does anyone here climb?
i've been climbing the wall at school here. it's pretty fun. i'm going to try to get some climbing shoes this weekend. (there are sales at local shops.)
i've been climbing the wall at school here. it's pretty fun. i'm going to try to get some climbing shoes this weekend. (there are sales at local shops.)
i did it from time to time at steep world here in bmt but once my hours ramped up at q2 i wasn't able to keep going.
like vertical climbing? i've done some hikes up a mountain, not like hardcore technical mountaineering
I wanted to do free climbing when I saw the people scaling the wall at Joshua Tree National Park, in the desert.
Looking for a wall now because of lr.
Looking for a wall now because of lr.
pb > not like hardcore technical mountaineering
well i haven't done any technical climbing, just free climbing
db > i did it from time to time at steep world here in bmt
cool. how much does it cost there? is it pretty nice? seems like a quality bmt activity.
well i haven't done any technical climbing, just free climbing
db > i did it from time to time at steep world here in bmt
cool. how much does it cost there? is it pretty nice? seems like a quality bmt activity.
if i remember correctly it's like 8 for a full day without renting shoes. with shoes it's like 15.
it's strictly bouldering, no belay, but the cave they have is crazy.
it's strictly bouldering, no belay, but the cave they have is crazy.
so i went to barrel, and they have some used la sportiva shoes that fit me nicely for $35. they are pretty well worn and stink, though. :( i don't know if i want used shoes.
the only new shoes they have on sale are these for $100 (normally $140):
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/22960358/c/396.html
the only new shoes they have on sale are these for $100 (normally $140):
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/22960358/c/396.html
so i ended up buying the cliff by la sportiva. they were $67, on sale from $90. i got a size 8, i normally wear a 10 in street shoes.
i used them today--it's so nice having real climbing shoes! they are a perfect fit, too. lovin'--
i used them today--it's so nice having real climbing shoes! they are a perfect fit, too. lovin'--
I'm looking at shoes. I went once and I'm in love! I took a belaying course when I went as well! Unfortunately the climbing gym in San Jose closed a few months ago, I went to one in Sunnyvale called planet granite which is nice but pricey. On campus there's a wall which I'm checking out today. I think there is an amazing outdoor (for real) bouldering area somewhere here in the bay area.
Once I get equipped I'm going out again :]
Once I get equipped I'm going out again :]
i knew you'd love it, monkeyman. :)
dp what brand of shoes were you thinking? also what style?
I don't know yet. I only tried some la sportivas, and they were alright. I'm just not sure the sizing was perfect or what cuz my toe grips weren't serious enough. I'd like to test pilot some shoes though. I'm going to trip to REI and try some other rental varieties too. Do you recommend any?
i've heard good things about 5.10 shoes, and iirc they are often less expensive.
just remember to size down until your feet hurt unbearably, then move up a size. your toes should all be curled under except for your big toe. make sure your big toe's nail is clipped so you can ensure it's up against the toe box fully.
basically, i think that ideally, when your heel is fully seated back, your big toe will gently touch the inside tip of the toe box, and all of your other toes will be curled downward.
perhaps tc can verify or offer other advice.
just remember to size down until your feet hurt unbearably, then move up a size. your toes should all be curled under except for your big toe. make sure your big toe's nail is clipped so you can ensure it's up against the toe box fully.
basically, i think that ideally, when your heel is fully seated back, your big toe will gently touch the inside tip of the toe box, and all of your other toes will be curled downward.
perhaps tc can verify or offer other advice.
these are what i have.
going with velcro straps instead of laces might be a good idea. it seems to me that climbers are anal about keeping their shoes clean, so they like put them on right before they climb and take them off right afterward (so they don't get dirty on the ground).
these are pretty cheap for a pair of velcro-strapped.
everyone will tell you that fit is more important that marginal price differences. i think that's true, but i think it's pretty easy to find a good fit. the side walls are forgiving, they'll usually form to your foot when you lace. i think the shape of the toe box is what it all comes down to. you want it shaped such that you can accomplish what i described above.
when i was buying my shoes, many people told me that i should just get shoes, then when i go to buy my second pair later, i'll really know what i want. they also told me that i'll wear out my first pair of shoes quickly because of poor technique (toe dragging). i do know more about shoes now that i have some, but i'm not convinced that the first pair wears out quickly. if you are conscious of shoe-wear when you're climbing, they'll last.
going with velcro straps instead of laces might be a good idea. it seems to me that climbers are anal about keeping their shoes clean, so they like put them on right before they climb and take them off right afterward (so they don't get dirty on the ground).
these are pretty cheap for a pair of velcro-strapped.
everyone will tell you that fit is more important that marginal price differences. i think that's true, but i think it's pretty easy to find a good fit. the side walls are forgiving, they'll usually form to your foot when you lace. i think the shape of the toe box is what it all comes down to. you want it shaped such that you can accomplish what i described above.
when i was buying my shoes, many people told me that i should just get shoes, then when i go to buy my second pair later, i'll really know what i want. they also told me that i'll wear out my first pair of shoes quickly because of poor technique (toe dragging). i do know more about shoes now that i have some, but i'm not convinced that the first pair wears out quickly. if you are conscious of shoe-wear when you're climbing, they'll last.
I agree 100% with lr. It doesnt matter the deal you got on your shoes if they dont fit right. Once your feet break in quite a bit more you will be able to fit into more shoes. But for now just follow lr's advice about the toes and go with what you are comfortable with.
Alright! All good info. I'm on the prowl!
I'm getting better! I completed some interesting challenges, but not particularly difficult ones. My stamina is slightly improving already!
I wore some shoes like the ones you linked lr (la sportiva laced and blue, they seem the same). I think velcro seems like an appealing solution so you can get those things off your feet quickly to break, but I'm not sure how tight they will stay on in comparison. It's weird that climbers don't want to get their shoes dirty by using them on the ground, wouldn't their feet get typically more dirty and then in the shoe too?
Checked out the climbing wall on campus. It's kind of lame but free and I want to try it out for fun. It's similar to those temporary walls they have at fairs or whatever.
Can't wait to get shoes :]
I wore some shoes like the ones you linked lr (la sportiva laced and blue, they seem the same). I think velcro seems like an appealing solution so you can get those things off your feet quickly to break, but I'm not sure how tight they will stay on in comparison. It's weird that climbers don't want to get their shoes dirty by using them on the ground, wouldn't their feet get typically more dirty and then in the shoe too?
Checked out the climbing wall on campus. It's kind of lame but free and I want to try it out for fun. It's similar to those temporary walls they have at fairs or whatever.
Can't wait to get shoes :]
> It's weird that climbers don't want to get their shoes dirty by using them on the ground, wouldn't their feet get typically more dirty and then in the shoe too?
i think they want the outer rubber as sticky as possible for the rock.
i think they want the outer rubber as sticky as possible for the rock.
oh, i didn't think of dirty having an effect on sticky so much.
Yeah I don't know many climbers who care too much about the dirt for the stickiness. Most don't wear them around just for wear and tear. DP have you started doing hand exercises to improve your grips?
No, I've just been finishing my days off with intense bouldering until I can't hang on anymore. I've been stretching significantly though.
> Most don't wear them around just for wear and tear.
oh, this makes sense too. i just asked a couple if they avoid it to keep the rubber clean, and i think they answered affirmatively.
oh, this makes sense too. i just asked a couple if they avoid it to keep the rubber clean, and i think they answered affirmatively.
pair of la sportiva mojos $29. going to go try them on!
Ive been climbing for the last few years. Started in the canyon in bozeman and now that i'm in Billings I go to the rims to climb. I've got a pair of five-ten shoes and have been really happy with em. They are due for new laces, other than that they are top notch.
I just checked at a sheels in Reno, there weren't any decent five-ten's for sale. Damn.
I have red/black scarpas. They look similar to this but with laces.
They grip like mad :D but they curl my toes in so sharply that they hurt after a few minutes :(
For my next pair, I might try velcro straps. I like lacing down tight but I end up slipping in and out of them so often that I eventually leave them laced very loosely. Which makes them pretty pointless.
They grip like mad :D but they curl my toes in so sharply that they hurt after a few minutes :(
For my next pair, I might try velcro straps. I like lacing down tight but I end up slipping in and out of them so often that I eventually leave them laced very loosely. Which makes them pretty pointless.
Thanks! I'm looking through them :D
Bought the Five Ten Galileo shoes! $97.16 using the sale and the 10% discount code found on retailmenot.com (AVANT10).
http://www.touchstoneclimbing.com/ coming to downtown san jose soon!
I'm going to go climbing. FUCK IT I'M BUYING A BOULDERING PAD AND HEADING TO CASTLE ROCK.
I'm going to go climbing. FUCK IT I'M BUYING A BOULDERING PAD AND HEADING TO CASTLE ROCK.
Looks like I have to buy it, no pad rentals at REI. I'm going to check a few other spots.
This morning the curves between my bicepts and elbows were sore from moving. As a result, I was hyper aware of the muscles in my arms and the way they move when I walk etc. It made me miss climbing even more than before; this feeling was ever-present after serious bouts of bouldering...
sigh
sigh