Why does finding the right climbing shoe have to be so difficult? I suppose anything handmade is going to present its challenges, but really, this has been crazy. Brendan went on a massive search before setting in for the shoes he wears now (Thank you, Butora, for the Gomi line.) If you have a narrow heel, there are few choices for you. Every shoe has its own specialties. And when a climber wants the most aggressive shoe, there can be problems with the fit. I've always wondered about getting shoes custom-made...Not much out there for that solution.
An absolute must on a climbing trip is to check out shoe selections at any gyms we come across. Sure, you can order online, but be prepared to send it back three times before you get your correct size. Or maybe you never got your correct size, as was my case when trying to find a shoe I liked. There are plenty of reviews out there online on Climbing shoes, but our problem was that we couldn't just go try the shoe on. Back to the trip solution. Many of the bigger gyms have shoe sale sections in their lobbies and some even have gear for sale. We have even resorted to buying two shoes at a time to stay ahead of Brendan's needs. If he burns a hole in a shoe, it is pretty much done. Now, some places resole shoes, but we never seem to have enough time for that before a competition.
The best advice I can give is to start early and when you find the right shoe, buy a couple of pairs. Yes, I know it will hurt to spend that kind of money but trust me, you will be saving money not having to run around to find that next pair when you need it!
P.S. Here are a few links that I'm going to check out:
Use the discount code: BRENDANWILKINS2301 FOR A 25% discount on any Butora shoes.
And when you strike out, try these sites:
CLIMB ON!
No comments:
Post a Comment