UKC

Hello all,

I have a longterm injury in my big toe which makes rock boots a nono. I have no trouble climbing in my B3's though, and would like to run up and down some easy routes on an auto belay as some summer prep and fitness work.

Apart from a few funny looks. Do you think this would be frowned upon at an indoor wall? Has anyone done this before?

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

Think that would be frowned on, training shoe or a bigger sized hire shoe might be better option.

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

I'd be surprised if anyone minded.

Why not message the wall and ask them?

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

Have you tried/considered a fairly 'techie' pair of approach shoes? The instructors at most walls I go to usually climb in them so shouldn't be a problem.

In reply to BenedictIEP:

I need a completely rigid sole, that is the issue.

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

Can't imagine it would be an issue, as long as they aren't leaving mud or dirt on the holds. Most walls have a steady stream of beginners in trainers, can't see how this would be any different.

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

What about doing some repeaters on the fingerboard, or foot on campusing (maybe with a small stool to stand on?) for the fingers/arms & some step ups or squats for the cardio/legs?

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

Can't imagine it being a problem at all if they're clean. My mates usually climb in big boots for a couple of weeks before a trip, rucksacks on for extra indoor gnarl

In reply to sheppy:


Not likely

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

I know a number of guys who have climbed indoors in boots, if the staff have got an issue with it then I'm sure explaining that you're unable to wear a climbing shoe and require good support would settle and issues.

It's no different to people climbing in trainers!

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

I've done it a couple of times in big boots prior to ice climbing trips.
The staff were fine with it but you do get funny looks from other people.

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

I've done it before, no issues. I'd be very surprised (and a bit miffed) if the wall asked me to stop, as long as I wasn't leaving mud everywhere.

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:
It might pre-empt problems to take them there, clean, in a bag rather than to be wearing them when you walk in the door.

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:


I got thrown out of a wall for doing this.


I hadn't taken the crampons off though, so maybe that was it...

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

I sprained my ankle just before I went to Chamonix, and climbed indoors a few times in B2s. No one cares. They are more interested in what you are doing.

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

Have had 20+ people using big boots at an indoor wall for some MR rope rescue training without complaints.
(We did ask nicely first!)

Cezza

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

I was once asked by the manager at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall not to wear my B3s as he felt the edges of the rigid sole might tear the crash pads they had at the bottom of the wall (it was a bouldering venue). Wouldn't have thought it would be an issue without the pads though.

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

i got shouted at by a local wall manager a few years ago for climbing easy jug routes in scarpa zen approach shoes. health and safety issue, he reckoned...

i couldn't be arsed to argue. looking back, i think i probably should have.

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

Where are you based? I work at a wall and we would have no problems with it. As long as your not barefoot and there not dirty it's all good.

Would be surprised if any wall didn't allow it. As mentioned before no different to beginners in their trainers.

In reply to sam.sam.sam.ferguson:

Why not barefoot? You presumably don't insist on wearing gloves.

In reply to Ron Rees Davies:


Surely this is obvious,

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

Ask your local walls. They are the ones who can answer this.
P.s I don't think they will let you use crampons!

In reply to Ron Rees Davies:
I can tell from your profile pic that you have beautiful well cared for feet, so you may not know this: a lot of people's feet are absolutely minging!

In reply to Ron Rees Davies:


Verrucas, athlete's foot, 'fungus', general foot sweat.

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

Can't see any wall worth their salt finding climbing in mountaineering boots an issue. Quite illuminating doing harder stuff in them, ie awsome for edging, rubbish at smears mind!

In reply to Ron Rees Davies:

Seems other people got their first.

As well as being a bit disgusting you can quite easily hurt your feet climbing barefoot - if you need any proof give it a go

In reply to Timmd:


At our local swimming pool everyone has to wear wellies because of this. Carnage in the deep end!

Problem here is that this is a self fulfilling argument - most of these conditions exist because of people keeping their feet cooped up in tight sweaty footwear. Go barefoot and these problems disappear.


I've climbed several VDiffs barefoot, along with 2x 3000ft peaks. Its refreshing. Don't knock it till you've tried it!

I'm not suggesting that barefoot is the way to push grades, or even a sensible way of regular training, just that automatically banning barefoot climbing while allowing climbing with sweaty, greasy hands with flappers and grazed knuckles is illogical.

In reply to FreeloaderJoe:

You can make a pair of trainers or climbing shoes (sized a tad bigger) pretty damn stiff by cutting an insole out of a cookie sheet and inserting it in your shoe. A possible downside is strange noises emanating from your shoe as the cookie sheet flexes ever so slightly.

In reply to sam.sam.sam.ferguson:

It might hurt your feet, or you might climb Font 8c......

http://www.ukclimbing.com/videos/play.php?i=2967

In reply to Ron Rees Davies:

Yeah you are right. But feet creep me out. If some dude climbs and indoor route with bare feet I shall avoid said route like it has Ebola. Feet are strange weird things. Did I mention that feet creep me out?

In reply to Ron Rees Davies:


That's hardly a reason for putting your minging feet on the climbing wall holds other peoples' hands will be on though.


Are you going to try and convince your local wall?

In reply to Ron Rees Davies:



Wait now what... If I climb 6c in boots, what are the possibilities barefoot???