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Climbing Shoes at Decathalon

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ginaj 25 Apr 2009
Hi
I am planning to get my first pair of climbing shoes soon and was wondering if Decathalon was a good place to get them? Are the staff any good in fitting climbing shoes and do they have a good range?
Thanks
In reply to ginaj: Depends which branch you visit. There was a climber working at Birmingham store last year who was very helpful.

The basic shoe has recently changed, I couldn't wear the old one, let alone stand in it. I bought the £40 shoes but found they stretched a bit too much, so SWMBO wears them now, letting me borrow them if I' going to be taking the kids where my Evolv's stink too much for constant belaying!!
 sdavies141 26 Apr 2009
In reply to ginaj:

I would advise you go to a specific climbing shop. Everyones feet are different and it is beneficial to have someone really good at boot fitting help you get your first pair. You want them to comfortable and very supportive, all the different boot manufacturers use different lasts to build the boots, as such each brand will fit your feet differently. You may find in-experienced (but enthusiastic climbers) who work in shops like decathlon may try to convince of their opinion ( this is often to get you to buy very tight shoes).

I have worked in a specific climbing shop for 3 years and have been taught a huge amount about fitting boots by my peers, but now I can always feel positive that what I have fitted is correct. the same can be said for my colleagues. I have how ever had countless numbers of customers buy shoes who come in complaining the boots they got elsewhere were too tight or hurt despite being large (because they got the wrong shape last for their foot).

The shop you go to should stock at least 4 manufacturers so you can try a range of boot shapes. I would recommend would be a good independent, try:
peak/sheffield/manchester try Outside
N. Wales try V12/Joe brown
Lakes try Needle sports
London try Urban rock

I know the staff to be good at all of these shops.

 Ben_Bullbridge 27 Apr 2009
In reply to ginaj:

as above, independant advice from a smaller, specialised climbing shop is likely to be a better outcome. i recently bought my second pair of red chilli shoes after trying on as many different brands as they had to offer, of all the makes the chillis fit best. if i'd of gone to decathlon i wouldn't of found this out
 mlmatt 28 Apr 2009
In reply to ginaj:

I disagreed, the first pair of shoes that I got were from decathlon and they were fantastic. Recently when I needed a new pair of shoes I got another pair from decatlon replacing the old ones with a same model new pair.

I've had shoes fitted to my feet in small specialised climbing shops and they just hurt. I tried them for ages and found that the shoes just hurt my feet, meant I enjoyed climbing in them less and didn't help me climb and harder than in my decathlon shoes.

I threw them in my room and havn't worn them since.

My advise is to find a pair that is comfortable either from decthalon or a specialised climbing shop. Don't be put off decathlon shoes, esp if your on a budget.
 Mike Stretford 28 Apr 2009
In reply to ginaj: They have a limited range but if you're skint their own brand my be worth looking at (labeled as a beginner shoe). If you have just started climbing then IMO you just want something supportive (stiffness), snug and comfortable. There's no guarantee the staff at Decathlon will be able to help you with this, but you should be able to assess the above for yourself.
 Alun 28 Apr 2009
In reply to Sambo:
I disagree partially with you Sambo. You're right in saying that everyone's feet are different, but that doesn't necessarily mean that shoes in a specific climbing shop will fit anybody any better, and they will almost certainly cost twice the price. Decathlon 35€ slippers fit me just as well as my 100€ Katanas. However, a decent climbing shop will give specific advice as to *what consists* a good fit, and for a beginner this is very important.

My advice would be to go to Decathlon if you have an experienced climbing friend to come with you and you're on a budget and/or you're not sure if rock climbing is "for you". Otherwise, the advice you get in a climbing shop will be very useful, even if you will have to fork out more money for a shoe.
 sdavies141 28 Apr 2009
I am well aware that some people go into a specialist shop and end up getting tight shoes that hurt. Often if you say to a lot of employees you want "more technical" shoes, they immediately put you in tighter shoes. I personally always try to assess what level of discomfort someone is willing to go to for that extra benefit of a really tight shoe. In some cases people have had a soft slipper for a while and they just benefit from having a stiffer shoe (this is then more technical).

With regards to a first pair and the OP. Decathalons basic pumps do the job. If you are just starting out you may not notice the difference a well fitted (comfy) boot makes. However, if you are keen for climbing then before you make a purchase why not let a specialist show you the benefit of their skill and help you select a really good first boot. if you are not happy you can always go to decathalon!
 Mark Warwicker 29 Apr 2009
In reply to Alun: Good Advice Alun, but better still, if possible take an experienced climbing friend to a specialist shop as well, and try all the options to get the best fit, including Decathlon.
But a word of advice to the OP, ginaj. Don't think that whatever you get as a beginner will necessarily be good enough. I got shoes from Decathlon for both my kids based on size and fit alone, thinking that the other qualities wouldn't make much difference to beginners. The larger ones for my daughter have truly terrible rubber. So much so that she's been really annoyed on a couple of occasions when the more than adquate rubber on her little brother's shoes have enabled him to do grit friction problems that she cannot! Her shoes are the original, blue Vuarde Vulca lace-ups - www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/vuarde-vulca-3232896, (I don't know if the newer versions are any better), his are the blue canvas Vuarde Junior velcro slippers that Decathlon no longer list, but are shown here - www.kidsclimbing.co.uk/kidsgear_rockboots.asp. The rubber on these is very noticeably different - as well as better.
Have fun,
Mark.

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