushioning is how comfortable your feet will be and how much shock they’ll absorb on the trail. You want to find a balance between cushioning and support because too much of one can compromise the other. You want something that will last a long time, but also something that feels good on your feet and makes them feel nice and cushy.
Slipping
The first harm of using inappropriate shoes is the possibility of falling and getting injured. The soles of hiking shoes are designed to prevent slipping to a large extent, but almost all sneakers have flat soles, and you can easily slip on rocks. Another problem caused by inappropriate shoes and boots, except for hiking shoes, is pain and damage to the knees and back.
Knee, Back and Leg Pains
Since you go through difficult routes and put a lot of pressure on your body to climb different points while climbing, the wrong shoes can damage different parts of the body, including the knees, back, and legs. Wearing the wrong shoes can cause irreparable problems for you. Another problem is the bruising and numbness of the leg muscles during and after climbing.
If you wear shoes other than hiking shoes, after climbing the mountain and rock for a few hours, your feet will become sleepy and numb, which will make it difficult to continue the path, and you will not be able to move easily.
When buying climbing shoes, their high price compared to regular shoes can discourage you from buying them, but be sure that climbing with inappropriate shoes will bring you serious problems and injuries.
Important Features Shoe Sole and Upper Areas:
Soles and uppers are two vital parts in different types of climbing shoes, each of which must have its own characteristics. The shoe’s sole is a particular layer of rubber and carbon that is hard, firm, and anti-slip. The most famous of these insoles is the Italian Vibram brand, which is used in the manufacture of many climbing shoes.
The sole must be shock-absorbing, have sufficient flexibility according to the type and material of the shoe, have good friction and high resistance, and maintain the proper position of the sole of the foot inside the shoe. Also, the sole should have deep grooves to give you the ability to move on difficult paths.
The upper of the shoe should also have essential and fundamental features; for example, it should be waterproof and able to sweat. While being strong, it has the ability to be elastic and soft, and flexible. It is resistant to cold, heat, and environmental conditions and does not rot. The layer on the hiking shoe must extend to the ankle and cover it.
Types of Climbing Shoes:
Climbing shoes are often tight-fitting and made from fabric, leather, or synthetic materials. They are designed to help the climber maintain good footwork and grip on the climbing surface. Choosing the right climbing shoes can be very challenging. The size and weight of the shoe are some of the more important considerations. Climbing shoes should also be comfortable and have a good level of grip. Before deciding on a shoe, it is a good idea to try on different brands and models to find the right fit and feel. Size and weight are some of the more important considerations when choosing climbing shoes. Shoes should fit snugly and have enough room to avoid putting too much pressure on the toes.
Climbing shoes are available in different models and types in the market, and you should choose one of them according to your needs and your desired route. In the following, we will introduce you to the types of climbing shoes and the characteristics of each one so that we can share all the essential tips about climbing shoes with you.
Hiking Shoes:
Hiking shoes are suitable for deserts, forests, not very high altitudes, and areas without snow. The sole of these shoes is moderately flexible, and the upper material is usually leather or waterproof fabric. If you intend to climb on snowy mountain paths, climb in winter or move on rocky paths, you should not choose this model of hiking shoes.
Hiking Boots:
This type of climbing shoes is very suitable for multi-day ascents in the cool seasons and one-day ascents in the winter season. This type of shoes actually have semi-heavy applications and usually have long legs and a height between 14 and 19 cm. This type of shoes completely covers the leg and protects it from impact and inappropriate conditions.
One-piece Heavy Climbing Shoes
One of the most professional types of climbing shoes is the heavy one-piece shoes, which are mostly used for technical ascents in ice climbing and mix and multi-day winter ascents up to an altitude of less than 5,000 meters. Unlike other types of climbing shoes, the sole of this shoe does not have any flexibility, and you can install crampons on the entire surface of the sole to move on snow and ice.
Since the soles of these shoes lack flexibility, please do not use them in any way except on snowy and icy roads because your feet will be pressured and blistered. Also, thread is not used in the construction of this type of climbing shoe, and its parts are connected to each other by means of glue. Therefore, please pay attention to the expiration date of its adhesive when buying.
Double-layer heavy climbing shoes
This type of climbing shoe is extremely strong and heavy and lacks flexibility. As their name suggests, it has two layers. The first shoe is a small shoe the size of a person’s foot, which is placed inside a larger shoe.
You can easily take off the bigger cover and use the small cover while resting in the tent. You can use this climbing shoe for ice rocks, altitudes above 7,000 meters in cool seasons, and below 7,000 meters in winter.
Himalayan Climbing Shoes
This type of climbing shoe is very strong and professional, and its sole does not have any stretch or flexibility. This shoe has three separate and different covers, each of which has its own characteristics and use. For example, its primary cover is a long gaiter that is sewn all around the shoe and covers the entire top and its surroundings.
You can install crampons on all parts of its floor and use them for snow and ice trails and climbing up to 8,000 meters in the Himalayas and above 7,000 meters in winter.
Ice Climbing Shoes
Among other different types of climbing shoes are ice climbing shoes, which are exclusively used only for the path on the ice rocks. These shoes are very light, and their crampons are permanently attached to the shoes.
Rock Climbing Shoes
Rock climbing shoes are other types of climbing shoes that are very light and are used for rock climbing, rock climbing, and wall climbing. According to the special use of this type of shoes, they are designed and made from special materials and in special shapes.
Walking Shoes
Hiking shoes are the simplest types of hiking shoes that are used for everyday walks. These shoes should also be light and usually without legs.
Guide to Buying Climbing Shoes
With the features of hiking shoes, it is much better to familiarize yourself with other important points to help you buy a shoe that perfectly suits your needs. Things that are also mentioned in different parts of the text. When buying climbing shoes, you should pay attention to what kind of shoes you use for climbing in what environment and conditions.
Do you climb hard and high altitude routes, or do you choose simple and low altitude routes? What is the amount of heat, rainfall, and harsh weather conditions in your desired environment? Pay attention to what season you buy and use climbing shoes.
In addition to paying attention to the amount of keeping the shoes warm in the winter season or the appropriate amount of air intake in the warmer seasons of the year, if you intend to climb in the winter season and the paths full of snow and with ice caps, it is better to use stocked hiking boots with long legs.
Also, these shoes should be made of two layers of leather so that they can help you in difficult snowy conditions. But in addition to all the mentioned points, what other issues should we pay attention to when buying climbing shoes?
Buy the perfect fit:
Undoubtedly, when we buy all our shoes, we all pay attention to the fact that the shoes have the right size for the size of our feet and we feel comfortable in them. This issue is much more important and significant in choosing climbing shoes.
You should choose a shoe that perfectly fits your foot size and feels comfortable in it. When buying regular shoes, it is sometimes possible that the shoes seem tight in parts such as the toe, which the seller tells you will loosen after some time of use.
But this is not the case with hiking shoes, and you should choose a shoe that you feel comfortable in all its parts. In many cases, professional mountaineers suggest you choose one size bigger hiking shoes, but this big size should not be such that it is difficult for you to move with the shoes and move with them.
Check the year of manufacture:
Another critical issue that people do not pay attention to when buying hiking shoes is the year of manufacture. You may purchase a shoe from a famous brand that has been out of production for years, but since it has not been used, you can imagine that it has maintained its high quality.
But before buying, it is better to know that the adhesives used in making climbing shoes have an expiration date of up to 5 years at their best.
After this date, the adhesives easily lose their properties and break apart due to various weather conditions such as heat, cold, or water. Therefore, be sure to ask the seller the year of manufacture of the shoes when buying.
Shoe leg height:
While climbing, you have to put your foot anywhere you can; these places can be a hole full of polluted water or an empty space between thorny plants. Therefore, climbing shoes must have a suitable leg and a sufficient height so that you can use them in different conditions.
Long-legged hiking shoes have a height between 14 and 19 cm, and hiking shoes have shorter legs. When buying shoes, be sure to pay attention to the routes you want and what kind of shoes you will need.
Sports shoes have short straps and are usually only on the upper part of the shoe. But unlike normal shoes, hiking shoes should have long straps that extend from the top to the toes.
This makes the shoe more comfortable on your foot, fits better on your foot, and also makes it easier and faster to put it on and take it off. Therefore, it is better not to buy shoes with short straps that make it difficult to use.
Climbing shoe brands:
Let me put your mind at ease! Sometimes your hiking shoes will be a bridge between life and death for you. Being in a tough situation if your shoes don’t fit can cost you dearly!
So don’t sacrifice your quality and health for the price! Before buying, try to identify famous brands and brands in the field of mountaineering shoes, read the characteristics of each one, and ask questions from friends who have used them, so that you can buy shoes from a reliable and suitable brand. .
Check warranties and guarantees:
If your climbing shoes are from a famous and reliable brand, it is likely that you will buy them with a warranty. This guarantee gives you the assurance that the shoes you buy,
It is original, and if there is a problem, you can discuss it with the seller. In general, you can safely use the shoes you buy with high quality and a warranty for more than five years.
Shop when your feet are not swollen:
As you know, in the morning and after waking up, your hands and feet swell and become a little bigger than their natural size. Also, when you walk for a long time, your feet get swollen. It is better not to postpone the purchase of climbing shoes to these times because you may make a mistake in choosing the right shoe size and buy a size bigger than you need.
Test shoes before buying:
Try the climbing shoes before buying so that you can be sure of their quality and strength. One of the ways to do this is to stand on one leg and hit the wall with the other leg. If the climbing shoes are suitable and have the necessary quality and strength, your feet will not be hit, and you will feel it.
Shop with thick socks on:
Pay attention to the fact that you use special thick socks for climbing, so it is better to bring your special socks with you when shopping so that you can choose the right size according to them. Socks for climbing are thick, and in many cases, up to one size can affect the shoe size.
Check the material of climbing shoes:
Climbing shoes are made in different models from different materials, each of which has its own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. The most common materials used to manufacture mountaineering shoes are plastic, natural or synthetic leather, special fabrics, and new fabric combinations such as Gore-Tex.
As mentioned above, each particular climbing shoe and boot has its own characteristics. For example, leather hiking shoes have high flexibility and good ventilation. On the other hand, plastic shoes are lighter, have better thermal insulation than other shoes, and are more resistant to cold and wind. Of course, these shoes are not suitable for use on soft and low-slope terrains, and their flexibility is less than leather shoes.
In addition to mountains deserts are another form of the iconic natural landscape in Iran, so make sure to check out our 3-Day Varzaneh Desert & Isfahan Tourfor more information.
